Mediation

What is mediation?

Mediation is a non-obligatory process for resolving conflicts – solution-oriented, structured, and confidential.

At the Study Advisory Service, we primarily follow the Harvard concept: a structured approach that focuses on collaboration, interest-based decision-making, and sustainable solutions. The following fundamental principles form the basis of mediation:

• Confidentiality

  Everything discussed in mediation remains confidential.

• Impartiality

  The mediator supports all parties equally.

• Voluntariness

  Participation in mediation is always voluntary.

• Self-responsibility

  The participants develop solutions independently.

When is mediation helpful?

Conflicts are a part of living together – even in everyday university life. However, unresolved conflicts can block processes, negatively impact the learning environment, and hinder academic success. Mediation offers a way to resolve tensions early on.

Typical reasons for mediation in a university context include:

• Conflicts between students, e.g., in project or group work
• Group conflicts in work or study groups
• Disagreements within university groups, initiatives, or committees.

Generally: any situation in which the conflict noticeably hinders studies or collaboration.

How do you contact us?

If you feel that a conflict is affecting your studies, please get in touch!

Here's how:

Send an email to studienberatung@hochschule-rhein-waal.de

→ Please include "Mediation" in the subject line.

We will then contact all parties involved in the conflict by phone to better understand the situation.

Following this, and with mutual agreement, we will schedule a structured mediation session.

The consultation and mediation are, of course, free of charge and confidential.