Keith Kohanzo, the first and only judicial affairs director, plans his retirement after holding the title for 37 years, causing the search for a replacement to begin.

“We have some big shoes to fill,” said Dan Nadler, vice president for Student Affairs.

Currently about 20 applications are being reviewed making sure the applicants meet the requirements for the position.

To become director the applicants must have a master’s degree, know case law and have experience in collegiate judicial affairs.

Most often they will have a degree in higher education or student government, Kohanzo said.

After the applications have been reviewed, phone interviews will be conducted and then select three or four applicants will be brought to Eastern for a campus-wide interview.

“It’s a neat process,” said Eric Davidson, associate director of Health Services and chair of the search committee. “Searches are always interesting.”

During the campus wide interview, applicants will meet before students, staff and faculty.

“[It is] a fairly comprehensive interview process,” Nadler said.

As of now, no phone or campus interviews have been conducted.

Applications will still be accepted for the job until the position is filled.

It is not guaranteed that by the time a choice is made the applicants will still want the job or they will still be available, Davidson said.

Once in office, the director of Judicial Affairs works with students on many occasions.

They will oversee violations of the student conduct code and academic dishonesty in students; as well as conduct judicial hearings and oversee the disciplinary record keeping.

“In most cases it is minor difficulties with Eastern,” Kohanzo said. “By far, the majority of our students are quite competent.”

However, Kohanzo said there are times when the director of Judicial Affairs will have a more serious case that possibly could lead to a student being suspended or expelled.

The director must also look into the best interest of the students and the university, which Kohanzo thinks are the same.

“It’s a big job,” Davidson said.

Kohanzo has found his many years on the job pleasant and hopes the new director will as well.

“I enjoy working with students,” he said. “It’s been enjoyable.”

There are some personality traits that contribute to making the position as director of Judicial Affairs enjoyable.

“The person who will do best [should] have patience and a sense of humor,” Kohanzo said.

Patience is necessary when working with students, not jumping to conclusions and making sure a student who misbehaved understands what they did wrong, he said. Having a sense of humor prevents becoming cynical and helps when dealing with stressful or difficult situations.

The expected date of when a replacement will be found is between Aug. 1 and Sept. 1.

“We are very hopeful we will get a good candidate,” Nadler said.