NIU’s Judicial Board has recommended a combination of deferred suspensions, dormitory transfers, fines or work assignments for 11 students charged in two racial incidents on campus.

Although eight of the students have accepted sanctions against them, three have chosen to appeal the severity of their punishments. The names of the students will not be released, said Jon Dalton, vice president for Student Affairs.

Four separate hearings were held for the students—four who were involved in a racial conflict on the same floor of their residence hall and seven who were charged in relation to the Feb. 21 incident in which racial slurs were shouted from a pickup truck at pedestrians on their way to the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s speech.

In the residence hall incident, two students were found guilty of harassing a minority student and were transferred from their dormitory room and ordered to pay a $50 fine or to accept a 10-hour work assignment, Dalton said. In addition, all four students were placed on university disciplinary probation for the remainder of their enrollments at NIU, Dalton said.

Six of the students originally accused in the Jackson incident were charged with disruptive behavior, and one was charged with harassment. University Police and other witnesses testified that only one student shouted slurs, Dalton said.

At the hearings, the six students were found guilty and were recommended for deferred suspensions. Dalton said deferred suspension is an ultimatum that any further violation of the Student Judicial Code will result in immediate suspension from the university if the student is found guilty by the judicial board.

The seventh student, charged with making racial slurs and harassment, also was found guilty and recommended for deferred suspension in addition to being ordered to complete a nine-hour work assignment.

This is the first time the student, who is graduating in May, has been accused of violating the conduct code, Dalton said. “In the single case, I felt that the student did merit suspension; however, I respect the judicial board’s decision.” he said.

Dalton said the sanctions of the Judicial Hearing Boards can not be altered by him, NIU President LaTourette or NIU’s judicial officer. However, he said, “We do have the authority to suspend immediately from the university any individuals who are responsible for acts of racial disrimination or harassment according to the guidelines for temporary suspension outlined in the Student Judicial Code.”

LaTourette said the administration “will abide by the recommendations, although I personally regret that the sanctions in some instances are not stronger.

“I realize the need to protect the rights of the accused and the fact that all 11 are classified as first-time offenders of NIU’s Student Judicial Code. At the same time, I believe that racism is intolerable and that anyone found guilty of racist behavior does not belong at Northern,” he said.

Dalton said the Judicial Review Board reached its decisions after hearing testimony from over 20 witnesses.

e said the three appeals will be heard by the Judicial Appeals Board as soon as possible. The appeals board has the power to uphold, reverse or modify the sanctions, but not to increase them, Dalton said.

Dalton said the work assignments have not been determined yet by the judicial office.

“Normally the assignments are something with educational value,” he said. Some types of assignments include volunteer work at local agencies, recyclying center work or completion of a mutli-cultural counseling program.

Dalton said the university still is offering a $500 reward to anyone who has information regarding the posting of racial fliers on Huskie Buses in February. If found and charged, the persons will be subjected to a hearing by the Judicial Board, Dalton added.