Downing JCR > The JCR > Minutes > JCR Committee Meeting 14/10/2003

Minutes for JCR Committee Meeting, 14th October 2003

Present:

• Ian Redding (President) (Chair)
• Josh Lewison (Vice-President)
• James Bell (Treasurer)
• Tony Evans (Men's)
• Matthew Mayer (Communications)
• Nick Drinnan (External)
• Rachel Reeves (Green)
• Ross McElwain (Academic Affairs)
• Jenny Duggan (Ents)

Apologies Received from:

• Farzana Hakim (Women's)
• Katie Lawson (Welfare)
• Malcolm Parry (Services)
• Fiona Womack (Target)

Summary of Main Points of Meeting:

1. Welcome
   • The minutes of the last meeting were approved
2. Laptop security
   • Ian: possibility of buying Laptop security locks. Around 20 people expressed interest, maybe not enough to secure bulk discount at £14.99. Buying individually would cost around £25.
   • Would prefer if College managed any scheme, we don't want to get into complicated rental agreements.
   • Agreed to facilitate and promote use of locks, but not buy any in bulk as yet.
3. Present to Master
   • A pewter tankard for Steven Fleet
   • General wording of engraving agreed
4. Charges and KFC
   • Ian: College are now very aware of the unhappiness of the JCR with repeated KFC increases
   • Possible dividend scheme:
     • Termly profit would be compared with last year
     • If profit increases, there would be a rebate on everyone's bill the next term
     • In return, JCR would promote slops usage.
       • But how, exactly? Encouraging freshers. Better feedback. Promoting theme nights. Free bottle of wine per 10 meals bought.
     • Matt: College must write down the rules of a dividend scheme and stick to them
   • Tony: What other cost-cutting measures should be considered?
     • Self service vegetables and desserts, as at Churchill/Queens (Ian to check with their presidents)
     • Continental breakfasts (Malcolm to check with breakfast users)
     • NB. Kitchens are old and ineffecient, will be rebuilt (years, not months)
     • Theme night is expensive (requires more main courses). What about theme week (one meal each day replaced by themed alternative)?
   • Ian: Food prices could be increased
     • Matt: But might backfire as fewer people go
     • James: and since food sales account for small proportion of catering budget, would need a large increase to make a noticeable change in KFC
   • Tony: Quality of Life surveys suggest peoples priorities are Food quality; Value for money; Overall cost.
   • Negotations will continue with Bursar. Ian to keep JCRC up to date
5. Breast Cancer Awareness Month
   • Josh: ribbons on sale in plodge, graphic on website, news article by Katie.
   • Breast Cancer Formal soon, themed 'pink', extra charge will go to charity.
6. Halloween Formal
   • Rachel: will be on 31st October
   • As on a Friday, MCR get 50 seats, we get 100. All will be dressing up.
   • Extra charge will go to RAG
   • Also sell RAG calendars
   • Jenny: hopefully will do something with the bar afterwards
7. Welfare noticeboard
   • RE: email from Katie and College Nurse
   • Should be room for a welfare noticeboard by shuffling them along.
   • Could also replace 'visitor information' during termtime.
8. IT update
   • Matt: Usual IP address and virus problems at the start of term, gradually being fixed.
   • Potential problem on Applying to Downing forum... should we be providing interview/personal statement advice?
     • Generally perceived not to be a problem
     • Promoting access: schools would read over personal statements, so can we.
     • New FAQ section for applicants: personal statements, interviews (Matt to run it past T+A office)
     • Views of forum posters are their own personal views, not official
9. Budget
   • James: societies applications now in.
   • Will soon find out total amount of money we have to give out.
   • James will bring proposals for society grants to next meeting.
   • £50 given to OneWorld Week, Rachel is rep.
   • Matt: Charity charge money has never been paid out! General consternation. James to sort it out.
10. Any Other Business
    • Ross: Wants to restart English Society. Matt suggested taking over existing Babel Society.
    • Tony: Unhappy with poor practice on College's part. Gave out College bills (again) with deadline for payment to soon to allow loan cheques to arrive and clear.
    • Tony: CUDN access for students outside college. Need access for course materials restricted to cam.ac.uk. There are technical workarounds. Matt+Ross to provide added clout in negotations with IT department.
    • Books in the laundury? Malcolm and Matt to try a trial run in T Staircase.
11. Date of next meeting
    • Provisionally Thursday 23rd October at 5pm.

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