With the assistance of an unbiased third party, mediation affords parties an opportunity to achieve a win-win solution to the conflict. AUMS mediators are students, staff and faculty volunteers who have completed a minimum of 20 hours of Basic Mediation Skills training, and are committed to the productive resolution of conflicts. During intake, parties meet with an AUMS staff member to obtain information on the AUMS mediation process, discuss alternate routes of resolution, and to determine the suitability of the case for mediation. If parties elect to utilize mediation, details about the conflict are gathered. Parties will be contacted at a later date by the mediator who will facilitate their session.
Mediation usually occurs within a week of the intake, unless parties request otherwise.
The length of a mediation session can vary from two to three hours. In some cases, it may be necessary to schedule additional sessions. Depending upon the case, the parties will have the option of a written or oral agreement. In cases referred to mediation by the judicial process, all agreements must be written and may be subject to the approval of the Director of Judicial Affairs and Mediation Services. All events discussed within the sessions are confidential.