Calling for the implementation of a single judicial system with jurisdiction over all student organizations, including Greek houses and athletic teams, the Trustees' Initiative decision may mean the elimination of the Coed Fraternity Sorority Judicial Committee.
Dean of the College James Larimore said, "We're hoping for greater consistency and fairness in a variety of organizational types that we have here on campus," Larimore said.
The new judicial committee, which would include students as well as faculty and staff, would not be involved in matters concerning the Committee on Standards.
"The COS focuses on cases of individual misconduct. What the Board has asked that we explore is a [body] that would focus on organizational misconduct," Larimore said.
Both Larimore and Dan Nelson, associate dean of the College, stress that the creation of the committee is still in its infancy.
"We're still in the process of digesting the implications of the Trustee directive," Nelson said. "We're in the very early stages of thinking through what [the new judicial system] might look like, how it would be organized, and how it would be structured."
In regard to the JC, Nelson maintains that "it's really too early to say whether or not [the new committee] would replace it or supplement it."
Coed Fraternity Sorority Council President Eric Etu '01 is opposed to the potential dismantling of the JC, citing that unaffiliated students and faculty are less qualified to handle cases concerning the Greek system.
"I found that JC knows better than other students about how things work in the Greek system. They're much more familiar with Greek policy and College policy in Greek houses," Etu said.
According to Larimore, the administration plans to involve active JC members in the creation of the new judicial system, a process which is expected to take several months. During this time, other students will also have the opportunity to express their ideas and concerns regarding the committee.
