Volume 2, Number 2, Feb 2002

Mock Mediation Role-play #6

Each issue of the REPORT features a role-play for use in campus mediation training or inservice sessions.

Joan and David
(by Michael Lang, 1996, used with permission)

General Information:
(for Mediators/Observers/Disputants)

It's hard to believe that this kind of situation would have ever happened. A faculty member and a student got into a shoving match. And all over a request for a 5-day extension on a paper.

David, a Senior, is a student in Joan's seminar. Joan is an expert in Latin American history and politics. Both have reputations for being outspoken. Since the beginning of the term, there have been repeated clashes in class as Joan and David engaged in frequent, extensive and often heated discussions on the nature of US influence in Central and South America.

The problem that brings them to mediation occurred within the past week and involved some physical contact. Both have agreed to participate in the mediation, though neither is pleased at having to do it. David's friends and advisor have strongly advised him to mediate rather than face possible disciplinary action based on Joan's complaint. Joan's faculty chair encouraged her to mediate rather than requiring administrative action on David's complaint.