Office politics can be so strange Alan that sometimes judgement can be very confusing.

Mary sounds like a person who would love to have attention lavished on her since she sounds like an ideal employee. Send her flowers from the IT department, and just happen to stop by and say that you are glad that she received them. Give her some candy or chocolate if that is what she likes. Smother her with kindness! Keep her confused as to why all of a sudden she is getting all this attention. Compliment her on her fashion sense, and how she really classes up the place. Tell others how she really is a good employee for the University and is such an asset, especially when she is within earshot.

Go and have coffee with her to ask her opinion on some problem you may have with some policy at the University, and thank her immensely for her words and thoughts.

What I am trying to say here is to take the high road and do not let her get to you (which I do not think she is). When you hear that she said something negative about or to you give her at least two compliments to her directly or to the person who told you something.

If she does make your work situation difficult, yes document it by all means, but keep on giving her positive thoughts and words, it may take time, but in time it will work out for you.

I will be thinking of you in this situation and please do let us know how things work out with her.