General Meeting – 28th February 2016, 9pm
Apologies: J. Freeman, B. Sheridan
1. Access Roadshow
The JCR Notes:
- Statistics show that the correlation between wealth and quality of education is a severe issue in the UK. For instance, 20-1 are the odds of someone at an independent school of getting a place at Oxbridge before the age of 19. Those odds are 2000-1 for a state educated student who is eligible for free school meals.
- Many potential applicants have misconceptions about Oxford life, be it that we are all posh or that there are enforced curfews and we all have to walk in single-file.
- Many potential applicants miss out on access work as their schools do not believe it is worth the time.
- Three of Magdalen's link areas-- Sheffield, Barnsley and Rotherham-- are located in South Yorkshire.
The JCR Believes:
- The correlation between wealth and quality of education is unfair and should be addressed.
- One of the best ways to address the issues outlined above is by taking access work on the road, in order to both dispel myths and reach applicants who may not have had direct contact with Oxford before.
- The proposedTarget Schools & Magdalen College Roadshowin September 2016 is something that should receive college wide support, both financial and voluntary. .
- That the college should assist with funding the Roadshow.
The JCR Resolves:
- To contribute £200 to the costs of running a week long Roadshow around South Yorkshire, pending the final approval of the Roadshow by college authorities.
- To encourage JCR members who live in or around South Yorkshire to link up with the team delivering the Roadshow throughout the week.
- To mandate the JCR Access and Admissions Trustee and JCR President to encourage as much support from the college office as possible, including additional financial support.
Proposed by Sam Sherburn
Seconded by Nazeerah Akbar
-Target schools sent us a really nice email, happening in a few colleges in their various link regions
-We spoke in Nottingham last year and one applicant got an interview this year from there
-The money is not a lot
-You can stay with SS if you take part in the roadshow and there will be a dinner
-Money will be taken from GM fund
-In clarification: how much will the money given cover? Target schools are organizing funding and College are helping out too. This money is used to cover our expenses
Voting on the motion:
For – 22
Against – 0
Motion Passed with Quorum
2. Saturday GMs.
This JCR notes that:
1. GMs are held on Sunday evenings every two weeks
2. GMs are held in the OKB
3. The OKB is frequently used by formalgoers after dinner on Sundays
4. There is no formal on saturday
5. A saturday GM was held in 5th week of this term and was the only meeting this term to achieve the quorum of 40 voters
6. Section 56 of the constitution stipulates that 4 GMs be held a term, with a week's notice provided, rather than which day of the week they take place on
This JCR believes that:
1. Saturday GMs will not be disrupted by formalgoers
2. Saturday GMs received a successful trial two weeks ago
3. Saturday GMs are less likely to clash with members' dining arrangements
This JCR resolves to:
1. Hold General Meetings on saturdays instead of sundays from now on.
Proposed by: Jack Evans
Seconded by: Sam Sherburn
-More convenient to hold GMs on Saturdays, Sundays are a bigger deal for going out
-Might be better for all concerned, but we wanted to get feedback to see if Saturdays would be as convenient as we think
-In clarifications: what about Bops? Hold them early – world’s most boring predrinks – or co-ordinate so they’re on different weeks
-Could hold GMs in the JCR if necessary
-Saturdays of 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th weeks will be used – this is constitutional
-Points against: predrinking will happen before Bops in JCR
-Would be co-ordinated anyway then
-No-one does anything on a Sunday? The problem is formal – causes disruption
-We could have them early on a Sunday but attendance would be bad as people are dining
-Free drinks can get confusing with bar staff – would make it more efficient
-The previous GM would not be representative because everyone came to see Scilash pass
-Only 5% of the JCR are here tonight – Sundays aren’t working so we could give Saturdays a try. If this is a problem we can revert to Sundays without fanfare
-You can go and be with people on a Sunday so it’s not as bad
-GM is the highlight of my week
-What about reintroducing pizza?
-Moving the GM to Saturday of 1st week gives a week after vac for things immediately arising
-Constitutional measures enough to handle this
-Could we alternate between Saturdays and Sundays to get around regular commitments? We would get a variety of people
Voting on the motion:
For – 9
Against – 10
Motion Failed with Quorum
CPF Applications
Paul de FontReaulx, £287 for audio equipment for a podcast
Being inspired by my nomination for ‘Best Accent’ as ‘Paul the Front Row’, I have decided to create a podcast. It struck me how many people here in Oxford know a lot of stuff, and that this knowledge is currently largely kept in libraries, papers and occasional private conversations. I want to harness this knowledge and broadcast it to a Swedish audience. My idea is to start a regular podcast where I in 30min episodes discuss some theme in philosophy or politics with another person with knowledge in the area (e.g. insightful friends or tutors). The purpose is to have a relaxed conversation where we move from some entrylevel background for anyone to get up to speed and then try to talk our way to more complicated issues. I intend to make it as big and professional as I can, and hopefully to make it one of the most recognized podcasts in Sweden (competition isn’t that stark). Please ask more about the concept in the GM! To do this I need recording equipment, and this is where I ask you for help. In order to host professional sounding interviews I only need two highquality microphones and one 2way mixer. After extensive research I have found the classic Shure SM58 (2x £94) to be the best in terms of quality and versatility for the price by far, and a Focusrite mixer (£99) to be the minimal I can use. All the other equipment I can afford myself, and I therefore apply for a total of £287. Please find the Amazon links below. We all know the world would be a little bit better with the PaulPod (working name), and it would be awesome if you wanted to help me create it. See you soon!
-Bring interesting Oxford conversations to Sweden – no philosophy and politics podcast in Sweden
-PDFR’s teacher got a History podcast to 3rd in the list in Sweden
-Develop through discussions concepts such as the existence of God/consciousness
-Get people into engaging with intelligent debate. Want to be a high ranking podcast within 1 year
-Website and Facebook would support this
-Preparation during vac, podcasts beginning in Trinity
-This money is to get the bare essentials for podcast development which will facilitate this plan
-Questions: podcast in Swedish/English? The majority will be English but all Swedes know English really
-What about buying second hand stuff? Didn’t consider when I wrote the motion but I could press the price, I’d hand any money I can get back to the JCR.
-How integral is it to have a good quality microphone to make a podcast? To make a recognized podcast, yes. Gap between £50 and £100 microphone is large
Monika Mycroft, £600 Violin Course*
I first started to learn to play the violin when I was 5 years old. For 12 years I took violin lessons and musical theory subjects in the Karol Szymanowski Music School in my hometown in Poland. I have performed in numerous concerts and was one of the few chosen students to perform as soloists with the professional orchestra on graduation. I have committed a lot of my time during my years at school to daily practice and travelling to get private lessons with one of the best pedagogues in Poland. When I came to study at Oxford I continued taking violin lessons with a professor from Royal College of Music in London since I am considering applying for a Masters in Performance there after finishing my degree. He has recently offered me a place at the International Violin Mastercourse at Queenswood which he is organising during the Easter vacation. The cost of the course is £600 and includes tuition (4 individual lessons), accommodation and meals. I would like to apply to the Creative Project Fund to cover the cost of this course and travel costs (flight tickets from Poland and back) which I estimate to be around £100 in total. Participation in that course will enable me to improve really fast, make contacts which could help me in the future and help prepare a recital which I plan for next term.
*Monika very kindly accepted the committee’s suggestion to apply for the college travel grant to cover her travelling expenses, meaning her application is now only for £600
-Violin master course takes place this Spring
-Played as soloist with professional orchestra, graded with distinction
-Useful contacts could be obtained
-I have the place but not the money
Jack Solloway, £250 Poetry Pamphlet
I am applying on behalf of several JCR members for £250 to fund a poetry pamphlet written by students at Magdalen. Myself, Lucy Diver and Jack Ashton are putting together a shortrun publication of 100 copies containing modern translations of Old English poems. Nine members of the JCR have expressed an interest in writing for the publication having already produced OE translations. Funding this project will not only benefit the applicants but also jcr members who choose to contribute to the pamphlet. Current estimates have the publication at £250 for 100 A5 booklets of 32 pages long. All of the money donated by the JCR would go towards printing, and having the full amount would allow us to make a truly beautiful book with thick paper, calligraphy in colour, and professional binding, rather than just another student zine. This would make a lasting object, something members of the JCR and the public might wish to own and treasure. Calligraphy sample cred. Jack Ashton
-80-100 professionally bound copies for £250
-Need writers and publicity from the JCR talent pool
-Investment isn’t in an individual or a scheme which could acquire funding from other schemes
-Publication could go to JCR members for free/JCR could be reimbursed for the investment/go to charity
-10-12 members involved alongside Jack
-Aim is to make a really beautiful object to be proud to have on your bookshelf – not another ‘awful’ student zine. Made enough of those already
-If you like translation, invest in this. It’s gonna be awesome
Sam Norman and Ella McCarthy, £700 a musical
Ella McCarthy and I would like to apply for £700 to take our new musical, Pawn, to the Edinburgh Festival. The money will go towards funding our venue (total cost: £1560), the Jade Studio at Greenside Venues. We think this application is worthy on the grounds that: a) our project is a multidisciplinary art form, grounded in music, writing and theatre; b) it is Magdalencentric, as Ella and I are both Magdalenite firstyears; c) the funding will be used in a totally transparent and crucial way; d) Edinburgh productions tend to be expensive, so utilising every avenue of funding is essential. ‘Pawn’ tells the bitter and bizarre tale of the 1978 World Chess Championship. It is an entirely original musical: I wrote the words and lyrics, Aaron King (Hertford College) wrote the score. Ella is the director, and, having been to Edinburgh before, is taking care of a large part of the production side as well. A full script is available upon request. We have created a budget, which estimates that the total cost will be £5,416. The bulk of this is made up by venue (£1,560) and accommodation (£2930, although reduced to £830 after contributions from cast and crew). Other costs include a registration fee, production, marketing, travel and contingency. A full budget is available upon request. The £700, if granted, will go towards meeting the venue cost. This leaves no room for waste and is clearly essential. Although it is only a small part of £5,416, it is one of the biggest blocks of funding we are likely to receive and crucial to our purposes. Thank you very much.
-I’m here to talk to you about pawn, it’s given so much joy to us over the last few months and we want it to give joy to so many more people
-Fringe is horrifically difficult and expensive process
-Venue is integral, no room for waste or spending on things we don’t need
-Budget has changed since the preces, down to £2800, we’ve eliminated travel costs
-About a fascinating part of chess history
-Already begged, borrowed and stolen the rest of the money – sunk costs, we will go ahead with this
-We will send the JCR a music clip
-Magdalen Players doesn’t fund Oxford events, but we’ll apply with them in MT 2016 as we perform in Oxford
-A grant from the JCR would be invaluable
-15th-24th August this year, if you are in Edinburgh please come and watch pawn with us
Grace ConnollyLinden, £650, Printing Press
CPF Application: Etching Press: £650 This bid is part of a long‐term project to set up a small print studio in the garage of my house. This studio would be primarily for my own use, and for my grandpa who is also a printing enthusiast, and anyone else who’d like to join in. I’ve worked it out, and buying a press and equipment for myself would cost less over time than becoming a member of another print studio, or going on a course. I’d use the studio to make work, which would bring me a lot of creative freedom & also go towards a portfolio for an application for a master’s degree in Fine Art. I’d also use the press for creative projects centred on Oxford – for exhibitions, zines, submitting to student publications, Magdalen art events etc. I’ve done a lot of research and it is possible to purchase a good‐size tabletop etching presses for around £650. I’ve been saving up myself for the extra costs – blankets, plates, inks, rollers – but it’d be amazing if the JCR could help me to buy the press itself. I’ve attached pictures of my previous artwork here; it’d make me super happy to be able to go on making art, and I’d be very grateful if the JCR could help me out buying this printing press.
-Woo!
-Hand printing is so much better on tabletop. Strange request but it’s a lovely way to make art. Niche and for slightly eccentric people like me to keep going and the JCR to fund
-Art would be used for university publications and exhibitions and projects in which I have involvement
-Marvellous process to get to know, I’d love to do this more
-Question: what happens to the press when you leave College? I’d set up a studio at home but the work would be used for projects here
-Is this the fruition of a long process? I did an art foundation before I came here and want to continue with a Masters in Fine Art, I really enjoy it
Tom Lear, £400 Comedy Troupe
Rambling Nonsense is a new comedy duo comprising Magdalenites Ben Kybett and Tom Lear. We’ve been acting and writing together, mainly under the auspices of the Oxford University Light Entertainment Society for the last couple of years, and would like to launch our productions semi‐professionally. Between us, we’ve been in 13 comedy productions over the last three years. Together we also wrote the script for the OULES highly successful Michaelmas 2015 show, Fairest of them All, which sold over 200 tickets over its three nights, and raised several hundred pounds for charity. We will also be taking a high‐concept comedy play called Three Layers of Meta and a Time Machine to Edinburgh this year with the Questing Voles production company. The funding the JCR arts fund could provide would be absolutely invaluable to us in getting us off the ground, particularly in funding our first production, scheduled for Michaelmas 2016. This is planned as a two‐person sketch show; it will be written and performed by us, but we will also be looking for a director and technical assistant, and possibly producer, to shape it, positions for which Magdalen members are certainly welcome to apply! The money would be used to hire a venue, pay for advertising and the rest of the production costs, after which our projects will hopefully be more or less self‐financing. Any money left over, and profits made would be used to fund future projects. For more information, please see our new website ramblingnonsense.co.uk or go to our Facebook page. Bid breakdown: Item Cost Venue hire £200 Advertising £150 Production costs (props, costumes etc.) £50 Total £400
-Sketch show in MT 2016 in Oxford – more entertaining if it’s a surprise
-We’ll be silly, you come and see it, it will be fun
-Need producer and technical assistant to keep us vaguely in order
Rupert Stonehill, £250, DJ controller
I would be very grateful for £250 towards buying some DJ controller decks, (the exact model I'm hoping to buy is the NI Traktor Kontrol S2 MK2) which will considerably help me in my aspirations to become a college DJ. As Entz rep, these decks would be available at all BOPS for anyone wishing to have a go and would, I hope, encourage others to give DJing a try. Personally at the moment, I can only DJ using electronic softwares on my laptop (fun but very limiting), but with this controller I will be able to make my own music, experiment, and in time, hopefully be able to get DJ work at some of the clubs around Oxford. I was fortunate enough to DJ at the Oxford Union Ball earlier this term and I was able to use the decks there and practice, but in all honesty, I really need decks in college in order to practise and develop my skills. Many Thanks!