A-to-Z Index

Prospective Council Members

The Council is a group of individuals from which a hearing board is selected to hear cases of alleged violations of University policy as listed in the student handbook published by James Madison University.

Council Hearing Boards

The hearing boards make decisions on whether or not a policy was violated and the sanctions that should be imposed.

Each major hearing board consists of three students, three faculty members and one faculty chairperson.Each minor hearing board consists of three students and one faculty chairperson.  Refer to the "Defining the Judicial Council" section for more information on this.

Click here to view a mock council hearing.

Appeal Boards

The council members also hear appeals for cases. A major appeal board would consist of two students, one faculty/staff member, and one faculty/staff chairperson. A minor appeal board consists of two students and one faculty/staff chairperson.

For council hearings and appeals, the University Judicial Council determines sanctions ranging from Disciplinary Probation up to and including Expulsion from the University.

 

Prospective Student Board Members

Qualifications

  • Any undergraduate or graduate student currently enrolled at JMU
  • Must be (& remain) in good standing with the University
  • Ability to work well with others, sensitivity and respect for others, openness to differences
  • Willingness to take part in assessment projects
  • Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of all judicial information

Training

Newly selected council members will receive extensive training on the judicial policies and procedures, listening, questioning, evidence, decision-making, and sanctioning. This training is typically 9am-5pm on a Saturday.

Additional training and information sessions (in-services) are held during the year to continue to develop and improve skills and knowledge to help in effectively serving on a judicial board. Students who serve on sexual assault hearing boards receive an additional training as well.

Time Commitment

Members serve on as many hearings as their schedules permit. Most hearings take between 1 and 5 hours. Members are also encouraged to attend Council Development workshops that occur throughout the semester.

How to Apply

**There is a formal recruitment process for student board members in the spring semester of each year.  However, you may apply at any point and the Council staff will review your application at that time.

Applications are available by clicking on the link below to download the fillable Word form. If you have any trouble opening this form, please email Ms. Wendy Young.  Save the application and send it as an email attachment (along with optional resume) to Ms. Wendy Young. 

Judicial Council Application

Prospective Faculty / Staff Board Members

Qualifications

  • Any faculty or staff member currently working (full or part-time) at JMU
  • Must be (& remain) in good standing with the University
  • Ability to work well with others, sensitivity and respect for others, openness to differences
  • Willingness to take part in assessment projects
  • Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of all judicial information.

Training

Newly selected council members will receive extensive training on the judicial policies and procedures, improving skills in listening, questioning, evidence, decision-making, and sanctioning. This training is typically ½ a day and done with the AD for Judicial Council.  It will be scheduled with you once you express interest in serving on council.

Additional training and information sessions (in-services) are held during the year to continue to develop and improve skills and knowledge to help in effectively serving on a judicial board.  Students who serve on sexual assault hearing boards receive an additional training as well.

Time Commitment

Members serve on as many hearings as their schedules permit. Most hearings take between 1 and 5 hours. While this is a flexible service opportunity, we do request that faculty & staff provide availability to serve when their schedules permit.  Members are also encouraged to attend Council Development workshops that occur throughout the year.

How to Apply

If you are interested in serving the university in this capacity, please email Ms. Wendy Young.

More information about judicial council as a service opportunity can be found on the Center for Faculty Innovation website.