 The Center for Dispute Resolution , founded in 1983 , was one of the first in the western United States to offer coursework in the areas of arbitration , negotiation and mediation . Focusing on Alternative Dispute Resolution ( ADR ) , its program is a national model , and the center is annually recognized as one of the top ten programs in the nation . In 2006 , the Dispute Resolution program was ranked 7th by U.S. News & World Report . 
