JCR Committee Hustings Minutes Meeting on 25.11.2021 at 19:00 UK time ________________ Agenda Agenda 2 0. Administrative matters 4 1. Vice President 4 1.1. Speech from Vice President Candidate - George Stokes (GSt) 4 1.2 Questions for Vice President Candidates 5 2. Treasurer 6 2.1 Speech from Treasurer Candidate - Edward Hilditch (EH) 6 2.2 Speech from Treasurer Candidate - James O’Garro (JOG) 7 2.3 Questions for Treasurer Candidates 9 3. Secretary 10 3.1 Speech from Secretary Candidate - Jacob Hougie (JH) 10 3.2 Speech from Secretary Candidate - Erik Olsson-Ferrer (EOF) 11 3.3 Questions for Secretary Candidates 12 4. Academic and Access Officer 13 4.1 Speech from Academic and Access Officer Candidate - Leroy Joseph Philbrook (LJP) 13 4.2 Speech from Academic and Access Officer Candidate - James Walker (JW) 14 4.3 Questions for Academic and Access Officer Candidates 15 5. Green Officer 16 5.1 Speech from Green Officer Candidate - Kitty Joyce (KJ) 16 5.2 Questions for Green Officer Candidates 17 6. Catering, Accommodation and Facilities (CAF) Officer 17 6.1 Speech from CAF Officer Candidate - Malachi Gee (MG) 17 6.2 Speech from CAF Officer Candidate - Yifei Zheng (YZ) 18 6.3 Speech from CAF Officer Candidate - Daniel Starkey (DS) 19 6.4 Questions of CAF Officer Candidates 21 7. Welfare Officers 22 7.1 Speech from Welfare Officer Candidate - Vasilisa Grachova (VG) 22 7.2 Speech from Welfare Officer Candidate - Anna Gungaloo (AG) 23 7.3 Speech from Welfare Officer Candidate - Ben Palmer-Welch (BPW) 23 7.4 Speech from Welfare Officer Candidate - Keelan Shorten (KS) 25 7.5 Questions of Welfare Officer Candidates 27 8. Sports and Societies Officer 29 8.1 Speech from Sports and Societies Officer Candidate - Matthew Wadey (MW) 29 8.2 Questions for Sports and Societies Officer Candidates 30 9. Entertainments (Ents) Officer 30 9.1. Speech from Ents Officer Candidate - Gosia Szakowska (GSz) 30 9.2 Questions for Ents Officer Candidates 31 10. Disabled Students’ Officer (DSO) 31 10.1. DSO Candidate - Claire Collins (CC) 31 10.2 Questions for DSO Candidates 33 11. Ethnic Minorities (BME) Officer 33 11.1 Speech from BME Officer Candidate - Muhammad Mahmoud (MM) 33 11.2 Speech BME Officer Candidate - Freddie Sehgal (FS) 34 11.3 Questions for BME Officer Candidates 35 12. International Students’ Officer 36 12.1 Speech from International Students’ Officer Candidate - Perrin Ford (PF) 36 12.2 Speech from International Students’ Officer Candidate - Nevethita Baskar (NB) 37 12.3 Questions for International Students’ Officer Candidates 37 13. LGBT+ Officer 39 13.1. LGBT+ Officer Candidate - Emma Gibson (EG) 39 13.2 Questions for LGBT+ Officer Candidates 40 14. Gender Equalities Officer 41 14.1 Speech from Gender Equalities Officer Candidate - Lucy Trusler (LT) 41 14.2 Questions for Gender Equalities Officer Candidates 42 15. AOB 42 ________________ ________________ 0. Administrative matters Hustings start at 19:10. Zachary Aw (ZA) introduces the hustings and explains the running order of the hustings, as well as the guidelines for the speeches and questions. ________________ 1. Vice President 1.1. Speech from Vice President Candidate - George Stokes (GSt) Evening everyone, I’m George, a third year hispol, and I’m hoping to demonstrate to you why I’d make a good JCR Vice President. I’ve been on the JCR over the last year, and probably interacted with most of you in that capacity over this time. I’ve built up strong relationships with College staff – including management like the Domus Bursar, Bursar and Senior Tutor, but also those staff who make such a big difference to our lives at Corpus – the porters, bedders, and catering staff. I have shown in this time that I can be persuasive: from getting the heating turned on early this term, to making more formals with more people able to go to each last term, to helping convince college successfully to go back on their announced plans to reduce the number of rooms available on short lease, pricing some students out. I have also delivered in other ways – for example the new system for borrowing camp beds has meant they’re finally more than the running joke they were in my first year. As VP, I’d have to be more than a good negotiator however. I’d be responsible for running the room ballot. Last year, I was on the Room Ballot Subcommittee and I’ve recognised the strength of feeling behind introducing some form of group balloting to create a system where students have some control over who we live with. I’ve been through two room ballots –= and both times, I found it a really stressful experience. The system as it is deliberately makes it hard for us to live with our friends, so artificially trying to do this within the current system is inevitably stressful. I’d target this, both by keeping up the excellent work Kit has done in putting pressure on college to change this system, and also by offering support to students during the ballot period and hosting a drop-in to try and de-mystify the process. As VP, I’d also be head of the welfare body. I want to make sure that student welfare is always the top priority in our discussions with college – especially as we’re still coming out of the pandemic and it has taken its toll in some way for many if not most of us. This means pushing college to put more resources into getting students the support we need when we need it – including having more availability with a counsellor than the current situation where Terri only works two days a week, and it can take quite a while to get a slot. I also fully support the President in her plans to enhance the range of support available, and to advocate for better handling of sexual misconduct so that students can be confident that they go to a college where their concerns will be taken seriously. I should finally say that Freshers’ Week is one of the VP’s important responsibilities. I am a third year, so I won’t be here in Michaelmas 2022. This means there’ll be a by-election, and perhaps this is an inconvenience, but it is also an opportunity for there to be a campaign centred around Freshers’ Week. I hope this will bring some creative ideas to the fore, and my successor would have my full support in handover and in planning for this. Thanks for listening! 1.2 Questions for Vice President Candidates Question from Alex Mann (AM): Given that all candidates are graduating this year, and considering the major role of the VP in helping with Freshers’ Week, the Room Ballot and SU Debate, how can you justify your candidacy? GSt: I will run the Room Ballot, for which I am qualified having been CAF Officer and being on the Room Ballot sub-Committee. I would also disagree that the CSU debate is a major task of the VP. Question from Jamie Charles (JC): Favourite meal in Hall? GSt: Enchiladas, which have not been seen this term. I have been lobbying for their return.[1] Question from AM: What is your proposed group balloting system? GSt: The system proposed by the Room Ballot sub-Committee would be a good idea. Using the term group balloting is a no-no, but the ideas from the sub-committee can be brought before the Senior Tutor with an open mind. ________________ 2. Treasurer[2] 2.1 Speech from Treasurer Candidate - Edward Hilditch (EH) Hi! I’m Ed, a first year mathmo, and am running to be your JCR treasurer. As a mathmo, I would hope I have the numerical skills required for this position – building the excel, recording inflows and outflows etc – but also, unlike a mathmo, I think I have sufficient social interaction skills to make an effective committee member. I believe I would work well with any of the other candidates, which is vital given the Treasurer has to work with all other committee positions to figure out funds, and that I have the work ethic, diligence and attention to detail for this position. I also don’t have loads on next term - I mean, I am a Fresher - so should be able to devote lots of time to being an amazing treasurer. A bit more about me and why I’d make a good treasurer. I do have experience in this area. I am well versed in general accountancy practices, having, unironically, done internships and read books about accountancy.[3] Furthermore, at my old school, I ran various societies and events with budgets of up to £40k and so am used to dealing with large budgets and ensuring equitable, and efficient, distribution, as well as liaising with banks, accountants and handling invoices Enough about me, now a bit about what I’d do as Treasurer. Perhaps most importantly, I will ensure equitable and efficient distribution of funds. I’ll always be willing to listen to others and hear others’ propositions and proposals and I’ll make sure to constantly review where the money is going, to make sure that it is being used for the right things and being spent efficiently. I also want to continue to improve transparency about the decision making process – which can often seem like it happens behind a bit of a smoke screen - and where money is ending up, so that anyone will be able to make suggestions and comments about how money could be better spent, such as the JCR’s purchase of a new punt,[4] which could have had better democratic participation, although this may be an issue with the JCR’s engagement in general. Similarly, I’ll aim to improve participation in the decision-making process around how any spare cash is spent. I’ll try to get more people engaged with these issues to make sure spare cash is being spent on the stuff all of us want. Finally, I will meticulously and promptly compile budget records, as I hope I have convinced you, and make the budget as accessible and available as possible, again to improve transparency around the budget. Thank you. 2.2 Speech from Treasurer Candidate - James O’Garro (JOG) I would like to thank you all for attending these hustings and to you, Edward, I hope that you have had a most pleasant first term here. The term of our current treasurer, Annie Huang, a third year NatSci, is drawing to a close. It is to this end that I now seek your support in my elevation to her role. But why vote for me? Why not vote for Mr Hilditch, who does so many great things as he has made out? Why should you trust me with your money? Growing up in Yorkshire,[5] in a poor household, my mother always taught me the value of budgeting and accounting. Despite all the hurdles, through smart budgeting and solid decision making she managed to allow us to not only survive but thrive. These are the skills she passed down to me: budgeting, accountability, and getting stuff. Secondly, my slogan “a natural scientist. the natural choice” highlights simply the vast amount of transferable skills that justify my elevation to this role. I am great with Excel spreadsheets and programming after a full year of boring work with practicals and reading research papers. I am great with Maths as I have already demonstrated with my Grade 6 in my KS2 Maths SATS[6] and my miraculous completion of Maths B. And I am confident that I can be greater still with your vote. It is for these reasons and many more besides that your vote for me would be a wise one. But what are my policies? What would I actually do as your Treasurer? What would you gain with me and not any other potential candidate? The answer is clear. I admire his “policies,” and yet these ideals of transparency, communication and attention to detail are already the current demands of the Treasurer position. In stark contrast, I propose policies that truly resonate with the college at large. I propose an intense review of both the rise in rent and the Kitchen Fixed Charge that affects the poorest students, such as myself, the hardest. I propose a greater investment in the societies people wish funded. In conclusion, I wish to thank you all for attending and for listening to me and my opponent discuss our plans for the Treasury.[7] I hope that in these brief few minutes I have expressed my competencies and plan for this role. I mean, who else could you trust with your money but me, a natural scientist, the natural choice? 2.3 Questions for Treasurer Candidates Question from Oliver Ross (OR): Both candidates mention their prior experiences in handling cash and Maths, but what have you actually learnt from those experiences? What have you actually learnt?[8] JOG: I have learnt how to format spreadsheets well and make sure that the products of the Treasury are transparent. EH: I have learnt important technical skills, such as how to do invoices properly and know how accountants do their job, i.e. by being meticulous and accurate. The policies are based on skills of listening and encouraging participation. Question from Leroy Joseph Philbrook (LJP): If I gave you £100, what would you spend it on? EH: I would ask the student body what they would like me to spend the money on, as I mentioned that I would listen to student viewpoints in my speech.[9] JOG: Personally, I would buy Nerf guns.[10] But I would also look at what the JCR would like to buy. Question from Jamie Charles (JC): How will you make sure that you keep your life as a student and Treasurer separate? JOG: The Treasurer must make sure to separate their roles and ensure that they are representing the JCR properly by acting impartial. EH: This kind of question is a big reason why I would increase transparency, as only one person is in charge of budgeting at the moment. The present concentration of the responsibilities and opaque decision-making could be improved, which would reduce any concerns about bias. Point of Information (POI) ZA: The JCR’s financial powers are not concentrated in the hands of merely the Treasurer, rather the budget has to be approved in Open Meetings and one-off-purchases have to be approved by the Committee. EH: Points stands, citing the lack of participation in the punt meeting. There were not three hundred people there.[11] ________________ 3. Secretary 3.1 Speech from Secretary Candidate - Jacob Hougie (JH) I'm Jacob and I'm running to be your secretary. I want to keep this short and sweet First, why I want to be Secretary: I have only been here for a term, I am a first year, but I have fallen in love with Corpus - I will die on the hill that Corpus is the best College[12] and I believe I have the dedication to the College and to be your Secretary. I want to give back to the College. Second, experience. Mostly as part of two organisations : RYC, a parish youth council, and BBYO, a youth organisation that I helped to run. As an "admin" and a "secretary" of those organisations, I have experience with minutes, and experience in newsletters and letters, as well as communication with the public and members of youth organisations as well as councillors and MPs. As JZA, secretary and chair, and so I have experience on committees, which will be useful for the organisational role of Secretary. Third, some personal characteristics.I actually enjoy writing minutes.[13] I am quite an organised and effective person - basically measure my self-worth in efficiency. I can't touch type, but I can type by touch.[14] In short, I have the dedication, experience and characteristics to be a good secretary and I hope you agree. I hope I have convinced you and I would urge you all to vote Jacob for Secretary! 3.2 Speech from Secretary Candidate - Erik Olsson-Ferrer (EOF) Hi everyone, I’m Erik, I'm a first year and study the rigorous subject of MML so have the time to be your secretary. Prior to the hustings, whilst as Revs last night, I was dared by an unnamed individual deliver this speech in the style of scary Rachel from X Factor[15] but for obvious reasons I chose not to do so and also because I’m lazy at the moment… So why do I want to be your JCR Secretary? Despite only having been at Corpus for a term, I’ve already come to love college and the community, and I’d like to get more involved, and I believe JCR Secretary would be the best way to do so. I like to think that I’m very organised – my French translation teacher may say otherwise – but I think that I have the skills and experience necessary to be Secretary. At my school, within my remit as Deputy Head Boy, I was one of the chairs of school parliament and the sixth form committee, representing the views of the 900-strong student body, so I have a fair bit of experience in organising and chairing committees similar to the JCR. I was also one of the editors of my school’s weekly newspaper and I think the skills I acquired doing that, editing, and writing articles, will transfer to the Core-pore-re-all. Which I’m really keen to maintain the high standard of whilst also adding my own spin on it. As JCR Secretary, it is also very important for me to communicate what the JCR is discussing in a concise manner 3.3 Questions for Secretary Candidates Question from JC: What would you add and what would you take away from the Corporeal? EOF: I hear the puzzles are very popular, so if Dom will teach me how to make them, I would keep the puzzles,[16] but would probably make the editions shorter.[17] JH: I would add more information about what is going on within College, such as Monday’s menus, perhaps a bit more ‘spice of life’.[18] I would take away nothing, as I have run out of time. Question from Ben Palmer-Welch (BPW): I can find long emails inaccessible as I have a learning disability, so how would you make JCR documentation more accessible? EOF: I would be more concise, as can be seen in my manifesto, and perhaps not be verbose.[19] JH: I would summarise the key information of the JCR documentation at the start, as I have done in previous admin roles. Question from AM: The Secretary has to ensure that the Constitution is followed, have you read the Constitution and what are the problems with it? POI (JC): Are we talking about the current Constitution or future Constitution? AM: Either. JH: I have read both, quickly. As for the biggest constitutional challenge, I foresee this as being the adjustment to the changes to the new Constitution. EOF: I have not read the Constitution, but I will endeavour to do so after the event and will pass my answer on then. ________________ 4. Academic and Access Officer 4.1 Speech from Academic and Access Officer Candidate - Leroy Joseph Philbrook (LJP) Hi everyone, and happy Bridgemas! My name is Leroy, but I also go by Joe, and I am running for Access officer. To tell you a little bit about myself, I’m a second year Archeologist - yes we do exist - which means since coming to Cambridge I’ve been digging holes and licking dirt. I am a big fan of films and theatre (I’ve seen Wicked 4 times, although I am not sure whether this is a good or a bad thing) and during term time, if I am not staring blankly at an unwritten essay, I can be found fuelling my addiction for young adult fantasy fiction. I’ve wanted to run for Access Officer for the past year, and during that time I’ve thrown myself into as many access-related events as I possibly could, such as tours, interviews, and masterclasses. I think, as Access Officer, I could continue to apply that enthusiasm and passion from a much better position and build upon all the excellent access work that Jamie and the rest of the access team has done so far. What can I possibly do to improve access? I’ve split my main goals into three groups. The first goal of my Access work would be to continue the success of the Bridging Course, by expanding its scope within Cambridge. Despite Corpus pioneering in the successful Bridging Course, other Colleges have jumped on the bandwagon. I know for a fact that King’s, Caius and Christ’s are working together for their Bridging Courses for the next few years, for instance. My aim would be to, alongside relaxing Covid restrictions, to focus on working with the Bridging Courses of other Colleges to develop a wider access network through events such as a Bridging Course swap. The second goal is to promote Corpus’ role as a leading access College. We must work with the CSU Shadowing Scheme and work with other organisations, such as Oxbridge Conferences. The third goal is to increase student interaction within the College - although there are 60 members of Heidi’s Helpers, only three or four people came forward. I will end with my slogan: Yo, vote Joe![20] 4.2 Speech from Academic and Access Officer Candidate - James Walker (JW) Hello besties, I am James, a second year Historian from a small mining village in the middle of Scotland. I am the current LGBT+ Officer on the JCR and I am running to be the next Access Officer. I have always been passionate about access and as Access Officer, I would work more closely with the Liberation Officers as their remits are interconnected with access. For instance, we could hold discussions forums or meetings with the other Liberation Officers[21] to make sure that intersectionality is promoted. The social media presence of Corpus needs to be expanded, such as through Twitter and Instagram, making sure that people know that the College is one concerned with access. The Bridging Course has improved, but needs further improvement and I would be well-suited to do this. I also support the plan of the President-elect to create a Class Act Officer, due to the increasing number of incoming students that identify as being working class, and this needs to be recognised institutionally. As for why I would be a good fit, I have been on the Bridging Course, have helped with access events and schemes such as the CSU Shadowing Scheme, have experience on committees from school, and already have experience on the JCR.[22] 4.3 Questions for Academic and Access Officer Candidates Question from Temitope Idowu (TI): Access to information about access to Cambridge is lacking in state schools, so what would you do to improve this? JW: This can be improved with the improvement of our social media presence; we can make it clearer on the website and ensure that our general social media presence reflects the reality of the College and University. LJP: It is important that not just information about the University, but information about the University’s perception is put out there. Outreach directed to schools is how this can be remedied. Question from James O’Garro (JOG): How would you work with fellows, such as the great Dr. Charles Read, to improve the Bridging Course? JW: I have a good relationship with Charles Read, especially as he supervised me, and so I would be in a good position to work with him, to make sure that changes to the Bridging Course that need to be made can be made. LJP: Although I am not besties with Charles Read like James, having bumped into Charles Read in Newnham in my pink dressing gown, I would feel comfortable in working with him, and other staff to ensure that change can happen in Corpus. Question from JC: What key skills are important to be a part of the access team? JW: Ultimately, you need a passion for access, alongside skills such as communication and working with others to that end. LJP: Enthusiasm and passion are the top skills - these skills can make change happen, but of particular importance are also interpersonal skills, considering that at Cambridge we are all in a position to organise well. ________________ 5. Green Officer 5.1 Speech from Green Officer Candidate - Kitty Joyce (KJ) Hi, I am Kitty and I am the first person today who has not prepared a speech.[23] This boundary-breaking spirit will be brought to the role. Why do I want to be Green Officer? I lie awake at night, afraid of our impending doom in the future climate crisis and would like to try and improve things in College. I am making no promises,[24] but I would like to change a few things. First, would be adding food waste bins, which can probably be done by the end of the year. Secondly, I would bring back the Corpus Environmental Society which seemed to fold, as many things did, during the pandemic. I have some ideas as to what this could be: it could be academic, with workshops and the like, or it could be meeting in the JCR and planting seeds in pots. I want to hear from you about what this will be. 5.2 Questions for Green Officer Candidates Question from Lachlan Chavasse (LC): How will you make sure people will use the bins? KJ: The bins could be on a trial basis. But I would try to communicate with people, such as with posters or emails, if students read them.[25] Question from OR: Negotiating with the College is difficult, but how will you do this? KJ: I am the only one here, and sure, I’d try. Question from JC: If people do not respond to your emails, how would you make sure that things get done? KJ: I would go to their rooms in person, if they were accessible, or I would keep emailing until they get annoyed. ________________ 6. Catering, Accommodation and Facilities (CAF) Officer[26] 6.1 Speech from CAF Officer Candidate - Malachi Gee (MG) I am a first year Historian, which translates to saying that I have nothing to do with my time. Although I do not have CAF-specific experience, I have worked as the MD of a student company and so I have financial and bureaucratic experience, as well as some catering. As CAF officer, I believe I would work well - I have frequent meetings with key figures in College, such as the porters and the Domus Bursar, so I am familiar with many of the staff. Regarding my goals as CAF officer, from my own viewpoint I have the catering options available limited, due to my disabilities. I would want to work with the DSO and BME Officer to ensure that catering facilities were available considering their religious requirements or limitations of their disabilities. I would like to focus on the Pelican Bar, which is a major issue from a student point of view - this even concerns small things which could turn an alien and awful space[27] into one which is more accessible and entertaining. Anything which I do will be with the support of the student body and I would listen to any and all suggestions. I also will make sure that GSt’s enchiladas[28] are available. 6.2 Speech from CAF Officer Candidate - Yifei Zheng (YZ) I have had quite a bit of mulled wine, so apologies if I am a bit gone. I am Yifei, a second year Historian, and here is why I am running for CAF Officer. A year ago I was a Fresher. It was a crisp November morning and I woke up bracing myself for an experience that many of you would know as nothing short of genuine euphoria: an online supervision with Charles Read. Reading through my essay feedback, I saw that my argument had been torn about in just four words: “what about the potato”.[29] My motivation for becoming a CAF officer is that I know history is littered with corpses of those who failed to take seriously those who were dissatisfied living conditions and after talking with George Stokes over Facebook Messenger two weeks ago, I now know how important the CAF role is to Corpus. As you will see in my manifesto which I forgot to name and which you probably haven’t read, I have a number of policies: 1. Improve catering offerings: I would like to diversify the options available at Corpus, including the vegan[30] options, extending opening hours and bringing back more formals. 2. Decolonising menus: I am excited to work with the BME Officer to ensure that ethnic diversity is represented in the catering, marking major cultural events, and supporting students with specific dietary requirements during times like Ramadan.[31] 3. Data driven feedback: I would like to improve feedback with regular means of feedback, considering specific areas such as the Kitchen Fixed Charge and laundry charges. 6.3 Speech from CAF Officer Candidate - Daniel Starkey (DS) Hi everyone! So for those of you who don’t know me, I’m Daniel, and I’m a second year student studying Hispol. There is something of a Hispol theme for this position. So, as CAF officer I’d like to address things in all 3 categories covered by the position; namely, catering, accommodation and facilities. So, in catering, something I’d really like to address is the gauging of food quantities, because I feel like I’ve had too many experiences of going to hall to find that something has either run out or that there’s a really long wait. And I think we could do this through running surveys among students to see what’s proven very popular in the past, as well as getting catering to make a note of particularly popular items, and then use this to make sure that there’s enough of these things made in future. Similarly, I think we could also do with more opportunities to give feedback and make suggestions on what food we’d like to see and what things we’re less keen on, and ensuring that students’ opinions on hall food are listened to. Something I’d also like to work on, particularly with the JCR green officer, is ensuring that hall food ingredients are as responsibly sourced as possible, while of course trying to avoid pushing up costs. And, a pretty obvious thing; you all knew I was gonna say it: formals. As I’m sure we all do, I really want to see a return of some sort of regular formal hall service. And even if it’s only possible to have them monthly or every two weeks I think it’s really important to get them back, since they’re such a special and fun part of college life, while of course bearing in mind the capacities and wellbeing of our amazing catering staff. Of course, the role isn’t just catering officer; we need to put the ‘AF’[32] in ‘CAF’ as well. And so something I really want to see is better insulation of rooms and the fixing of windows, not only to make rooms more comfortable but also more eco-friendly. I say this having had to pester maintenance last Michaelmas to fix my very draughty and broken windows, and I think the condition of things like this should be checked by college on a more regular basis. I’d also like to discuss the possibility of letting students have heating on in their rooms during the daytime, or at least make electric heaters more widely available, to make rooms more comfortable for those who prefer to, or have to, work in their rooms during the day. A big thing I’d like to see improved in the Taylor library is the lighting, as well as provision of plugs, since at the moment a lot of work spaces are quite gloomy, and several don’t have access to plug sockets. And one final thing is that I’d like to see more seating for the JCR room since it never feels to me like there’s enough, and possibly more for the Pelican Bar as well. Ironically, I am saying this on the day that college has been meeting with an architecture firm to discuss longer-term plans for Corpus accommodation and facilities, and obviously as CAF officer I would want to play a big part in that and ensure that the process runs smoothly and that student voices are the number one priority in it. So, thank you all for listening, and I hope you’ll consider voting for me for CAF officer! 6.4 Questions of CAF Officer Candidates Question from TI: As someone with allergies, I tend to struggle with the options available for me; how would you improve options? MG: I have disabilities myself and want to make sure that no member of the College does not have to go without food, even if I have to personally argue with the catering staff. YZ: Regular fora would be needed to ensure that student views about food can be heard, and make sure that there is proper labelling, without the risk of cross-contamination. DS: Agree with MG and YZ, so support the forum idea to make sure that allergies within the College are known and can be avoided in food. Question from OR: You have talked about what you would add or improve, but what would you remove? YZ: A lot of CAF is very good already, but I would look into prices most of all, as the prices seem to be unfair, at times.[33] DS: Agree with YZ, insofar as the prices can be made more reasonable and not disproportionate. MG: Agrees with YZ and DS on pricing. Being more philosophical, it would be good to have better ethernet and camp bed access to make sure that we get what we pay for. Question from Ben Cliff (BC): Would you consider getting rid of brunch for another formal on Sunday? DS: Yes, variety is good, even if I appreciate brunch on both days of the weekend. MG: I don’t particularly like brunch,[34] but if a formal was wanted more than another brunch, this is something which needs to be discussed with the students. YZ: Corpus should be gaining a new chef, so pre-pandemic catering capacity should return, so this might not be an issue.[35] ________________ 7. Welfare Officers 7.1 Speech from Welfare Officer Candidate - Vasilisa Grachova (VG) Hello, I am Vasilisa, an HSPSer and I do not leave the Library because of it. I became passionate about Welfare last year, having considered the role that they played for me personally, last year. I would like to be the Welfare Officer that I could be. I would like to do Welfare Masterclasses, bringing in professionals in the field of mental health that can help us with our long-term behaviours and how we treat ourselves from within, in the long-term. I would like to build a wider Welfare network, working with University organisations such as the UCS and DRC, so that we can better signpost support to students. In the same vein, I would work with other JCR Officers, considering the tailored needs of specific groups, rather than applying a universal standard of welfare for all. I would like to expand what happens at ParTeas, such as by adding more creative things. 7.2 Speech from Welfare Officer Candidate - Anna Gungaloo (AG) I have also not written a speech and I have a manifesto that no-one has seen, as I had Bridgemas formal and forgot to send it. Although I have only been here a term, I am familiar with the Welfare provision and know how it could be changed to help people more. For instance, the Porters could be better equipped to deal with mental health difficulties, considering specific instances of interaction with the Porters. I would also like to work with the CAF Officer to make sure that people with ED’s can have proper access to food. I would also like to add another counsellor to the College, and would love to have anti-anxiety meditation groups, which would be useful considering the stresses of Cambridge. I would also like to draw specific attention to alcoholism, considering my own personal experience during the first four weeks of term - there needs to be better access to proper help, as College did not really seem where to go. I would make sure that ParTeas are well stocked, I do not sleep, and would work with the Liberation Officers. 7.3 Speech from Welfare Officer Candidate - Ben Palmer-Welch (BPW) Hiya my names Ben I use he/him pronouns and I’m gonna spend the next three minutes or so trying to convince you as to why you should vote for me as one of our welfare officers One of the main things that I’ve got going for me is lots of experience - from both sides of the welfare dynamic. Take sexual health for example: I mean I’m not trying to brag or anything but I’ve been to the sexual health clinic more times this term than I have to some of my lectures. And that means that, along with many other things, I actually have quite a good knowledge of the ins and outs (pun intended) of sexual health services in Cambridge,[36] and also where the best place is to go when you’re in a time sensitive situation. I’ve made quite a few mistakes in that regard, and hopefully by learning from mine and using my experience, you don’t have to as well. Or take struggling with academics, combating addiction, home life, uni life, financial difficulties - I’ve been there, I know what it's like, and I know how scary and lonely it can feel. Those of you that know me hopefully already know this, but for those of you who don’t, my door is always open, my phone is always on, I’m always here for a chat, be that for problem solving and working things out, or just to rant at and let it all out, or even just for a cuddle and to be a shoulder to cry on. I hope that by voting for me as a welfare officer, you allow me to broaden my reach and be there for more and more people within college and beyond. Specific to providing welfare support, I worked closely with the SENCo at my previous school for about 4 years, towards the end of which I was actually employed by them, with the job of talking to and relating to students that might have welfare concerns but didn’t feel comfortable approaching a teacher or other member of staff about them. I worked as a mediator between the voices of the students and the academic body, providing 1-on-1 solutions to those that needed them, but also identifying key trends in the concerns of the people that I got to know and relaying these to the staff to make a more widespread change within the school. And that’s something that I really wish to continue within College if you vote for me. And with respect to my previous involvement with welfare at uni: on an individual level I already provide lots of mental health advice and support for quite a number of people that I can see in this room right now, among many others who are not. Additionally, I work as a committee member for the Cambridge University Sign Language Society, where I passionately advocate for the welfare concerns of people who have completely different life experiences to me, and I try to raise awareness of some of the issues that the hard of hearing community faces on a daily basis. So just to wrap up: what can you expect of me if I do get elected into this role. Well I hope to continue the amazing work of the past welfare officers, through parteas and sexual health products and stress toys in the post room. In addition, I want to encourage student staff communications with respect to making workloads more manageable on an individual level, and I also want to introduce an anonymous drop in service, where you can receive independent welfare advice even if you don’t feel comfortable with one of us knowing who that concern specifically relates to. But most of all, I just want to let everyone know that I’m here for you - you’re loved, you’ve got this, and it’s all going to be ok.[37] Thank you. 7.4 Speech from Welfare Officer Candidate - Keelan Shorten (KS) Hi there, my name’s Keelan Shorten. I’m a first-year historian and I’m running to be a welfare officer! I think that welfare is such an important part of the JCR because it’s so important to have people there looking out for you and making sure that college is as safe an environment as it can be, and also that’s as enjoyable as it can be too. I think you should vote for me for JCR welfare because: I care a lot about mental health. I have personal experience and I know what it's like, and I think that especially for guys it can be difficult to talk about it so that’s something I would be paying special attention to. As a welfare officer I would be approachable if someone wanted a chat, or advice about something. I know what it's like to struggle with adapting to uni life (especially as an international student), so I am equipped to help others, and to notice things which could change or be improved in order to make the transition easier. I personally think that I have quite good taste in snacks, so I promise to always keep welfare ParTeas here in the JCR well supplied. For example, the carrot cake[38] is delicious so we definitely need to keep seeing more of that. In terms of prior experience, while I may not have been on student council, I did run my school’s meme page which last I checked had 174 followers, so great success. If elected some aims & policies of mine would be: Loneliness at uni: Turning up in this environment can be difficult, so I would back more social events to help people make friends, including continuing ParTeas and more, such as movie nights or choosing a netflix series and watching an episode or two on a certain night a week, to help people meet new people and make friends, especially in first term Something I would set up in college which I think would be really beneficial is a mental health support group, so people have a safe space to talk. Also in the area of mental health, I agree with the President-elect that a second counsellor in college I would also work closely with the JCR Liberation officers to improve welfare for all students. Something which would help improve college life is having an online suggestion box so people can make anonymous suggestions or something else they want brought to the JCR’s attention, so something like Camfess, but Corpus specific, so maybe “Corpusfess”, if you will, as it may be easier for people to seek anonymous advice. Thank you for listening and please vote for me. 7.5 Questions of Welfare Officer Candidates Question from Sadie Berry-firth (SB): A lot of people deal with imposter syndrome; how would you propose to deal with that? VG: I believe that having group discussions really helps. I believed that I was the only one that felt this way, until I spoke with others, and it turned out that everyone else felt the same. Having shared spaces is useful for breaking down stigma. AG: Imposter syndrome has probably affected everyone and will again - having something other than a ParTea is needed where everyone can discuss their feelings, but not in a hippie way. BPW: Everyone has experienced imposter syndrome, including myself, but something bigger we can combat are self-worth issues. Everyone deserves to be here, is special, and we need to support that. KS: Everyone is here for a reason and that needs to be emphasised. Question from Amin Ghiasvand (AG): As someone who loves their sleep and not getting disrupted by other people, how will you make sure that people will not disrupt others in the night? AG: Boils down to respect for one another, and making sure that we all respect the community space in which we live. BPW: I have clinical insomnia and live at Newnham House, so I never sleep, but I now have some silicone earplugs from Amazon, which I have found beneficial.[39] KS: This is something to talk to your friends about; but we should remind people that there are rules. VG: Everyone wants to have their space, freedom and ability to live their life. Perhaps, we could have free earplugs in the post room. Question from KEJ: Welfare can be rewarding but consuming; how will you look after yourself as you look after the Corpus community? BPW: Time for me is not a major concern. As for the emotional toll, I have been able to disconnect myself from the emotions which are presented for the sake of the person before me. KS: Time is also not an issue, being a Humanities student. VG: It is important for us to make time for mental health and welfare, not just for ourselves, but for people around me. I feel that by building our role and spaces, we can help others. AG: I didn’t do the greatest job of looking after myself, but I know how to now. As a Philosophy student, I don’t have the most work to do. Question: What will you do for welfare provision for those who are concerned about reaching out?[40] KS: We must make sure that people know that support is available, but this is also why it is important that we have anonymous provision. VG: I have been through private provision and the NHS, so I believe I can make it clear as to how people can access professional help. AG: We should make sure that welfare is approachable, and have a system whereby people not only flag themselves for help, but also other people. BPW: Anonymising welfare is important, but we should also recognise that the first step of getting help is the hardest, so we should emphasise that we are here as your friends. Question from AM: Best policy that you did not raise yourself? VG: Anonymous forum, to make sure that people do not feel the personal pressure of reaching out. AG: Arts and crafts, although I am not great at them.[41] BPW: Everything that has been said comes down to discourse and structure - by combining these we can create a solid Welfare support unit, to make sure that friends and groups know what to do. KS: AG’s policy about ED’s - although I see Hall primarily as a social event, we must make better social provision around those who don't have events which revolve around food. ________________ 8. Sports and Societies Officer 8.1 Speech from Sports and Societies Officer Candidate - Matthew Wadey (MW) I am Matthew, a first year student studying Architecture. The sports and societies available allow people to have time off their studies; I would continue the present JCR work on sports and societies and would talk with College about how to improve provision for such societies, including sports teams and other societies, as it is at present not easy to access College facilities. We must make sure that we can build back stronger[42] after COVID for the societies that may have gone under during the pandemic. 8.2 Questions for Sports and Societies Officer Candidates Question from LJP: What societies are you interested in? MW: Within Corpus I have been involved in rowing and the choir, really I do too much already. The interests of persons like myself and others could be better represented in the College. Question from SB: I have tried to start a College society; how would you make information on how to create societies more accessible? MW: I would work with College management to ensure that provision is available for societies, especially room booking. Question from KJ: What society would you start, if you could? MW: Whatever the people want,[43] so that we can do more interesting stuff and have a great time. ________________ 9. Entertainments (Ents) Officer 9.1. Speech from Ents Officer Candidate - Gosia Szakowska (GSz) I don’t have a speech as I am hungover from Rumboogie, so I will read from my manifesto which you haven’t read, but it is funny. My name is Gosia, I am a bit of a legend.[44] Girl nights, in and out, with boys welcome but you will have to pay an entry fee - which for JCR legal reasons, is a joke.[45] I would have open mic nights, I miss £1 shot nights from being up North.[46] I would have better music at slacks - follow me on Spotify[47] - and would want the Corpus Discord to be revived. Possibly, charity fundraising, like baking, although I don’t bake. Experience: it doesn’t need explanation, if you know me. Don’t think of me as a cool, sexy legend, because I am also quirky.[48] I want to make sure that everyone has a good time, so suggestions for events, just speak to me. I am a hedonist and will always prioritise a good time.[49] 9.2 Questions for Ents Officer Candidates Question from JC: The candidate’s manifesto says the Slav Squat - can you show this for proof, as I am a scientist? GSz:[50] Question from MG: What provision would you make for members of the College that do not drink? GSz: You don’t have to drink at my events, by any means, and I will listen to people to make sure that events that people want are put on. Question from LC: Opinions on where to hold slacks, considering the increased student numbers? GSz: I would like to use the Leck Bar,[51] and would work to ensure access, and also miss using New Court, so would negotiate with College thereon. ________________ 10. Disabled Students’ Officer (DSO) 10.1. DSO Candidate - Claire Collins (CC) Theydies and gentlethems, boys and girls, Corpuscles: good evening. Please do bear with me during this speech; my anxiety has been very bad lately and I’ll probably forget to breathe at certain points. Anyway, we move – or, we don’t move, as is quite often the case with my spine. Anyway, I’m Claire, my pronouns are they and them and if you’re discovering me for the first time, what have you been doing with your life? As I’m sure many of you will know, I have been DSO for the last year – not to brag, but the first DSO to have stayed a full year in office – and have made a lot of changes over the last year. I have, actually, fulfilled everything from my manifesto last year, and more! College will have an electric, motorised gate soon (or, that’s what the Domus Bursar promised me); I have proposed a new scheme for bedders assisting with disabled students’ living; guided the college in the purchase of ergonomic equipment for the library; bought stim toys for the JCR to give out; and hosted the Disability Support Group! Obviously you’ve all read my manifesto, so I don’t need to repeat myself because you already know all about my aims for the year. But just in case you need to jog your memory, I’ll run through everything I want to achieve. As mentioned, I am in the process of implementing a scheme – the ‘Sunflower Scheme’ - in which bedders will assist disabled students with tasks they may find difficult but won’t affect the bedders’ workload or schedule. This will debut within the next two terms so I think it would be prudent (fancy word) for me to remain as DSO for the year. I would also like to introduce more regular questionnaires under the remit of the CAF officer to better accommodate students with conditions and allergens in Hall; in a similar vein I think it would be great to have a quiet period in hall at least once a day for people with sensory conditions or anxiety. I will continue to lobby our bursar over the lack of accessible information around college, including such locations as hall via AccessAble. If not, I will fight her. I also have big plans for the disability support group and the hosting of larger and more engaging events. It has been an honour to represent Corpus’ disabled students over the last year. My heart has been filled with the resilience and kindness shown by the Corpus community towards its more vulnerable or differently abled members. The possibility that I might have been a part of that, and may yet continue to, brings me such hope and pride. Please consider voting for me for another year. Thank you for listening. 10.2 Questions for DSO Candidates Question from JH: Could the candidates explain more about the Sunflower Scheme? CC: Self-identifying students will have a sticker or similar on their door so that this can be known to College staff, and means that College staff are generally aware of the needs of students. Question from OR: What do you think about wheelchair accessibility in College? CC: This is something that I have worked on with College and has been raised with the Building Committee, and it will be pursued further. ________________ 11. Ethnic Minorities (BME) Officer 11.1 Speech from BME Officer Candidate - Muhammad Mahmoud (MM) Put your hands up if you find that people sometimes stereotype you because of your ethnicity; if you get comments about your appearance or that your hair is unprofessional. Not too many in the room. But these things are experienced by ethnic minority students here at Corpus, University and wider society. For example, I have been told by a member of staff here at Corpus that they would bring clippers to shave my hair off; they never address me by my name, but they call me Mo Salah instead, and not because I’m any good at football, but apparently, we look alike. I don’t see it. All of these experiences are just small insights into life for ethnic minority students at Corpus. Since arriving at Corpus a few weeks ago, I have been able to work on adding a multi-faith room to the College after liaising with the Chaplain, and have improved labelling for the Hall, for instance showing when alcohol is used in meals and improving choice for students with dietary requirements. Although it is easy for me to come up here and make promises as to what I can do, I would ask you to consider what I have already done to make Corpus a better place for ethnic minority students already. I want to make sure that the experiences of ethnic minority students are not sidelined - by introducing Festival Formals and running forums which call out microaggressions, so that they can be stamped out in the College. Change doesn’t need to take a long time, all we need is the desire to make it happen. 11.2 Speech BME Officer Candidate - Freddie Sehgal (FS) Hi, my name is Freddie and I am a second year Theologian. Let me start with my policy proposals: College can give better support for students with religious observances, such as during Ramadan, accommodating Muslim students with their dietary requirements. Festival formals, such as for Diwali and Eid, are something that happen at other Colleges and something I would like to implement, especially considering our resources and small student body. Movie nights in the McCrum which celebrate cultures would be a good idea, such as some good Bollywood movies - if you watched anyone, who haven’t had a great cinematic life so far. Continued intercollege BME socials are something that Anitta has started and which needs to improve. Being an ethnic minority is difficult at Corpus and Cambridge - as the Union has shown[52] - and making sure that BME students at Corpus and Cambridge are supported is crucial. At my Sixth Form, I lobbied for the creation of a BAME network and was elected as co-leader of that network. At Cambridge, I am Treasurer of The Cambridge Majlis, a society established in 1891 for the celebration of South Asia, although it will not take up much of my time as we have £0 in our budget. 11.3 Questions for BME Officer Candidates Question from TI: Everyone knows that there is a lot that the CSU is doing to decolonise the curriculum - what would you do to make sure that ethnic minority students do not feel alienated by their reading lists? MM: Although the role of the BME Officer may be limited, this is something which could be worked on with the Academic and Access Officer. FS: Some Faculties - such as Theology - clearly do not care about decolonising, but there are some things which can be done to decolonise College, such as ethnic dress at formals, alongside supporting students challenging their own faculties. Question from JOG: How would you support students with specific complaints against members of staff? MM: I would comfort the student, talk with them, and make sure that microaggressions and related conduct are not tolerated. I would support them taking action, as high as it can go. FS: I would agree - this needs to be taken as high as it can go and ensure that work is done with the Welfare Officers to secure access to appropriate welfare provision. Question from JH: As a Jewish student, I noted that there was a lack of resources related to anti-Semitism during the Freshers’ Week - what can be done to ensure that all ethnic minorities are welcomed at Corpus and appropriate resources made available? FS: Anti-Semitism is neglected in Corpus and the University, so resources related thereto should be included in workshops to make sure that no ethnic group is neglected. MM: All discriminatory rhetoric should be challenged and BME students should shape the future workshops, focusing on anti-Semitism and other underrepresented types of discrimination, such as anti-Asian hate. ________________ 12. International Students’ Officer 12.1 Speech from International Students’ Officer Candidate - Perrin Ford (PF) Reading through the manifestoes of Neve and myself, I have determined that there are three main features to the role: prioritising inclusion for international students during the Freshers’ Week, which can be difficult in a subject-orientated environment such as Cambridge, especially when the process of adjusting to Cambridge is difficult for international students; I believe that I am an effective communicator and effective advocate, and although I do not have high hopes, there are College-centric concerns which can be addressed, such as arbitrarily higher College fees; and that accommodation arrangements ensure that international students are not disadvantaged by their long-haul travel arrangements. I also support the wilding of the Old Court and College bees,[53] which is marketable as a statement - and College does like its statements. 12.2 Speech from International Students’ Officer Candidate - Nevethita Baskar (NB) I know it has been a long event, but hang in there. It seems ironic that I am a lawyer,[54] but have stage fright. I am Neve and 8 weeks ago I travelled 17 hours from my home to a new, unfamiliar place (although Bene’t is still unfamiliar territory) - I have been struggling to adjust to not only my Law degree but also an identity crisis: although I was born and brought up in Singapore, I have been an international student my whole life. I am Indian by my ethnicity, but people in India do not recognise me as one of their own. It is perplexing when people say that my accent is interesting and ask where it is from, when I don’t have a bloody clue. The icing on the cake is imposter syndrome. This crisis has led to me running for the role, with some suggestions for improvements, or at least allowing some shared suffering. For instance, Festival Formals, which I pitched with a prospective BME Officer, MM. Recently it was Diwali, and there were questions on Camfess about why some Colleges were celebrating and others were not? Although this may cause logistical troubles, if we care about what students care about, as we do with Christmas, why cannot we deal with this trouble for the sake of students? Regarding the Bridging Course, although it is recent, more can be done for international students that deserve such support as well. 12.3 Questions for International Students’ Officer Candidates Question from Giorgi Melia (GM): How would you bridge the gap between resources available for domestic and international students? NB: I would work with the JCR and College to make sure that the international student community have their concerns heard and have resources made available for that end, such as supporting forums. PF: Our concern must primarily focus on the most vulnerable part of the international community, incoming BME students, so I would work with the BME Officer to make sure that common ground was found between our remits to support them as best as possible. Question from Iris Huang (IH): How would you work to improve access for international students? NB: Proposes certain access events for international students in Corpus, focusing on their specific subjects, such as through Masterclasses. PF: Recognises the problem of resources at schools where international students come from and virtual events would be good to bridge information gaps, considering time differences as well. Question from ZA: How would you bridge the gap between provision for ethnic minority students in Corpus and the availability of resources in the University at large? PF: Primarily we need to follow an intercollegiate solution. We may be able to bridge gaps through specific students who can lend their skills and experience for the incoming students. NB: Unable to go to University events due to Law - events in Corpus are preferable and do not have to be ‘international only’, rather domestic students can be included as well, such as for celebrations. PF supports the decentring of Christian holidays and making them explicitly open for all would be ideal.[55] NB agrees with this wholeheartedly, stating that this was the idea she wanted to get across. ________________ 13. LGBT+ Officer[56] 13.1. LGBT+ Officer Candidate - Emma Gibson (EG) Hi, I’m Emma, I am a first year English student, and my pronouns are she/they/he and I want to increase queer visibility, strengthen the support available and develop the queer student body into a strong community at Corpus. I like the informal ‘Gaytherings’, but I want to increase the number of gaytherings there are to at least one a week, with a particular focus on introducing more non-alcoholic queer meeting. These can include: afternoon teas with cake and coffee! drop ins so people can just have a chat (also im incredible baker, so we could introduce hobby days!) game nights! I’d love to play a game of queer game of life diverse film screenings beyond just mainstream white cis male movies, e.g. a fundraising event where we watch the entire Harry Potter series in one day and donate the money to Mermaids. In terms of alcoholic events, I want to: keep the pre-drinks before glitterbomb and gay Mondays at mash so that people have safe groups they can go clubbing with. I’d like to introduce gay nights at the Pelican Bar rather than relying on gay nights at private establishments for queer good times. I would like to plan LGBTQ+ history and pride month events: I want to work with the Ents Officer to introduce queer formals and slacks, again giving us the space to celebrate rather than relying on private establishments to host us. I’d like to plan speakers and presentations, specifically collaborating in this regard with other colleges to tighten the bonds the queer community has over Cambridge as a whole. I want these speakers and presentations to have a specific stress on intersectionality in the community, something I feel is generally lacking from the community’s discussions. I want to therefore stress a de-colonised look at queer history that recognises the revolutionary work of POC’s in the community Outside of LGBTQ+ history and Pride, I want to strengthen intersectional ties with other minority JCR representatives, including the Gender Equalities Officer and BME Officer, to make sure that resources such as the incredible Gender Recognition Fund, can be made more accessible. This includes: working to de-colonise queer spaces so they are more accessible to queer students of colour – working closely to the BME officer to ensure that queer discourse and meetings at corpus are anti-racist; I want the welfare support team at college to have training specifically in intersectional welfare matters; making the gender recognition fund more accessible, both through the gender equalities officer and the lgbtq+ officer; creating a system whereby people can access this fund more directly through the college nurse as well as anonymously if they wish; introducing pronoun pins that allows for students to experiment with or start using different pronouns in a way that prevents them from having to tell everyone outright that they’ve switched; brings the discussion of pronoun usage into the everyday, instead of just at gaytherings and introductory circles. I would like to make it possible for Fresher’s to request queer-identifying college parents, to welcome queer folk who may struggle with their queerness at home into an environment where they already have bonds established with fellow corpus queers and to help building the queer community at corpus and strengthen ties between year groups. 13.2 Questions for LGBT+ Officer Candidates Question from PF: How would you include queer perspectives in events such as the consent workshops? EG: Resources should be made available and perspectives brought in for the events, which I would have mentioned more during my speech, if not for time. For instance, resources should be made available about queer safe sex and making appropriate sexual health supplies available in the post room. Question from AG: How would you engage with people who do not utilise the term ‘queerness’ or identify themselves as ‘queers’? EG: It is important to have a discussion about the language to be used for the community, which is to be up for discussion with the Corpus community. Question from JC: Queer events in the Bar, for instance, are being planned, but how would you ensure that these events were accessible and an appropriate safe space? EG: It would not be a good idea to say that queer events would make spaces unavailable for people who are not queer identifying, but it would be the case that it would be made clear that these events were specifically for queer identifying persons. ________________ 14. Gender Equalities Officer 14.1 Speech from Gender Equalities Officer Candidate - Lucy Trusler (LT) I am Lucy, a second year PBS student, and I am running for Gender Equalities officer. I have worked with Cambridge Women who lead and have worked with the 93% Club, so concerns about access are important to me. I support the President-elect with their policies regarding sexual misconduct - this needs to be something which is not a Freshers’ Week thing, but which should be more regularised. I would also support anonymous means of reporting gender-based discrimination, so that people feel comfortable with bringing such problems to attention. I would also like to revive the Isherwood Agender, to improve provision for trans students especially, for which I would work with the LGBT+ Officer. I would also like to see a book club perhaps, focused not just on female but non-binary and gender-non-conforming authors. 14.2 Questions for Gender Equalities Officer Candidates Question from VG: How would you actually try and get people to be more equal to one another? LT: A demystification of feminism is needed, for which an intersectional approach would be beneficial. Question from SB: What would you like to see with the revamped Isherwood Agender? LT: Something as simple as a discussion group would do - it all comes down to making sure that women in College are heard. ________________ 15. AOB ZA brings the meeting to an end at 21:27 and thanks DB for his typing.[57] ________________ [1] The President-elect, JC, and GSt endorse a new policy, #enchiladas4corpus. [2] Not Secretary, ZA. [3] This receives a well-deserved ‘Ooooh’. [4] See Agenda Point 2 ‘Punting’ JCR Open Meeting Minutes 7.10.2021. [5] Wonderful to have a candidate from God’s Own Country. [6] The hustings attendees are very impressed with this fact. [7] The candidate also seems to be suggesting that he may be running for the President - general chaos reigns in the hustings so far. [8] This question causes some consternation in the audience. [9] There is a general murmur of agreement as the audience appreciate a strong commitment to the candidate’s professed democratic values. [10] Constitutionally, Corpus JCR doesn’t seem to be prohibited from endorsing weaponry, but for legal reasons we would remind everyone that the views of candidates are their own and are not necessarily reflective of the view of Corpus JCR; other foam dart blasters are available. [11] The candidate does acknowledge that there may not actually be three hundred people in the JCR, although we may wonder, with the current rate of expansion, whether Corpus will be dealing with Homerton numbers in a couple of years? [12] Quite right - this is of course, we can confidently say, the view of all Corpuscles. [13] This may make a change from the current Secretary. [14] It is not entirely clear what the candidate means by this, but it appears that it was appreciated by the attendees. [15] The audience appreciate this throwback to 2007, although are displeased that the candidate did not follow through with the suggestion. For those unfamiliar with ‘Scary Rachel, I include a short except from the X Factor fan wiki: “[Rachel] rated her singing 10/10 and claimed she could sing like Prince, Cyndi Lauper, Gwen Stefani, Sheila E, Kylie Minogue and said she could sing like judge Dannii Minogue as well. [Rachel] then claimed she could sing better than Madonna. She did not pass the audition stage after singing ‘Sugar Walls’ by Sheena Easton. After [Rachel] claimed ‘It was good wasn’t it’, the judges disagreed and Rachel then began swearing at the judges…” Perhaps we should admire the candidate’s decision not to emulate Rachel. [16] It appears that the Secretary’s sisyphean contribution to Corpus JCR may continue even past Michaelmas... [17] There is general agreement with this proposition in the audience, not without good reason, perhaps. [18] Isn't the current Corporeal spicy enough? What a tragic fact to learn at hustings. [19] Although the Secretary showed some shock at hearing this, the footnotes in the present minutes really say it all. [20] The Secretary would add that the candidate’s notes, which assisted in writing these minutes, had some lovely handwriting. [21] The candidate did, in fact, note all of these roles individually, but reflecting his comment that he could have stated ‘Liberation Officers’, this is reflected in our efficient and totally not verbose minutes. [22] At this point the candidate gave some supportive gestures, which are quite difficult to reflect in the minutes, but rest assured they looked very cool. [23] But not the last, as the carpal tunnel syndrome of the Secretary noted by the end of the 2 and a half hours of hustings. [24] A lesson which could be appropriately extrapolated out of the JCR and College in other political arenas, perhaps? [25] The candidate clearly has an appreciation of the reality of life at Corpus. [26] The LGBT+ Officer candidates gave their speech before the CAF Officer, but because I do not want to reformat everything, the original running order stands. That contribution can be found in Agenda Point 13 ‘LGBT+ Officer’. [27] Murmurs from the crowd suggest that perhaps the Pelican is a more popular spot than may first be imagined - maybe there are simply a lot of Corpuscles that like playing pool underground? [28] Although the Secretary may have heard ‘quesadilla’, we may assume that reference was being made to #enchiladas4corpus, and we have a quite clear case of rectification under FSHC Group Holdings Limited v. GLAS Trust Corporation Limited [2019] EWCA Civ 1361. Please indulge me with one Law reference. [29] Readers may wish to consult the esteemed journal ‘Potato Research: Journal of the European Association for Potato Research’ to come to their own conclusions on the matter. [30] The pronunciation is akin to that of the current Prime Minister, who described the Greggs Vegan Sausage Roll with some delight in a radio interview not totally unlike an ASMR podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS5dh_OY3-4. [31] At this point, ZA notes that the candidate has 30 seconds left, which throws the candidate somewhat. Surely the mulled wine has nothing to do with this. [32] Whether a reference to common vernacular was intended or not is unknown, the audience certainly has an idea in their minds’ eye of what the candidate is referring to. [33] The candidate has a specific gripe with the price of the slices of cucumber, although surely the potato prices would be of greater concern? I see no ‘Cucumber Journal’, but perhaps this is an opening for a new student publication? [34] Uproar follows akin to the storming of Parliament by Charles I, we might imagine. [35] At this juncture, JC, who has been kindly filming the phone livestreaming the hustings. An unknown party who we may only assume is Archie Morter gives the ingenious suggestion that JC should use her other arm. [36] Pun much appreciated, BPW. [37] Irrespective of the outcome of the election, we can safely say that everyone in the hustings appreciated the touching message from the candidate, which was truly something lovely to hear. [38] The candidate has chosen the best cake, which is surely a material consideration when casting your vote. [39] Again, Corpus JCR does not endorse any particular products or businesses, especially those owned by Jeff Bezos. [40] Apologies to the Corpuscle that asked this question and whose name I did not get - we were already 90 minutes in and I was, in technical terms, absolutely knackered already. [41] ‘Not great’ may not have been the actual vocabulary utilised, but the candidate’s gist has been properly conveyed, the Secretary hopes. [42] Thankfully not ‘Build Back Better’, otherwise we may be infringing on the plans of HM Government. [43] Es lebe die Demokratie! [44] The veracity of such claims is a matter of the reader’s judgment. [45] The Secretary appreciates this disclaimer, lest some statutory rule had been accidentally infringed with that remark. [46] Obligatory approval of a reference to the North - ✓ [47] The Secretary believes that he has found the candidate’s profile, as he did not catch the actual name during the hustings live. The playlists are intriguing and so will be left to the reader to discover, if they desire. [48] #notlikeothergirls? [49] The JCR does not necessarily endorse this approach for all students, but then again, this is a free country. [50] The candidate Slav squats, as requested, noting that the feet must be kept on the ground, for otherwise it is indicative that the supposed Slav is in fact a Western spy. Dziękuję bardzo for the tip, candidate. What an interesting hustings to minute. [51] Brace yourselves, MCR. [52] The candidate is referring to the incident on 4.11.2021 in which the Union President failed to intervene in a prolonged impression of Adolf Hitler by an invited speaker, about which you can read more here in Varsity coverage: https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/22393. [53] The commentary of JC on the livestream indicates that she has a personal aversion to bees. [54] Law, what a fine subject! [55] This was a follow-up to NB’s contribution. [56] As mentioned, this contribution actually followed the Access Officer candidates, but the originally running order has been maintained for the sake of not having to reformat the entire minutes. [57] Much appreciated, Mr President.