What is the JCR?
The JCR, shortened from Junior Common Room, is the undergraduate student body in Trevelyan. See What is the JCR? for more information.
How do I get involved?
There are a million and one ways you can get involved in the JCR. You can join societies, sports clubs or committees, vote in the elections to decide who runs the JCR and even set up your own team/ society if it doesn’t already exist! See How do I get involved? for much more information.
Who do I talk to?
That depends what you want to know!
Generally the Exec are a good place to start if you want to know about the running of college. Each member of the Exec has a different role, so check out the Exec page and see who might be most appropriate to ask a question to. If you’re not sure, then email the JCR President on trevelyan.president@durham.ac.uk and if he doesn’t know he’s likely to know who will know.
During freshers’ week in first year you’ll be assigned a ‘Frep’ – Freshers’ Rep. They can be a good point of contact throughout your time in college.
If it’s about a club or society, check out the Clubs and Societies page and you can find details about each club or society there.
What is a JCR Meeting?
Every 2-3 weeks during term there is a JCR meeting in the bar. This is your chance to keep up to speed with what’s going on in college and debate it.
You’ll have reports from the Exec and other elected positions to hear about important things going on. It’s also a way of making these people accountable and making sure that they do the things they should be doing – the things they’ve been elected to do. Once a year, the accounts are also presented.
You then have motions, which are a way of getting things done. Some can feel pretty boring – e.g. motion on approving the constitution (which is amended every year) – but others can be really important and have a noticeable effect on the running of college – e.g. a recent motion to have a second Welfare Officer (rather than one and an assistant).
Finally there are hustings. If you’re not sure what one is, check out the section below on hustings. You can therefore come and give your friends a bit of moral support when they hust – that way they’ll come see you if you have to hust for something!
JCR meetings can last anywhere from 45 mins to 2 hours, depending on what’s on the agenda.
What is a Manifesto?
If you stand for any elected positions you’ll have to submit a manifesto. They generally outline who the candidate is, why they would be suitable in the role and what their policies are.
Depending on which ‘Tier’ the position is, there’ll be different maximum word counts.Tier 1 positions (the Exec or Student Trustees) have a manifesto of up to 150 words, while Tier 2 and 3 positions typically are 50 words – see the Standing Orders for more details. Manifestos are displayed on the Cobbles and on the JCR website.
People standing for a committee only have to submit a manifesto, but all others have to hust as well.
What is a Hust?
A hust is done by someone standing for a JCR position. They involve the candidates standing up, giving a speech on why they are right for the job and taking questions. Most husts happen in JCR meetings, but the Exec husts usually happen in formals to make sure that more people hear them.
What is Canvassing?
Canvassing is done by candidates running for Exec positions. They come round all the rooms providing an opportunity for JCR members to grill them on the manifesto before voting for or against them in the election!
The candidates have about 5 days to try and get round everyone before voting begins, so take pity on them! You also then get to hear them hust.