The Beyond the Diag program in the Dean of Students office provides a dispute resoultion service called Off Campus Housing Assistance for student tenants and registered landlords/property managers. The purpose of this service is to resolve off-campus housing disputes between parties by using shuttle negotiation to reach a mutually desired outcome. Shuttle Negotiation is defined as an indirect conversation, facilitated by a non-involved party, between two or more parties involved in a conflict.
The most common Off Campus Housing Assistance concerns include those betweeen student tenants and landlords, student tenant(s) and student tenant(s), and student tenant and subtenant(s).
Other helpful resources include the Office of Student Conflict Resolution and Student Legal Services.
A Dispute Resolution Clause is included in the U-M lease. A copy of that exact clause is listed below.
Dispute Resolution Clause
The parties to this agreement recognize that disputes may arise as a result of their shared experience(s) under the terms of this agreement. The parties further recognize that various dispute resolution options are available to assist them in resolving their disputes, including dialogue, negotiation, conflict coaching, facilitated dialogue, mediation, and, when necessary, legal action. The parties agree to attempt to resolve disputes arising under this agreement at the lowest level possible by first communicating and negotiating with each other directly in good faith and with a spirit of mutual cooperation. If the parties are unable to resolve their disputes in this manner, a third party facilitator can assist the parties in reaching a mutually acceptable resolution of the issue(s) in dispute. To request assistance from a third party facilitator, any party to this lease may contact the University of Michigan Beyond the Diag Off Campus Housing Assistance Program located in the Dean of Students Office. The Beyond the Diag Off Campus Housing Assistance Program provides various dispute resolution services and, when necessary, can connect parties with other appropriate service providers. Although parties are encouraged to utilize the dispute resolution services available through the Beyond the Diag Off Campus Housing Assistance Program before resorting to legal action, they are not required to do so under this provision. Additional dispute resolution services available to University of Michigan students include Student Legal Services and the Office of Student Conflict Resolution. Student Legal Services provides legal assistance and representation for students. The Office of Student Conflict Resolution provides coaching, mediation, arbitration and other services for students experiencing a broad range of conflicts.