Constitution

This is the online version of the most recent version of the DCAC constitution and is approved by the Governing Body. If this document differs from the approved constitution, the approved constitution should be taken as correct! Certain sections apply only to the JCR or the MCR.

Constitution of the Downing College Amalgamation Club

Index

• Code of Practice
• Constitution:
  
  • A. Introduction
  • B. Membership
  • C. Officers
  • D. Committee of the Downing College Amalgamation Club
  • E. Duties of the DCAC Committee
  • F. Allocation of Resources
  • G. Committees of the JCR
  • H. Committees of the MCR
  • I. Duties of the JCR Committee & JCR Senior Officers' Committee
  • J. Duties of the MCR Committee
  • K. Election of the Officers of the JCR and the members of the Committees of the JCR
  • L. Election of the Officers of the MCR
  • M. Meetings and procedures
  • N. Referenda of the DCAC
  • O. Referenda of the JCR
  • P. Publication of the Constitution
  • Q. Amendments to the Constitution
  • R. Affiliation to Organisations
  • S. Grievances
• Standing orders for the JCR
  • T. Procedure before an Open Meeting of the JCR
  • U. Procedure for Open Meetings of the JCR
  • V. Voting
  • W. Emergency Motions
  • X. The Chair
  • Y. Motions referred to the JCR from the CUSU for Mandation
• Appendix 1: List of the constituent clubs and societies of the DCAC
• Appendix 2: Job descriptions of MCR committee members
• Appendix 3: Job descriptions of JCR committee members
• Appendix 4: Guidelines for JCR Elections

Code of Practice

Draft Code of Practice issued in accordance with the Education Act 1994 by the Governing Body of Downing College in respect of the Downing College Amalgamation Club.

Section 22 of the Education Act 1994 places a number of responsibilities on governing bodies of universities (as defined by section 21, sub-section 5). Sub-section 3 provides that every governing body shall prepare and issue, and where necessary revise, a code of practice as to the manner in which the requirements of sub-sections 1 and 2 of the Act are to be carried into effect in relation to any students' union for students of the establishment, setting out in relation to each of the requirements details of the arrangements made to secure its observance. This document constitutes the code of practice issued in relation to the Downing College Amalgamation Club.

The Downing College Amalgamation Club has a written constitution which is subject to review by the Governing Body at intervals of not more than five years. Any amendments are also subject to the approval of the Governing Body.

The members of the Downing College Amalgamation Club comprise the members of the Junior Combination Room (JCR) and the Middle Common Room (MCR).

Junior members of the College have the right to opt out of the JCR and MCR and hence the Downing College Amalgamation Club, but shall not be disadvantaged as a result of having done so with regard to the provision of services. They shall relinquish all rights specified under the Constitution of the DCAC to vote and stand in elections.

Election to principal offices of the JCR and MCR are by secret ballot in which all members of each organisation can vote. The regulations are designed to ensure that elections are fair and proper. A report on the conduct of each elections must be submitted to the Governing Body.

The budget and accounts of the Downing College Amalgamation Club must be submitted annually to the Governing Body as well as a half-yearly report. At the same time details must be given in particular of any affiliations of the DCAC to external organisations. Copies of the Budget and Accounts must at the same time be made available to all members of the Club. Notice of a decision to affiliate to an external organisation is given to the Governing Body and all students, detailing the name of the organisation together with details of any subscription or similar fee paid. Affiliations are reviewed annually and approved by members. There is a procedure for reviewing a particular affiliation to an external organisation by a requisition of a proportion of members not less than 5% calling for a referendum.

The procedures specified in the constitution of the Club for allocating resources to constituent Clubs and Societies are all designed to be fair.

There is a complaints procedure for all students or groups who are dissatisfied with their dealings with the Downing College Amalgamation Club, JCR or MCR or claim to be unfairly disadvantaged as a result of having exercised the right to opt out. Complaints are to be made to the President of the JCR or MCR as appropriate from whom an appeal shall lie to an independent person, appointed by the Governing Body. Complaints will be dealt with promptly and fairly and, where upheld, an effective remedy will be sought.

Constitution

A. Introduction

1. Throughout this document the Downing College Amalgamation Club (DCAC) is referred to as the Club.
2. The Club shall operate in a fair and democratic manner in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1994.
3. No alterations shall be made to this Constitution except in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1994 and with the approval of the Governing Body.
4. This Constitution shall be submitted to the Governing Body for approval in March 2003 and for review at intervals of no more than five years thereafter.

B. Membership

1. Membership of the Club shall consist of all Members of the Downing College Junior Combination Room (JCR) and the Downing College Middle Combination Room (MCR).
2. The membership of the JCR shall consist of all undergraduate members of the College who have not opted out of such membership.
3. The membership of the MCR shall consist of
   1. any graduate student of the College undertaking any post-graduate course,
   2. any member of the College who is an affiliated student and is working for a B.A. (Cantab.) degree, who in either case has not opted out of membership.
4.  
   1. The constituent Clubs and Societies of the DCAC shall be those set out at Appendix 1 and any other clubs shall be approved from time to time at an open meeting of the DCAC. A current version of the Appendix 1 shall be maitained by the DCAC committee and shall be made available for consultation in the Porter's Lodge, the Tutorial Office and in the Library.
   2. The constituent Clubs and Societies must make available their accounts when requested by the DCAC committee.
5. The constituent Clubs and Societies of the DCAC in Appendix 1, Schedule B, shall be open to those students who have chosen to opt out of membership of either the JCR or the MCR, as well as to members of the Club.

C. Officers

1.  
   1. The Officers of the JCR Committee shall be:
      • President
      • Vice-President
      • Treasurer
      • Male Welfare and Equal Opportunities Officer
      • Female Welfare and Equal Opportunities Officer
      • Communications Officer
      • Services Officer
      • Academic Affairs Officer
      • Entertainments Officer(s)
      • Internet Officer
      • Griffin Editor
      • JCR Access Officer
      • Ethnic Minorities Officer
      • Green Officer
      • Sports Officer
      • Event Director
      • Freshers' Officer(s)
      • International Officer
      • Bar/Ents Liason Officer
   2. Of these the following will be Senior Officers of the JCR Committee
      • President
      • Vice-President
      • Treasurer
      • Male Welfare and Equal Opportunities Officer
      • Female Welfare and Equal Opportunities Officer
      • Communications Officer
      • Services Officer
      • Academic Affairs Officer
      • Entertainments Officer(s)
      • Bar/Ents Liason Officer
2. No person may hold more than one JCR Committee office at any one time. Each JCR Officer shall be an undergraduate member of the JCR.
3. The position of Freshers' Officer and Entertainments Officer may be held by two people.
4. The Executive Officers of the MCR shall be: a President, a Vice-president, a Treasurer, two Social Secretaries, a Welfare and Education Officer, an Amenities and Environment Officer. The non-executive Officers of the MCR shall be: an Equal Opportunities Officer, an Overseas Officer and a Web-site and E-mail Officer.
5. No person may hold more than one MCR office at any one time except as specified in Section L7(ix). Each Officer shall be a member of the MCR as defined in Section B3.

D. Committee of the Downing College Amalgamation Club

1. There shall be a Committee to co-ordinate the Finances of the JCR and MCR. It shall comprise a Senior Treasurer, the President of the JCR, the President of the MCR, the Treasurer of the JCR and the Treasurer of the MCR.
2. The Senior Treasurer of the Club shall be chosen from the members of the Governing Body and, if not a member of the College Council, shall attend Council Meetings. The Senior Treasurer shall be appointed by the DCAC Committee, for one academic year in the first instance. His/her tenure may be extended for one, or more, years as long as the Committee of the DCAC agrees to this - each yearly extension requiring new approval. The DCAC shall also be represented at Governing Body and Council Meetings by the JCR and MCR Presidents and one other appointed Officer each of the MCR and JCR.

E. Duties of the DCAC Committee

1. 1. The DCAC Committee shall be responsible for the finances of the DCAC. The year of accounts shall run from 1ST August to 31st July.
   2. The Treasurer of the JCR shall present annually to the Bursar on behalf of the DCAC Committee the accounts of the DCAC for the previous year for submission for auditing by the College Auditors.
   3. The Treasurer of the JCR shall post on the JCR website, not later than the division of the Lent Term, a Balance Sheet, duly audited, of the accounts of the DCAC for the previous academic year.
   4. The audited accounts shall be submitted to the Governing Body for approval.
   5. The DCAC Committee shall prepare a budget for the current academic year which shall be submitted for approval to the Governing Body before the last Governing Body meeting of Michaelmas Term
   6. The DCAC Committee shall be responsible for preparing a mid-year Financial Report for the current year which shall be posted on the JCR website by the division of each Lent Term.
   7. This mid-year Financial Report shall also be presented to the Governing Body by the division of each Lent Term. The Report shall include details of donations made by the DCAC, the JCR or the MCR in the previous twelve months to external organisations giving the names of such organisations together with details of any subscription or similar fee paid.
2. The Event Director is obliged to attend fortnightly meetings of the DCAC Committee during NPR, or as deemed necessary by the DCAC Committee.

F. Allocation of Resources

1. The objective of the DCAC shall be support all members in any activities and areas that further the interests of its members as students.
2. Any income not spent in a given academic year should be invested in accordance with a written reserve policy agreed by the DCAC Committee.
3. The DCAC shall open and operate such bank and other accounts as the DCAC Committee considers necessary and to invest funds and to delegate the management of funds in the same manner and subject to the same conditions as the trustees of a trust are permitted to do by the Trustee Act 2000. Any investment will aim to maximize benefits to both current and future DCAC members.
4. The DCAC shall delegate investment management to Downing College and exercise our duty to undertake periodic review of our investments through attendance by a member of the DCAC Committee at the College�s Finance (Investments) Committee. The details of any investments held shall be included in the annual accounts.
5. The DCAC Committee shall be responsible for the fair allocation of resources to the constituent Clubs, Societies and Committees of the DCAC. Each constituent Club and Society in Appendix 1, Schedule B shall elect annually by ballot (which shall mean either a postal vote of all club members or a show of hands at a general meeting with seven days notice given to all members) from among its members an Officer who shall be responsible to the DCAC Committee for the finances of the Club or Society.

G. Committees of the JCR

1. There shall be a JCR Committee formed to co-ordinate the functions of the JCR. It shall be organised into divisions each lead by a Senior Officer, and comprising the Senior Officer, other Officers of the JCR Committee, and members of JCR Sub-Committees.
2. The divisions shall be formed as follows
   • President & Vice-President division
     • President
     • Vice-President
     • Treasurer
     • Event Director
     • Freshers' Officer(s)
     • Event Sub-Committee
     • Freshers' Sub-Committee
   • Services division
     • Services Officer
     • Green Officer
     • Sports Officer
   • Academic division
     • Academic Affairs Officer
     • Ethnic Minorities Officer
     • JCR Access Officer
   • Communications division
     • Communications Officer
     • Internet Officer
     • Griffin Editor
     • Griffin Sub-Committee
   • Entertainments division
     • Entertainments Officer
     • Entertainments Sub-Committee
   • Welfare & Equal Opportunities division
     • Male Welfare and Equal Opportunities Officer
     • Female Welfare and Equal Opportunities Officer
     • Welfare and Equal Opportunties Sub-Committee
3. The Senior Officers of the JCR Committee shall form the JCR Senior Officers' Committee.
4. There shall be various JCR Sub-Committees lead by JCR Officers to manage and organise permanently highly active areas of the JCR Committee. These will be as follows:
   • Entertainments Sub-Committee, responsible for JCR social events. Number in sub-committee is at the Entertainments Officer’s discretion.
   • Griffin Sub-Committee, responsible for the publication of the Griffin newsletter. Number in sub-committee is at the Griffin Editor’s discretion.
   • Event Sub-Committee, responsible for the organisation of the Event, consisting of the Event Director, and co-opted volunteers. During the Easter Term period where two Event Sub-Committees exist, the junior will assist the senior until after the Event, thereafter preparing for the Event for the following year.
   • Freshers' Sub-Committee, comprising the Freshers' Officer(s) and co-opted volunteers, responsible for the organisation of Freshers' Week.
   • Welfare and Equal Opportunities Sub-Committee, comprising both male and female welfare and equal opportunities officers, LBGT Officer, International Officer and Ethnic Minorities Officer.
5. The JCR Committee will be free to co-opt any further members of the JCR for specific projects. They be part of the relevant JCR Sub-Committee or be part JCR Committee in a non-voting capacity.

H. Committees of the MCR

1.  
   1. The MCR Committee shall be the Officers of the MCR as specified under Section C4.
   2. There shall be a Cultural Society Committee to be responsible for the running of the Cultural Society and the organisation of independent events, provided that such events do not conflict with the MCR committee events. The Committee will comprise a Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary, to be elected by and from members of the MCR as defined in Section B3 and will hold office for a full calendar year.
2. The MCR Committee may co-opt any member of the MCR to assist in the execution of its functions.

I. Duties of the JCR Committee & JCR Senior Officers' Committee

1. The JCR Committee shall:
   • Co-ordinate the functions of the JCR, and to vote, as representatives of the JCR, on matters of policy and activities.
   • Review the minutes of the JCR Senior Officers' Committee and where needed, ratify action taken, and provide an agreed mandate for further action.
   • Agree on courses of action for new initiatives and issues, either brought to the JCR Committee by the JCR Senior Officers' Committee, or by any other JCR Committee member.
   • It may assign specific powers and duties to JCR Committee members, provided that:
     1. The President and the Vice-President shall conduct the day to day running of the JCR.
     2. The Communications Officer shall keep minutes of JCR Open Meetings, JCR Committee meetings, and JCR Senior Officers' Committee Meetings.
     3. The President and Vice President shall attend meetings of the General Purposes Committee and the Governing Body.
     4. The President and the Vice President shall represent the JCR at the Representative Council of CUSU.
2. The JCR Senior Officers' Committee shall:
   • Investigate, prepare, and present matters requiring decision to the JCR Committee with recommendations where appropriate.
   • Act to implement policy and decisions made by the JCR Committee or JCR Open Meeting motions, including additional decisions considered within the original remit.
   • Co-ordinate the functions and activities of each division of the JCR Committee between meetings of the JCR Committee.
   • Represent the JCR on the various College committees.

J. Duties of the MCR Committee

1. The duties of the MCR Committee shall be to undertake the general management of the MCR and in particular:
   
   1. To provide social and recreational activities for MCR members and those who have opted out of membership.
   2. To represent the interests of the members of the MCR and those who have opted out of membership.
   3. To nominate the graduate representative(s) for the appropriate College Committees.
   4. To provide advice on welfare issues such as accommodation to MCR members and those who have opted out of membership.

K. Election of the Officers of the JCR and the members of the Committees of the JCR

1. 1. All the Officers of the JCR Committee shall be elected to serve from the division of Lent Term to the division of Lent Term the following year. The Bar President shall be decided by the Bar Sub-Committee, and Event Director selected according to section K.4.
   2. The JCR Committee shall elect a changeover officer who shall remain in a non voting capacity on the committee in the President and Vice President's division to aid in the transitional of the new committee. The Changeover officer can be any position of the JCR Committee and is entitled to attend any meeting of the Senior Officer's Committee, divisional meeting or full Committee meeting until his or her services are declared to be no longer needed by the President.
2. All current students in statu pupillari per college statutes will be entitled to vote for all officers.
3. The positions of the Freshers' Sub-Committee, Ents sub-committee, Griffin Sub-committee, Welfare and Equal Opportunities Sub-Committee and Event Sub-Committee shall be filled in a fair and open manner by application to the elected officer, separate to the JCR elections.

4. The Event Director shall be selected by the existing Event Sub-Committee and current Event Director. This shall be by a secret ballot overseen by the JCR President. This may take place at any time during full term, but not later than 14 days after the Event has taken place. Applications for this post will be open to both current Event sub-committee members as well as other JCR members. Advertisements soliciting applications for this position must be announced at least seven days in advance of the application deadline, and notified to the JCR Communications Officer.
   If an Event Director resigns or the post ceases to exist for any reason, a quorate JCR Committee meeting may co-opt by a majority vote a new Event Director.
   The Event Sub-Committee will be formed as soon as reasonably possible after the selection of the Event Director. Applications will be advertised to and considered from all JCR and MCR members who will be in statu pupillari on the proposed date of the Event. The Event Director will additionally seek to co-opt first-year members to the Sub-Committee during Michaelmas Term.

5. Elections shall be held according to the following procedure:
   
   1. Notice of the date and time of election shall be posted upon the JCR website not less than twelve days before the election day. Voting shall take place for a period of not less than six hours between the times of eight am and eight pm on a day appointed by the Senior Officer's Committee. The appointed day shall under no circumstances be a Saturday or a Sunday.
   2. The closing date for the first round of nominations shall be midnight on the seventh day before the elections. Names of Nominees received by this point shall be displayed on the JCR website. Further nominations may then be made, either in response to the first nomination, or, to fill any hitherto uncontested positions. The deadline for the second round of nominations shall be midnight on the fourth day before the elections. The name of the second round of nominees shall then be displayed along with those of the first on the JCR website.
   3. Nominees for Officerships of the JCR Committee or membership of a JCR Sub-Commiittee shall be proposed and seconded by current members of the JCR
   4. No person may be proposed for office as an Officer of the JCR Committee or member of a JCR Sub-Committee without his or her written consent.
   5. Current officers of the JCR Committee or members of a Sub-Committee shall not be eligible to propose or second the nomination or any candidate
   6. No person shall be proposed for more than one position of the JCR Committee or Sub-Committees.
   7. Elections shall be held by secret ballot, using the single transferable vote system, including the provision for RON. The JCR Senior Officers' Committee shall appoint the Returning Officer, provided that he or she is not standing as a candidate for the JCR Committee or Sub-Committees.
   8. • In the case of candidates for the JCR Committee, if the candidate has an overall majority of first preference votes cast for him or her, then he or she shall be declared elected. If this is not the case, then the candidate with the least first preference votes shall be eliminated from the election and his or her votes distributed according to the electors' second preferences. This shall be continued using the lowest preference votes in order until a candidate with an overall majority emerges.
      • In the case of the elected JCR Sub-Committees, the votes of the candidate obtaining the least first preference votes shall be distributed according to the electors' second preferences. This shall continue as above, until the required number of candidates remain, save that if, at any stage, further use of the procedure would eliminate the only remaining first year candidate then that candidate shall be deemed to be elected at that stage. The number of other candidates shall then be reduced to two by the procedure above.
   9. In the event of a tie between candidates with the lowest first or later preference votes, then a coin shall be tossed and the loser of the call eliminated.
   10. The results of the elections and the number of votes cast for each candidate shall be posted on the JCR website by the Returning Officer within twenty-four hours of the close of the election.
   11. Any person specified in Sections C1 and G4 holding a position under the constitution may resign at any time. New elections shall be held by the remaining officers within seven days. Any person elected at such a by-election shall hold office until the next JCR elections.
   12. If the JCR Committee for any reason ceases in existence, the Senior Treasurer of the DCAC shall be invited to organise new elections for the JCR Committee.
   13. Hustings shall be held on the day before the election. All those standing for election, including those for uncontested posts, shall be required to make a short speech and answer questions.
   14. A report on the conduct of the elections shall be submitted to the Governing Body at their next meeting after the elections have taken place.

L. Election of the Officers of the MCR

1. The Officers, as defined in Section C4 shall be elected at the end of the Michaelmas Term. Their terms of office shall commence one week after their election. Those elected shall serve for a full calendar year.
2. All full members of the MCR are entitled to vote.
3. All members of the MCR as defined in Section B3 are eligible to stand for election to the Committee posts defined in Section C4, providing that they intend to remain eligible members of the MCR throughout their term of office. If at close of nominations any position is vacant then all members of the MCR are eligible to stand. All members of the MCR as defined in Section B3 are eligible to stand for election to the Cultural Society Committee as defined in Section H1b.
4. Any member of the MCR Committee may resign by giving written notice to the President. The MCR is obliged to call for nomination(s) and call an Extraordinary Open Meeting within two weeks of any member resigning from the Committee. Any member, other than an ex-officio member, of the MCR committee, who fails to attend any three meetings of the Committee in one term, of which the Long Vacation counts as one, without reasonable excuse in the view of the rest of the Committee, shall be deemed to have resigned, and shall be ineligible to restand for a Committee position.
5. Any post vacated by resignation or otherwise shall be filled in accordance with the appropriate election procedures.
6. In the event of two persons standing as Co-Presidents, only 1 person may be President at a time. The other shall have the position "Committee member" where he/she shall assist the Committee in the execution of its duties either generally or in a co-opted capacity.
7. Elections shall be held according to the following procedure:
   1. The current President (unless standing for re-election) shall act as Returning Officer in the MCR elections. If the current President is not eligible to act, the Graduate Tutor or his or her nominated deputy shall act as Returning Officer.
   2. At least ten days before a Poll, the Committee shall advertise the Poll by notice to all members via their pigeon hole and also invite nominations signed by a proposer, seconder, and the nominee who shall be full members of the MCR.
   3. Nominations for any post on the Committee becoming vacant shall be given to the President and displayed in the Middle Combination Room at least two days before the forthcoming election.
   4. Canvassing shall be permitted.
   5. All elections shall be by secret ballot.
   6. The Returning Officer shall be responsible for supervising the election and shall, with two witnesses who are members of the MCR, count the votes, advertise the result, and retain the ballot papers for at least fourteen days.
   7. In the case of a tie the successful candidate shall be determined by the drawing of lots.
   8. If, at close of nominations, only one candidate has stood for any given Committee post, then the Returning Officer may duly declare him or her elected without a formal election.
   9. In the event of any post remaining vacant after the election, nominations for such a post shall remain open until it is subsequently filled. Until such a time, members of the Committee shall be co-opted to the post.
   10. No Committee member may concurrently hold two Committee positions, with the exceptions detailed in Section L7(ix)
   11. The Graduate Tutor shall be invited to act as President if for any reason there is no MCR Committee.
   12. Any complaint concerning malpractices in respect of an election shall be made in writing to the Returning Officer; the Returning Officer shall then investigate the complaint and may order a new election if he/she is satisfied that there have been malpractices.
   13. A report on the conduct of the elections shall be submitted to the next Governing Body meeting after the elections have taken place.

M. Meetings and procedures

1. Open Meetings of the DCAC
   
   1. An Open Meeting of the DCAC may be attended by any member of the Club.
   2. An Open Meeting of the DCAC shall be convened by the President of the JCR after consultation with other members of the DCAC Committee. The President shall place a notice of the meeting on the JCR website, not less than seven days before the event.
   3. The President of the JCR shall call at least one Open Meeting of the DCAC in each of the Michaelmas, Lent and Easter Terms.
   4. An extraordinary Open Meeting of the DCAC shall be convened within seven days by the President of the JCR when requested to do so by at least twenty members of the DCAC provided that such meetings shall not take place less than three clear days after notice of that meeting has been placed by the President of the JCR upon the JCR website; and provided further that the nature of the matter to be discussed at the meeting shall be given in writing to the President at the time of the submission of such a request for an extraordinary meeting.
   5. In the case of an Open Meeting of the DCAC, the President of the JCR shall place on the JCR website, not less than three clear days before the Meeting, an agenda. Any item which a member of the DCAC wishes to be included on the agenda shall be placed there by the President.
   6. In the case of an Extraordinary Open Meeting of the DCAC, the President shall place upon the JCR website notice of the matter to be discussed, at the same time as placing notice on the JCR website of the calling of such an extraordinary meeting.
   7. No Open Meeting shall take place outside Full Term.
   8. The Chairperson of all Open Meetings of the DCAC shall be the President of the JCR, or a deputy as appointed by the President.
   9. Fourty five members shall constitute a quorum at any Open Meeting of the DCAC.
   10. Motions approved by the majority of those present and voting at an Open Meeting of the DCAC, if the number of those members present is sixty or more, shall be binding on the DCAC Committee unless reversed by a referendum of the DCAC.
   11. Minutes of all Open Meetings of the DCAC shall be kept by the Treasurer of the JCR or a member of the DCAC Committee nominated by that Committee and shall be submitted to the next Open Meeting of the DCAC for approval.
   12. Full minutes of any Open Meeting of the DCAC shall be placed on the JCR website, by the President of the JCR, not more than one week after the meeting.
2. Open Meetings of the JCR
   
   1. An Open Meeting of the JCR may be attended by any member of the JCR.
   2. An Open Meeting of the JCR shall be convened by the President of the JCR. The President shall place a notice of the meeting on the JCR website, not less than seven days before the event.
   3. the President of the JCR shall call at least one open meeting of the JCR in the Michaelmas, Lent and Easter terms.
   4. An extraordinary Open Meeting of the JCR shall be convened within seven days by the President of the JCR when requested to do so by at least twenty members of the JCR, provided that such meetings shall not take place less than three clear days after notice of that meeting has been placed by the President of the JCR upon the JCR website; and provided further that the matter to be discussed at the meeting be given in writing to the President at the time of the submission of such a request for an extraordinary meeting.
   5. In the case of an Open Meeting of the JCR, the President of the JCR shall place on the JCR website, not less than three clear days before the Meeting, an agenda. Any item which a member of the JCR wishes to be included on the agenda shall be placed there by the President.
   6. In the case of an Extraordinary Open Meeting of the JCR, the President shall place upon the JCR website notice of the matter to be discussed, at the same time as placing notice on the JCR website of the calling of such an extraordinary meeting.
   7. No Open Meeting shall take place outside Full Term.
   8. The Chairperson of all Open Meetings of the JCR shall be the President of the JCR, or a deputy as appointed by the President.
   9. Thirty five members shall constitute a quorum at any Open Meeting of the JCR.
   10. Motions approved by a majority of those members present shall be binding on the JCR Committee, provided the quorum is satisfied for that motion, until and unless subsequently reversed by a referendum or a motion approved at a future Open Meeting.
   11. Minutes of all Open Meetings of the JCR shall be kept by the Communications Officer of the JCR and shall be submitted to the next Open Meeting of the JCR for approval.
   12. Full minutes of any Open Meeting of the JCR shall be placed on the JCR website, by the Communications Officer of the JCR, not more than three full days after the meeting.
3. Open Meetings of the MCR
   1. An Open Meeting of the MCR refers to a meeting to which all members of the MCR are invited in accordance with the following rules:
      1. The MCR Committee shall call an Open Meeting of the MCR at least twice during each academic year.
      2. At least ten days notice shall be given by the President of the MCR informing all members by e-mail and on the Middle Combination Room notice board.
   2. Motions may be submitted for debate at Open Meetings of the MCR. These motions are of three sorts:
      
      1. MCR Committee motions, proposed and seconded by MCR Committee members at a meeting of the MCR Committee.
      2. Private motions, proposed and seconded by MCR members. Private motions should be submitted to the MCR President and displayed in the Middle Combination Room at least three days before the meeting is due to take place.
      3. Emergency motions (see Section M3(viii)d)
   3. The MCR Committee shall display in a prominent place in the Middle Combination Room a copy of the agenda for the meeting on or before the day preceding the meeting, including exact statements of all motions to be debated, and copies of reports compiled by the MCR Committee.
   4. If no motions have been submitted the MCR Committee shall notify MCR members by posting a notice in the Middle Combination Room that the meeting has been cancelled.
   5. Meetings shall be chaired by the President of the MCR, except when he/she is contributing to the motion under consideration, in which case another member of the MCR Committee shall take the Chair temporarily.
   6. The meeting is considered quorate if at least twenty or one-eighth of the total MCR members, whichever is the greater, are present.
   7. The order paper shall take the following form:
      
      1. Minutes and matters arising from the last Open Meeting. These may be taken as read if the meeting so approves. Opportunity should be given to members to question and amend the minutes.
      2. MCR Committee reports. Opportunity shall be given to MCR Committee members to inform the MCR of any new business undertaken on behalf of the MCR or to make general announcements or suggestions. Opportunity should also be given to MCR members to direct any questions to MCR Committee members.
      3. Motions shall then be discussed in order of receipt.
   8. Customary debating practice shall apply but particular note should be taken of the following:
      
      1. Any motion can be amended at any time before the motion is voted upon. An amendment is not permissible if the Chairperson considers that the proposed amendment substantially changes the content of the existing motion.
      2. An amendment, if accepted by the Chairperson, should then be debated and voted upon if formal opposition be registered.
      3. The proposer of any motion has the right to invite just one other member of the MCR to deliver the speech of proposal in his/her stead.
      4. An emergency motion can be submitted at any time before the Chairperson declares the meeting closed. No motion proposing a donation or expenditure of the MCR finances shall constitute an emergency motion. An emergency motion must be submitted in writing. Emergency motions shall be debated, in order of receipt, after the last motion.
      5. The MCR Open Meeting may pass any motion by a simple majority.
   9. In addition to the MCR Open Meetings, Extraordinary Open Meetings of the MCR can be called for at any time during Full Term.
      1. The MCR Committee can call an Extraordinary Open Meeting of the MCR provided that all members are notified by e-mail with at least three days notice of the business to be discussed.
      2. If a petition, signed by at least fifteen members of the MCR, stating the business to be discussed, is submitted to the President of the MCR and displayed in the Middle Combination Room, then the MCR Committee shall call an Extraordinary General Meeting to be held within seven days of receipt, giving at least three days notice of such a meeting to all members by e-mail.
   10. The MCR Committee and MCR shall be bound by the decisions of the Open Meeting of the MCR.
   11. A copy of the minutes of each Open Meeting of the MCR shall be circulated to all MCR Committee members. Any objections to the minutes should be raised at the next MCR Committee meeting. After any necessary corrections a copy should be given to the Graduate Tutor and posted on the Middle Combination Room notice board.
4. Meetings of the DCAC Committee
   
   1. Meetings of the DCAC Committee shall be held from time to time as the Senior Treasurer shall determine. There shall be one meeting each term, unless all members of the committee are satisfied that there is no business to discuss.
   2. Notice in writing of a meeting of the Committee shall be sent by the Senior Treasurer, or another person by him or her appointed, to all members of the Committee, not less than three clear days before the meeting.
   3. The Chairperson of the Committee shall be the Senior Treasurer or another person as by him or her appointed.
   4. Full minutes of the DCAC Committee shall be posted on the JCR website not later than three full days from the date of the meeting.
   5. The Treasurer of the JCR or a member of the DCAC Committee nominated by that Committee shall be the Secretary of the DCAC Committee. The Secretary shall be responsible for taking the minutes and for submitting them to the next Open Meeting of the DCAC.
   6. General estimates of expenses for the academic year shall be submitted in writing to the Treasurer of the JCR not later than the fourteenth day of the Michaelmas Full Term by the Treasurer of each constituent Club or Society in Appendix 1, Schedule B which wishes to incur expenditure during that year.
   7. The Treasurers of the JCR and MCR shall submit a mid-year Financial Report for the DCAC in writing to the DCAC Committee not later than one week before the division of the Lent Term.
   8. The Treasurers of the JCR and MCR shall prepare and submit a consolidated budget for the DCAC in writing not later than one week before the division of the Michaelmas Term for consideration by the DCAC Committee.
   9. Three members of the DCAC Committee shall constitute a quorum.
   10. Proposals approved by a majority of the DCAC Committee members present and voting shall be deemed to have been carried provided that if the same number of votes have been cast for and against a proposal, the Chairperson shall have the casting vote.
   11. All expenditure of the constituent Clubs and Societies in Appendix 1, Schedule A and Schedule B shall be subject to the approval of the DCAC Committee.
   12. The Senior Treasurer shall, when he or she considers that a proposal is contrary to a legal duty of the College or could incur liability for the College, submit the matter to the Governing Body, who shall have the power to decide the issue.
   13. The annual budget of the DCAC, as approved by the DCAC Committee, shall be presented to the next Open Meeting of the DCAC for ratification.
   14. The mid-year Financial Report as approved by the DCAC Committee shall be presented to the next Open Meeting of the DCAC for ratification.
   15. The Budget shall also be submitted to the Governing Body for approval.
5. Meetings of the JCR Committee and JCR Senior Officers' Committee
   
   1. The JCR Senior Officers' Committee shall meet not less than once per fortnight during Full Term, and as many further times as decided by the JCR President.
   2. The JCR Committee shall meet no fewer than three times during each term. These shall be approximately at the commencement, division, and termination of Full Term, with exact dates chosen and publicised by the JCR President. It shall be attended by all JCR Officers, who may in addition invite as many of their respective JCR Sub-Committee members (if applicable) as non-voting members.
   3. Any member of the JCR may attend JCR Committee meetings as an observer.
   4. Notice in writing of a meeting shall be sent to all JCR Committee members by the Communications Officer not less than seven clear days beforehand.
   5. The Chairperson of the JCR Committee shall be the President or another member of the Committee by him or her appointed.
   6. Twelve members of the JCR Committee shall constitute a quorum. Each attending officer, or his or her representative, shall have one vote. In the case of two individuals holding the Freshers Officer or Ents officer position both attending, they shall both be allowed one vote each. Proposals approved by a simple majority of those present shall be deemed to have been carried. In the case of the same number of votes being cast for and against a proposal, then the President shall have the casting vote.
   7. All matters requiring an alteration in either policy or previous decision/mandate shall be referred to the JCR Committee by the JCR Senior Officers' Committee. In addition where there is disagreement in the JCR Senior Officers' Committee, the matter shall be referred to the JCR Committee.
   8. A report of the work of each division of the JCR Committee shall be presented by the respective Senior Officer at every JCR Open Meeting. In the absence of a Senior Officer at the JCR Open Meeting, a written report must be submitted, to be read out by the President, or some other JCR Committee member present at the Meeting. If neither a verbal nor a written report is received, then the Senior Officer in question shall be deemed censured.
6. Meetings of the divisions of the JCR Committee
   • Meetings of each division of the JCR Committee shall be held from time to time as requested by any member of the division, providing that in the Michaelmas, Lent and Easter Full Terms at least one such meeting takes place.
7. Meetings of the MCR Committee
   
   1. Meetings of the MCR Committee shall be held as often as the Committee deems necessary, and in any case not less than once a fortnight during Full Term.
   2. The Committee shall determine its own procedure.
   3. At any meeting of the Committee all members of the Executive Committee shall be present, if possible. The Non-executive Officers may attend all Committee meetings.
   4. Meetings shall be chaired by the President of the MCR or, in his/her absence, a member elected by the Committee from among themselves.
   5. All decisions of the Committee shall be made by consensus. In the event of a dispute, the matter shall be decided by an Open Meeting of the MCR.

N. Referenda of the DCAC

1. The DCAC Committee must hold a referendum of all members of the DCAC within seven days of the receipt of a petition calling for such a referendum, signed by not less than sixty members of the DCAC, subject to the following provisions:
   
   1. No referendum shall be held outside Full Term
   2. The referendum on any petition submitted within the last seven days of Full Term or after the division of Easter Term shall be held within the first fourteen days of the following Term.
2. Referenda shall be decided by majority vote.
3. Referenda so approved shall be binding on the DCAC only when at least sixty have voted in favour of the question put.
4. The results of referenda shall be transmitted to the Governing Body.

O. Referenda of the JCR

1. The JCR Senior Officers' Committee must hold a referendum of all members of the JCR within seven days of must hold a referendum of (a) the receipt of a petition calling for such a referendum, signed by not less than twenty members of the JCR or (b) the carrying of a proposal to hold a referendum by a JCR Committee Meeting, both subject to the following provisions:
   1. No referendum shall be held outside Full Term
   2. The referendum on any petition submitted within the last seven days of Full Term or after the division of Easter Term shall be held within the first fourteen days of the following Term.
2. Referenda shall be decided by majority vote.
3. Referenda so approved shall be binding on the JCR Committee and other Committees of the JCR only when at least forty have voted in favour of the question put.
4. The results of referenda shall be transmitted to the Governing Body.

P. Publication of the Constitution

1. An up-to-date copy of the Constitution shall available for consultation in the Library, and on the JCR and MCR websites, and must be supplied by the Senior Treasurer to any member of the DCAC on request.

Q. Amendments to the Constitution

1. The present Constitution and Appendices may be amended at a quorate Open Meeting of the DCAC at which there are at least sixty voting in favour. The terms of the proposed amendment shall have been posted on the JCR website for not less than three full days before the date of the meeting.
2. Any amendment under clause Q1 may be overturned by a DCAC referendum, as outlined in Section N.
3. Any amendments to clauses B2; C1, C2, C3; G1 to G5 inclusive; I1 and I2; K1 to K5 inclusive; M2, M5 and M6; O1 to O4 inclusive; S1, T1 to Y1 inclusive of this constitution are subject to the approval of the JCR by a simple majority at a quorate Open Meeting of the JCR.
4. Any amendments to clauses B3; C4 and C5; H1 and H2; J1; L1 to L7 inclusive; M3 and M7; and S2 of this constitution are subject to the approval of the MCR by a simple majority at a quorate Open Meeting of the MCR
5. Any amendments to the constitution are also subject to the approval of the Governing Body.

R. Affiliation to Organisations

1. If the JCR or MCR decides to become affiliated to any external organisation, it shall publish to all its members, and to the Governing Body, a notice of this decision stating the name of the organisation and the details of any subscriptions or similar fee paid or proposed to be paid, and of any donation made or proposed to be made, to the organisation. A report of these details of affiliation to external organisations must be included as an appendix to the consolidated budget submitted in writing to the DCAC Committee and must be published to all JCR and MCR members and to the Governing Body.
2. Upon the request of at least 3% of its members, the JCR or MCR shall submit for the approval of its members a list of organisations to which the JCR or MCR is affiliated. If at least 5% of the members so require, the question of continued affiliation to any particular organisation shall be decided upon by a secret ballot at which all members of the JCR or MCR are entitled to vote.
3. A referendum on the continued affiliation to any external organisation shall be held annually. The JCR shall hold this referendum at the same time as the JCR elections, and the MCR shall hold this referendum at the same time as the MCR elections.

S. Grievances

1. All JCR members or Clubs or Societies who are dissatisfied with their dealings with the DCAC or JCR, or those who claim to be unfairly disadvantaged by reason of having exercised the right not to be members of the JCR, may prefer a complaint to the President of the JCR. An appeal shall lie from the President of the JCR to an independent arbitrator to be appointed annually by the Governing Body, who may not delegate this responsibility for hearing such an appeal. The Governing Body shall have power to provide such effective remedy if any as they consider appropriate when a complaint is upheld.
2. All MCR members who are dissatisfied with their dealings with the DCAC or MCR, or those who claim to be unfairly disadvantaged by reason of having exercised the right not to be members of the MCR, may prefer a complaint to the President of the MCR. An appeal shall lie from the President of the MCR to an independent arbitrator to be appointed annually by the Governing Body, who may not delegate this responsibility for hearing such an appeal. The Governing Body shall have power to provide such effective remedy if any as they consider appropriate when a complaint is upheld.

STANDING ORDERS FOR THE JCR

T. Procedure before an Open Meetings of the JCR

1.  
   1. The deadline for the submission of ordinary motions shall be four days before the date of an Open Meeting.
   2. An ordinary motion may be submitted by any member of Downing College JCR.
   3. An ordinary motion should consist of no more than one hundred words, otherwise it may be ruled out of order.
   4. Ordinary motions shall be submitted to the JCR Vice-President.
   5. The JCR Vice-President shall verify the named proposer and seconder of the motion.
   6. Within eighteen hours of the motions deadline the President shall post a list of ordinary motions submitted, and not to have been ruled out of order, on the JCR website.
2.  
   1. Amendments to ordinary motions may be submitted by any member of Downing College JCR.
   2. The deadline for the submission of amendments shall be three days after the motions deadline.
   3. The rules for the submission of amendments shall be the same as those for the submission of motions, save that the President need not post the amendment on the JCR website, just inform the proposer and seconder of the original motion.
3. Any member of the JCR Committee not intending to be present at any Open Meeting shall provide a written apology to the Chairperson of the Meeting before it commences, explaining his or her absence. This apology shall be made known to the members present at the meeting.
4. The order of motions in the Open Meeting shall be decided by the JCR Vice-President who should seek to retain quorum for the duration of the meeting and not unduly disadvantage any motion.
5. The President of the JCR shall notify, in writing, the proposer and seconder of any motion, or amendment to a motion, which he or she rules out of order. Such notification shall be given at least twenty-four hours before the Open Meeting is to begin.

U. Procedure for Open Meetings of the JCR

1. No Open Meeting shall be held in the bar after 10:30 pm.
2. The order of the Open Meeting shall be as follows:
   
   1. Minutes of the last Meeting
   2. Matters arising
   3. Reports of the divisions of the JCR Committee and questions to the JCR Committee
   4. Motions
   5. Emergency motions
   6. Any other business
3. Points of order may be raised to ask for a quorum count, to ask for a Chairpersons ruling or interpretation, or to address any other question relating to the procedure of the meeting to the Chairperson. Points of order have precedence over all other business, but they may not be raised during a speech or a vote unless relating to the conduct of the speaker or the vote.
4. Points of order shall have priority in the following order:
   
   1. A request for a quorum count
   2. A request for a ruling or an interpretation
   3. A request for a revote
   4. Other points of order
5. Procedural motions have precedence over all other business except points of order, and may not be raised during a speech or vote unless relating to the conduct of that speaker or that vote.
6. There shall be the following procedural motions which are listed in order of priority.
   
   1. That the meeting has no confidence in the Chairperson.
   2. That the Chairperson's ruling be overturned.
   3. That a standing order or election regulation be suspended for a specified length of time.
   4. That a vote be by secret ballot.
   5. That the meeting be adjourned or closed.
   6. That the question as specified now be put.
   7. That the question as specified be not put.
   8. The question as specified be adjourned to later in the same meeting, or at a later meeting.
   9. That the question be remitted to another body or person.
   10. That the question as specified be voted on in parts.
7. All procedural motions shall require the support of ten members before being discussed. All procedural motions except 10 shall be voted on after at least one speech against, save that the chair shall be entitled to make the final speech against any motion falling under 1 and 2.
8. All procedural motions shall require a simple majority to be passed with the following exceptions, which shall require a two-thirds majority:
   
   • U6 part 3
   • U6 part 10
9. Any call to create a set of parts which has the support of ten members shall be voted upon after a speech against the parts and a speech in favour of the parts. The vote shall decide whether those parts are passed. After consideration of all such sets of parts, the remaining text shall be voted upon.
10. Only one ordinary or emergency motion or amendment to it or report motion may be debated at any one time.
11. Debate shall proceed as follows:
    1. The proposer of the motion, or his/her chosen representative shall make a speech for the motion.
    2. The Chairperson shall then invite a speech against the motion.
    3. The Chairperson shall endeavour to ensure that there are equal numbers of speeches for and against the motion, in accordance with Standing Order U7.
    4. At any time after the first speech for a motion, a question or a speech to the motion, may be put.
12. There shall be a time limit of 15 minutes discussion of an item or a motion, after which any JCR member who has not spoken on the item or the motion shall be allowed one minute to question or speak. After this period has elapsed the vote shall be taken.

V. Voting

1. Voting on a question may be by a show of hands or, if requested by ten members as a procedural motion, by secret ballot.
2. Voting in elections shall be by secret ballot.
3. A recount may be held on any vote if the Chairperson rules that there has been misconduct or an error in the count.

W. Emergency Motions

1. Emergency motions may be submitted by any member in writing to the President. The closing date for receipt is twenty-four hours before the Open Meeting.The President may rule out of order any emergency motion of over 100 words.
2. An emergency motion is one whose substance concerns events occurring after the latest date for the submission of ordinary motions for discussion by the forthcoming Open Meeting.
3. The Chairperson shall rule, in the first instance that any proposed emergency motion is in fact an emergency motion.
4. Emergency motions shall be taken in the order in which they were submitted.

X. The Chair

1. The chair at all Open Meetings of the JCR shall be taken by the President of the JCR, or by a member of the JCR Committee appointed by the President.
2. If the Chairperson wishes to participate in debate, he or she shall vacate the Chair for the whole of any business on which he or she wishes to speak.
3. If a motion of no confidence in the Chairperson is passed the Chairperson to which the motion is addressed shall not resume the Chair for the remainder of that Open Meeting. In these circumstances the Vice-President of the JCR shall take the Chair.
4. The Chairperson shall ensure that the Open Meeting is in Order, that remarks made are relevant to the question under debate, and that no defamatory, racist or sexist remarks are made.

Y. Motions referred to the JCR from the CUSU for Mandation

1. Motions submitted to the JCR from the CUSU shall be deemed mandated if a majority of the JCR members present at an Open Meeting of the JCR vote in favour, or against the motion. If there is not sufficient time for an Open Meeting to be called before the CUSU Council takes place, then mandation shall be deemed to have occurred if a majority of the JCR Committee vote in favour or against the motion.

Appendix 1: List of the constituent clubs and societies of the DCAC

Schedule A

• JCR
• MCR

Schedule B

• Association Football Club
• Astronomical Society (affiliated 2004)
• Athletics and Cross Country Club
• Amnesty Society (affiliated 2005)
• Badminton Club
• Blake Society
• Boat Club
• Chess Club
• Chapel Choir
• Cranworth Law Society
• Cricket Club
• Danby Society
• Dance Club (affiliated 2005)
• Darts Club (affiliated 2005)
• Dramatic Society
• Fair Trade Society (affiliated 2005)
• Hockey Club
• Lord Guildford Classics Society
• Maitland Historical Society
• Mathias Economics Society
• Mens' Basketball Club (affiliated 2005)
• Mixed Lacrosse Team (affiliated 2004)
• Music Society
• Netball Club
• Pool Club
• Rugby Union Football Club
• Southern African Fund for Education (affiliated 2006)
• Squash Club
• Table Football Club (affiliated 2003)
• Table Tennis Club (affiliated 2007)
• Tennis Club
• Volleyball Club (affiliated 2005)
• Waterpolo Club
• Whitby Medical Society
• Wine Society (affiliated 2004)
• Womens' Association Football Club
• Womens' Basketball Club (affiliated 2005)
• Womens' Rugby Union Football Club
• Yoga Society (Affiliated 1999)

Appendix 3: Job descriptions of JCR Committee members

Appendix 4: Guidelines for JCR Elections

• A.i. The Returning Officer shall be the retiring JCR President or a member of the JCR Committee appointed by him or her.
• A.ii. The ballot box shall be manned by members of the JCR Committee, provided that no one who is standing for a post in the election mans the ballot box.
• A.iii. The ballot box shall be open for not less than six hours in a prominent position.
• A.iv. The Returning Officer shall supervise the count and publish the results as the relevant section in the Constitution dictates.
• B.i. Any member of the JCR is entitled to vote.
• B.ii. Voting shall be by the Single Transferable Voting System, and as outlined in the Constitution.
• C.i. Any member of the JCR who will not graduate in office may stand for any post.
• C.ii. Each candidate should be proposed and seconded by member of the JCR.
• C.iii. Candidates shall be allowed a 250-word A4 sized written manifesto, to be posted on the JCR website by the Returning Officer.
• C.iv. No other written material or posters shall be used by any candidate other than that in C.iii.
• C.v. Candidates may not canvass by or near the ballot box.
• C.vi. Any breach of these regulations by any candidate shall result in their disqualification from the election.
• C.vii. Any member of the JCR shall have the right to call for a re-election on the grounds of the breach of these regulations by petitioning the Returning Officer with no less than forty signatories taken from members of the JCR within forty-eight hours of the election in question.
• C.viii. A written report on the conduct of the elections is to be submitted by the Returning Officer to the next meeting of the Governing Body after the elections have taken place.