Democracy
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Minutes of JJCR meeting, 04-12-2005, 20:00
Related files
- Agenda
- Bailey Room Improvements
- Staff Party
- MfS: Olav
- MfS: Mattress
- Motion for spending: First Aid courses
- Motion to ratify St Johns Agnostic Society
- Motion to make the default Secret ballot to paper
- Motion to affiliate the Women’s Rugby team
- Ethical Sponsorship Policy
- Drum Kit Policy
- Treatment of Animals policy
Contents
Preamble
Opening Prayer
Read by Miquela.
Apologies
- Phil Wallbridge
Minutes and matters arising
The minutes were approved on a general aye. There were no matters arising.
Reports
Reports of Executive Officers
President: Roddy Peters
Firstly, sorry we are in here, we decided to move the jcr meeting to allow the tempest. Also sorry for my hat. I have no voice due to coxing today. Lots has happened since the last meeting. Thank you to anna for the bailey ball. Applause Also since the last meeting I competed in the duck rugby welly wanging and I fowled, sorry. Members fund: we have met to discuss applications, sorry for the delay. I continue my exciting weekly meetings. Particularly in the last week I have been writing letters to people, northern trains, advertising houses. I have also started to get newspaper vouchers to get us cheaper newspapers so we can have the same number and I have written a DSU motion Thank you to everyone who attended Leech Hall talks with regards the new principal. We had a profitable 3 hour discussion, decision is pending. Table Football: There was a motion to get a table football table in the bailey room, instead we are going to borrow one to see what it is like. Let me know what you think. The questionnaire is still online, please do fill it out, only 16 yes/no questions.
VP: Estates Jess Caddy
I’ve been spending the weekend clearing out lock ups. The skip is now full and has broken glass. The only one I haven’t cleared is Haughton which I can’t get to, will be done this week. Formal this Wednesday, don’t forget to go. I’ve been fighting to try and get bigger glasses, I’m hoping it might happen. In the mean time if you want to bring bigger cups bring your own (straw poll 98%ish) New seconds formal involving collecting cards this week. Room ballot line is this Friday.
VP: Welfare Miquela Elsworth
Hi guys, Houses: Don’t worry guys, its ok! Chill out. Next term there will be a meeting in the first week of term. Jess and your livers out officer will talk to you and explain everything. If you feel stressed or feel people are sorting it out now, don’t do it too soon or you may get done by dodgy landlords. Housing lists are released in the second week of term, they are not all released at the same time so not first come first served. There is a surplus of houses. Don’t just randomly knock on people’s doors, this isn’t allowed or very safe. Go through the accom. Office. The travel bursary deadline is Friday (£150). E-mail me or send me a letter. Stress and getting ill: Take care of yourselves as the end of term approaches. Flu vaccinations: If you have a chronic disease like asthma or diabetes, please get a flu vaccination. The telephone number is on my board. For travel bursaries, will there be ones next term for easter holidays? Miquela:Yes, every term I get £150 and £200 for summer term.
Treasurer: Dan Baxter
My main thing has been the budget which I will be doing in a moment, apart from that, the money request deadline is this time next week.
Senior DSU Rep: Jonny Hays
Remember to vote for NUS national elections and opinion polls online. Council tomorrow at 8pm in hild bede. DSU campaigns are planning a big campaign next term, watch out. Helen Smith; What is Roddy’s motion? Jonny: I sit on campaigns and someone on presidents sits on campaigns, it isn’t necessary that someone sits on the two.
Services Manager: Hannah Sargeant
I don’t have anything major to report, stash, coca cola etc has come up in emails or this week. Matriculation photo people are being rubbish and haven’t given them to me, I will be onto them. There will be trouble!
Social Secretary: Anna McMullen
Thank you for coming to the bailey ball. If you still want photos you can order online. Christmas formal is coming up, still 50 places so do buy your tickets, it is next Monday. Megan Taylor: What time will the panto be? Anna:10ish
Communications Officer: Rob Reeve
Over the last couple of weeks I have been sorting out the address list. The first draft is now online and is available through DUO in order that only John’s people can access it. If people could check that the details are correct as I am sure there will be some mistakes and there are several mobile numbers missing I can then correct it ready for Christmas.
Bar Treasurer: Hannah Pearce in for James
The bar made lots of money from the Bailey Ball. The university are investigating later bar opening times. The duck events raised a lot of money for charity. Cocktail list is up and running. I’m sure you have noticed the bar decorations. The last Tuesday of term there will be a Christmas themed bar event so search for your santa suits.
Cranmer President: Arun Arora
This Friday is Cranmer’s end of term do. In addition to karaoke there will be sketches and food, if you want to come it is £10. You can get tickets from Matt Knox. Tomorrow in Cranmer Common Room we are having a motion as to whether it should be a dry event. We don’t currently have dry events but it has been recognised that there are people who feel uncomfortable with the “culture of alcohol” which is seen around out social events. There are also some recovering alcoholics in our community. The question is what do we do about it and we are not entirely sure, do we make all events dry, do we have dry tables/non dry tables or do we have a dry event. We have tried to debate it once, we are trying again. There was upset and tears. If you have thoughts/comments I would be happy to hear them. Ben Harrison: Is it hymns on the karaoke? Arun: Not a hymn in sight. Anna McMullen: Where is meeting Arun: Leech Hall, 11:20. If you would like to come it would be fine, but let me know as technically you would be there as a guest.
MCR President: Lisa Mol
MCR are doing lots of website things at the moment so we have a nice info point. Anyone who is thinking of doing a postgrad, it’s a lot of fun. I can help you out, am currently on my third degree and can help you convince people to give you money and know you are worth keeping. Deadlines come earlier than you think.
Personal Development Program (PDP): Introduction
Katie Mackay: We are here to make you more well rounded person. Hosts trips and debates and classes and maybe wine tasting, broadening experiences within college. I am running this with Emma. I am a resident tutor here. We want an exec. We helped fund the principal’s walk. We have money available. http://www.dur.ac.uk/katie.mackay/ We will hopefully will run self defence in next couple of weeks, maybe a dreamweaver class and a Christmas shopping trip.
Reports of non-executive Officers
None
Budget
Presented by Daniel Baxter
This is the part 1 budget, we have two parts, this is the first. The money comes in from the university and £2 of the £5 membership per year goes to part 1. This is spent on sports teams and societies. Not bar, social events or services, not us as a business. Income: this is a lot smaller than last year but this is comparing to the budget from last year and not what we got in. Quite a big oversight last year. Part ii support is to compensate for that. Freshers has stayed the same as freshers was profitable this year as they were well within budget. Welfare has grown into a group, officers expenses has gone down as we aren’t spending lots of money. This figure tends on prudency of next exec. TV has gone down as standing orders don’t reach £1000. We currently rent some equipment, I may look into buying some which would pay for itself in a few years. Newspapers: We currently overspending but with the vouchers this should even out. Open days are growing so more money. Sports: Dividend bond: premium bond. £7 per year isn’t much interest but we could win £1000000. Darts has gone up to allow them to buy a new dart board every year. I’ve split men’s football into A and B so they are guaranteed an amount. Slightly less as there has been a big equipment motion through. Pool is quite a lot but a lot of the money goes into the pool table and we get half back. Rugby Women has been created. Societies: Choir has gone up a bit, daylight robbery has gone down after the part ii motion. Orchestra has gone down as we agreed they didn’t need £300 a year and haven’t so far spent anything. Swing dance up to full £200. Other: Other, officers expenses down, admin has gone down because we are e-mailing more and phone isn’t costing as much. Photocopying now includes loo news. JCR meetings has gone down as this is first when spent. Allocations are approximate as I haven’t heard from uni yet. Ben Harrison; Is women’s rugby budget pending the passing of today’s motion? Dan: yes Lisa: Do you know when you will know exactly what the MCR get? Dan: Hopefully before end of term. There being no formal opposition, the budget was approved on a general aye
Motions
MFS: Bailey Room Improvements
Motion text
Presented by Roddy A few years ago they redecorated the bailey room. They painted it and redid the ceiling, however, it is beige and brown and hideous. We think it could do with some tarting up, as did the JCR in the questionnaire. Paint, clock, tidying it up, it has been suggested we have a map with year abroad people. There being no formal opposition, the motion was passed on a general aye.
Staff Party
Motion text
Jess: We think the staff deserve a thank you and we don’t give them one as a JCR so we want to have a Christmas party at the end of term where we provide them with mulled wine/sherry and nice food. We will have students serving. There being no formal opposition, the motion was passed on a general aye. Roddy: That is happening on the day after term finishes, 11 in the SCR. If anyone wants to help take trays around the room please do.
Motion for spending: Olav
Motion text
Roddy:At the moment we have a reasonably large amount of money in part ii. A lot of colleges have college mascots. Aidan’s won theirs, but at events like the chancellor’s installation, today at bath bridge, having a college mascot would boost the already good sports supporters. In the 1960’s they found an actual stuffed alligator. He used to sit in front of the principal in photos. I’ve put up to there as there are three options. Either a full body suit, I have a friend who I haven’t had a quote from or a large cuddly toy. Arun: I would like to speak in opposition. I think the spirit of this is excellent, I appreciate what is behind it. In finance committee two of us voted against it. I don’t know if there is a one size fits all suit. I don’t know if there is someone who is ready to do it. I just think the money involved is too much for what it is. I don’t think having a lot of money is reason to spend it. It will buy you a men’s a football team for a year, etc…. I just don’t know if that is the kind of money we should be spending on a mascot. I think it should perhaps come back with a reduced amount. Roddy; a Mascot will last 10/15/20 years. I think it would be important as a visible component of college spirit. If you want to limit the value, I can try and find something cheaper. The reason I suggested this amount was that was that it looked the best. Lisa: Could I request an amendment, I think the idea of olav the second is wonderful, but an alligator is so wholly unconnected to johns. Looking at the logo we have an eagle and a lion. I know Hatfield ahs a lion that looks as a tiger. I think we could get a lion with a crown, something more related to johns. RP: I think it is an alligator called Olav or a lion with a crown, not a lion called Olav. In America we have cheerleaders with mascots. American sites would probably have it for half the price. Roddy: They don’t really have alligators, I did have a look. The shipping cost would make it more expensive. We could bring it back. Sally: It is something to look at. Ben Salter: We made £600 in three days by putting on a play. If we do that quite often I think we can afford this. How much would a stuffed alligator cost? Roddy: About half that Robert Seddon: How does it affect college spirit not having one? Roddy: Its not detrimental, we already have the best, it is something we have as a bonus. It is something that those colleges with a mascot can cheer the mascot, and go in photo suits. Helen Smith: If we did get one, would duck be able to use it if we covered the cleaning costs? Trevs have a duck costume and they raised more money using it. Roddy: I don’t have a problem with that. Katie Carter: If we pass this motion, how will you choose between a suit/soft toy? Roddy: Vote Roddy I didn’t put the options in the motion. Motions can’t come back once they have fallen, I could amend it now. Arun: Rather than oppose, can I ask that it is brought back with different price options. Roddy: I am happy to do that. The amendment would take out the spending money and change it to bring it back to a JCR meeting Megan: Surely if it is coming down to price, could we release some money and then have a bar event or something to raise the rest of the money? Roddy: We did think about a walkabout evening money for that. Adam: Could we amend this to an e-vote with the different options on so it wouldn’t have to come back here? Sally: It is possible. Roddy: Probably more representative. The amendment to bring the motion to an e-vote was passed on a general aye. Ben Harrison: What happens after the e-vote? Roddy: The result of the e-vote will prescribe what gets bought. Megan: Can we also add an amendment to look into other fundraising activities. The motion was amended in the resolves section to add: “2) To investigate fundraising activities to subsidise the cost.” The amendment was passed on a general aye. There being no formal opposition to the amended motion, it was passed on a general aye.
Motion for spending: Mattress
Motion text
The motion was passed by Finance Committee. Jess: I found the mattress which had gone missing in a lock up, I will negotiate with college to see if they will pay for it. It will probably be nearer £35.
Motion for spending: First Aid courses
Motion text
Presented by Pete Hookway Johns sport is going well but the days of the magic sponge are over. By regulations next term you need at least 1, ideally 2, trained first aiders per match. It costs £20 per person, 12 in total were needed. James Menzies: I believe some first aid societies exist, have they been considered? Pete: This is heavily subsidised by DUAU Alison Way: I was one of those taking part. Had we done this next term it would have been £250 per person. There being no formal opposition, the motion was passed on a general aye.
Motion to ratify St Johns Agnostic Society
Motion text
Presented by Adam Gagen There seems to be some confusion. Basically, agnosoc came about as a lot of people fancy talking about a lot of different issues that are pertinent to today’s life but not through other avenues. We want to make a forum inviting open discussion, philosophical reflection, basically encouraging evolution of people’s ideas. We have been chatting with academics at the university, with people working on current research and hot topics. E.g. the principal’s dinners. I found the discussions afterwards very interesting. That is the sort of thing – 2 a term. Have weekly meetings after them to discuss any issues that come out of it. In the construction of the motion, if anyone finds it controversial we rewrote another I could go into. Megan Taylor: Who chose the name? Adam: Diege and myself: Agnostic represents the people who are continuing to ask questions. We think a lot of issues get down to philosophy and theology. Megan Taylor: But you are not assuming everyone who gets involved are agnostic? Adam Gagen: No, most of our members are CU members already. We want an inclusive way that people can come and talk and have interesting discussions Robert Seddon: I am concerned about the way it was phrased in the believes section. Adam: I have issues with that as well, that was not what I intended, the new motion clarifies what was said. Adam read out a different version of the motion where the notes and believes sections had been amended This JJCR Notes 1. The importance of theological, philosophical and moral exploration at all time in life. 2. That St. Johns College prides itself on encouraging its students to think. This JJCR believes 1.That a society is needed to support people wishing to explore theological, philosophical and moral issues in a relazed open environment. 2. That the society would provide a forum for discussion of theology, phiosophy and morals and would envourage a range of perspectives. Adam: The aims of the society are 1)To be a forum inviting open discussion concerning existence and the human condition, 2) the promotion of philosophical reflection and personal exploration throughout college and 3) not instigating a revolution, rather non-directly encouraging the evolution of your own ideas. Robert Seddon: My other point was a lot of what you have been saying sounds pretty much like the universities philosophical society, johns used to have it’s own society. It doesn’t sound as if it is devoted to agnosticism. I think the name is misleading and confusing. Adam: We thought very hard about the name and considered philosophical society. The particular focus is more an agnostic one. Arun Arora: Given that notes and believes now has the amended version, and has no mention of agnosticism I don’t see how the name follows. I wonder whether given the aims are things most people can sign up to. I wonder whether an amendment of the name would attract more support. Adam: Most of the people who have spoken to about this liked the fact that there was a specific focus. I think agnosticism says people should come and ask questions and not leave with a particular view. Arun: This assumes that people who have a faith have stopped asking questions. Adam: Most of our members are passionate about their theological beliefs. James Menzies: There are other alternative names, eg free thinking, it does seem that agnostic has connotations which aren’t strong in the minds of people going to the society. Roddy: Calling it agnostic makes it seem in opposition to CU. Some people think that agnosticism would be non compatible with CU Adam: I understand people have preconceptions about the name, but I don’t think that is an argument for changing it. Arun: I propose to amend the motion to call it “free thinking” society Adam: Whilst I respect your opinion, we have thought a lot about the name, the focus isn’t the same. Free thinking could be thought of as meaning loose morals. Lisa: I would like to speak in support of Adam, I think it is a good name. maybe when advertising the society you could use the greek spelling and put it in its original meaning. I think free thinking society applies loose morals. Roddy: It still might cause confusion Megan: Can I formally oppose it, I think this is a great society, but I think the problem is the name sets it self up as an opposition, when people aren’t educated in the precise meaning of the name. I don’t think we should up that potential for conflict in johns. There are so many other names it could be called. Adam: My feelings are we shouldn’t pander to people not understanding terms and thus not using it. I think the reason for having societies is for people getting ideas across. Megan: Then why not philosophy society? Adam: Philosophy is a broad topic, people would want to discuss definitions. If people are in a society then it should be for the people in the society to make sure the name is apt, not those outside of it. Megan: As a community are you not responsible for the outward appearance of the society? Alex: I accept that even if you have explained the term doesn’t know what it means. People who aren’t here won’t have heard the explanation here. In a few years time it may become something different. Adam: I think the important thing is not to pander to preconceptions. James Menzies: Adam wants to get the society up and running, if we pass a motion now we can change the name later. Everyone has agreed the society is good. Arun: I propose to remove the word agnostic from resolves one and call it the “a society ” in the absence of a suitable name. Adam: I oppose it. Lisa: There are ways around it, making it agnosco, “I don’t know” society. Sally: I think the proposers of the amendment want to get rid of agnostic altogether A vote was taken on the amendment to call the society the “a society” In favour of “a society”: 12 Against: 18 Abstention: 7 Thus the amendment fell A vote was taken on the un-amended motion: For: 22 Against: 8 Abstention: 6 The motion thus passes
Motion to make the default Secret ballot to paper
Motion text
withdrawn Roddy: People are currently voting for people who haven’t heard husts from by e-vote. We found quite a few errors in the constitution. We have just had a constitutional reform committee with a focus on MCR and CCR constitution. We want to have a CRC.
Motion to affiliate the Women’s Rugby team
Motion text
Read by Sally There being no formal opposition, the motion was passed on a general aye.
Ethical Sponsorship Policy
Motion text
There being no formal opposition, the motion was passed on a general aye.
Drum Kit Policy
Motion text
James Menzies: The problem is leech hall is often used for events, would it be sensible to have the kit in the practice room so you can use it? Sally: I think the important part is it is locked away Jess: There is probably not room, could be in the way. Sally: POI It can be booked in advance There being no formal opposition, the motion was passed on a general aye.
Treatment of animals policy
Motion text
Sally: SEC used some goldfish for a ball once and a policy was created in response Anna: Can I oppose, I think we should remove this. I think it was a silly motion that was put through because someone did something stupid when drunk. E.G. for this ball I was thinking of getting a camel, to do this I would have had to have approval which would have meant disclosing the theme. Getting the permission of the JCR doesn’t seem necessary. Sally: I think they were trying to ensure the social secretary couldn’t do it on a whim. Rob: This was a compromise solution. The original motion was to ban use of animals completely. Anna: Could you change it so that SEC take care of animals? Roddy: I agree it should stay in some form Amendment: “TO ENSURE USE OF ANIMALS IN COLLEGE FOR ANY EVENT IS IN CONSIDERATION OF THEIR HEALTH.” The amendment was passed on a general aye There being no formal opposition, the amended policy was passed on a general aye.
Elections
Sponsorship Asst/Chair
No candidates
Alumni Rep
No candidates
Roddy: I created this so I don’t have to do this. I want a returners’ weekend next term. Please tell anyone you know why is organised. Most colleges have one, I think we should too. They could do merchandise and send communication to alumni. Our centenary is in a few years time. Dan: Castle had big VAT problems. It was their alumni who paid up. Ben Salter: How much time? Roddy: It is new, so don’t know.
AOB for JJCR
Lisa: Fantastic, well done for the boat club today. The seniors are racing 1.8k on Wednesday, it will be painful, pick any bridge and come and shout. Women at 1pm, not sure about men. Hannah: Wine will be for sale on Wednesday 5:45 before the formal. Helen Smith: We have a duck mafia night on Tuesday in the linton room, £1 entry Mulled Wine Break
End of JJCR Meeting
JHJCR Meeting
Elections
Daylight Robbery Chair
Candidates:
- Ben Powell
- Ben Salter
- Helen Smith
There being no call to hust, the candidate was taken on a general aye.
AOB for JJCR
There being no further business the meeting drew to a close.
End of JHJCR Meeting