|
Minutes for General Meeting,
Sunday 5th Week HT06
Committee
apologies: Susie Combs, Becca Baron, Tommy Langridge, Anna Bates,
Will Wheeler, Tom Cockroft, Charlie Partridge
Meeting
commenced: 8.05pm
Notices:
Updates:
Wineshop
Ordered
wine from Tesco and got a few bottles in from Bottoms Up as a
temporary measure whilst waiting for order to arrive. Seeking someone
with a car to take me to the Cash&Carry. Am looking for new staff
members, please email wineshop@magdjcr if interested.
Compreps
Have
helped welfare update their section on the site.
Entz
We've
been sorting the end of term party, having a film festival, getting
discounted tickets for a comedy night, and having an Ann Summer’s
party. We’ve also arranged Half Way hall after party and
organised late licence bop.
Punts
We've
just been discussing the possibility and timing of Winter punting.
Acc
Aff
Done
loads - been to Uni Academic Affairs meeting, organising Welfare
Tutors' meeting with 1st years, writing tutorial feedback report, and
updating website.
Sports
& Soc
I
have started organising the Winter Sports Dinner – Friday of
8th week and am in process of changing sports photos in the bar.
Have
also put some new photos up on the boards in the Plodge to make it
look prettier.
Admissions
I've
been organising the OUSU Debate that happened last Thursday. I've
also started to make some changes to the admissions section of the
website.
Secretary
Have
been involved in organising OUSU referendum with Phil, and minuting
ALF EGM and OUSU debate. Have also been going over the constitution
with Tryl; we’ve suggested some amendments to the VP.
VP
Other
than sorting out a certain Emergency General Meeting, I have been
making my voice heard at OUSU, helping with the organisation for our
upcoming referendum (Tuesday, don't forget to vote), writing some of
the motions before you tonight, and looking at other matters of
constitutional reform that I am bringing at later GMs, because you
would never sit through them all at once.
Art
Actually
been to the dark room to see what needs buying; nothing needs buying
as we have lots of everything. Attended Arts Festival Committe
meeting. Mostly planning marshmallow sculpture and experimenting with
different techniques of marshmallow cohesion.
Overseas
During
the past two weeks the overseas representatives have had the
following tasks to perform:
1.
Look into the Oxford online admissions website to see if there are
ways in which it could be altered to make the process easier overseas
applicants 2. Organise a trip to formal hall to give the visiting
Stanford students a chance to meet the JCR Committee 3. Begin looking
into improving the arrangements for extra storage for overseas
students during vacations.
The
outcomes of these were as follows:
1.
The online provision of information pertaining to foreign potential
students was found to be more than adequate 2. Formal hall was a
great success 3. We are waiting to get in touch with the new member
of college staff in charge of storage matters who will be starting
their new job at Magdalen at the beginning of March.
Treasurer
I've
done the JCR's VAT returns - that was a fun night. Have
finally posted an up-to-date breakdown of JCR outgoings on the
website forum, please do have a look and let me know if there's any
more information you'd like up there.
Publications
Over
the last couple of weeks I did the second bogsheet of term. I have
also been working on an advert for the Hockey varsity match programme
- we decided this should be funny so it consisted of a photo of Oscar
and a caption. The last couple of days I have been working on the
next bogsheet, this will be out tomorrow evening.
Welfare
Have
been very busy with lots of exciting things; we are most of the way
through updating the website, the new contact sheets are about to get
printed and the brand new shiny condom machine is up and running in
the Waynflete laundry room. We've also had yummy coffees, films and
our first ever welfare skills (part 1: juggling) which went down very
well and a good time was had by all. OUSU are currently getting us
some pregnancy tests and have sent us some women's handbooks (which
are in the postroom).
LGBT
Made
further updates to the mailing list and arranged via equal opps
meeting for welfare to buy some dental dams.
President
Been
to lots and lots of meetings. Got my paper on improving vacation
residence accepted by Cases Committee. Met with head of Thames valley
police discussing our issues with ALF, and also to get them to look
into putting CCTV on Magdalen Bridge. Met with vice chancellor John
Hood. Working on getting lighting between College and the Ford.
Working with the other JCR presidents regarding the Student contract.
OUSU
Rep
Sorting
out and organising the referendum on OUSU that is to take place in
College next week, Tuesday of 7th. I have also, as always, been
going to OUSU council. There have been over 12 hours of meetings in
the last 2 weeks, particularly discussing the reorganisation of the
structure of OUSU. In addition, there have been meetings regarding
NUS central affiliation, all of which I have been involved in.
OUSU
Discussion:
In
favour of continued affiliation – OUSU Council is long and
tedious, but it’s necessary. OUSU does provide services which
we simply can’t do for ourselves. It allows coordination of
JCRs which would otherwise be impossible. There are certainly
problems involving efficiency but the services it provides are
important enough to warrant us staying in; we’re not going to
help it improve by disaffiliating.
In
favour of disaffiliation - We don’t want to be left supporting
an irrelevant and inefficient organisation; people don’t care
about OUSU. It’s failing us in terms of what a student union is
supposed to do and provide: we should make a stand about this. Calls
to reform have been unsuccessful, and we need to do something more
direct. Because we’re a wealthy JCR, we have the ability to
provide for ourselves pretty much everything OUSU offers, and we have
to pay more than poorer JCRs without benefitting as much as them.
SFQ’s:
I
paid a really expensive membership fee – can I get it back if
we disaffiliate?
What
will we miss out on if we disaffiliate?
We
won’t be able to access the welfare resources such as the
free condom machines, we’ll lose our vote on things like the
student contract, and as a result we’ll lose the ability to
represent ourselves as a JCR to the university. We’ll have to
pay per person to go to the Freshers’ Fair, and we won’t
be able to get the OxStu or Oxide Radio. However, individuals with
problems will be able to access all the same provisions –
it’s just as a JCR that we won’t.
Is
it legal for us to disaffiliate?
It’s
a bit complicated – at all universities, students are
automatically members of their student union. However, because of
the collegiate system, at Oxford JCRs are also members. Individuals
can’t disaffiliate – this is why individuals will still
be able to access everything regardless of the result of the
referendum. However, it is OK for JCRs to disaffiliate.
How
much are our affiliation fees?
Do
we pay more because we’re big or because we’re rich?
We
disaffiliated from NUS on the understanding that we’re
affiliated to OUSU – can we reaffiliate to NUS if we
disaffiliate from OUSU?
What
will happen with the OxStu if we disaffiliate?
Debate:
Representation
is important, but we’re fed up with an inappropriate service.
I’m not anti student unions, but OUSU doesn’t do what I
think a student union should. I don’t think we should
disaffiliate forever, but we want to make a point. I don’t
like the angle of the pro-OUSU argument, trying to make us feel
guilty for withdrawing our funding or suggesting we have a
responsibility as members of the university to support other JCRs
and help reform through OUSU.
Disaffiliating
wouldn’t help OUSU improve.
We
disaffiliated from NUS on the understanding that we’d be able
to access the same resources through OUSU. There’s really
simple stuff like we wouldn’t be given OUSU cards and so we
wouldn’t get 10% off in shops.
I’ve
spoken to Emma (the OUSU Pres) and have been impressed by her
proposed reforms. I think we need to give them a chance, and our
support, to make changes.
The
fact that political motions are being put to one side is a good
thing, but it’s silly that we even have to say that: they
should never have been a part of OUSU at all.
The
Cherwell exaggerated the amount of debt OUSU are in. Having a
deficit is never good, but it does look as though it might have been
the trigger needed to drive reform, and there is lots planned. There
is a genuine desire to improve, but it’s bound to be a gradual
process.
If
we don’t disaffiliate, or if we disaffiliate and then
reaffiliate, it looks like a vote of confidence in OUSU and doesn’t
really demonstrate the grievances we have with them.
There’s
been enough coverage of our activity to make it quite clear that
we’re not happy.
The
welfare provision involves condoms, pregnancy tests, and talks. All
these would still be available to individuals if they wanted them.
If
we’re wanting to make a statement, we can’t expect other
colleges to follow suit. Oriel disaffiliated six years ago, thinking
that everyone else would too, and noone did. We can’t expect
mass disaffiliation.
We
should stay in OUSU and propose reform motions.
If
we stay in, we could still pass a motion here to make clear our
disappointment in OUSU. We could do a survey to establish precisely
what our concerns are, and publicise this.
We
need to remember that we’re members of the university just as
much as we’re members of Magdalen, and as such we have a
responsibility to other members of the university.
There
are other ways to get involved in helping out in the university.
There’s plenty of charities and stuff if you want to be
altruistic.
I
think disaffiliation isn’t as negative a step as it’s
being made out to be. It’s not necessarily a long term move
(although it could be if we wanted it to be). A lot of the stuff we
need is provided by college; we’re not like a normal
university with a need for centralised provisions. In terms of
helping the rest of the university, disaffiliation could be positive
in that it could prompt changes which in the long term will be
beneficial for everyone.
What’s
the point of us disaffiliating? We haven’t got anything better
to spend the £3000 on.
Finance
isn’t really an issue because even if we disaffiliated we’d
end up spending just the same as we do now, on things like
individual tickets to Freshers’ Fair and various Entz things.
The point is to make a statement.
The
reason we can’t think of anything better to spend the money on
is that we’ve never had to think about it because we’ve
always taken OUSU affiliation as a given. I think that’s one
of the causes of the problem – we take them for granted, and
they take us for granted so, regardless of the result on Tuesday,
this discussion is a positive thing.
We
can reaffiliate eventually, but not for at least a year, which is a
third of most people’s time in Oxford. Also, reaffiliation
isn’t necessarily as straightforward as we think: there’d
have to be more referenda and stuff.
Referendum
will take place on Tuesday of 7th Week, between 9 am and
7pm. Results to be announced at last orders of that evening, in the
college bar.
Creative
Projects Fund Allocations:
We
have £1000 to distribute, and requests were made for sums
amounting to £2800. We had two options – give some people
the full amount they requested and give others nothing, or give
everyone a slightly moderated amount. We took the latter option, and
allocations are as follows:
Jon
Siah requested £800, granted £210 to be spent
on a resin box he’s making for his course
Flora
Carmichael requested £600, granted £160 to be
spent on performing at Edinburgh with In The Pink
Nat
Guinamard requested £300, granted £160 to
cover costs of a show and framing related to her course.
Amy
Mason requested £50, granted £50 to be spent
on UV lighting for a play.
Charles
Partridge requested £200, granted £140 to be
spent on a comedy show next term, to be taken to Edinburgh in summer.
Laura
Imrie requested £150, granted £130 for an
orchestra tour to France.
Eva
Dimitriadis requested £100, granted £80 to be
spent on artwork for Magdalen Art Festival.
Emma
Butterfield requested £75, granted £60 to make
jewellery to be sold for charity.
Motions:
Video
Camera Motion
This
JCR notes:
1.
The JCR used to own a video camera.
2.
This video camera was lost due to an inefficient booking system.
This
JCR believes:
1.
The college as a whole would benefit from possession of a video
camera; sports teams could use it to record matches, the ball
committee could use it to make a video record of the ball,
individuals could use it to make private films and record memorable
events.
2.
That it is about time that the old video camera is replaced.
3.
That if we are going to replace the video camera we should buy one
which is robust and easy to use, so that as many people as possible
can use it.
This
JCR resolves:
1.
To mandate the Food and Facilities Rep to buy a video camera for the
JCR.
2.
To entrust responsibility for bookings of the new video camera to the
Food and Facilities Rep.
Proposed
by: Frances Stocks
Seconded
by: Mischa Foster-Poole
Proposition:
There
are two main reasons why we should get a new camera:
We
used to have one, so we should have one now to have the same
opportunity as members of the JCR used to.
We
have other facilities which allow people to pursue arty things, like
the dark room, so it’s logical for us to have a video camera
too. It’s expensive for individuals who want to make films to
provide their own equipment.
SFQs:
- Iain gets pretty much an email a
week asking if there’s on people can use.
- The Pres was in charge of letting
it out, but we’d want to change this since it’s not
really a priority of the Pres and that’s probably why it got
lost last time. We think Food and Fac should be in charge of lending
it. Iain created a system last year, we just need a camera now so
that the system can be implemented.
- About a year and a half. We’ve
been through two in the last five years.
- No.
- The computer department have two,
but they’re always booked out.
Opposition:
We
need to discuss how much we’re prepared to spend – we
could get a rubbish one for £400 or so, or a really cool one
for up to £3000.
Debate:
If
we want to buy one for more than a grand, we’d have to bring
it to another meeting because we haven’t got quorum here
tonight.
Before
we buy more new stuff, we need to sort out the booking system.
There’s no point spending tons of money on equipment if we’re
just going to lose it. We’ve lost two really good mics, and a
projector already.
Maybe
we should make people pay to hire them out.
That’s
discriminatory against poor people. There must be a better way of
increasing accountability.
We
could introduce a deposit system.
We
shouldn’t need to buy a really expensive one because if people
are doing stuff that requires really specialist equipment then they
should be eligible to apply to other funds too.
Proposed
Amendment
We
should ask the Deans to look after it; it’ll be less likely to
go missing that way.
Amendment
accepted.
Why
couldn’t we claim the loss of the other one from insurance?
We’re
not insured – it costs masses because we’re an
organisation rather than an individual.
This
motion is about buying a new camera – we can sort out
practicalities like insurance later.
We
might as well do it all now.
Proposed
Amendment #2
We
should vote on whether or not to have a camera, then we should vote
on how much to spend, then we can debate insurance and other things.
Amendment
accepted.
Vote
on whether to buy a camera
For:
39
Against:
0
Abstentions:
1
I
think we should limit spending to £500
If
we’re going to get one, we might as well get a decent one that
will fulfil everyone’s requirements
I
think we should get a cheap one, especially since if it’s used
by sports teams it might get bashed around. It might get lost, also
– we don’t have a very good record with keeping them.
If
we get an expensive one we’ll need to insure it.
We’ve
got loads of money: we should spend as much as possible.
We
don’t want to buy a cheap one and limit its use.
We
can shit one for up to £700 there are new HD ones for how much
£1000 which produce really good films
If
it’s too expensive and good people might not understand the
technicalities of it
Maybe
we should get an editing suite and MAC as well
Proposed
Amendment
Is
it possible to get Peter Norberg to find us one and report to the CM
this Tuesday
Amendment
Accepted.
There
seem to be too competing purposes sports and proper films perhaps we
should get two cameras
I’m
proposing this for ARTS purposes if sports want one they should get
their own
The
camera Pete will recommend is £1100 and serves both purposes
that includes VAT so once claim that back it will cost less than
£1000
Move
to Vote
Vote
For
: 38
Against:0
Absetentions:0
Motion
Passes.
Male
Welfare Rep Motion
This
JCR notes that:
1
The constitution currently requires that at least one member of the
Welfare team be a woman, both for matters of equal opportunities and
to provide consultation for female JCR members.
2.
No such provision exists for male members of the JCR.
This
JCR believes that:
Whilst
having complete faith in our current welfare team, it would be
desirable for the constitution to require at least one member of the
welfare team to be male, for the same reasons as expressed for the
women’s officer.
This
JCR resolves to:
Alter
the constitution so that section F14i shall read,
“The
JCR shall elect annually during Michaelmas term up to three of their
number, at least one to be female AND ONE TO BE MALE, to be Welfare
Representatives with immediate effect. They shall be responsible for
aiding the welfare of all JCR members and be aware and available to
discuss all welfare issues, as far as is reasonably possible. They
shall be counted as one as far as the Constitution and electoral
Standing Orders are concerned.”
In
addition to the current Section F14iii,
“A
female welfare officer shall be responsible for ensuring the equal
opportunities of women in all areas of college life and be available
for consultation by female members of the JCR. She shall also be
responsible for leasing with the OUSU Vice-President (Women).”
There
shall be inserted a new Section F14iv,
“A
male welfare officer shall be responsible for ensuring the equal
opportunities of men in all areas of college life and be available
for consultation by male members of the JCR.”
Proposed:
Luke Tryl
Seconded:
The Welfare team
Proposition:
As
we have a female welfare rep. In order to ensure parity in the
constitution we should ensure that one of the welfare reps has to be
male. This is to ensure that if any male members of college need to
speak to another man they can do.
SFQs:
- No.
Opposition:
I
want to say something
Debate:
Vote:
For:
36
Against:
0
Abstentions:
1
Motion
passes.
Motion
Security Motion
This
JCR notes that:
The
result of a JCR referendum cannot be revoked for one year after the
referendum.
No
similar limit exists for motions passed in General Meetings.
This
JCR believes that:
This
situation could be exploited by an interested group who, if opposed
to the result of a GM motion, could prompt the re-discussion of the
issue at successive General Meetings, in the hope of eventually
returning a vote more favourable to their interests.
This
JCR resolves to:
Alter
the constitution, allowing an issue to be discussed at a maximum of
two Emergency/General Meetings following the General meeting at
which it was first raised. The original outcome shall continue to be
JCR policy unless it is overturned. After these two meetings, the
issue may not be returned to a General Meeting for the remainder of
the term, unless new circumstances arise which are ruled as
effecting the issue. Decisions upon this ruling and upon whether a
proposed motion does in fact constitute re-discussion, shall rest
with the Vice-President in his role as interpreter of the
Constitution.
Proposed:
Philip Davies
Seconded:
Jess Jones
Proposition:
All
you need for an EGM is 25 signatures, so people could keep calling
them until everyone loses interest except for those 25, who can then
push a policy through. Mostly, the changes are technicalities but I
think they’re important.
SFQs:
- Three in total – one GM and
two subsequent EGMs.
- A term, but this is open to
amendment.
- Anything can be overturned by a
2/3 majority vote at a GM.
- I’m not sure. Maybe we
should change this.
Opposition:
This
is ridiculous – people could just stack the third meeting and
push through motions, after which they couldn’t be rediscussed.
Two thirds of a GM could propose a procedural motion to stop a motion
if it was an issue for which EGMs were being repeatedly called.
There’s only been one EGM in my time here, so this is really
unnecessary.
Debate:
I
think two emergency meetings is enough: there’ll be a clear
JCR policy after this.
If
everyone knows that the third meeting will be the last one, they’re
more likely to attend because they know whatever’s decided
will stand.
Most
clubs and societies have similar clauses; relying on a two thirds
vote at a GM doesn’t work because people can stack the GM.
Proposed
Amendment
We
should increase the length of time to two terms.
Amendment
accepted.
Proposed
Amendment #2
We
should say six months instead, so that vac breaks don’t confuse
the issue.
Amendment
not accepted.
Amendment
withdrawn.
There’s
a danger that a GM decision will be upheld at the first EGM and then
overturned at the second, which might not be representative of the
JCRs views.
People
will know that the third meeting is the important one and so will be
persuaded to attend.
People
will be bored of an issue by the time it gets to the third meeting:
they won’t want to go over all the same arguments again.
Proposed
Amendment #3
Two
terms seems a fair time limit, but a decision shouldn’t stand
between Trinity and Michaelmas because the new makeup of the JCR
might have different opinions from the old body.
Amendment
not accepted.
Proposition:
It’s
not fair that a JCR which is a third different in composition be made
to uphold the decisions of the old JCR.
Opposition:
I
think we should vote on this.
Vote
on amendment:
For:
13
Against:
12
Abstentions:
9
Amendment
passes.
Move
to vote.
Vote:
For:
19
Against:
3
Abstentions:
9
Constitutional
change so two thirds majority required. Constitution is not clear on
whether abstentions count in this.
Vote
that abstentions do not count:
For:
22
Against:
3
Abstentions:
3
Abstentions
not counted in total, of which two thirds must be in favour.
Motion
passes.
Water
Heater Motion
This
JCR notes:
1.
The JCR Dinign Room is a facility which is there for the benefit of
all members of the JCR.
2.
The current water heater is too small, and does not provide
sufficient water for washing up to be done after most functions.
This
JCR believes:
1.
A new water heater should be purchased which will provide enough hot
water for us to wash up to our hearts’ content.
This
JCR resolves to:
1.
Mandate the Food and Fac rep to purchase a water heater costing
£875.80 and organise its installation.
Proposed
Iain Anstess
Seconded
Phil Parrott
Proposition:
College
won’t get us a new one, and I think the JCR Dining Room will
work much better if we can wash up properly.
SFQs:
However much it costs to employ a
plumber for half a day.
Maybe,
but probably not.
Opposition:
I
think we should have a vote, because it’s a lot of money to
spend.
Debate:
No
debate.
Vote:
For:
23
Against:
0
Abstentions:
4
Motion
passes.
Oscar-related
Joke Motion
This
JCR notes that:
1.
There is a duck race planned for Saturday 4th March (after the last
division of Torpids).
2.
Oscar has just been bought a new suit so there is no good reason why
we can't put the old through slightly more "vigorous" usage
3.
Oscar has not taken to the water for some time.
This
JCR believes that:
1.
Magdalen should never be outdone in any competitive event, EVER.
2.
Although Oscar is not, per se, a duck or even an aquatic animal,
those giant tortoises must have got to the Galapogos islands
somehow.
This
JCR resolves to:
1.Mandate
Oscar the JCR tortoise to compete in the 'Mighty Duck Race'
2.Mandate
Oscar the JCR tortoise to win the 'Mighty Duck Race' thus bringing
honour to his college.
Proposed:
Harvey Aspeling-Jones
Seconded:
Flora Carmichael
Proposition:
I
want to see Jon or Dan swim, and possibly drown.
SFQs:
- Yes.
-
Yes.
Opposition:
I
don’t want to die in that suit.
Debate:
Proposed
Amendment
Hire
a pedalo for the day, so that they won’t actually get wet, or
die.
Amendment
accepted.
Proposed
Amendment #2
Use
a dinghy, not a pedalo, to remove forms of propulsion and make it
more fair on the ducks.
Amendment
accepted.
Summary
in proposition:
It’s
funny. And Magdalen should have an entrant in the race.
Summary
in opposition:
We
both want to do it.
Vote:
For:
24
Against:
0
Abstentions:
2
Motion
passes.
Meeting
closed 9.40pm
|
