Dispute Resolution in Higher Education

Testimonials:

Carol Blackshire-Belay, Assistant to the Chancellor, University of Wisconsin System

Dr. Perley's breadth of experience, sensitivity to issues, and people skills are major assets contributing to his success in mediation practices. He is an impartial mediator….and is the person to contact when seeking conflict resolution.

Janet West, Professor of Economics, University of Nebraska, Omaha

Jim Perley has a deep and broad understanding of academic issues, having had a distinguished career as an administrator and faculty member. He has the ability to analyze the core problems that may be causing a conflict in an academic setting and the personality necessary to bring the parties to the table for a discussion. He has years of experience in mediating conflicts between administrators and faculty in many types of academic institutions.

Richard Stewart, Professor of Education, Southern Nevada Community College

I recommend Jim Perley as an academic mediator. He brings an unusual set of skills and experiences gained over a lifetime committed to higher education. The multiple perspectives of researcher, administrator, and faculty member… enhance his natural perspicacity, his honesty, and integrity to find solutions to sticky problems. He truly cares about higher education and has the ability to go beyond mere compromise to that coveted “middle ground” where all parties win.

Holly Toensing, Professor of Religion, Xavier University

Jim was indispensable in assessing and mediating an academic grievance case I initiated at a now former institution. His approach is one that holds the academy in all its facets to its highest ideals, principles and policies. More specifically, what struck me was his ability to identify quickly 'what is at stake' in a case and identify where communication has broken down - not just for me, but for the institution as well - and thus envision the best possible route of documentation and negotiation that led to a successful resolution of my case within the academy and prevented the case from going to a civil suit.

Denise Tanguay, Associate Dean, College of Business, Eastern Michigan University

Jim Perley has been active in higher education as a faculty member, officer in the AAUP, and administrator. He provides the perspective needed to see all sides of an issue and to provide objective help in moving the parties toward resolution.

I have worked with him for over 10 years and highly respect his ability to carefully and calmly ask the right questions to help people see their own solutions. Additionally, he is eminently capable of insisting on collegial discussion and professional discourse as people sort through their issues.

Jim is a delight to work with. He is intelligent and perceptive, has well-honed interpersonal skills, and understands people as well as higher education.

Jim is committed to the principles of collegiality and academic freedom, while understanding the need for administration to be fiscally prudent and responsible in their actions. He is familiar with the tensions that occur on campuses and has the mediation skills to help parties work through to a solution they can live with.

John Oliver, Professor of Religion, Emeritus, Malone College, Canton, Ohio

In the mid-1990's, Jim proved an extraordinarily gifted mediator in a dispute I had at a College in Ohio that had to do with academic freedom. His gentle, non-threatening, clear thinking manner was indispensable in resolving my concern in a spirit of peace and reconciliation on all sides.

Rebecca Williams, Professor of English, University of Central Arkansas

To divisive situations, Jim Perley brings clear thinking and principled solutions. He quickly sees to the heart of the matter and guides with fairness, sensitivity, and gentle humor.

Julia McDonald, Associate Professor of Mathematics, University of Wisconsin - Plattsville

When my former employer abruptly announced that it planned to terminate many faculty positions and close many programs, Jim provided immediate and invaluable assistance to my colleagues and me as we attempted to navigate through the chaos created by the announcement. In an attempt to help us resolve the inevitable conflicts between the administration and the faculty, Jim contacted the president of the college to discuss concerns over governance issues and an apparent shift in the college's mission. Jim continually pushed for open discussions between the faculty and administration.

When a grievance was finally filed over the actions of the administration, Jim agreed to serve as my representative on the panel hearing. I was greatly impressed by his determination to ensure that I received due process. He was diligent in his efforts to maintain contact with the administration's representative and to bring closure to the grievance.

Keetjie Ramo, Professor of Social Work Emeritus, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay

Dr. Perley's years as a successful mediator in disputes between faculty members and their institutions are a testament to his principled objectivity. His service as a faculty member, a university officer, and a leader in the American Association of University Professors gives him the vision necessary to build an organization that can most effectively provide this badly needed service.

Lisa Arkin, former Associate Professor of Dance at the University of Oregon, now Administrative Coordinator of the Oregon Toxics Alliance

When I was preparing to file a Title VII lawsuit (gender discrimination) against the University of Oregon, Jim Perley was immensely helpful in assessing the merits of my case with respect to guidelines for promotion and tenure as established by the AAUP. He made himself available to both the University administration and to my attorneys, providing a sensible perspective based on years of experience in equitable treatment and conflict resolution. He is, unquestionably, a valuable resource.

Richard Schneirov, Professor of History, Indiana State University

Last year, when faculty and administration at Indiana State University had a dispute over reduction in sabbatical leaves, our AAUP chapter invited Jim Perley to speak. We were gratified that not only faculty but deans left the talk agreeing to Jim's recommended solutions. Jim Perley is one of those rare people whose common sense contributions command respect from virtually all involved in a dispute.

Marcia Petchers, former Dean, School of Social Work, Case Western Reserve University

Jim Perley is an incredibly skilled, patient, perseverant and goal focused advocate, mediator, arbitrator and negotiator. He has a wealth of knowledge about workplace issues, discrimination, and basic employment fairness. Jim listens well and carefully and takes his professional role seriously. He is articulate in advocating for fairness and does not give up until he gets the job done, compromising only when necessary to gain a reasonable resolution. Moreover, as a professional, he is ethical, honest, caring, concerned, considerate, and humane. I would recommend working with Jim Perley to get his advice, help and/or mediation on employment matters.

Steve Aby , Associate Professor of Bibliography Education and Sociology Librarian and Bibliographer, University of Akron

Jim Perley is perfectly suited to the work of academic mediation. His breadth of experience in this area is unique, and he is both patient and skilled at resolving academic conflicts. I can think of no one better.

James Wood, Professor of Sociology, San Diego State University

Professor Perley has had an outstanding career during which he has worked especially well in the mediation of conflicting rights. He brings to his work not only a wealth of personal experience, but an empathy for those involved in conflict.

Jo Wilson, Professor of Psychology, Wittenberg University

Jim Perley has over three decades of experience working with faculty and administrators at small liberal arts colleges and large universities, in his positions as faculty member, Dean of Arts and Sciences, Chair of the Committee A for Academic Freedom and Tenure and President of the national AAUP. When I consulted him on three different problems at my own institution, he not only gave excellent advice, but he also brought about resolutions that left all parties satisfied. His calm, quiet, yet authoritative manner is reassuring to university presidents, administrators, and faculty alike.

Maria de la Camara, Dean, School of Arts and Humanities, College of Saint Rose

I had the privilege of working with Jim Perley during my 20 years as a faculty member at Lake Erie College. As he mediated problems at the College, he provided invaluable advice, support and was successful bringing about resolution of serious problems that could have led to legal action. Jim has a thorough knowledge of academic and administrative procedures as well as an uncanny ability to bring different views and parties to consensus. I am delighted he has chosen to pursue mediation full time and that he will be doing this vital work for all of us in higher education.

Lawrence Schmertzler, Professor Emeritus of Engineering, Rutgers University

Jim's in depth knowledge of the academic community and his extensive experience serve him well in advising others in establishing fair, reasonable, and “do-able” conflict resolution. His is a service to academe.

Dennis Clausen, Professor of English, University of San Diego

For many years Jim Perley has enabled universities all across the country to resolve conflicts and mediate differences between administrations and faculty members. His experience in mediation and conflict resolution is unparalleled, and his successful efforts in these areas have saved many universities enormous time and money - while also enabling them to avoid the inevitable crises that occur when the differences between administrators and faculty become irreparable.

James Biddlack, Professor of Biology, University of Central Oklahoma

At our university, Jim Perley worked with the faculty and administration, as well as state officials, to assist in the removal of our 26 year Censure by the AAUP. He also worked with faculty and administrators on a tenure case that resulted in a positive decision that was endorsed by the faculty Senate, AAUP, the administration, the board of Regents, and all levels of the State Education System.

Jim is a charismatic, experienced, and reasonable arbitrator with talents that convince opposing parties to set aside differences and reach agreements. His skills in negotiations are unique because Jim has served academics at all levels. He has gone through the system as an assistant, associate, and full professor of biology, as well as service to academics as a College Dean and president of the AAUP at the local, state and national levels. With this combination of experience, Dr. Perley has the tools to more than adequately address a wide range of problems in higher education.

David Rubin, Executive Director, University of Cincinnati Chapter of the AAUP

I served for nearly 25 years on the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Conference of the AAUP and as a member of the Conference's Committee on Academic Freedom and Tenure which Jim chaired. Because of his Committee A work, Jim's expertise at resolving disputes between faculty and administrators is legendary in Ohio. With his background as both a faculty member and in administration, his facility in interpersonal relations, and his ability to get to the heart of matters, I know of no one more able to settle disputes in the academic arena.

Greg Scholtz, Professor of English, Wartburg College

When the administration and faculty at our college were at loggerheads over a proposed change to the faculty handbook, Jim Perley provided advice that proved critical to resolving the impasse. Jim's years of experience in academic mediation, not only on Ohio campuses, but around the country, make him a priceless resource for those of us seeking wisdom in these matters. I recommend him enthusiastically.

Jim Davis, Professor of English, Dennison University

Any person or institution who calls on Jim Perley for assistance in untangling complex issues and resolving personnel conflicts on campuses will be in extremely capable hands. No one is better suited to resolving professional disputes at academic institutions than he is. More impressive than his experience and training is his ability to sort what is merely anger or frustration from what are the actual issues and principles behind the conflict. His knowledge of law, of codes of ethics, of kinds of institutional policies and remedies is matched only by his sincere concern, quick analytical mind and sense of humor when it is needed most. All parties in campus disputes can be assured by the way Jim works through seemingly irresolvable disputes, alert to the needs of both individuals and institutions.

Jim Eisenberg, Professor of Psychology, Lake Erie College

For over a twenty year period our institution went through a series of academic, administrative, and fiscal crises. Jim Perley served as an effective mediator and provided us with wisdom, reason, and assurance in resolving these conflicts. I believe the institution is much stronger as a result of his efforts.

Carol Stepien, Professor of Biology, University of Toledo (Ohio)

I highly recommend Jim's expertise in navigating difficult university politics. Now that I have increasingly administrative duties, I plan to consult Jim.

H. Dean Cummings, Emeritus Professor of Music, Marietta College

I was greatly impressed by Jim's sensitivity, calm demeanor, tenacity and yet determination in bringing the grievance case to an acceptable conclusion. His superb capability as an astute negotiator serves him so well as a mediator. Jim would be equally adept working with faculty and/or administrators in resolving a crisis situation.