Judicial advisers provide free services

The Student Association initiated 11 Student Judicial Advisers to work to help students better understand the judicial process if charged with University violations. The advisers volunteered their services to the SA.

SJAs work with counselors from Student Judicial Services to learn how to help students create their witness statements, go in front of SJS, understand ramifications of violations, provide emotional support and help students find off-campus housing if needed.

The SA offers the free service 24 hours a day. Students can e-mail an adviser at [email protected].

Although the program has existed for three years, SJA Student Director Nathan Blumberg said he is working with SA President Kris Hart to boost awareness of the program as part of the SA’s initiative to draw more attention to students’ rights. Bloomberg said the SJA program should take off during the month of October.

-Jennifer Nedeau

Groups petition budget allocations

Student organizations could petition the SA Finance Committee to try to get more money than their initial allocations this week in a series of meetings that will end Friday.

Newer student groups typically receive $150 for the semester, with older organizations receiving up to $10,000.

Finance Committee members said student groups that don’t spend all of their allocated funds might experience a downgrade in the money allocated to them the next semester. Student groups that take steps to establishing themselves on campus and that hold activities through out the year are more likely to see and upgrade in the amount of money allocated to them by the SA, members said.

“The system filters out the new groups that are serious about their cause as opposed to other groups where they aren’t as serious and are not very active on campus,” said finance committee member Lee Roupas.

-Rachel Oswald