Greek Judicial Board
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The Greek Judicial Board is a judicial body of the University of Wisconsin Greek system. The Judicial Board hears and rules on cases concerning violations of Greek bylaws or misconduct by chapters associated with the Panhellenic Association (Panhel) and Interfraternity Council (IFC).
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Structure
According to its bylaws, the Judicial Board is composed of 13 justices. One of the members is designated as Chief Justice, who designates a Secretary. Bylaws also stipulate:
- At least six justices must be male
- At least six justices must be female
- A maximum of one member can be affiliated with IFC or Panhel.
- At least nine justices must be present at all hearings
Justices serve terms of one academic year and are eligible to serve a maximum of two terms. They are selected by the Judicial Board Selection Committee, which is composed of:
- One outgoing justice chosen by the chief justice
- IFC President
- IFC Vice President of Internal Affairs
- Panhel President
- Panhel Vice President
Justices may not preside over cases in which their chapter is implicated or the filer of the complaint.
Hearings usually take place at the Red Gym.
Procedures
Filing a complaint
Complaints can be filed with the Judicial Board by anyone, even non-UW community members, via an online or paper form. Police reports are also counted as complaints.
While complaints must be filed within 15 days of an incident, exceptions are made for complaints stemming from university or police investigations or for violations voted by 2/3 of the justices to be egregious in nature. If an incident is especially egregious, a 2/3 vote by the justices can forward the complaint to the Committee on Student Organizations and the Offices of the Dean of Students.
Hearing and ruling
Within seven days of the receiving of a complaint, the chief justice must decide if a hearing is warranted. If a hearing is not warranted, the case is either dismissed or, in special cases, sanctions are imposed. If a hearing is warranted, a Notice to Appear is delivered to the defendant implicated in the complaint.
Hearings can be labeled closed or open by the chief justice. If they are closed, some guests may be invited by the chief justice along with any witnesses. Up to three chapter members and a chapter advisor may be present at the hearing.
The Judicial Board operates on preponderance of evidence, which means the plaintiff must prove the defendant is more likely than not guilty. A 3/4 vote is needed to determine the defendant was in violation of a policy. Sanctions must be approved with a 2/3 vote. All votes are confidential. Decisions are delivered within seven school days.
Sanctions
The Judicial Board has the authority to impose a variety of sanctions:
- Admonishment - letter of reprimand
- Restitution - chapter implicated in complaint must pay for damages
- Monetary fines - money is collected to go toward Greek educational programming
- Charitable acts - community service
- Educational programming - participation in classes
- Probation - limits social privileges within chapter and Greek community
- Suspension - temporary loss of all membership privileges (may be appealed)
- Expulsion - permanent loss of all membership privileges (may be appealed)
Controversy
As with any judicial body, Judicial Board's rulings are sometimes the subject of intense controversy. While chapters can appeal to the board, they can also take cases to IFC for appeal, where they are sometimes overturned.
A complaint was filed by Sigma Phi Epsilon with IFC in April of 2009 alleging the then-current justices had been improperly selected. After review, members of IFC came to believe the entire board had been incorrectly appointed because of a failure for several years to convene the selection committee properly. At the time of the complaint, Sigma Phi Epsilon was on social probation.
The Judicial Board also enacted several bylaw changes in 2009. In response to allegations of rape at the Sigma Chi fraternity, then-Chief Justice Marshall Snow proposed giving Judicial Board the ability to forward cases on to CSO and ODOS. While the Sigma Chi case never went before the Judicial Board, the bylaw change passed and is now in effect.
