The University Judiciary Committee had its general body meeting with its new members Sunday.
Jacqueline Kouri, fourth-year Engineering student and vice-chair for first-years, announced 12 new First-Year Judiciary Committee members who will serve as judges during trials for alleged first-year misconduct.
Six new educators, 14 new counselors and 10 new investigators will assist the operations of UJC.
UJC Chair Mitchell Wellman, a fourth-year College student, went over information about new members by the numbers.
Among the new members, 45 percent are first-year students, 40 percent are second-year students and 15 percent are graduate students.
Seventy-four percent come from the College, 10 percent are from the Engineering School and 12 percent are from the Law School.
Of the new members, 52 percent are male and 48 percent are female. Sixty-three percent live on Grounds, while 37 percent live off Grounds.
In terms of racial and ethnic diversity, 65 percent of new members are white, 13 percent are Asian, 8 percent are Hispanic/Latino, 8 percent are black/African-American, 3 percent are Middle Eastern and 3 percent are listed as “other.”
Wellman said the importance of sharing demographics of new members is to emphasize UJC’s efforts to maintain diversity among its general body.
“Students [affected by our cases] come from all backgrounds, and having diversity in our committee makes sure we provide fair and unbiased judgements,” Wellman said. “It is more than race and ethnicity — considering other factors, such as age, is also crucial.”
Wellman explained why a big portion of the committee is made up of first-year students.
“New members need to go through a semester of training, and they usually come to the peak after the year they are selected,” Wellman said.
Wellman also mentioned implementing changes to the language of the Sanction Enhancement Clause of the Committee’s Constitution.
“This change is to align with the University’s policy to address and prevent discrimination and hazing,” Wellman said.
Amendments are proposed and passed by a two-third vote of the committee and a petition fulfilling the requirements set by the University Board of Visitors.
The proposed amendment will then be open to the public. At least 10 percent of University students must participate in the voting, and at least a two-thirds vote is required for the amendment to be approved.
These actions will take place in the spring, and Wellman said he expects the members to serve as grassroots to encourage people around them to participate.
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