JCR Meeting 9-03-08

Opening prayer

Appologies
Martin Clarke
Rest of CCR

Minutes approved on general aye.

Approved on a general aye for principal to talk in the meeting.

Grateful to be allowed to speak. Big plan and bad news. Decision taken on Friday evening at college council about estates strategy which will shape the college for decades to come. Appologise for lack of consultation about this. Sometimes make mistakes about lack of consultation such as about the move of formals to Monday nights. For the past 12 months have had an estates working group. Have not been able to consult specifically about these proposals. College could not continue in its present configuration so this is a big vision and the biggest proposal in the history of the college. State we were in was a bad state for six reasons:
1) £2m debt due to the Margaret’s and Crossgate development. Still have it. Will not be able to borrow money as have this debt.
2) Have Bailey refurbishments to do which will cost about £2m Due to the college not putting enough money into this.
3) College has not received the planned revenue from the Crossgate centre.
4) Margaret’s flats have been a mixed blessing for college. Attraction but only 25% of flats filled when first arrived so had to slash the prices. Only about 70% filled by John’s students. In next decade flats will need a lot of work.
5) The last new build on the Bailey was this building 20 years ago. 36 shared bedrooms and so don’t see how we will have students continuing to come in if we want to have the same size of first year. Haughton is just not big enough. Cranmer teaching rooms and library are inadequate and too small. Students have said sports facilities on the Bailey are inadequate.
6) Cannot finance any of this on present college finances. We are in a better state than we used to be but still have debt.

Estates working group looked at 12 different options. Looked at whether people from outside would give millions but some will give money for a library but won’t mend the wiring in Linton.

Received a massive offer for Margaret’s. In the light of this, approved a new estates strategy. The identity of John’s is on the Bailey. We do not want to move to a site beyond Jo Butler! Can’t cope with the £2m backlog. Council willing to accept offer for Margaret’s and Crossgate Centre. New accommodation block will be built where the library is and will join to Cruddas with a lift allowing disabled access to Tristram room, Cruddas etc. Build new library and teaching rooms on the lawn by the Cockerton room or on 17 South Bailey. The Cathederal owns that building so we would have to negotiate with them. Extend Haughton Dining Room out to make it bigger, meaning you can bring a mobile servary into Haughton and remove it for formals so we can have bigger formals.
What about those who have already signed contracts for Margarets? Condition would be that contracts already signed will be honoured. What about students seeking self catering accommodation after 2009. Likely purchaser would like to continue to use Margaret’s for student accommodation so could reserve flats for John’s possibly. Difficult decision to say that if such a sale comes up we go for it. Don’t anticipate any redundancies. Any money we get from Crossgate would be reinvested on the Bailey. A year/year and a half of building on the Bailey. Not easy for the community we have here.

This will be put into a document and emailed to all staff and students.

Questions

Emma Matthews: Thank you for being so honest about a very difficult decision. A lot of hoo ha about Margarets but having the facts, can’t go on so thank you.

Will Fisher – if this does go ahead, when will it happen?
DW – Want to go ahead with the refurbishments first and this will start with 23 North Bailey this Summer. 6 zones of refurbishment and that can be seen as 6 years. Building work - need to move as quick as we can but need to begin with one of the long vacations. Then issue of how we time the work. Easier to do it all at the same time but more disruptive to the community but will probably add on half a million pounds to the bill. Will be a group who will need to work out the details of this and want student involvement in this.

Richard Heerey - What is the likelihood of getting planning permission?

Already planning permission for a one story building on Cranmer lawn. Want a two story building which they are rather more iffy about. Would be much more likely to get it for 17 South Bailey. Have the land on a hundred year lease of which we have another 26 years.

Ruaridh Guy – How many new rooms are we talking about?

41 rooms but maybe slightly less with communal areas.

Richard Kelley – What are the plans for postgrads who need self catering?

One plan is to develop 11 South Bailey. Have not really addressed this but are aware of it.

Stefanie Boehm – same for international students as they don’t go home over the holidays.

That is the issue of whether we build 41 en-suite rooms or 35 and communal areas such as kitchens.

Danielle O’Hagan – If rooms have en-uite will you still charge the same amount for everyone?

DW – don’t know – it depends if the university change its policy – it is definitely something to think about.

Becki Aski – What are we going to do to preserve the lawns and the chilled out aspect?

DW – Build on 17 South Bailey for that reason.

Victoria Justice – Do you think the library move may jeopardise people’s degrees?

DW – hopefully not. Concern for third years is important. Tough to say with Easter vac res in mind. Study space facilities is part of the reason for doing this.

Ben Jarvis – Showed around previous students for 1960s who said this was a courtyard where they spent most of their time but we now can’t imagine college without it so may be the same.

Reports

President – Hope you found this useful as felt strongly that should be involved. Has been very difficult not to be able to talk to people about this. Really sad to be leaving at a time seeing such big changes. Please keep the involvement. Congratulations to the lacrosse team. Very long meeting as it is. Coming back for the centenary in February so will see you all there.

MCR – This is not going to be my last meeting. Inter MCR work trying to find all the MCR in the university. Not a huge amount you need to know about getting people out of Margaret’s into college.

CCR – Thank you for being here and thanks for apologising, especially the Cranmer students. Thanks to Becca – has fought very hard for John’s and Cranmer students. Sports pitch is due to Becca. Shows importance of student involvement. Great to be at council with Bishop of Oxford in the chair. Almost shut the meeting down to hear from four students. Thank you for the year he has had. Thank you to Rich Wilde and Martin Hodgetts who are taking over. Important to get the terms right – JJCR, CCR, MCR, JCR, JHJCR. No-one else knows the difference! All the best for the coming year. Finally – we have a rugby match. Thought it would be a good idea to play rugby and the press are going to be there to witness it. Wednesday at 4pm. Money to be split between Edith Jackson and Pete Wake.

Estates – Report in This Week tomorrow. Gym is finally open and thank you to Dan Barrett. Not much more to stay. If you have any ideas for estates, talk to Ben and get things tacked onto the big things.

Nick – Last meeting – woo! Stereotypical to thank so many people. Thank you to the welfare team. Came onto the welfare team having done nothing welfare wise. Thank you to the whole team! Pete, Helen, Hannah, Chris, Clare. Report in This Week tomorrow.
Pete Godden – Why not dressed as someone from Starwars.
Lighting Director 3!
PG – He wore black jeans!
Sorry!

Treasurer – please stay for the interesting finance motions. Moved a long way making the JJCR accounts the JJCR accounts. Full report in This Week but thank you to Kevin Tyson and Martin Brown.

DSU – Yoda and can talk normally! Report is in this week. Thank the students of Durham and may the forth be with you!

Services – Nothing really serious happened except a few rebels in 23 North Bailey kitchen. Please lock all doors. Thank you to all those who helped. Report will be in This Week. Result for successor will be announced on Wednesday. Good luck to them.
Comms
In TW by Monday/Tuesday

Social – Festival dinner tomorrow 6:30 Drinks reception. Black tie. SEC have been great.
Nick – What’s with the hair dryer?
Tom – It’s a gun.
Sammy – What’s the gun for?
Tom – Homoerotic accessory.

Bar – will send This Week report tonight. Thank you to all who have been on the bar team and to all those who have been down the bar.

Motion for spending on Hockey Goalkeeper kit.

Most of the kit is missing not through neglect but because it is so old. Finance committee thought it was a good idea.

Taken on a general aye.

Motion for video camera

Used for freshers reps and having it may mean it can be used for things like rugby matches. £150.

Taken on a general aye.

Motion for Speakers - £800.

Speakers are bust and have been bust for ages. College and Cranmer also need speakers.
Will come up with a plan so they stay safe.
Why buy some when college have them? Should investigate that but you said we should get speakers.
Why £800 it is up to but want good quality ones.
If they get trashed we need to be able to hold people accountable – need to be kept safe.
Martin – said at finance committee that tech officers would be in charge of Leech Hall cupboard and keys would be signed out.
Emma – have you seen the size of the cupboard? No-where to put speakers and lights. Cupboard is not secure.
Will – cupboard was originally made for the speakers and will get fixed.
Richard – if college have speakers do we both need to have speakers?
James – have spent a lot hiring speakers and have had committees to discuss this but nothing seems to happen.
Dom – can we get the speakers insured?
Tom – yes – will look into this.

Taken on a general aye.

Motion on Charity Donation

Something to be said about this community, leaving here with huge amount of debt. If we say 10% of bottom line goes to charity – if we make nothing we give nothing, it would speak a lot for the students which inhabit these buildings. Would decide that charity at a JCR meeting. Would flag up that we do care about it. It is quite a technical thing.

James – Small writing is that it is a constitutional change to say that if we make a profit in Part II it will be given to charity decided by the JCR.

Do we have any policy of giving to charity at the moment?

No – DUCK does but not the JCR.

Luke – The JCR is a charity – Subscriptions are kept as low as possible so shouldn’t money be kept to keep costs lower next year when that money was meant to be spent on services. A motion to give a set amount could be given every year.

Peter – We are poor students. That was a point that was taken. It is just about having something enshrined in the constitution. In 2009 the constitution will be looked at again as it is looked at every 5 years. More important for students to say there are worse off peole than us.

What would be the expected amount given? What nature of the charity would be? Animal charities? People charities?

Peter – up to student body. Would be £320 from Part II and for next year would be projected to be about £300 from next year. Taken at end of academic year not

Involves part of subscription fees.

Becki Askey – rigid thing for treasurer to stick to – relief to treasurer – may be a rench but have enough money to give to the community. We are committed to the people of the North East. Lets give away what we can.

Ruaridh Guy – More than one charity may not be a good idea. Secondly – not sure it should automatically happen so people feel they should be asked.

Peter – as constitution is up for looking at next year – Rather than having a reason to give – have a reason not to. A point about having three or five charities more about the detail.

Emma – need to remember this money is not directly coming out of our own pockets – would do that anyway – giving to charity at the same time.

Peter – directly coming out of what we give anyway. Same subscriptions to MCR, CCR, JCR annual fee. Part of that goes to charity.

David Wilkinson agrees with giving to charity.

Martin - Per person contributing less than £1.

Peter – Community of John’s should be seen to be giving.

Jo – Doesn’t matter whether seen as policy because is up for renewal needs to be seen as policy.

Peter – need to be a policy as looses witness to David Wilkinson and the rest of the community so has to have a motion to take it out.

Jo – shouldn’t be looked at that it doesn’t matter if it’s yearly or for ever.

Peter – I agree – it loses something if done annually. Important to stick to the 10%.

James – Discuss structure of motion – change structure of the constitution. The part on this page is how you would change the clauses. Standing orders stated in another part which can be changed much more easily so if a treasurer disagreed with it and wanted a different number of charities, can change it.

Antoni – Freshers arriving in October won’t be able to choose so could be amended to up to 10%.

Peter- flip side is if have it in it may attract people too. Not sure how it will play out.

Hadi – Good idea to have these donations. Want us to reflect to ourselves but don’t want to fall into the ‘St John’s’ give this amount and no others do. Could we donate this do Duck?

Charlotte – If we are seriously struggling with Part II finances should we really be mandated to give this money?

James – it is in the motion that if the treasurer believes we are unable to give it, he can veto it.

Ben – One of the most important thing about charity is that we have ownership. Could we have a thing in the constitution so we pass it every year. Don’t know if Martin would let us know if we did have a profit what else it would be spent on.

Martin – difficult to stay as money from the bar has been an issue. Further motions for spending, refurbishments for things but restricted funds could do this. When it gets to a reasonable amount could be put into savings etc.

Richard – College would have ownership as charity being given to would be decided every year but in the constitution, even in members fund would mean that we look really caring.

Ruaridh – Keep the 10% but vote on it annually. Propose this as an amendment. Martin asked it for first Michaelmas.

James – first paragraph would say motion will be put forward each year at first michaelmas. Charity nominated at same time. Rest can stay the same. Seconder Chris Gough for amendment.
Peter does not accept this amendment.

Stefanie – that would mean we have to explain the whole thing to freshers in the first JCR meeting.

Ruaridh – they probably would understand.

Becki – formally oppose the amendment – not in keeping with the origingal motion.

Richard – Felt that having a vote every year would be the best but being able to select the charity gives ownership. Taking away the option to give is a good idea as there is a clause that if the Treasurer doesn’t think it is financially viable then it doesn’t have to happen

Ruaridh – unlikely that it will be voted down but think it is good that people should be able to choose to give.

Ben – that amendment will mean that an automatic motion will come up even if one year they choose not to give?

James – yes.

Votes in favour of the amendment – 37
Votes against the amendment – 50
Abstentions – 5

Kevin – amendment to say charity or charities incase we want to give to more than one.

Move forward – taken on a general aye.

Votes in favour – overwhelming

Charities motion will have to come again before the meeting and if passed next time will become part of the constitution but with a new chair and new exec!

Motion – JJCR exec

When we changed the constitution for the new VP said they would have a vote but forgot to include finance officers which we meant to.
Taken on a general aye.

Motion to set up an Amnesty International Society

Will make a positive impact, raise enthusiasm and awareness and supports an organisation in the John’s spirit.

Put up a mail bag and case study in the Bailey room each fortnight.

Questions – Amnesty has a policy of pro-abortion rights – does the JCR have any policy on abortion?
James – no.
Martin – DSU has no policy but do we have to agree with this?
Emma – Abortion come up over Darfour where women have been raped and Amnesty feel they have rights to have an abortion in this circumstance.
Pete – DSU have an Amnesty society
Could we have a bag in Cranmer commonroom?
Emma – Yes.
Matt – What does point three mean?
James – removed it.

Any opposition?
Taken on a general aye

Elections

Christian Union leaders – Mark Cooper and Stefanie Boehm.

Boatclub taken on a general aye

Chapel Warden taken on a general aye.

Junior DSU rep
Proposed – Peter Godden
Seconded – Bex Lindsay

Wants to do it for another term

Rob – thank you for standing and why is it so important and why should people stand?
Sammy – DSU is a great organisation and John’s should be involved and good to have people mandated to go to these meetings and represent John’s at these meetings. There is one in this room on Thursday so come!

Vote RON – none
Abstentions – 1
Votes in favour – overwhelming

Just world shop coffee-shop organiser

Martin Clark
Proposed I#Hsein Porter
Seconded Jude Robertosn

JWS organiser – Naomi Parker and Hannah Butler

Motion to allow them to stand together
Proposed – Becca Davies
Seconded – Ruaridh Guy

Think they would work well together and would work hard to uphold the standards of this year.
Sammy – positive that the college is pro fair trade – how would you advertise it to the wider community?
Fairtrade fortnight and posters.

Votes for RON – 0
Abstentions 1
Votes for – overwhelming

JWS Treasurer – Vivian Lai
Proposed Rachael Loades
Seconded Hannah Butler

Wants to get more involved and has worked in the shop for several months so understands the running of the shop. Has the enthusiasm and commitment.

Votes for RON – 0
Abstentions – 2
Votes in favour – overwhelming

Senior Duck Rep

Becki Askey
Proposed Danielle O’Hagan
Seconded Rich Wyld

Hadi Makarem
Proposed Chris Bradford

May have seen me trying to persuade you to buy rugby tickets. Organised, passionate and very willing ot make a fool of myself. Wants to help people to help charities themselves. Has a big duck.

Hadi – organised, willing and with centenary wants to integrate it, having tug of war, stalls and games at DUCK day!

Quesitons:
Becca – Duck rep will be in the naked calendar – can we see the pose?

Jenni – Favourite events of John’s Duck week and how would you make them your own?
Hadi – John’s netball boys vs girls. Introduce other sports too.
Becki – couldn’t go to many but would like to make formal fancy dress not black tie.

Luke – John’s wasn’t’ represented at stars in your eyes.
Becki – will do it herself as always will make a fool of herself and would encourage others to do the same.
Hadi – plan it earlier and make sure people know what is involved.

Votes for Ron – 0
Votes for Becki – 60
Votes for Hadi – 22
Abstentions – 5

Societies officer

I’Hsein Porter

Taken on a general aye.

Sports officer

Susie Buckler
Proposed – Victor Chatfield
Seconded – Georgina Graham

Plays Netball, Rugby, Lacrosse and swims. Wants to encourage more inter sport socials and is the daughter of a PE teacher and wants to keep John’s sport at the highest possible level.

Larry – colours are limited to three but will be more leavers

Susie – will try and get more money for it.

Peter – is golf a serious sport?

Susie – yes and the stash would be fab

Richard – sports captains are not noted for their financial abilities so how would you promote this area and raise awareness.

Susie – put time and effort into doing this myself.

Henry – how would you get more supporters for girls matches?

Susie – sweets and promote them

Votes for RON – 0
Abstentions 1
Votes for – overwhelming

JJCR Chair

Ruaridh Guy
Proposed – Helen Canney
Seconded – Ben Jarvis

Does law and can’t get enough of geeky constitutions and wants to make people wear gowns.

Becca - Following the example of the DSU be a chair for the current chair to demonstrate your chairing ability.

Becca – keeping power happy presidents in control is part of your job so could you do this?

Ruaridh – yes. If they disagree would point it out to JCR.

Votes for Ron
Abstentions –2
Votes in favour – overwhelming

JJCR Vice chair – Antoni Otulokowski
Proposed Ben Jarvis

First year physicist and enjoy constitutional stuff. Stearing committee for DSU so know how to count votes and will do publicity.

Questions –
Nick - one of roles of senior returning officer is announcing the new president.
Can you give us a demonstration

If you could be any type of chair what would you be?
Arm chair – comfortable, traditional and always around ***************censored!

Votes for RON - 0
Abstentions 1
Votes in favour – overwhelming

Sponsorship
No candidates

Sponsorship Assistant
No candidates

Kit and Merchandise
Nick Robson
Taken on a general aye

First JCR meeting is first Sunday of term – 27th April so deadline for motions is in the holidays but can be lenient if Ruaridh permits.

If want to buy rugby tickets please buy them from Becki.

Break!!!

JHJCR meeting

Richard Heerey
Proposed: Lucy Pearson
Seconded: Samuel Clarke

Victoria Justice
Proposed: Clare Gordge
Seconded: Ben Jarvis

Domenic Miniti
Proposed: Pete Scopes
Seconded: Caroline Ruetsch

Questions
Chris Leech – Heard continually that there have been a number of services positions unfilled, why have you not stood for any of them?

They were, shop manager, Kit rep and assistant – no good reason.

VJ – have tried to work as well as doing her job and doesn’t read emails enough.

DM – Shop manager is a liver in post or thought it was – thought both were but they may not be.

Proposed it is moved to online vote.
Why did you not stand last meeting. If you thought you wouldn’t have time last time, how do you think you would have time now.

VJ – Don’t have to do job any more. Was at home for a week over nominations.

DM – was going to have t have a job last time but don’t have to now.

RH – thought that a second year would stand so wouldn’t have a chance.

Martin - How would you help the environment

DM – use things on time so don’t have to throw things out. Make washers economical

RH – encourage people to use eco wash.

VJ – wash at 30 degrees and put more bins out rather than more signs as signs are not environmentally friendly.

Steph – how do you think you will get on with exec and how do you feel you will be able to put your view across.

RH – important to have a second year’s view. Would put view across and listen.

VJ – many friends on exec. Wants to represent your views to exec and so would be contactable so know your views. Also can express self clearly.

DM – know next year’s exec and have experience of JCR meetings so know how to present views to a group.

Voting will be online and will close on Wednesday.

SEC secretary
Fran Shanahan
Proposed Jenny Stephenson
Seconded: Kathryn Sleight
Accepted on General aye

SEC Decs
Dominique Greenfield
Proposed Charloe Chalkley Maber
Seconded Ruaridh Guy
Accepted on a general aye

Proposed James Rayner
Seconded Ruaridh Guy
Accepted on a general aye

SEC Ents officer
Georgina Graham
Proposed Becky Ryding
Accepted on a general aye

SEC Food Officer
Delyth Williams
Accepted on a general aye

SEC Sponsorship
Emma Butler
Accepted on a general aye

SEC Publicity officer
Amy Anderson
Accepted on a general aye

SEC Technician
Charlie Chalkley Maber
Proposed Kathryn Sleight
Seconded Larry Hegarty
Accepted on a general aye

SEC Treasurer
Helen Canny
Proposed Dominique Greenfield
Seconded Kathryn Harris
Has a lot of past experience and feels she would be good at this job and dedicated.

Votes for RON – 0
Abstentions – 0
Votes in favour – overwhelming

Assistant Male Welfare
Matt Finn

Must live in college and is living in Margaret’s next year so asking to let him do it just for this term. Has organised events to let people distress. Encompasses a lot including, listening but also economic issues. Wants to produce posters and flyers to raise awareness. Has necessary experience to maintain the welfare of the john’s community.

Assistant Welfare (female)
Kate Todd

Currant Student to student supporter.

As well as condom distributing, etc. want to help with exam stress things.

Larry Hegarty – is it just for this term as will you be living out next year?

KT – yes.

Votes for RON – 0
Abstentions – 0
Votes in favour – overwhelming

Votes for RON – 0
Abstentions – 0
Votes in favour – overwhelming

Hi Everyone,

Well after almost three years in Johns this one has been relatively uneventful from the bar’s point of view. We’ve successfully made it through the year without a scandal or without losing £12,000. We’ve done our best to turn the place back into John’s bar – an establishment that tells you what the college is about the moment you step – a college of variety where all are welcome. It was this attitude that enabled us to pay back the debt and got John’s bar on the map in terms of bar crawls, well that and the tripod! Structurally the bar is also far more sound following a revaluation of the bar as a business and we are in a good place to maybe be able to get a refurbishment in the not too distant future.
None of this could have been achieved without the aid of my incredible team. Yes, we had a few chops and changes over the year, but everyone’s contribution got the bar back on track and made it what it is today. I would therefore like to thank Will, Matt, Siobhan, Ed, Russ, Will and Nick for all their hard work, Mischa and Tim for cleaning the place and every single person who has worked either in the bar or on the bar door. I would particularly like to thank the latter group for putting up with all the recent changes.
I’d also like to say good luck to next year’s team of Nick, Audrey, Will, Emma and Andy. If they put even half the ideas they have into practice the bar will continue to be one of the premier establishments on the Bailey.
Finally, thank you for your custom over the year. I’ll thoroughly enjoy joining you on the other side of the bar by the end of the week!

Lots of Love,

JONESy xxx