The Student Conduct Board is looking for students this fall to serve as hearing board members, who act as peer educators, according to the Office of Student Conduct Coordinator, Antoinette Alack.

According to the Office of Student Conduct, located in Room 205 of the Student Union, they have one mission: to enhance and support Southeastern’s academic policies. Officers promote integrity, strong work ethic and a strong sense of fairness in order to keep a safer campus environment.

The students use these qualities while working on the hearing board. The student conduct case process is a lengthy one, however, there is only a hearing if the student under violation would want one. This way, students have a chance to plead their side of the story.

“They would receive a notice of charge for violation and we would invite them to come in for a disciplinary conference and hear their testimony,” said Alack. “If they are accountable, then we would recommend sanctions.” Sanctions can range from counseling to community service.

Students acting on the hearing board do not receive pay, but the job does have its own rewards. Jacqueline Hayes, a student assistant and board member, enjoys helping students gain a new start. The main idea is to steer the student toward the path of graduation.

“I take the benefits of helping redirect behavior in students,” said Hayes, who joined after seeing a link on the Web mail site. “I don’t believe in ‘throwing the book’ at a student in trouble, I much prefer to discipline with compassion.”

Every fall semester, there is a select pool of students for Alack to choose from. Chosen students can use this experience to build their resumes, and to build their own moral ethics code. The membership requirements include keeping a 2.5 GPA, attending at least 12 hours and having a sophomore status.

“[It] enriches their leadership roles, and students get to converse with faculty and staff on a different level,” said Alack of the experience.

According to Hayes, flexibility is an important factor to consider if interested in becoming a part of the Student Conduct Board.

“I felt confident that this was an organization that would complement my personality and course load of 19 hours because members are allowed to choose hearings that work best with their schedules,” said Hayes.

For more information about the Student Conduct Hearing Board, visit their Web site at www.selu.edu/admin/stu_conduct, call them at 985-549-2213 or visit them at their offices from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday.