ILR News Center

ILR and Law School students get hands-on mediation experience

The Scheinman Institute on Conflict Resolution successfully conducted its first mediator training program designed exclusively for Cornell ILR School and Cornell Law School students. The intensive three-day workshop was held recently at the ILR Conference Center on the Ithaca campus. 

The faculty included Phoenix, AZ-based mediator Richard Fincher; Diane Rosen, a New York City attorney and mediator who also serves as Program Advisor; and mediator Rocco Scanza, the Executive Director of the Scheinman Institute. Course content included detailed discussions and group exercises on such varied topics as campus conflicts, workplace terminations, and securities investor/brokerage disputes. Students also participated in several simulation exercises to give them experience applying their mediation skills to real-life situations.
 
Student demand for this first mediator training program has been high. The Scheinman Institute has scheduled its next Cornell Student Mediator Training Program January 16-18, 2008. In addition to ILR and Law School students, students from the Johnson Graduate School of Management will be invited to participate.
 
For additional information regarding these programs, or to register for this free training, please contact Traci Morse at tlm6@cornell.edu, 607.255.9298.

What students said about the quality of the mediator training program:

• The student mediation training achieved its goal of sparking interest in mediation and conflict resolution. The program was great and taught me how to better my own relationships and resolve conflicts.
• In just three days, I learned practical skills that I will be able to use professionally.
• (The most important aspect was) Learning about the substantive steps of mediation and having the chance to practice following the steps in the simulations.
• The training actually exceeded my expectations. I did not expect to learn as much as I did.
• I really liked how personalized this program felt. The instructors called us by name.
• I learned skills that are valuable in any situation I would encounter in the workplace.