At its weekly meeting Sunday, the University Judiciary Committee discussed extensive plans for raising $250,000 over the next two years.
The Committee expects to create a permanent sub-committee for fund-raising within the next few weeks.
"We want to get this off the ground soon," Committee Chairman Paul Gigante said. "The upcoming holiday season is an especially good time for fund-raising."
Third-year counsel Ameet Sarpatwari introduced the Development Initiative Campaign proposal and its nine objectives to the Committee.
"In the past we've complained about our lack of financial resources," Sarpatwari said. Now is the time to do something about it, he said.
Among the uses for the $250,000, the Committee would like to develop a new database system for maintenance of case records and statistical analysis.
The Committee also would like to pursue more community outreach and awareness projects.
"Part of our role here as a Committee is not only to process cases, but to uphold all the Standards [of Conduct]," Sarpatwari said. This requires reaching out to students by sponsoring speakers on judicial issues and organizing other activities, he said.
Gigante agreed, citing the need for additional education and community outreach initiatives on the part of the Committee.
"The most important aspect of education and community outreach is preventing violation of the Standards of Conduct, especially dangerous ones that might affect the health or safety of students," he said.
Another objective of the fund-raising sub-committee would be to raise money for a new digital recording system. This would eliminate the need to store hard tapes of trial proceedings, which is the Committee's current, problematic practice.
More office space, new technological equipment including computers and printers, and more office supplies also made the Committee's wish list.
In addition, Sarpatwari discussed the possibility of hosting a national conference on judicial systems.
"We often say the University is the center of student self-governance," he said. A conference of this type would help solidify that role, he added.
The Committee plans to raise money through letter campaigns and a telethon in coordination with Alumni Hall.
"It's feasible in two years to raise this much money, though it will involve getting in touch with some pretty wealthy alumni," Sarpatwari said.
The Committee has a current annual budget of approximately $15,000. They also had $6,000 cut from last academic year's budget. In comparison, the Honor Committee has an annual operating budget of $100,000 and a total budget of $250,000, which includes salaries for two full-time staff members.
"I think if the sub-committee is very dedicated and none of that motivation is lost in turnover [of the Committee], $250,000 is not unattainable," Gigante said.
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