These settlements often are put into writing, and may be on or off the record. They are not monitored or enforced by the Institute or the mediator. Formal mediation has been rare at MIT but is becoming somewhat more common, and may be especially useful where there are differences in perception or values, or when you want to guard your privacy. It is purely voluntary for everyone in the case. These are actions that are intended to alert the person who offended you to inappropriate behavior, in such a way that the offense against you stops without your having had to do anything except talk with a confidential intermediary.
Generic approaches appear in many cases to be successful and offer maximum privacy.
Generic efforts may also prevent similar problems from occurring. If you try this approach, please follow up with your intermediary to discuss whether the offensive behavior has stopped. In order to pursue a formal complaint, you must put the complaint in writing and ask for a formal investigation to be conducted. A formal investigation and decision on a complaint can lead to formal disciplinary action, up to and including separation from the Institute. It is therefore especially suitable for serious offenses.