The purpose of Mediation is for the parties who are in conflict to identify the implications of the reported actions and identify points of agreement and appropriate remedies to address them. Either party may request Mediation to seek resolution. However, Mediation will be available only under both of the following conditions:
- The consent of both Parties, and
- The incident constitutes conduct that, in the discretion of the Title IX coordinator, is appropriate to be potentially resolved through Mediation.
Prior to Mediation, a temporary, mutual No Contact Order will be put in place to ensure the parties do not contact one another during the process. Either party has the right to terminate participation in the Mediation process at any time.
The Title IX coordinator or their designee, known as the Facilitator, will facilitate Mediation. During Mediation, the Facilitator will guide a discussion between the Reporting Individual/Complainant and the Respondent in efforts to identify an outcome both Parties agree upon. If either party feels uncomfortable being present in the same room as the other party, the parties may mediate via telephone or electronic means facilitated by the College. Alternatively, at the request of either party, the Facilitator may conduct “caucus” mediation in which the Facilitator conducts separate meetings with each Party. Whether or not the parties agree to meet face to face, each party will be permitted to bring an adviser of their choice to the Mediation meeting(s).
If the Mediation results in an agreed-upon resolution between the Reporting Individual/Complainant and the Respondent, the Facilitator will record in writing the agreement that was reached between the Parties, and the matter will be closed on the terms agreed to. A notification of this agreement will be given to both Parties, and the Title IX Office thereafter will monitor adherence to the agreed-upon resolution.
If a resolution cannot be reached through Mediation, or the Mediation otherwise concludes without agreement, the Reporting Individual/Complainant has the ability to pursue the Formal Complaint Process discussed below.