Applications to join the University Housing Judicial Board are due by 5 p.m. today. The board is a panel of students residing on campus that decide on small student conduct cases.

Chester Miller, Jr., the assistant director of Wolf Village, is working with the Judicial Board for the first time this year.

“We will usually work with minor cases where people have violated housing policies,” he said.

Miller said the board looks over a variety of cases.

“If a roommate has violated the guest rule for their dorms several times we would listen to the case and render a verdict,” he said.

According to University Housing’s disciplinary procedures regulation 11.30.1, issued Oct. 1, 2002, “the Residence Hall Judicial Board will hear those cases involving repeat offenders or violations where eviction is a possibility.”

Section 3.2 details that repeat alcohol violation are heard exclusively by the Office of Student Conduct.

The board could have many benefits for participating students, according to Miller.

“It’s an opportunity to learn more about the way university housing and the ways its rules are enforced,” he said. “Many students interested in student government see it as a prelude to more government-like positions.”

Miller said students interested in law school may want to get involved to get experience with similar kinds of processes. According to regulations, board members need only to be able to judge the case fairly, superficial knowledge non-withstanding. 

“Students get the chance to render fair solutions or sanctions in real cases,” Miller said.

Miller said while students are allowed to bring witnesses to their hearings, they are not permitted to direct questions at their accusers.

“Students would rather direct their question to the board itself, who would then ask the accused.”

He said he thought having peers review cases instead of officials was beneficial for the students.

“I think that the peer influence can be more effective in redirecting student’s behaviors,” he said.

Miller said the board is an adjudicated, peer level, environment that looks over repeat mild offenses that don’t necessarily require campus or police involvement.

“I think that going before their peers could act as a deterrent,” he added. 

According to procedures, at least five members of the board are chosen for each hearing, where they deliberate the case privately and announce sanctions.

“Students will know whether they have been selected or not by the 21 and mandatory training will be held Sept. 24 and 25

“Applications have been coming in quite steadily,” Miller said.