With the new fines being thrown around left and right, there is no organization on campus more important than the Judicial Board. They are the final deciding factor on whether or not students will be fined. They are the last hope for those unfortunate souls who are caught breaking the rules.So where is the Judicial Board? Where is the last line of defense from a $75 fine? With all the fines adding up, the Judicial Board should be busy. Sophomore Won Hill said that he was “eager to get in front of the jud [sic] board. Each passing day I feel I am losing my case.”

Senate Vice President Chris Babcock, the man in charge of the Judicial Board, said that the board members trained on Friday, Nov. 9, and should be hearing cases by the end of this week. “The Judicial Board will be up and running,” he said.

A sub-committee of the Community Senate chose the Jud Board, as it is usually called. Headed by Babcock, the committee had little to no problem selecting who would cast judgement on their peers. A small question-and-answer session, followed by comments from the committee, and the group was chosen.

The Judicial Board deals with all non-academic cases. Their job is, essentially, seeking to establish the truth and establish sanctions given the findings.

A student will go before the Judicial Board if someone within the community or a member of Residential Life files charges against them. “Most of the cases have to do with the new alcohol policy,” said a member of Jud Board. “But there are a variety of reasons people have been brought before us.”

The Judicial Board members are kept anonymous. They must sign a contract of confidentiality and attend a course to attain their status.

When someone on campus files a charge, the accused receives a full explanation of procedures and charges 24 hours before their Board hearing, and is also informed of the location of the hearing. They are allowed to have an advisor, who is there not as a lawyer, but as a reference. The Judicial Board has one of the toughest jobs on campus.

“If you ever come before us,” said a Board member, “be calm. “Don’t think we are out to get you, speak your case, lay down your argument, and know that we are fair and unbiased. We are very understanding people.”