The job of the Fairness Committee is to find solutions and/or ways to address recurring behavioral issues. Students who appear before a Fairness Committee need to be referred to that committee by Joan Goodman, generally with the agreement of the offended party. First time offenses will not be the subject of a Fairness Committee except in the rare case that a grievance is so appalling that more immediate action needs to take place.
The Fairness Committee consists of Michael Oliver, the faculty head, an elected student chairperson and a vice-chairperson. Additionally, each semester twenty students and three faculty members agree to serve on the school jury. After Joan has referred a case to the Fairness Committee a meeting will occur within 48 hours, or by the second school day. From the school's jury pool, one faculty and two students are chosen following alphabetical order. Hence, when the Fairness Committee meets to address a particular case, it will consist of:
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two faculty, one of which is Michael Oliver,
- four students; one of which is the Student Chair; another of which is the Vice Chair.
The student chair facilitates the meeting; the vice chair keeps accurate notes on the case. In the event that the chair is absent on the day of a Fairness Committee, the Vice Chair will assume the facilitator role. A record keeper will be found among the Jury.
The Fairness Committee is charged with hearing the case from all sides, in order to fully understand the facts of the case. The offended and offending parties speak to the committee, answering clarifying and sometimes probing questions and following a Fairness Committee protocol. Other people will be called as needed. Fact gathering will occur during school hours. Deliberations will occur as soon as school ends. The offending party needs to wait after school until a decision is made.
The committee is charged with arriving at an effective solution. Such a solution should put the offending party on notice that his or her behavior is interfering with his or her ability to benefit from the school and its culture. The expectations should be clear, have a definite time period attached to them, and be verifiable.
The deliberation session begins with the recorder recounting the case and the facts to the Jury and respective chairs. Concerns or dimensions of the issue are shared by all parties. A discussion ensues, with the goal being to arrive at an effective solution or consequence. The solution is recorded. The student chair informs the offending student of the results. Michael Oliver informs parents, Joan Goodman, advisor, and John Potter of the results. A record of the Fairness Committee meeting is placed in the student's file.
Michael Oliver, the Student Chair, and the Vice Chair check with Joan and the student's advisor regarding the progress the student is making in changing his or her behavior. After an appropriate time period has passed, the Committee will reconvene. If, in the opinion of the committee, the student has demonstrated that he or she takes the issue seriously, has acknowledged that the offending behavior was inappropriate, and has taken steps to correct the situation, the student's offense is removed from his or her file. If, in the opinion of the committee, the student does not demonstrate a commitment to change the behavior, the Fairness Committee chairs will refer the case back to Joan Goodman.
- Members of the Jury (who serve on at least one case) earn points toward their community credit.
- Students who serve as Fairness Committee Chair (and who fulfill their responsibilities regularly and well) earn a quarter credit of government for the semester.
- Students who serve as Vice Chair (and who fulfill their responsibilities regularly and well) earn a quarter credit of government for the semester.
