Linacre Common Room
Minutes of the General Meeting held on 25th January 2012 at 7.30pm
1. Minutes of previous meeting
The minutes of the previous general meeting (30th November 2011) were approved as a correct record.
2. Matters arising
Linacre hoodies will be available for collection next week.
3. President's business
(i) The Executive Committee appointed Amy Taylor as Publicity Officer.
(ii) Rob Noble (RN) suggested that the Common Room could organise a Ball alternative for Trinity Term this year, as there is an available budget. This could be in the form of a carnival, festival, show, or something similar. RN noted that this could be organised by the newly elected Executive Committee or a separate working group.
(iii) The 50th Anniversary of College will be celebrated in October and College will hold events to celebrate. There will be a marquee available for our use for one evening/night. Anyone interested should contact RN.
(iv) RN also suggested that Common Room members, particularly PhotoSoc, could create a video tour of College to be posted on the website for prospective students.
4. Green Student’s Update
Environmental Officer, Claire Stockwell (CS), encouraged recycling and informed the Common Room that organic waste would also soon be recycled for those interested. More information will be circulated once College has agreed on details. On behalf of the Green Student, Alex Doukas, CS also announced that there will be a brainstorming session on ‘Reducing energy use at Linacre using fun, creative and visual tools!’ this Monday 31st January 2012, 8- 9.30pm.
5. Welfare Reps
Welfare and Services Secretary, Eleanor James (EJ), announced she would be setting up a working group of students interested in sharing welfare duties. This group would allow EJ to improve the welfare support available to students. The Peer Support Network is awaiting the necessary training.
6. Executive Motion: OUSU re-affiliation.
RN noted that the Common Room (CR) became disaffiliated from the Oxford University Student Union (OUSU) primarily to avoid paying fees, and to express dissatisfaction with OUSU services and representation of graduate students. The financial motive has been negated by a new funding structure that compels the CR to pay fees regardless of affiliation status. Grounds for dissatisfaction have also diminished as OUSU has in recent months made concerted efforts to work with graduate common rooms and to pursue the interests of graduate students. The OUSU President-Elect is a DPhil student overwhelmingly endorsed by graduate common room presidents. Disaffiliation prevents the CR voting in OUSU Council on issues that affect our members and has no benefit to us unless as a protest gesture.
The Common Room resolves to re-affiliate with OUSU immediately.
A vote was called to approve the re-affiliation of the Common Room to OUSU:
In favour- 30
Against- 0
Abstain- 0
The motion passes.
7. Hustings for President, Treasurer, and Secretary
The candidates nominated are: Abdossalam Madkhali for President, Sami Jaffar for Treasurer, and Katie Hsih for Secretary. Returning Officer, Amy Taylor, will announce voting procedures later in the week via email.
8. Any Other Business
None.
9. Date of next meeting
The next CR meeting will be held on Wednesday 1st February 2012, 7.30pm.