Ripon College Days

When the guy down the hall is being a big jerk, a rival fraternity is closing in on the wrong territory or a harmonica is stolen, J-Board is here to help.

Officially known as the Ripon College Student Judiciary Board, simply referred to as J-Board, the organization has been relatively unutilized in the college's recent history. But, J-Board President senior Joe Fontaine is hoping to change that this year by increasing awareness and utilization of the judiciary board.

"It's student to student resolution," says senior Andy Kitslaar, vice president of J-Board.

While it does seek to resolve disputes between students, J-Board also has jurisdiction over all conflicts between organizations.

Although partly due to the sensitive nature of items discussed in closed sessions, and due to J-Board's subtle nature that can relegate it to anonymity, many students are unaware of J-Board and how it functions.

"Although I've heard of J-Board, I am unfamiliar with how it benefits the campus community," says senior Toni-Lee Scarano.

In recent years, J-Board has taken on cases involving vandalism, physical violence, verbal harassment, theft, the tampering of fire equipment and "questions of the legitimacy of student government elections," says Chris Ogle, dean of students.

Although it seldom exercises them, J-Board wields a wide set of powers to settle conflicts. The board is empowered to gather evidence, subpoena student testimony and find those who refuse to testify in contempt. J-Board can also levy "appropriate penalties," which in extreme circumstances extend to suspending and even expelling students from the college.

For a dispute to be settled by those means, however, first "someone has to bring the case to J-Board," says Fontaine.

The process for this, he says, is for a student to first contact Ogle, who is the administrative advisor for J-Board.

When a case is brought before J-Board, the plaintiff and the defendant are represented by officers of the J-Board, called the Defender and the Examiner. Cases are deliberated by a panel of seven students, five student judicial board members, who serve two semester terms, and two chosen from the general student body at random, who serve on a case-by-case basis.

Although J-Board has jurisdiction over disputes among students and student organizations, there are certain types of conflict for which other organizations are responsible. Sexual harassment is handled by the Harassment Board, while cases of plagiarism are handled by the Joint Judiciary Committee. And, Residence Life handles most administrative policy disputes.

However, "if it isn't being handled anywhere else it is the jurisdiction of J-Board," says Fontaine.

"J-Board exists as a body to help resolve some of these differences," says Ogle. "However, I hope students take responsibility for our community."

For more information regarding J-Board, seek out Ogle in Bartlett Hall, look for pamphlets circulated by resident assistants, posters around campus or just ask Fontaine.

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