Skip to content
Civil Rights Compliance Office

Alternative Resolution

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is a voluntary, structured process that allows students involved in a complaint of sex- or gender-based violence, harassment, or discrimination to develop a mutually agreed-upon resolution. Guided by a professional facilitator, ADR offers a flexible approach to address harm and resolve allegations by allowing both students to actively contribute to the process and outcomes. While direct communication between students is not required, it is possible if both students agree.

ADR is:

  • Voluntary: Both students must agree to participate and can withdraw from the process at any time.
  • Facilitated: A professional facilitator guides the process and helps develop a resolution agreement.
  • Flexible: Students determine the terms of the resolution, allowing for customized solutions.
  • Supported: Students may bring and consult with an advisor of their choice throughout the process.

ADR offers a distinct approach compared to a University investigation. You may prefer ADR for the following additional reasons:

  • Faster: ADR typically takes about a month, while investigations can take several months.
  • No investigation or hearing: Students do not testify, provide evidence or witnesses, or participate in live cross-examination.
  • No conduct record: ADR does not determine if a policy was violated or result in a disciplinary record.
  • Fewer people involved: ADR does not require an investigator, witnesses, hearing advisors, hearing officers, or appeal boards.

To learn more about whether ADR is appropriate for your situation, you can make a Civil Rights & Title IX Report to connect with a Civil Rights Case Manager.

The ADR process

ADR involves a maximum of five people: one complainant and one respondent (“the parties”), one trained facilitator, and two optional support advisors. The complainant is the student who reports experiencing sex-based violence, harassment or discrimination and submits a complaint to the University. The respondent is the student alleged to have violated the Student Conduct Code. The facilitator helps the complainant and respondent draft a resolution agreement that is approved and enforced by the University. The parties can each choose an advisor, such as a friend, family member, or attorney, to help them throughout the process.

Intake & agreement to participate

During this stage, the complainant meets with a case manager to learn about ADR. If the complainant is interested in pursuing ADR and confirms their allegations with the case manager, the respondent receives this information along with allegations and decides whether to participate in ADR. If a University investigation has already begun, either student can explore ADR at any time before a decision (“initial order”) has been issued.

Facilitation & development of resolution agreement

The facilitator meets individually with each student to determine the best ADR method, supports them through the process with their advisors, and guides them in drafting, reviewing, and approving a resolution agreement.

Review & approval of resolution agreement

The Civil Rights Compliance Office (CRC) reviews and approves the resolution agreement, which is then signed by both students and CRC. The final agreement is sent to the parties and retained by the office.

Reporting violations of the resolution agreement

If a student believes the resolution agreement has been violated, they can contact CRC, which may refer the matter for adjudication under the Student Conduct Code.

Several ADR methods are available to develop a resolution agreement. Common ADR methods include:

  • Shuttle diplomacy: Students communicate separately with the facilitator, who drafts a resolution agreement for review and signing. No direct contact occurs between the parties.
  • Conferencing: Students have a face-to-face (in-person or virtual) conversation led by a facilitator, where students discuss their needs before drafting a resolution agreement. Conferencing occurs only if both students agree.

The facilitator will select the most appropriate method based on conversations with the students. These methods are not mutually exclusive, and it is possible to begin with shuttle diplomacy and then move to conferencing, or vice versa.

Many different types of resolution agreements are possible using ADR. Resolution agreements are tailored to each specific situation and may include elements such as:

  • Expectations for communicating with one another
  • Plans for accessing on- and off-campus spaces
  • Assurances about housing arrangements
  • Limitations on the respondent’s participation in certain activities or events
  • Agreements for the respondent to complete a training or education program

Getting started with ADR

If you are interested in ADR, the next step is to meet with a Civil Rights Case Manager. Case managers can explain ADR and help you determine if it is right for your situation.

You can contact a case manager by making Civil Rights & Title IX Report, emailing civilrights@uw.edu, or calling 206-221-7932.

A formal complaint must be submitted before the ADR process can begin.

If you have already begun an investigation, either party can explore ADR while the investigation is ongoing and a decision (“initial order”) has not been made.

Currently, ADR is only available for situations where both the complainant and respondent are students. CRC decides whether ADR is appropriate for a Title IX-related complaint on a case-by-case basis. Some factors considered include:

  • The respondent’s conduct history (if any)
  • Whether both students are still affiliated with the University
  • The risk to the complainant or the University community
  • Both students’ initial and ongoing agreement to participate

To proceed with ADR, both parties must agree to participate. Participation in ADR is entirely voluntary, and either party can withdraw at any time before a resolution agreement is signed.

ADR process FAQs

Many student organizations may have processes for mediating between students when situations arise. ADR has many advantages over such options, including:

  • Access to supportive measures for both parties
  • Right to work with a University-provided support advisor who has received training on the ADR process
  • Trauma-informed professional facilitators with expertise in addressing Title IX matters
  • University enforcement of resolution agreements under the Student Conduct Code
  • Both parties retain the right to withdraw from the process at any time prior to its conclusion
  • Increased privacy due to fewer involved students
  • Alignment with due process rights

Parties are not required to communicate directly with one another during ADR, but they can if both students agree.

You may be accompanied by, and consult with, a support person or advisor of your choice during ADR. In addition:

You can request supportive measures to help restore or preserve your access to the UW’s educational and work environments. Examples include modifications of course-related deadlines, changes in class schedules, and changes in work or housing locations.

Resolution agreements FAQs

Concerns about resolution agreement violations should be reported to the Civil Rights Compliance Office by emailing civilrights@uw.edu. If the respondent is alleged to have violated the terms of a resolution agreement, they may be held accountable under the Student Conduct Code.

Participation in ADR is not documented on your student disciplinary record or transcript. The Civil Rights Compliance Office will keep a copy of the formal complaint and resolution agreement in case future incidents occur.

If ADR is not completed, the resolution process defaults to an investigation. The complainant can choose whether to participate in the investigation or request that the Civil Rights Compliance Office dismiss the complaint and not initiate an investigation.

Information learned during ADR cannot be considered as evidence in a University investigation.