Mediating Conflicts and Resolving Disputes

This workshop informed students that there were people called Ombuds who work as mediators to students. If students ever have problems, they are free to go to these mediators who will work with the student to resolve the issue. The Ombuds normally talk to each individual involved in the conflict separately, in order to hear all sides of the story. After hearing all the sides, the Ombud will attempt to mediate the situation into something fair and just for all. During this workshop, we were placed into groups and were given hypothetical situations in which we had to attempt to resolve the conflict. Some situations included a student receiving harsh treatment, a student failing a class and even a student unaware of what to do after witnessing cheating. Students presented their mock situations, with Professor Engle-Friedman stopping the presentation in order to clarify what is usually done. She emphasized how Ombuds have no power and at most can talk to various people in attempts to fix the situation. One should not go to an Ombud expecting for everything to be resolved rather they should expect to find a person willing to listen to the situation and try to assist in mediating the conflict.