Did you know that we have a student court system at UTM? This is a system for any student to use whenever it is needed.

The student court is an appellate body that can be used to appeal a decision made by Student Affairs.

Suppose a student is in trouble with Student Affairs. What happens next? First the student will be referred to Student Affairs. The case will be heard by Vishenia Huery, student conduct officer. Now, if the student is content with her decision, that's the end of it. But suppose they feel the decision is too harsh and decide they want to appeal. Here, the student has two options. The first is to appeal to the vice chancellor of Student Affairs, Dr. Katie High, whose decision will be final. The second is to take the case to the student court, where it will be heard by a jury of your peers.

The student court is made up of eight members: a chief justice and five student justices who will hear the cases, as well as an attorney general and a student defender who will fight on the behalf of anyone who comes before the court. Contrary to popular belief, the aim of the student court is not to impose harsh punishments, but rather to uphold university law and protect the rights of students in times of need.

Every member of the court is a student here, just like you. We go to classes, stress over homework, and, most importantly, know what it’s like to be a student. The student court exists solely to serve you. So, if we can help you in any way, contact us.

Nikki Draper, chief justice of the student court, is a Political Science major from Chattanooga. Haley Robinson, student justice, is a Political Science/French major from Nashville.