JCR Meeting Minutes 12/11/17

Minutes for the 2^nd JCR meeting of Michaelmas Term 2017

Sunday 12^th November, 7pm, Dining Hall

Apologies are to be submitted to Owen, JCR Chair, at [email protected] or to the Exec Mailbox by the Dining Hall before 12 noon on the day of the meeting.

1. The minutes of the last meeting

These are available on the JCR Website

2. Matters Arising

No matters arising

3. JCR Announcements

Announcements from the JCR officers.

Rob Wiles

WAM’s first campaign will last 4 weeks and start on Monday. It’s going to revolve around anxiety, there is a puppy hugging session, mental health sessions and drop-in session. The campaign will include many mental issues and have various events like morning walks, runs and yoga classes.

Owen MacCuish

The JCR Gym will not allow members of other colleges to use it in any way. They payment for the JCR membership subsidizes the Gym membership so, students from other colleges don’t have the JCR membership and thus it is going to be more expensive and the different factors that adds is making it too difficult.

4. Questions of Officers

No questions for officers

5. Motions

1. Motion of support for the Ripped Off campaign (Appendix A)

Motion was passed.

1. Motion to introduce the position of Publicity and Communications Officer (Appendix B)

Motion will go to a vote online because it involves changing the standing orders.

• Motion to Amend the Permanent Standing Orders (Appendix C)

Motion will go to a vote online because it involves changing the standing orders.

6. Elections, Hustings and Interviews

No elections are scheduled.

7. AOB (Any Other Business)

The new elections will come later in the year (this term and the next one) and that involves the new positions if they go through.

Appendix A: Motion of support for the Ripped Off campaign

Proposed by: Helen Paton

Seconded by: Luke Wagner

This JCR notes:

1. Durham Students’ Union has been running the #RippedOff campaign since Easter term 2017 to cut accommodation fee costs.
2. As a result of the campaign, the University has set up a working group to look into differential pricing.
3. As a result of the campaign the price of a standard catered room will increase 3.5% in line with retail price index for 2018/19. These prices will range from £7,422 up to £8,119 for college accommodation.

This JCR believes:

1. The cost of college accommodation is unacceptable.
2. The cost of college accommodation is pricing some students out of attending Durham University and/or wholly enjoying a collegiate experience.
3. Students must be aware of the changes that are occurring around the university and show empathy for incoming students.

This JCR resolves:

1. To support the Union’s #RippedOff campaign which includes but is not limited to:
   1. Promoting the petition, which will be delivered to members of University Executive Committee (UEC) and members of the Scholarship, Fees and Awards Advisory Group (SFAAG).
   2. To mobilise students to attend a peaceful demonstration outside of the Palatine Centre at 13:00 on Wednesday 29 November 2018, immediately prior to the meeting of SFAAG.
   3. For the Common Room’s social media to publish a statement of support and advise their members to support the campaign through electronic media (social media, emails etc).

Appendix B: Motion to introduce the position of Publicity and Communications Officer

Proposed by: Luke Wagner

Seconded by: Christos Christou Mavropoulos

This JCR notes:

1. That we do not currently have a position of Publicity and Communications Officer.
2. That it is currently the responsibility of the JCR President to maintain the upkeep of all forms of social media.

This JCR believes:

1. That a Publicity and Communications Officer would help to enhance the activities of the JCR.

This JCR resolves:

1. To introduce a Publicity and Communications Officer, which will sit as an Ex-Officio Officer, and which will be responsible for the following:
   1. All JCR social media.
   2. Induction Week video.
   3. Induction Week t-shirt design.
   4. Post Offer Visit day t-shirt design.
   5. The JCR website.
   6. Event publicity in conjunction with individual Ball Committees, who may elect their own Head(s) of Publicity or utilise the Publicity and Communications Officer.
   7. Chairing a Publicity Committee which will recruit designers and photographers.

Appendix C: Motion to Amend the Permanent Standing Orders

Proposed by: Luke Wagner

Seconded by: Christos Christou Mavropoulos

This JCR notes:

1. That currently the removal of an Officer from their position requires a vote of no confidence to be passed by the JCR.
2. That this is unlikely to occur, as it requires a member of the JCR to speak in front of a meeting to indicate their belief that an Officer is not fulfilling their duties.
3. That currently, cases of ‘serious misconduct’ (8.7) are dealt with by the JCR.

This JCR believes:

1. That the current process by which to remove an Officer does not allow the JCR a democratic voice as it is unlikely to occur even if an Officer falls short of their duties.
2. That whilst cases of obstructing the running of the JCR should be dealt with by the JCR, cases of serious misconduct do not fall within the remit of the JCR to address.

This JCR resolves:

1. To amend the Standing Orders to read as follows:

8.7 Should a JCR Officer continue to fall short of fulfillment of the duties assigned to them following a motion of censure, or in the event that the actions of an officer are considered to seriously obstruct the effective running of the JCR, a quorate JCR meeting may agree on a motion of no confidence. In the event that a motion of no confidence is agreed, the Officer shall be required to stand down.

8.8 Should the actions of a JCR Officer be considered to constitute significant underperformance of duties or serious misconduct, the College Officers, along with the JCR President as representative of the JCR, may require the Officer to stand down.