Three new justices appointed to the SGA Judiciary

Three new justices appointed to the SGA Judiciary

By Diana Baik and Pooja Shah · The Johns Hopkins News-Letter · September 23, 2009

The Student Government Association (SGA) has approved three new justices to the SGA Judiciary, an independent branch within the student government structure.

The students chosen to fill the three empty seats of the five-member board were senior Sean Withall and sophomores Peter Baumhart and Lauren Lutz.

Returning to serve on the Judiciary are juniors Matthew Garland and Patrick Mascia, who retain their positions until October, when they will be either re-appointed or replaced.

The Judiciary was created last year when the SGA Constitution was completely rewritten.

Evan Lazerowitz, SGA vice president and constitution author, explained that "the Judiciary was initially created as a way to have a completely independent appeals board for elections."

The new constitution established three separate branches: an executive, legislative and judicial branch.

According to the SGA Web site, "the Judiciary is an independent branch, composed of five Justices, who elect a Chief Justice from among themselves. They are charged with upholding the SGA constitution and hearing appeals of SGA actions as well as election rules."

"Previously, the appeals board included the head of the Committee on Student Elections (CSE), administrators, and the SGA President, all of whom were biased," Lazerowitz said.

However, since elections only occur a few times a year, the SGA decided that the Judiciary should handle appeals on the constitutionality of the SGA's actions, as a check within the governing system.

Originally, SGA President Marc Perkins was to appoint the members of the judiciary.

But some members of the SGA felt this appointment would lack proper checks and balances within the body, giving too much power to the president. Instead, applications were sent out for the Judiciary positions. Of the 28 applicants, Perkins selected five which he thought were best-suited and suggested that the members of the SGA vote to fill the three empty seats.

According to Lazerowitz, the SGA Judiciary was modeled on the structure of "many other [student governing bodies] across the country."

Last year was the Judiciary's first year. They only oversaw a few cases, one dealing with a challenge to the CSE constitution regarding a Facebook ban, and another controversial case in regards to a possible breach of election rules. The judicial branch can only decide cases that are brought up to them in appeals.

If the CSE's decision on a case is challenged, it may come to the Judiciary, which occurred last year.

Garland is one of two returning justices, and therefore one of the only people with experience serving on the Judiciary.

"It's a most fulfilling experience and a good way to see the positive and negative side of the student government at Hopkins," Garland said. "The election appeals process can bring out the best and definitely the worst in people."

Currently, Lutz is the only female on the Judiciary, and this imbalance of gender was acknowledged by the SGA during the appointment process.

Some members of the SGA felt it was necessary to nominate a female for more complete representation, though she certainly had the qualifications for the position regardless of gender.

"I think it's something that is important to ensure the integrity of the SGA functions," Withall said on his position.

"As long as people are breaking election rules, the Judiciary will have a healthy existence," Garland said about the future of the judicial branch.

"Last year we didn't have any problems with freshmen elections. They are usually too [new] to really know how to cheat [during campaigning]. I think this round of freshmen elections will go smoothly if last year is any indication."