Judicial Council
Purpose
Purpose
The Judicial Council of the Western Student Association provides final dispute resolution through either adjudication or mediation for conflicts arising between RSOs, between RSOs and students, within RSOs, and over WSA elections. The jurisdiction of the JC covers all WSA affairs internal and external. The internal affairs of other RSOs can be reviewed as the last recourse upon request. Services offered include, but are not limited to: document interpretations, conflict resolution, and funding allocation appeals.
Council Members
Justices of the Judicial Council are appointed by the WSA President and approved by the Senate. A staggered appointment schedule, which divides the staffing responsibilities between the current and former Presidents, allows for a diversity of viewpoints to be engaged, insulates the Council from bias, and aids the formation of an impartial Council.
Chief Justice
Alexander Smith
Associate Justices
Amanda Jandahl
Catherine Klein
James Stano
Richard Schaff
Vacancy
Vacancy
Article VIII, Appendix V outlines the Judicial Council's formal duties:
- Quorum (3 members) is required for any Judicial Council decision, hearing, or deliberation.
- Upon receipt of a request for Judicial Council action, the Chief Justice must make sure that all members are informed about the case and meeting times.
- A written decision by the Judicial Council becomes precedent and shall be considered in future cases dealing with similar circumstances.
- A decision must contain the signatures of all justices participating in a case before it is released to anyone outside the Council.
- In cases where conflicts of interest or biases occur, justices must inform the Council of the problem. If a justice fails to voluntarily abstain from a decision in which there is a conflict of interest or bias, a simple majority vote by all members of the Council will force an abstention of that member.
- If the Chief Justice finds it necessary to abstain from a hearing, he/she may conduct the hearing if and only if it is conducted in a fair and unbiased manner. He/she may not participate in the deliberations or decision.
- All comments about a decision made to the media shall be directed to and answered by the Chief Justice only, except in cases of dissenting and/or concurring opinions.
- A copy of all decisions shall be kept in the Judicial Council office.