Minutes of Balliol JCR's General Meeting Week 6 Trinity

By Klemens, 23 October, 2022
Date of Meeting

Minutes of Balliol JCR’s General Meeting 6th Week Trinity Term 2022

Motion 1 

  • 400 pounds is requested for Tingewick, a charity run by Oxford medical students. It is run by 4th year medics. The charity supports patients in Oxford and families that are caring for ill people, especially terminally ill children.

  • It was commented that the JCR cannot donate 400 pounds, only 200 pounds since the JCR is capped at giving 1000 pounds per term for charity.

  • Factual Question: What are we donating to this term? Cannot recall.

  • A friendly amendment was offered to lower the amount requested to 200 pounds, and this amendment was accepted.

  • The motion was passed.

    Motion 2

  • It was noted that currently Balliol does not have a counsellor, and college has not demonstrated a will to pursue the matter.

  • The proposers of the motion have been looking for a counsellor and the one found has agreed to provide 30 Zoom consultations for those who need it at a discounted rate.

  • It was further noted that if the motion passes, Balliol will be the be the first college to try this out. Moreover, Fresher’s week would be a good time to have it since harassment increases at that time, it was noted.

  • The motion proposes that the JCR funds half of the expenditure for this trial.

  • Question: What if someone gets too attached to their support? The counsellor will make clear from the start that it is a one-off thing.

  • Question: Why is it on Zoom? It will encourage people to go, and it will be less intimidating.

  • Question: Why is it placed on these four days? Fresher’s Week will be packed over the weekdays, and it is done to extend provision for the longest possible (i.e. over the weekend). It will give people more time to reflect.

  • Question: What are the plans to raise the remaining 750 pounds? We have been speaking to various societies and the Oxford SU. Some money can be raised from a bar fundraiser. Other money can be raised from the Oxford Labour Club.

  • Question: How do you plan to gather feedback? We will put out an anonymous Google form, and it will be confidential.

  • Question: How do you plan to advertise it? We will post on Facebook, have posters around college, put a small pamphlet in pidges to freshers, and flag it at the session with the Women’s Reps.

  • Question: How do you sign up? There will probably be an online, confidential booking system.

  • Question: Do you think people will want to talk about fresh trauma that soon? The counsellor can signpost you to various services and can help make you feel safer even if you do not access her services.

  • Question: Is she familiar with the Oxford system? She has been Oxford-based her entire career, so she knows the system.

  • The motion was passed. 

Motion 3

  • The motion requests money for the gender affirmation surgery of a student at Balliol. The proposer of the motion notes that since a fundraiser has been created, the donation would be made to a charity, not to a private student and is thus allowed.

  • The motion was passed. 

Motion 4

  • The motion requests money for the June Jamboree. The proposer of the motion notes that the event has not been hosted since 2018. It is further noted that there will be BBQ and bouncy castles like at a normal garden party.

  • It will be free to attend, but everything you get, like food and drinks, you pay for.

  • It is noted that in 2017 only 550 pounds was spent on the event. However, 850 pounds is requested so as to ensure that there is enough money. The event should only cost 600 pounds, but there is more requested in the motion as a contingency.

  • Question: Is it only for Balliol members? Yes.

  • A point of support was given. College Exec really wants this event.

  • The motion was passed. 

Motion 5

  • Money is requested for a day with alpacas at Balliol. The master is very keen on this event, and other colleges have already done it.

  • It is noted that the total cost is 400 pounds. 150 pounds can come from the welfare budget, but 250 pounds is requested from the JCR. We will have three hours with the alpacas.

  • Question: Will there be enough money left over for other welfare events? Yes. And prescriptions are entirely separate. That money does not come from the welfare budget.

  • Question: Can the master support it with some contribution? No, she has already spent her budget.

  • The motion was passed.

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