From: Cornyn, Leeanne Marie
Sent: Monday, February 15, 2010 1:10 PM
To: Mathers, Kathryn Nicole
Subject: Student Court Applications

Dear Kathryn,

    One of the greatest problems Miami University faces is its lack of ubiquitous diversity, which must exist in every kind (creed, ethnicity/heritage, socio-economic background, sexual orientation, gender, etc.) wherever a student encounters our institution.  It is in the spirit of attempting to improve this aspect of Miami that I now write you, an adviser to a minority organization on campus.

    The Student Court is a group of approximately 17 students who regularly hear cases referred to it by the Office of Ethics and Student Conflict Resolution.  These cases mostly involve students who have been accused of violating the Student Code of Conduct in one manner or another and who feel that they are not responsible for the alleged violation.  The Student Court hears testimony, witnesses, and examines evidence, henceforth rendering a decision and possibly sanctioning the student (assigning consequential impositions).  I don't think I need to mention the importance of making the accused student feel as comfortable with the entire process as possible, which includes having on the Court at least one member whom the accused feels he/she can relate to in some way.  Furthermore, diversity in all its forms contributes to the justices' abilities to understand the accused student's motivations, influences, circumstances, etc., when trying to make decisions.

    This is why it is imperative that the Court be comprised of students of considerable diversity.  It is in this spirit, also, that I ask you to forward all of this information to your organization.  Students can make a very large impact on the lives of other Miami students in this role as Student Justice, and we are currently in search of qualified members for next year's Court.  Applications are available in the Office of Ethics and Student Conflict Resolution (9 Warfield Hall) or online at www.muohio.edu/judicialaffairs  and are due by February 19th, 2010 at 5:00pm.  Please encourage the students in your organization to apply, especially those you consider to be particularly suited for this task.

    I thank you for your time and consideration, and offer you my assistance should you have any questions.  I hope that next year's Court will be representative of the diverse Miami toward which we are all working.

Best,
LeeAnne Cornyn, Pro Tempore
Miami University Student Court
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