It’s that time of year again folks! Once again as sure as Death and Taxes the JCRC elections have rolled around and it’s to pick ourselves a new crop of politcos to serve in the upcoming academic year. With that in mind, we’ve had a look back at our outgoing college frontmen (and two frontwomen) and tried our best to gauge the various achievements and failures and make them into a comphrehensive review. We’ve had them weighed, we’ve had them measured and we’ve delivered our verdict for your perusal. So find your college, and see if your chair graduated with flying colours or only just about scraped by.
Joshua Lee, Alcuin: Alcuin College has often been viewed, by outgoing JCRC Chair Lee’s own admission as “the quiet college” where revelers feared to tread. Lee feels that he has changed that this year, putting Alcuin on the map and organizing the college’s biggest Freshers Week ever. Lee ran on a platform of “Moving Alcuin Forward” and has proved a visible Chair, with significant name recognition outside of Alcuin. Ultimately, Lee’s quest to finally end the jokes about his home college as the reserve of dull, reserved science’s students, whilst admirable may still have a long way to go, but in terms of putting a very public face to Alcuin College, Lee can certainly be commended.
Classification: 2:1
Anmoli Sodha, Derwent: The position of Chair of the Derwent JCRC is no cakewalk by any stretch of the imagination. As a college with such fierce, tribalistic pride any leadership figure is always going to have considerable expectations put upon them. Anmoli Sodha has had some well publicized setbacks, most famously the cancellation of Big-D in its current format after years of losses, and her failure to bring back the Derwent Spring Formal. However, Sodha has been known as a strong and formidable leadership figure and was able to execute another highly competent Derwent Freshers Week, which remains notorious University wide. In the end, whilst not achieving all she may have hoped, Sodha did the main thing she promised, keep Derwent’s reputation intact.
Classification: 2:1
Dean Hickey, Goodricke: Despite rumours of trouble and division within the Goodricke JCR this year, Goodricke Chair Dean Hickey has broadly delivered on the majority of his campaign promises, securing a Cashpoint on Hes East and working with Kallum Taylor to improve the Hes East bus service. Due to the nature of these reforms involving YUSU, the credit received for the reforms by Hickey has been largely dwarfed by the influence of Taylor. Hickey has not been one of the most visible college chairs on the University stage, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, and despite his scheme to sell Goodricke as brand perhaps proving a little too ambitious, for simply achieving the vast majority of his own pledges, the Goodricke Chair has to be given due credit.
Classification: 2:1
Marian Lally, Halifax: After the tenure of now YUSU Welfare Officer George Offer as Halifax Chair, Marian Lally had some not inconsiderable shoes to fill. Her main pledge was to rebrand JJ’s which she described as having a “glorified beige community-centre vibe”. Her acquisition of a dance machine, air hockey table, Sky TV as well as some new furniture, game consoles and a well needed paint job seem to have done the trick, making the space a proper destination for Halifax students. She has also been credited with a series of popular college events, and a Freshers Week which has been labeled by some as the best on Campus. Excellent work.
Classification: First
Dexter Clarke, James: Whatever his achievements, James College Chair Dexter Clarke will see his administration overshadowed by the circumstances surrounding issues with the James College Freshers week. He also had to deal with resignation of one of his Vice Chairs for unknown reasons, and shortly afterwards himself due to becoming a leave of absence student. On the plus side, James College has had some decently turned out events this year and its sporting performances haven’t been too shabby either, not to mention the college giving us a moment of College Cup magic when James 3rds managed to beat their own 1st team on penalties in a titanic quarter final clash. Overall however, the next James Chair must do more to engage with his members and JCRC.
Classification: Third
Sam Maguire, Langwith: Langwith Chair Sam Maguire has had a fine year, with his JCRC winning acclaim at the YUSU awards for the quality of its events and for forging a much needed college spirit and identity for the uprooted new Heslington East College. In a similar vein to Hickey, Maguire campaigned on improvements to the Heslington East Bus Service and the inclusion of a Cashpoint, which were both successfullyachieved. He also achieved his campaign goal of 24 hours porters, was an early proponent of the now much anticipated College Varsity and organized a highly successful College trip to Amsterdam. All in all, he’s had a great year and we wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him rise to a higher office in future.
Classification: First
Joshua Treacy, Vanbrugh: After being elected chair amidst the chaos of Vanbrugh’s somewhat dysfunctional JCRC elections, Joshua Treacy has managed to rally the college and accomplish much of what he set out to. Vanbrugh has seen a number of good events and has gone some ways to building the bold college identity which he spoke about in his campaign. Treacy has spoken up on a number of University wide issues and has served and has represented his college’s interests well. Treacy inherited a dismal financial situation from his predecessors who managed to spend £13,000 on the Christmas ball, but has clawed his way back up to financial stability, while making a successful freshers week, introducin Vanbrugh jazz night (among others) and sporting a enviable purple onesie.
Classification: First
Josh Lee has been an incredible chair.
He has lead a financially viable year, Alcuin has priced events at the lowest possible price without having to go crawling to YUSU for a bailout.
The branding of Alcuin has been the envy of all other colleges with the clearest of communication strategies.
Alcuin has not lead the university to shame with racist not sexist events, or students.
Alcuin had a huge turn out for hustings and did not have to cancel them due to lack of interest as some counterparts did.
Josh Lead the Alcuin welfare team to win a YUSU award for their outstanding work.
Alcuin has so much involvement that the Christmas Ball has had to be expanded to the maximum capacity the Royal York hotel could provide.
Josh Lee has lead ensured that services were not removed from campus North by pushing for the opening of the Kitchen at alcuin and improving the Alcuin bistro.
Josh Lee has worked with the facilities management team to improve Alcuin accommodation and that Alcuin will be properly signposted in the plans to renovate all university signs.
Josh Lee has campaigned and got WIFI in the JCRC and push for a plan to make all block wireless, which is now in progress.
Josh Lee changed the system so that ALL alcuin students in all years and off campus have access to the jcr 24/7
There is so much more Josh has done, Josh is not a 2:1 chair he is a first class chair with distinction.
Amen to that! I am not even an Alcuin student and I have seen how amazing Josh is. Truly privileged to call this man a friend and an example all others can aspire to.
He leaves some massive shoes to be filled, we just have to look at the sheer amount of people contesting the Alucin JCRC elections to show his effect, he has made people Alcuin and proud
Would also add a bit more if I may. Alcuin has new furniture (Same as Halifax). Langwiths trip to Amsterdam was JOINT with Alcuin, so that’s another thing you’ve missed with your “comprehensive review.” And unlike some other chairs never had motions of no confidence put against him.
Article Classification: Fail.
I would not be so harsh, a lot of the article was very fair. His assessments of Marian and Sam and Dean were spot on.
For me, the biggest proof of Josh’s great leadership is the Christmas Ball – 350 tickets gone in, what, a week? No other college has achieved that and it speaks volumes for how much Alcuin has changed for the better over the past year.
Obviously lots of other people are involved with this success and all the other events Alcuin have organised (hundreds it seems). Excellent Fresher’s week too – very active!!
First class.
Considering Vanbrugh’s chair oversaw outrageous losses and got a higher rating than Josh Lee is absolutely outrageous, as always vision research stuff before you make these statements. Josh has been a great chair! Why on earth is he not in the same league as those rated higher?
I would also like to add congratulations and praise for Joshua Lee as I feel his review didn’t give anywhere near the amount of credit he he deserves!
The JCRC prior to Josh’s started a change within Alcuin that began the process of improving the college’s quiet and dull reputation into one that provides a top class student experience in terms of entertainment and welfare.
As mentioned he, and the rest of the JCRC, ran the most successful Freshers Alcuin has ever had; furthermore the highly successful trip that Langwith apparently ran was initially an Alcuin idea/plan which turned into a joint trip, so I think praise should have definitely been shared (at least!); moreover under Josh’s guidance Alcuin’s Welfare team won the Best Welfare Award from YUSU; also the Christmas Ball is set to be a high hitter, if you go off of how many tickets have been sold in such a small period of time, a new record for Alcuin… 370 tickets if I am not wrong! These are a couple of achievements, amongst many, which he and his team managed through hard work and dedication.
This is why I believe that if you are going to quantify the Chair’s performance (mentioning the rest of the college’s JCRCs would also have been nice, as they have all worked towards their college’s achievements)then Josh undoubtedly and obviously deserves a 1st!
How can Sam and Dean be held responsible for the cash point on hes east? It was already coming before they became chair….
Anyone reading the article, and the comments below can see that Josh Lee should have been first class.
I would also like to reiterate all of the above comments. Josh you are a 1st class chair in my eyes!
Josh Lee definitely deserves a 1st! We’ve just sold 270 winter ball tickets in about 3 days…. A complete turn around from years past! Alcuin is definitely no longer quiet. Alcuin Welfare won the welfare award, two new eateries have opened, new furniture and kitchen equipment in the JCR. Josh is fantastic and has worked so hard to be a proactive and inclusive chair!
I have to say, and i’m sure I speak for my fellow Chairs, its not just us. Infact its the brilliant work of the members of the JCRC that put in so much effort and hard work.
Luckily i’ve been gifted with the amazing Charlotte Russell (the busiest woman on campus), Beth Campbell (YUSU Welfare Team of the Year!), Gary Man (whose spreadsheets are still a mystery to me), Tasha McNaught (whose posters are CRAZY GOOD), and so many more people who contribute unbelievable amounts of their time.
It’s so exciting to see the amount of interest in elections this year! 5 potential Chairs? You were lucky to scrape together 2 a short time ago.
And yeah, that Winter Ball is going to be huge.
As a current JCRC member, I think it’s unfair that Dexter’s chairmanship has been dismissed unfairly as the simple statement “whatever his achievements”. There has been a lot more focus on welfare and sports this year and it’s due to Dexter’s support and the passion of the JCRC team that this happened. These events include the weekly Film and Pizza Night headed by the welfare reps, sporting events and I know for my own Access event I organised, he supported it wholeheartedly and was willing to back it when others were unsure or not as passionate about it. Yes, there are alot of improvements to be made and yes there were alot of unsatisfactory incidents that occurred but regardless, it is necessary to remember it’s not easy being College Chair and a student.
Whatever his achievements, James College Chair Dexter Clarke will see his administration overshadowed by the circumstances surrounding issues with the James College Freshers week. He also had to deal with resignation of one of his Vice Chairs for unknown reasons, and shortly afterwards himself due to becoming a leave of absence student. On the plus side, James College has had some decently turned out events this year and its sporting performances haven’t been too shabby either, not to mention the college giving us a moment of College Cup magic when James 3rd managed to beat their own 1st team on penalties. Overall however, the next James Chair must do more to engage with his members and JCRC.
As a current JCRC member, I think it’s unfair that Dexter’s chairmanship has been dismissed unfairly as the simple statement “whatever his achievements”. There has been a lot more focus on welfare and sports this year and it’s due to Dexter’s support and the passion of the JCRC team that this happened. These events include the weekly Film and Pizza Night headed by the welfare reps, sporting events and I know for my own Access event I organised, he supported it wholeheartedly and was willing to back it when others were unsure or not as passionate about it. Yes, there are alot of improvements to be made and yes there were alot of unsatisfactory incidents that occurred but regardless, it is necessary to remember it’s not easy being College Chair and a student.
If Alex Bassick had been Chair he’d have got a first
2:1 for a chair whose entire JCRC at one stage were stabbed in the back directly by her? I think not.
2:1?! How can I run for YUSU Pres off that? 1st surely?
It’s a small wonder Mr Lee ever has to bother to wipe his bloody arse considering how clean most of the above commenters seems to be keeping it for him.
I mean I’m glad he did a good job and everything, but that many of you? It took that many of you to pile in because the guy gave him a 2:1 and not a First? Seriously?
The only people who really care about JCRC politics are those involved. Bet all these people backing up Josh Lee are on the Alcuin JCRC. Rest of Alcuin almost certainly couldn’t care less and probably hasn’t taken much notice of anything that may or may not have been done.
Actually no, I am not even in Alucin COLLEGE (let alone on their JCRC). However, I have seen Josh’s track record and I believe he fully merited a first. I think that many students see Josh and realise how great he is