The University Judiciary Committee transitioned into new leadership in a ceremony that took place during its general body meeting Sunday. The meeting marked the start of the 71st term of the UJC, in which Allison McVey, former UJC chair and fourth-year College student, passed her role as chair to Zach Davidson, former vice chair for first years and third-year College student. Davidson was internally elected into the role by the previous term’s UJC representatives from each of the 13 undergraduate and graduate schools at the University.
The UJC is a student-run judiciary body that investigates and adjudicates cases involving the University’s 12 Standards of Conduct. Davidson and the other newly elected executive committee members began serving in their new roles Wednesday and will continue their terms until April 1, 2027.
Along with Davidson becoming chair, four UJC members also transitioned into the executive committee roles of vice chair for trials, vice chair for sanctions, vice chair for first years and vice chair for graduate students.
Davidson began his first address to the UJC body as incoming chair with an anecdote from his time as vice chair of first years. In one of his first trials in this role, the sanctioned student asked Davidson how they could join the UJC.
“That moment encapsulates the UJC at its best, embodying our philosophy of restorative, not punitive justice,” Davidson said. “[The process] left such a significant mark on them, that they wanted to contribute to it personally. That is the UJC that I am excited to lead next term.”
Davidson went on to thank McVey, the outgoing and incoming executive committee members and the rest of the UJC and FYJC members before expressing his excitement for the 2026-27 term.
“I couldn’t be more confident in this team, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we accomplish this year,” Davidson said.
Marsh Pattie, advisor of the UJC and associate vice president of student affairs, attended the ceremony, and he expressed his appreciation for the dedication of the entire Committee.
“Student self-governance is only as effective as the quality and the caliber of the people who are elected and appointed to do the work,” Pattie said. “[The Committee has handled cases] with quality, integrity, consistency and character, so I’m grateful for that.”
Prior to Davidson’s address, McVey reflected on her time in the UJC and as its chair, sharing an anecdote about the last case she oversaw as chair. McVey said the case involved a “very serious subject matter” and lasted about 11 hours.
“The part of [the case] that stuck out to me, however, was the way in which it all unfolded,” McVey said. “Each support officer, judge and general helping hand on the case remained invested, focused and most impressively, positive, as the hours passed.”
McVey said that the most special part of her UJC experience was watching UJC members carry out their duties — upholding safety, freedom and respect at the University and ensuring that the voice of each student is heard and understood — with devotion and passion.
McVey also thanked the UJC executive committee members, Marsh and Thomas Ackleson, fourth-year Engineering student and Honor Committee chair.
“[The executive committee members] made even difficult days reminders of why we all choose to do this work, and I could not have asked for a better group to share this experience with,” McVey said.
Each executive committee member, including non-voting and voting members, formally recognized the individual taking their place as part of the ceremony, and McVey recognized Davidson as her successor as chair last. The incoming executive committee members then took the seats of the outgoing executive committee members.
The voting members are the vice chair for graduate students, vice chair for first years, vice chair for sanctions, vice chair for trials and chair. Law student Haley Huamani, former UJC representative for the School of Law, will serve as the new vice chair for graduate students. Third-year Engineering student Aali Siddiqui, former UJC representative for the School of Engineering and Applied Science, will serve as the new vice chair for first years. Third-year Batten student Leah Rockwell, formerly an investigator, will serve as the new vice chair for sanctions. Second-year Engineering student Griffin Franzese, former policy and projects subcommittee chair and UJC representative for Engineering, will serve as the new vice chair for trials.
The non-voting members are the senior data manager, senior educator, senior investigator and two senior counselors. The FYJC chair and FYJC vice chair are also non-voting members, but they have not yet been selected. First-year College student Frank Siciliano, former vice chair of the FYJC, will serve as the new senior data manager. Second-year College student Saxon Kelleher, former senior data manager, will serve as the new senior educator. Second-year College student Moksha Mummalaneni, formerly an investigator, will serve as the new senior investigator.
Third-year College student Skye Milne, former hazing response subcommittee chair and counselor, will serve as one of the two new senior counselors. Second-year College student Taylor Petrofski, former Judiciary Week subcommittee head and counselor, will serve as the other senior counselor.
UJC support officers — counselors, investigators and educators — representatives and FYJC members of the year were also recognized, along with graduating Committee members.
Second-year Commerce student Rose Maggio was awarded Representative of the Year, second-year College student Thomas Shriner was awarded Counselor of the Year, fourth-year College student Joseph Chambers was awarded Support Officer of the Year from the counselor pool, second-year Batten student Charlotte Hans was awarded Investigator of the Year, first-year College student Colin Shepard was awarded Educator of the Year and first-year College student Zayd Benjelloun was awarded FYJC Member of the Year.
Throughout her final remarks to the Committee, McVey reiterated her appreciation for all UJC members.
“Thank you to every counselor, investigator, educator and representative, who gave [their] time and talents to this committee,” McVey said. “It is the depth and breadth of [the members’] commitment to this committee which has and will continue to inspire me as a leader, and more importantly, as a teammate,” McVey said.
The new leadership began their terms Wednesday and will serve until April 1, 2027.
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