Peer Mediators

Conflict is not new to a university setting where students from many diverse backgrounds come to learn and work in a tightly-knit, often competitive and pressured community. The Peer Mediation Program (PMP) at the University of Southern California (USC) was created to empower university constituents with the process and ability to peacefully and constructively address differences with the goal of facilitating the fulfillment of personal, institutional, and community goals. We want to provide tangible ways for individuals and groups to communicate constructively, thoughtfully and compassionately. We seek to enhance cooperation among people in conflict so that they see their mutual involvement and responsibility.

PMP has a four-fold mission:

1. to offer USC students a forum for constructive dispute resolution, in a formal and confidential setting, that is, formal mediation;

2. to provide a fair and effective process in which disputing student members of the community can resolve their own differences

3. to train student members of the USC community in mediation and other dispute resolution techniques and encourage the use of such techniques in informal as well as formal settings;

4. to educate members of the USC community about the value of constructive dispute resolution and promote peace on campus

Mediation is utilized where the incident in question is minor in nature, and the parties involved chose not to proceed with formal charges through Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards (SJACS). When mediation is being utilized in lieu of a formal adjudication through SJACS, the parties are expected to operate in good faith. If at any time the mediators feel that one or more of the parties is not acting in good faith, the mediation may be terminated and the case referred to SJACS.

Process Flow Chart
Becoming a Peer Mediator
Frequently Asked Questions