Student Supreme Court takes shape
After a six-year absence, the Student Supreme Court has returned to the Eastern campus.
According to the Student Body Constitution, the court is to “have original and final jurisdiction in cases involving constitutional matters regarding student organizations.”
Sophomore geography major Keith Darby was one of the new appointments to the Student Supreme Court.
He said that the court is an “on-going process” and that they are currently developing areas that they should look into.
Election appeals, whether for Student Government or another RSO, is one of the primary areas that the court will focus on, Darby said.
Student Body President Sean Anderson said that the court is also contacting Judicial Affairs and the Greek Review Board to see what roles the court plays and that “no one is stepping on anyone’s feet.”
As of right now, the court will be kept simple with Student Government elections, violations of a Registered Student Organization bylaw and possible violations of the Student Bill of Rights.
At the April 18 Student Senate meeting, a revision to the Election Reform Act made the Student Supreme Court the “absolute and final jurisdiction over all election decisions.”
The court would also refer students who submit a complaint to the proper board.
“If a student felt they got the wrong grade, they would go to grade appeals,” Anderson said.
Anderson has stepped out of the process after appointing the justices in order, because the court is a separate body.
The court will meet every other week and will make sure any approved proposals from Student Senate are constitutional.
The Student Supreme Court is a body made up of six student associate justices and one chief justice.
Ken Baker, director of Campus Recreation, is the appointed adviser of the Court, but he doesn’t plan on getting too involved with any decisions of the court.
“I am here to give a little direction and advise for later,” Baker said.