The majority of College of Wooster students do not relish in the prospect of having to sit through a meeting with the Judicial Board, as it usually signifies that the student has committed some violation of the Scot’s Key. The Judicial Board, or J-Board as it is frequently referred to, is “an organization composed of students, faculty, and staff of the College of Wooster whose aim is to fairly administer decisions on issues,” according to Matthew Miller ’11, Hearing Board Member of the Judicial Board. The variety of different backgrounds; International students, Greek life, Residence Life, which student Board members bring to the cases they examine is vital to the success of the organization according to Miller. He also stressed that many members of the campus community are unaware that the Scot’s Key is the primary document on which the Judicial Board bases judgements in its cases.
The Monday evening Judicial Board Open House provided a much needed refresher for the campus community, it was an opportunity for students to “get to know” the Judicial Board members. Board members engaged the students in attendance using live polling on “true or false” questions relating to the Scot’s Key in order to gauge their knowledge of the Scot’s Key. Questions posed to students ranged from the mundane: “Does the Scot’s Key allow of the use of candles inside dorm rooms?” which nearly all students answered correctly, to the serious: “Does the Scot’s Key address drinking games?” Citing page 51 of the Scot’s Key, drinking games “games or devices designed for rapid consumption of alcohol is considered irresponsible behavior and is not allowed…and any student found…may face disciplinary action.” Miller also stated that “water pong,” while not technically a drinking game, is prohibited on campus as it can involve drinking.
An informative point which the Judicial Board members raised was: “Scenario: You are under the legal drinking age. Someone who is of age leaves alcohol in your room. Can you face charges?” According to the Scot’s Key, College of Wooster students are personally responsible for all articles and goings on in their rooms regardless of their origin. To answer the question, College of Wooster students can face charges for this offense. Furthermore, users of smokeless tobacco products and regular products must adhere to the same guidelines and regulations, including: 25 feet away from all College buildings, prohibited inside College buildings, and prohibited at College affiliated sporting events. Miller stated that the Scot’s Key is revised every year in order to deal with new issues and problems that the campus encounters and urged students to re-examine the Scot’s Key at the beginning of each academic school year.
The members of the Judicial Board envisioned this event was a way to bridge the perceived gap between the members of the campus and the Judicial Board. The Judicial Board will be accepting applications for new members starting in April with groups and individual interviews. Further, anyone interested in applying for a Judicial Board position should contact Chris Miller ’11 at chmiller11@wooster.edu.