Statement on Changes to the Non-Academic Misconduct Agency Agreement governing the Judicial Affairs Office  

This statement is released in advance of a review of the Principle Positions Policy of the AMS surrounding Non-Academic Misconduct scheduled to occur in Winter 2025; and to promote greater transparency about one of the two autonomous systems of the AMS. 

The Judicial System of the Alma Mater Society is an independent system composed of the Judicial Committee (JCOMM), which is the adjudicative branch, and the Judicial Affairs Office (“JAO”), which is the investigative branch. The Judicial System of the Alma Mater Society is the first and oldest in Canada, being established by Principal Grant in 1898. To date, the AMS Judicial Affairs Office remains the only of its kind, and a unique hallmark of student life at Queen’s University. In all affairs, the Judicial System aims to promote positive values at Queen’s, and uphold the values of Restorative Justice, Peer-Administered, Complaint-Driven, Non-Adversarial, and Procedural Fairness. Read more about the Judicial System. 

Until the mid 2010s, JAO retained full jurisdiction over cases of non-academic misconduct and violations of the Student Code of Conduct. However, after the establishment of the Student Conduct Office (“SCO”), JAO has been operated as an agent of the University, and is delegated Category I Non-Academic Misconduct Cases.  

In recent years, and per reports released by the Judicial Managers to Assembly, the number of cases the office handles have been on a constant decline, reaching 0 cases in 2023-2024. In response, since 22/23, members of the Judicial Affairs Office started having informal conversations internally and with the University to explore how the Judicial Affairs Office can continue to uphold its peer-led pillar and respond to the changing landscape of student life on-campus.  

These conversations finally culminated in the summer of 2024 with the following expansions on the responsibilities of the Judicial Affairs Office under the NAM System: 

• Provision of peer-to-peer guidance and education to students involved in NAM  

• Oversight of sanction completions as delegated by the SCO, which may include but is not limited to the facilitation, review and assessment of sanctioned apology letters, educational assignments, and volunteer hours. 

• Administration of training related to key units with the support of the SCO 

In April 2025, the Judicial Managers will present a report to the General Assembly on the status of Non-Academic Misconduct and the Judicial System.  

The AMS is committed to advocating for the peer-led NAM system, aligned with the Principle Positions Policy of the AMS. If you have any advocacy-based questions, please email . For all other questions relating to the Judicial System, its procedures and operations, please email .