JMA Meeting Minutes

19th January 2012

Present:

Ellie Davies- President

Izzie Cheung- Vice President

Seb Goldt- Treasurer

Susannah Odell- Secretary and Communications

Amber Morley- Green Officer

Kellie Tan- Academic Affairs Officer

Grace Carroll- Welfare Officer

Adam Thelwall- Welfare Officer

Rachel Courtenay-Pinfield - Social Steward

Geni Corbett- Charities Officer

Mariel Richards- Women’s Officer

Daisy Luff- President of Amalgamated Sports

Mark Wilkes- Vice-President of Amalgamated Sports

Donald Bogle- Disabilities Officer

Gavin Stevenson- LBGT Officer

Charlotte Mykura- Fitz Bitz

Louis Gibson- Fitz Bitz

Kerry Higgins- Target and Access Officers Daniel Bartholomew- Target and Access Officers

1) Apologies for absence- Izzie Cheung, James McAulay, Alex Howe, Matt Burke, David Leahy.

2) JMA Hoodies- let Izzie know whether you want one by the 24th with your size preference.

3) Superhall- the Annual Geography Dinner is on the 10th so it was agreed that Friday 17th was the best option for the Valentines Superhall. (N.B. Since the meeting Ellie has had to change it to 14TH FEBRUARY). Themes for the Valentines superhall were discussed- weddings from around the world, general pairs of things. Suggested that last year wasn’t enough like a wedding, perhaps there should be white banners, confetti etc... Also there was the idea of a stag night pub crawl. Also Ellie asked if there should be another superhall this term. The general consensus was that the fair-trade one was a success. Ideas- Easter theme?

4) Refresher quiz on Saturday- Kellie needs help for the quiz. The layout of tables is fine. Just a few people are needed to help set up.

5) Website- James wanted to let everyone know he is looking for more things to go up on the new JMA website such as academic links, sports, what’s on etc…

6) Change to First Year accommodation- At a meeting last week it was decided that the college wanted to change A, B and C blocks to en suite (not shower rooms). There were 4 different options including en suite and just showers on the same corridor, an extra floor on top of the current building etc... The general opinion was that the college believes lack of en suites/showers is putting applicants off and in 10/20 years’ time, people won’t be as financially squeezed so will be able to afford it. Other suggestions involved removing one room in each corridor to change to a common room, perhaps more important than a bathroom? At the JMA meeting, the general consensus was that the idea of a communal space would be a good idea for freshers getting to know each other in the early weeks, however in regards to the money aspect, currently the fresher shower rooms aren’t filled and that with other charges e.g. fixed kitchen charge, it would be too expensive. Also others added that other basic updates should be put ahead of this, including changing the layout of the smaller shower rooms, double glazing changing the kitchen, layout so there is more communal open space. In regards to the common room, the consensus was that perhaps one common room per block would be sufficient, especially as there would be fewer rooms on each corridor and rooms might end up being dispersed throughout college, not just in one section for freshers (the college was discussing reduced intake so fewer rooms needed). Rachel added that as students are now paying higher fees they have been demanding better facilities so this is something that might actually be needed.

7) Re:sound- Discussion about the rooms used. There was a general consensus that the layout of the October Re:sound was better than in the past as the Buttery wasn’t being filled before

so seemed empty. It was suggested that the silent disco be in a smaller room, and that only 3 rooms be used, not 4. Also it was noted that the college has specific capacities for each room so these need to be taken into account. In regards to pricing, the Re:sound this time last year had bad turnout due to inconvenient timing, however it was agreed that the price of £5-7 was fine and that some sort of deal could be made, combining 2 events for a better price. (Also Rachel has agreed that the social stewards will clean out the JMA cupboard before Fitz sessions next time).

8) Sports Day with St Edmunds college, oxford- Although the event sadly couldn’t go ahead last year St Edmunds is still interested. There would be football, rugby, netball all kicking off at the same time but it is quite logistically challenging due to times of formals, current league fixtures, accommodation. Daisy suggested it would be over a weekend at the end of term (they finish a week before Cambridge). Daisy asked if formals are allowed on weekends and whether the potential days (10th-11th March) would be very inconvenient as still in our term time. Ellie noted that league fixtures may be rearranged if captains are emailed now, asking early. Perhaps the day could be on Sunday so natural scientists can join in. And as for formals, it is unlikely that we could have one on a Sunday. General consensus was that this was a good idea so Daisy will continue planning.

9) Bop after annual geography dinner- alumni want to have a bop after the annual geog dinner, Kim (president of the Fitzwilliam Geography Society) wants to see if she can have a bop without the JMA being involved or if social stewards can help- she would need the key. Action- Rachel to get in touch with Kim.

10) Charities- Fitz can choose its own charities this year. Geni has sent out an email wanted to ask the JMA for a general opinion about going for Fitz charities or just using the RAG charities. It was agreed that if Fitz had its own there should be a local and national one. It would also allow direct involvement- people might be able to volunteer, go down for an afternoon e.g. DIY for the elderly. Action: Geni will make a make a doodle poll and send it round to students. Also Geni asked if the JMA thought that there would be any support for Skydiving fundraising? If you raise £250-280then ½ or ¾ goes to charity and you get a free skydive. Consensus was that it is a good idea as long as we make it clear what’s happening in regards to money; better than and will raise more money than just dropping money in a bucket.

11) Halfway Hall- 15th February where second years get a free formal with a BOP afterward. The whole JMA have to help out.

Next meeting: Wednesday 25th January, 6:30.