JCR Committee: James Black

2010–11: Vice-President

Hey all. I’m a first year historian (for my sins) and the JCR Vice-President for 2010–11. As Rhys’ right hand man, I’m involved to varying degrees in a large number of the JCR’s different responsibilities and projects. If you have any queries on any subject, do drop me a line at jmb231—a historian can never procrastinate too much.

The spiel above already tells you a lot about my specific duties. I’ll just add that this year I’m working to increase accountability and transparency on the part of the JCR, and ensure all committee members are as proactive as possible. I am a strong supporter of regular JCR reports and more frequent short updates on the latest rumblings/happenings/gossip. I also want to expand the literature available to JCR officers, passing on best practice and time-saving procedures to future committees.

Please remember this is your JCR, representing your views, so do get in touch!

2011–12: President

As JCR President, my role is to lead and coordinate the JCR Committee, working to represent student interests to the College and vice versa. Of course I can only do this if I am in touch with your views, so please do get in touch if you have any questions, concerns, ideas or rants.

My main aims this year are to:

  • Follow through with work done since the Protest Picnic to iron out remaining structural issues with how College manages and communicates student-related issues.
  • Work with College to bolster support for students struggling with rising living costs, and help Access to deal with the fallout around tuition fees.
  • Defend student interests, and ensure our voice is heard, as College pushes through further deficit-reduction measures.
  • Improve Open Meetings (in terms of length and attendance) by publishing background material in advance, using multimedia presentations, enforcing strict guillotines and so on.
  • Review the first year of CUSU disaffiliation, to ensure the arrangement best serves the JCR. Either way, the onus must be on CUSU to prove their worth.
  • Motivate JCR officers, carry out a Committee Structure Review and update the Constitution to ensure the Committee is as efficicent, accountable and proactive as it can and should be.
  • Expand the guidelines and literature available to JCR officers, passing on best practice and time-saving procedures to future Committees. Similarly, continue expanding the utility of the JCR website.

When I’m not doing JCR-related work, I’m a second-year historian with a love of Corpus hockey, an addiction to the Bar sweets and an allergy to lecture attendance. Drop me an email or come find me if you have any queries.