SUNY Potsdam Opens Campus Dispute Resolution Center

Mediation Center will Serve College Faculty, Staff and Students

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From left, Assistant Professor David Kistler, UUP President Laura Rhoads, Director of HR Mary Dolan, President John F. Schwaller and Dean of Students Chip Morris pose at the center's opening ceremony.

POTSDAM, NY (12/23/2010)(readMedia)-- SUNY Potsdam strives to provide a safe, balanced work and study environment for its faculty, staff and students. In the College's mission to ensure an inclusive campus community, it recently announced the opening of the Campus Dispute Resolution Center.

SUNY Potsdam celebrated the opening of the Campus Dispute Resolution Center for students, faculty and staff with a ceremony on Dec. 1 in the Barrington Student Union's Fireside Lounge. Assistant Professor Dr. David Kistler, United University Professions President Laura Rhoads, Director of Human Resources Mary Dolan, SUNY Potsdam President Dr. John F. Schwaller and Dean of Students Chip Morris participated in the event.

In addition to existing resources such as unions, the Department of Human Resources, supervisors, Residence Life staff, Affirmative Action and University Police, a new option for mediation has been introduced.

Mediation is a voluntary participation in a structured process where a neutral third party assists disputing parties in identifying and satisfying their interests relative to their dispute. SUNY Potsdam has three certified mediators, and plans to certify more.

"The Campus Dispute Resolution Center is intended to give our faculty, staff and students choices when dealing with conflict. SUNY Potsdam believes that mediation can play a role in resolving conflict before it turns into a larger issue and will contribute to a positive working, living and learning environment," said Director of Human Resources Mary Dolan.

For more information, please email mediationservices@potsdam.edu or call (315) 267-3142.

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Founded in 1816, and located on the outskirts of the beautiful Adirondack Park, the State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges. SUNY Potsdam currently enrolls approximately 4,350 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its handcrafted education, challenging liberal arts and sciences core, excellence in teacher training and leadership in the performing and visual arts.

-www.potsdam.edu-