Sky high society prices

JAMES COLLEGE has come under fire for being the only college still to demand a £100 deposit from student societies and clubs before booking out their JCR.
As clubs and societies are insured by YUSU, any misuse during an event in a JCR which results in damage or replacement costs, will be covered by the union. The insurance covering the clubs therefore renders a deposit null and void.
Despite a statement from the YUSU Finance department declaring, “a club or society should definitely not have to pay a deposit for any JCR booking”, James College has continued to enforce payment.
Lisa Griffiths, Treasurer for the University Netball Club spoke to Vision about the complications she has faced with regard to booking out JCRs. In her experience, although some colleges may still ask for a deposit out of hand, they have abided by the YUSU ruling and insurance policies. YUSU Finance told Ms Griffiths that, “the club is insured by YUSU and we [the netball club] don’t have to pay”. Only James College is still refusing to comply.
The James College Lakeside JCR was refurbished at considerable cost almost seven years ago, and is a stand-alone building at a distance from the James College porters. The college gives these as reasons for the compulsory deposit.
Retrieving money from a club or a society fund is an inconvenient process, requiring either a cash withdrawal or a signed cheque requested by the treasurer. Many clubs have found that the freedom from having to supply a deposit has allowed clubs to make last-minute arrangements for events. Sadly this flexibility cannot be extended to the use of the James JCR, which is leaving clubs confused and frustrated.
Chris West, YUSU Student Activities Officer elect, said that, “from previous experience on society committees, I know that at certain points in the year, such as when booking trips or merchandise, societies do not always have a spare £100”. In the case of a James College JCR booking this would either result in a club or society member having to cover the deposit at their own costs, or the event not being able to be booked.
YUSU Finance commented that, “we are in talks to try and resolve the issues with the James College administrator.”