Mediation

What is Mediation?

Mediation is the intervention into a dispute or negotiation of an acceptable, impartial, and neutral third party who has no authoritative decision-making power, to assist contending parties to voluntarily reach their own mutually acceptable settlement of issues in dispute.

Why Choose Mediation?

Mediation:

  • is generally less expensive in terms of dollars when contrasted to the expense of protracted litigation or other forms of fighting
  • provides a more timely way of resolving disputes
  • has mutually satisfactory outcomes
  • has a high rate of compliance—parties who have reached their own agreement are generally more likely to follow through and comply with its terms that those whose agreement has been imposed by a third party decision-maker
  • results in comprehensive and “customized” agreements — agreements often cover procedural and psychological issues that are not covered by the law and parties can tailor the settlement to their particular situation
  • teaches people practical problem-solving techniques that can be utilized to resolve future disputes
  • affords parties a greater degree of control and predictability over the outcome of their dispute
  • preserves ongoing relationships or termination of relationships in a more amicable way
  • produce agreements that are better than a simple compromise or win/lose outcomes
  • is confidential

What is the Process of Mediation?

Each party will first be asked to tell their story or describe the situation or problem as they see it. There will be time for questions or clarification. From that discovery, issues of importance to each party will be identified and then an agenda from mutually agreed upon topics will be created. Parties will then take some time exploring those issues by each educating the other about individual interests or needs and discuss the agenda items one by one. The parties will then work on some options that would resolve some of these issues. Once there is a clear road map and some possible solutions, parties then bargain for and enter into a written agreement.

Mediation is about Choices:

LAW is about assigning blame—
MEDIATION attacks the problem, not the person.

COUNSELING looks at understanding one's own emotions and the past—
MEDIATION involves joint problem-solving and joint planning for working through future issues.

JUDGES decide who is right and who is wrong—
MEDIATION participants design their own solutions and carry them out.

Mediation Services at THE FAMILY CENTER:

Divorce & Child Custody Mediation
Workplace Mediation
Parent/Adolescent Mediation
Public Policy Mediation
Cross-Cultural Mediation

Whether it is divorce and child custody, parent-adolescent, community, or other interpersonal conflict such as roommate disputes, call the Family Center to see if mediation is an appropriate process in helping you manage conflict more effectively.

For more information about conflict resolution/mediation services and training, contact:

THE FAMILY CENTER
Campus Creek Road
Phone: 785.532.6984
Email: terrie@ksu.edu
Manhattan, Kansas 66506