Judicial board sees more interest

Laura Sutherland Assistant News Editor

There was a new addition to the Vassar Student Association (VSA) Fall 2005 election ballot. The new position gives students a chance to vote for fellow students running for a number of positions on VSA committees and panels. This year, students were also asked to elect two new members of the Judicial Board, a VSA body whose elections are traditionally held in the spring of each school year.

“The election of Judicial Board members during the fall elections is unusual for Vassar,” said VSA Vice President Kelsey Woods ’06, who also serves as the Constitutional Advisor for the Judicial Board. “However last year we only had eight students run for nine positions, and one of the elected members ended up stepping down from the post.”

Caitlin Crisp ’09 and Steven Wells ’08 will fill the vacancies, so that the school year can proceed with a fully functioning Judicial Board.

The VSA Judicial Board is comprised of ten members, nine of whom are elected at large as voting members. The board is presided over by a non-voting chair, who is also elected at large. The board convenes on a case by case basis; four members are selected by the Chair to hear the case, determine a verdict, and mete out penalty when appropriate.

The responsibilities of the Judicial Board include hearing cases regarding the VSA constitution, its by-laws, and other social regulations that have been established by the VSA. The Judicial Board is sometimes called upon if a VSA officer has been accused of violating the constitution, but such cases are rare,” said Woods. “Generally, the cases brought to the attention of the Judicial board are social cases, such as harassment, or cases regarding the academic integrity of the Vassar campus.” A policy of complete confidentiality is enforced, as members of the board generally serve as mediators of private disputes.

The fall 2005 Judicial board election was comparatively more competitive, a development that Woods found encouraging.

“It was good to see five students, many of which were freshmen, running for only two posts in this year’s election,” said Woods. “It’s always positive to see younger students that have taken such an interest in the law and the critical interpretation of our constitution.”

“Students should contribute to what goes on ‘behind the scenes’ at Vassar, whether they serve on the VSA or participate in the appointment of its members,” explained Woods. “After all, any student could find himself before the Judicial Board someday, and I’m certain he would want members who are qualified to evaluate his case fair-mindedly and with a broad knowledge of the constitution.”