All SMS Student Mediators have signed documents attesting to their commitment to the privacy of mediations. None of the information that may be linked to any disputant leaves to mediation room, and all notes from a mediation are destroyed at a mediation's conclusion. No mediator may tesify in any proceeding as to the content of a mediation. Free Student Mediation Services works with student volunteers to conduct mediations. It is a special service to U-M students.
Many disputants come into mediations expecting the mediator to serve as judge or arbitrator.
In actuality, the mediator follows the discussion of the parties, and helps keep the discussion on track. In Michigan, the Community Dispute Resolution Centers report that, on average, seven of ten mediations are successful. And of successful mediations, nine out of ten Mediated Agreement are lasting for both parties. The Student Mediation Program, so far, has much higher percentages. But their caseload is much smaller than than the caseload of the entire State of Michigan.