York’s Office of the Vice-President Students is seeking volunteers to serve as members of the University Tribunal. The tribunal holds hearings to adjudicate breaches of York’s non-academic Student Code of Conduct. The tribunal is comprised of students, faculty and staff volunteers who are appointed as members by the vice-president students. The appointment is for a two-year term and it can be extended.
Members receive extensive training through sessions that take place in the fall and there is ongoing development throughout the year. Training topics include the principles of natural justice, evaluating evidence, decision-making and writing, sanctioning and hearing procedures. There is an expectation that in order to serve as a member, volunteers must attend all training sessions.
All members of the University Tribunal participate on a volunteer basis. Members must attend all scheduled trainings and meetings, including an initial training program of 12 hours over three days at the beginning of the academic year (probably during the third or fourth week of September) and bi-monthly development sessions (approximately two hours each). Members are required to prepare for any University Tribunal Hearing in which they are participating by familiarizing themselves with the evidence package provided in advance. Members must be available to review appeal materials as required and attend all University Tribunal Hearings that the volunteer is scheduled to attend. Members should have regular availability for at least one or two three-hour blocks Monday to Friday each month.
The University Tribunal provides an important contribution to the life of students here at York. Those interested in volunteering as a University Tribunal member should submit a letter of interest to York’s Office of Student Conduct & Dispute Resolution by e-mail to Angela Ciccotelli, administrative assistant, at acicco@yorku.ca. For more information, call ext. 33130.