2019-06-23 (Fun Meeting)
Setting: it’s the day after Cuth’s day. In the House 12 garden. The weather isn’t quite as good as it was yesterday and I’m regretting wearing shorts.
Present: EC (chair), EM (vice president), RJ (head frep), SW, CeG, ES (male welfare), FD, CG, ABD, JC (PGM rep), PE, JK, SP(SRO), MMo, EB (librarian), SM (communications), CL, BC (Michaelmas ball manager), MW, AK (president), AB (treasurer), JS, LM (senior welfare), SA, MP, RP,
Apologies: JG (facilities)
Absent:
AGENDA
Motions
Finance Comm motion
Stargazing motion
Spanish Etymology Motion
Garlic Bread Motion
Guy Fawkes Motion
CRAS de-ratification motion
Gravy at Formals motion
Duck with Cochran motion
Elections
Method III
The Wincrete Memorial Trophy
Method IV
Leader of the Song
The Orbiting Professor of Martian Anthropology
The Golden Bedspring for fornication
The red herring for persistent and unadulterated lying
Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum Award
The soft cushion for academic blagging
The wooden spoon for stirring disharmony
The anonymous Magistrate’s Paper Bag for technicolour yawning
The keeper of the couplets
MEETING
Exec report:
EC: same thing as the rest of the year. [everyone claps]
Minutes from the last meeting passed on a general aye.
Finance Comm Motion
This JCR Notes:
– Finance Comm currently operates inefficiently.
– There are nine elected members of finance comm (alongside FCO, President and vice-president)
– Finance Comm has not met regularly throughout the year and the role of committee members is not always clear.
This JCR Believes:
– Having a smaller, focused committee would better facilitate the allocation of tasks and distribution of roles
– There should be 4 Finance Committee Members elected via Method II in the first meeting of the year
– These members would also feel more valued and have specific responsibilities with the new structure
– Finance Comm would operate more efficiently in this capacity
This JCR Repeals:
– Positions in the JCR:
o 5.1.2 It shall consist of:
- 4) 9 x Finance Committee Member
5.2.3 Due to the large number of positions available, the elections for Finance Committee Member shall be run over several meetings
This JCR Orders:
– Positions in the JCR:
o 5.1.2 It shall consist of:
4) 4 x Finance Committee Member
Proposed by AB
Seconded by RJ
RJ: we just want to reduce members to 4 form 9 to make the committee more efficient. People will feel more valued and do work.
AB: there isn’t loads of workload we can give 9 people at the moment. Especially with FCO being a thing.
Stargazing Motion
This JCR notes
- That Cuth’s Students often fail to acknowledge the natural beauty of the stars
This JCR believes
- That having a society that organises excursions to see the stars, without the cliquey nature or the unhealthy obsession with science of the University wide Astronomy society would benefit all JCR members
This JCR resolves
- To found SCS Stargazing Society, which would not require a budget
Proposed by AC
Seconded by MP, CW, AJ, NG, PL, SR, BB, EJ, ME, CA, JOW, CeG, JT
MP: there are a lot of stars. We all know that. We can look at them. I don’t vibe with the uni society.
BC: what are you going to do?
MP: the plan, I’ve heard, is to plan trips to see the stars. Up hills. Probably observatory hill
SW: name your 5 fave stars
MP: I’ll do 6. Something about Liverpool football. I don’t know stars.
AK: the sun.
AB: any plans for space exploration?
MP: we are looking for short term stuff atm. It’s a logical conclusion though, so we will eventually?
AK: increase subs to build a high reserve? I propose an amendment to make subs 1k per term, per member
RJ: I oppose this because it’s not very inclusive
The amendment has passed
AK: oh shit is this a genuine motion?
EC: yeah…
CG: we could have two different types of membership. Normal one and then space exploration membership which costs
amended motion passed on a general aye
Spanish Etymology Motion
Este Sala de Estudiantes anota que:
- la Señora Presidenta actual, Sra. AK, tiene va a trasladarse a España el año que viene.
- uno de los fideicomisarios estudiantiles del próximo año, es español (Canario).
- la oficial de comunicaciones para el año que viene, Sra. CG, recibe un horóscopo diario en español.
- muchos otros miembros de la Sala de Estudiantes tienen varias vinculas con la lengua español.
- la Señora Presidenta para el año que viene, Sra. EM, no ha dado su discurso Inaugural.
Este Sala de Estudiantes cree que:
- un mejor conocimiento y comprensión del idioma español sería útil para los miembros del JCR.
- una base en la etimología ayudaría a los miembros del JCR que se esfuerzan por aprender o mejorar sus habilidades en la lengua español.
Este Sala de Estudiantes ordena que:
- la Señora Presidenta, Sra. EM, debe dar su discurso inaugural sobre el tema de la etimología de la lengua española en la segunda reunión quórum de la Sala de Estudiantes del trimestre de San Miguel de 2019.
Proponente: JC
Segundero: RSD
This JCR Notes
- That the current president, AK, intends to move to Spain next year
- That one of next year’s student trustees, RSD, is Spanish
- That next year’s communications officer, CG, receives a daily horoscope in Spanish
- That many other JCR members have a connection to the Spanish language
- That next year’s president, EM, has not given an inaugural discourse
This JCR Believes
- That a better grasp and understanding of the Spanish language would be useful for JCR members
- That a grounding in etymology will help JCR members who are endeavouring to learn or improve their skills in the Spanish language
This JCR Mandates
- EM to give her inaugural discourse on the etymology of the Spanish language at the second quorate JCR meeting of Michaelmas 2019
Proposer: JC
Seconder: RSD
JC: EM has not given an inaugural discourse. AK did one on Newfoundland Fisheries. There are lots of connections with Cuth’s and the Spanish language (lists them). this would be a good place to start. We want it at the second meeting of next term.
EC: is RSD Spanish or does he just speak it?
SP: he’s welsh. He has a holiday home.
SA: if you’re a bit Spanish and you do a Spanish degree you shouldn’t be proud of yourself
AC: people who do English are often English
AK: can it be livestreamed?
Yes.
AB: is it going to be in Spanish?
EM: I don’t know how to say no in Spanish
EC: I’m Scottish
SP: why not Hindi? She went on a gap year to India.
RP: in Hyderabad they speak Telugu not Hindi.
JC: EM likes India. She doesn’t like Spanish
The motion has passed
Garlic Bread Motion
This JCR Notes
- That SP, for his entire term as SRO, has been unable to prepare garlic bread
This JCR Believes
- That the SRO should be friendly and approachable
- That this requires functional social skills
- That preparing garlic bread is an important social skill
- That student trustees should be rewarded for their hard work with garlic bread
This JCR Orders
Positions in the JCR order
4.2.3 (in SRO) Following their election to the role, an incoming SRO must prepare garlic bread for the student trustees
4.2.3.1 If fewer than 50% of the student trustees are satisfied with the quality of the garlic bread, the SRO must wear Hatfield stash to all JCR meetings during the following term
This JCR resolves
- That these rules will be applied to the current SRO
Proposer: JC
Seconder: RP
JC: once SP dropped garlic bread and said “I don’t know how to use this”. It’s worrying that this bloke is in charge of elections. The trustees need bread.
RJ: is this during the meeting?
JC: after
SP: I can’t use an oven. That’s the issue.
RP: How many garlic breads?
JC: up to the SRO
SP: amendment. In a situation where the SRO is incapable of cooking, then the VP should teach them how to make it before presenting the loaf to the trustees
MP: does this not foster a culture of dependence??
SP: the JCR is built on supporting each other. JC is at my house often at odd hours to watch movies. He could support me.
SW: presuming you can read, should you not read the instructions on the bread?
SP: yeah, as I said the issue is the oven
CG: will there be a vegan option?
JC: if there is a vegan trustee and the garlic bread isn’t vegan they will be unhappy
The amendment didn’t pass
DT: can we have a 3 course meal if the oven is the issue here?
MP: I propose this as an amendment?
CL: is garlic bread a mandated course?
JC: who is going to pay for this?
EC: the SRO
RJ: you could easily cook a 3 course meal without an oven
CG: if the SRO can’t cook with the oven, then he probably can’t cook with other things
PIO: WB can’t cook garlic bread either
[MP opposes his own amendment and we all chuckle]
The amendment hasn’t passed
The motion has passed
Guy Fawkes Motion
This JCR Notes
- On 5th November 1605 a group of plotters attempted to blow up the House of Lords by hiding gunpowder in an under croft
- That since then the Yeoman of the Guard has searched the Houses of Parliament before every State Opening to check for explosives
- That many JCR meetings are held in the Bailey Bar
This JCR Believes
- That the JCR is also a bastion of democracy, and so may come under threat
- That the laundry room provides a security risk to the bar comparable to the croft below the House of Lords
- That JCR members should be safe while exercising their democratic rights
- That the stool should support the chair by ensuring JCR meetings can be carried out safely and without fear
This JCR Orders
Positions in the JCR
4.4.1.5 (in Stool) Check the laundry room for explosives before any JCR meeting held in the Bailey Bar
Meetings of the JCR
1.1.5 If explosives are found in the vicinity of the meeting during or prior to a general meeting, the meeting shall immediately be called off and rescheduled to within 7 (seven) days by the chair
This JCR Mandates
- The Stool to check the laundry room for explosives before any JCR meeting held in the Bailey bar, and if any are found to immediately call off the meeting and alert the relevant authorities
Proposer: JC
Seconder: MC
[JC explains Guy Fawkes]. At parliament, someone checks the basement for explosives. We should check the laundry room for safety because it could get dodge. The stool will do the looking and call the police if they find any. Also, if a meeting will be called off
RP: the stool will look for explosives, but are they going to be trained?
AC: what if the stool put them there????
Everyone: ooooooooo
EC: stools are disposable
MP: the Guy Fawkes thing is very anti Catholic
JC: I just think we can learn from Parliament
SW: my flatmates were good at laundry and didn’t do it often. This could be a biohazard.
JC: yes
Motion passed on a general aye
De-ratification of Cuths Ramen Appreciation Society (CRAS) motion
This JCR notes:
- The Cuths Ramen Appreciation Society was formed earlier this year, with the objective of promoting the love of Ramen and other noodle-based snacks and meals amongst its membership
- That CRAS has had an attempt to collect membership data, which involved collecting people’s names and emails through a google form. This data was never used for any constructive purpose.
- The CRAS AGM was held the day after summer ball, in SP’s home, with 7 people present.
- The CRAS creation motion was passed with the explicit promises of democratically elected membership:
‘JC: I’m aware that there is a fb group chat where people have already decided positions, so I want you to have an AGM where people can run for these so that it’s fair.
FID: that will be the case’
(JCR meeting minutes, 28/2/19, approved on a general aye 12/3/19)
- There was no mention of the ability to vote to reopen nominations (commonly known as RON) in the minutes.
- There was minimal advertisement of the AGM, 2 posts before the date and one 15 minutes before the commencing time. No Facebook event was created.
- The minutes of the CRAS AGM used words such as ‘bitch’, ‘cock and balls’, ‘ramen can shag me’ and other disreputable language.
This JCR believes:
- Other noodle and pasta-based dishes are available and enjoyed by members, which are not currently represented by CRAS
- CRAS’s data on potential membership was mismanaged and could cause the society to go into disrepute.
- The CRAS AGM was undemocratic, given it took place in a difficult to access location which (according to the minutes provided) ‘reeks’. It also took place the morning after St Cuthbert’s Society Summer Ball, which, given the nature of the event, may have prohibited the attendance of potential members. This is further supported by the fact none of the elections were contested.
- The lack of advertisement failed to attract members who could have voted in the meeting or ran for positions.
- The language used in the meeting and subsequent minutes brings CRAS and as such St Cuthbert’s Society JCR into disrepute, which may have adverse effects on CRAS and JCR members later in life.
- The dissolution of CRAS would allow full democracy to return to the JCR.
This JCR resolves:
- The Cuths Ramen Appreciation Society be dissolved with immediate effect.
- All mention of CRAS be removed from the Junior Common Room and JCR website (excluding the minutes).
- CRAS be prohibited to reform unless strict democratic regulations are enforced, and other noodle/pasta-based dishes are included.
- Any member of the recently ‘elected’ CRAS executive committee should have to down a dirty pint in commiseration.
Proposer- EuM
Seconder- JC
JC: EuM isn’t here. But we have concerns that it’s not democratic. The smell of the room in the AGM might have put people off. Their minutes are bad.
SP: CG is a bad minuter
JC: EuM has a video of CG saying anyone can have any position
SP: POI; the room didn’t reek it just smelt of India
CG: amendment that they just have to redo their AGM
[CG then explains all the exec of CRAS]
SP: I was present, the elections were advertised in advance. We delayed for late people. It was all legit. It was fair. RON was a candidate but it wasn’t minuted. We will redo the minutes
RP: how many people were present?
EC: where are the minutes?
SP: on the fb page which has over 100 people
CG: amendment to not deratify us, but we will rerun out AGM at the start of Michaelmas
CeG: is you have an issue with minutes can someone train you?
AK: there is a good 7 hour training session
EM: *Scowles*
JC: they opened an online survey to collect data, which doesn’t consider GDPR
CG: JC filled out the form with poor jokes
The amendment hasn’t passed
CG: *kicks off*
CG: WHY!!!!
EC: why isn’t a question
Everyone: yes it is.
SP: there are people who really care about this society. I think we can deal with these issues in a less severe manner. We don’t want to take away from fresh appreciated Raman
CG: this is ableism because I have dyslexia
JK: can they just restart it next term
JC: there are notes on this in the motion
JK: can I suggest they have a compliance officer?
SP: that is my job as SRO
RJ: I’m going to vote against this. We’ve made our point.
FID & CG: *try to read a poem but they get shut down*
[voting is a pain because CG keeps opening her eyes because she is an insomniac and EC loses count]
The motion has not passed
Gravy at Formals motion
This JCR notes:
- Formal dinners often include a dish (such as beef, chicken or pork) which would be greatly accompanied by the addition of gravy.
- Currently gravy is served onto the plate before it is handed out.
- We are an establishment based in the North East, a region known for its rich heritage and love of gravy.
This JCR believes:
- That gravy is the food of the gods
- Members of the Society should be allowed to add as much or as little additional gravy as they see fit
- The president, who lives close to where formals are held, is in a key position to make and distribute gravy to members
This JCR resolves:
- The president should walk round formals with a jug of gravy, offering it to parched attendees who desire it.
- The gravy should match the meal provided
- A vegan alternative should also be provided
Proposer- EuM
Seconder- JC
JC: EuM doesn’t like the current gravy system
RP: this seems unnecessary
PE: have the catering staff been asked if they are okay with this?
No.
MW: this is inefficient
CG: what if the VP also has to do it?
RP: what will the financial implications be of getting gravy reserves?
RJ: this is silly. It’s a waste of time
CG: proposes an amendment that the VP also does it.
Amendment hasn’t passed
the motion hasn’t passed
The duck with JC Motion
The JCR notes
- That the Vice President-elect, and the President elect need to bond to form a formidable team to work for the JCR
The JCR believes
- That the President-elect, and the Vice President elect need to perform arduous tasks so as to learn to work with each other and grow as a duo
The JCR mandates
- Every President-elect and Vice President-elect perform either of
- The Vice President-elect carry the President elect in a piggyback from house 12 to house 8 via the Presidential walk.
- The Vice President-elect and the President-elect are tied together by a bungee and leave on an all college bar crawl and face a series of challenges to be set by the Chair and Trustees. With the crawl culminating in observatory hill where they plant a flag with the Cuths crest. The SRO hall ensure that these challenges are met.
1.2 A Failure to meet these would mean that as a sanction the Vice President and President elect have to wear Hatfield stash in all JCR meetings of the following term.
Proposed by SP
Seconded by RSD
SP: this is in response to the garlic motion. The President and VP need chemistry. [EC get distracted by muffins]. Explains the motion.
JC: can we do both?
SP: with consent?
AB: this seems quite petty
SM: what if they want to do different ones?
RJ: it would be funnier if we reject this because then it just messes with SP
AB: propose a motion that every time it says P or VP change it to SRO
EC: so he has to do it on his own and give himself a piggy back and go on a ACBC on his own etc?
Everyone: yeah.
Amendment passed
SP: ☹
Passed on a general aye
SP: I will go on the crawl because I can’t piggy back myself
Budget – Cheerleading
AB: they are only asking for 80 for us. They need new gym shoes out of their reserves. Hatfield also give them money.
Passed on a general aye
ELECTION
SP: hi everyone
Everyone: laughs because of the bar crawl thing
SP: I want to thank my JROs who aren’t here. [round of applause]. I’d like to thank Gov Comm. [more claps].
Leader of the Song
RJ: can you hold as many method IV as you want?
Yes
RJ: I nominate SP
JC: I nominate EuM because he genuinely wants the position
EuM is elected
Orbiting Professor of Martian Anthropology
SP: shortest person in the room?
JC: I nominate RJ and RP
AB: I nominate EM because she does Anth
AK: I nominate SM
SM has been elected
The red herring for persistent and unadulterated lying
EC: AB
AB: Cuth’s Raman exec
JC: SP
SP: I’m the epitome of honesty
PE: JK
CRAS have been elected
Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum Award
JC: SP and SP
CeG: WN and the bell
CL: WN and CW
JC: FD and CG
?: JK and ABD
?: AK and WN
WN and his bell have been elected
The soft cushion for academic blagging
RP: SP
MW: AC
RJ: JC
JC was elected even though AC clearly got a louder wooo
The wooden spoon for stirring disharmony
EC: JC
CG: FD
AB: SP
CeG: MP
JC has been elected
The anonymous Magistrate’s Paper Bag for technicolour yawning
RJ: AK for chunning in her bed
EC: BC because she threw up pink sick
FD: “shitty will”/ posh will for shitting and chunning in the shower and then didn’t wash his sheets for a week and didn’t
AK: MW because he didn’t want to chun on the Michaelmas coaches so he swallowed it
SM: CL for feast
AB: EM for faceplanting her own vom at Michaelmas
FD: CG
Posh Will has been elected
The keeper of the couplets
FD: CG because she writes poems
RJ: DT
PE: ABD
ABD has been elected
The Wincrete Memorial Trophy
SP: this is hard because the bar isn’t open but CG has brought. Nominations?
CG and everyone: SP
JC: MrM
SP: AB
AB: no thank you.
?: RJ
?: MP
[RJ messed up and just threw it over his head]
MrM has been elected