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In the shadow of JudCo

BY JULIA BOTTLES & ALYSSA PENNER

It strikes fear into the hearts of students across campus. The mere mention of its name conjures up images of a secret society gathering in an undisclosed location to pass judgment on their peers.

For many, Judicial Council (JudCo) is shrouded in mystery, but people involved in the organization like SGA Vice President Michael Billups '07 maintain that the organization isn't "a mysterious group of students that are a bunch of narcs" but rather exists so that "if you happen to fall out of line with self-governance [we] make sure you didn't do it maliciously."

JudCo has existed for over 20 years and was introduced as a check on self-governance by the administration.

The group of four students, randomly selected from an application pool by the SGA vice president, sit on the council and hear cases pertaining to policy violations on campus. After hearing statements from both sides, the students along with a faculty advisor vote on a recommendation that ranges from no punishment to expulsion. The recommendation is then submitted to Dean of Student Life Tom Crady who decides whether or not to act on the council's ruling.

"Probably 95 percent of the time the administration goes with what JudCo says," said Sheree Andrews, assistant Dean of Residence Life.

Andrews processes the cases, the majority of which are raised by the college's Security office. Additional cases may be brought anonymously to the council through Billups on behalf of the student body. According to Andrews, most of these cases deal with alcohol and drug policy violations as well as vandalism and property damage within the residence halls, but not all of these cases go to JudCo. "Sometimes the cases go to judicial council, sometimes they're dismissed administratively," said Andrews.

Cases heard by JudCo are confidential, which may explain some of the confusion as to the purpose of the council. According to the Student Handbook, "students are prohibited from revealing specific events that occurred during the hearing itself, including names and testimony of witnesses" to ensure confidentiality.

Contrary to popular belief, the students sitting on JudCo are allowed to reveal their position on the council, but there is some dispute even among members as to whether that is advisable. As a former member himself Billups said, "The general rule is that they are not supposed to be informing the public that they are sitting on JudCo, but that said it is their call. When I was on the council plenty of people knew."

Andrews sees JudCo as an extension of self-governance. "It occurs in front of peers, people who are well aware of what the culture is on the campus," she said.

But some students who have come before JudCo do not agree. "The whole thing was strange," said one anonymous student who had gone before the committee. "It was late at night and it was in the basement of the [John Chrystal Center] and no one was around. It definitely has a really weird atmosphere and it felt shameful."

Students remain confused as to the real purpose of JudCo. Eric Nost '09 says, "I think it should be more publicized because honestly I don't know a whole lot about it."

Billups, however, isn't optimistic that the organization can be public enough to answer student questions regarding JudCo. Although he expresses a desire to increase the visibility of JudCo, he says. "I don't think it can be [transparent], and again it is the confidentiality issue."

But those who wish to reform aspects of JudCo may have trouble while it remains secretive. "I feel like it could be more of a conversation than a trial, and they don't call it a trial but that's what it is," said the anonymous student.

-additional reporting by Harry Krejsa

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