Get to know the new SJCR Executive!

The 2023-2024 SJCR Executive team were elected at the end of Epiphany term and are currently preparing for the new academic year. In this article, Kate Langton introduces us to the Exec roles and the people who will be doing them!

It’s that time of year again; exams are over, the sun’s out, and amazing events are happening across Durham, but with this comes a tinge of sadness as we have to say goodbye to finalists and our college exec. I must say, this year’s exec has been truly wonderful, and, as the incoming Campaigns and Inclusivity Officer, I think we all have very big shoes to fill. However, time moves on, and so must we to our new Executive members for 2023/24. The Exec, in my experience, are a mysterious bunch, and so I thought it would be nice to ask them all a few questions and allow you to get to know them for the lovely people they are.

Academic Affairs and Students’ Union Liaison

Of course, I love all of my fellow exec members equally, so let’s go alphabetically and start off by introducing Oliver, the SJCR Academic Affairs and Students’ Union Liaison, who was recently named the Queen of John’s for 2023!

Name: Oliver Davis

Subject: Biosciences

Year: Second

From: Rochester, Kent

What do you wish people knew about your role?

The Academic Affairs and Students’ Union Liaison role is actually quite diverse! I not only deal with SU affairs but also get to invite people to college to give talks, run quizzes and help run University Challenge.

Also, people should know about my Instagram – @johns.dsu (selfish plug)

Have you got any advice for people wanting to get involved in college life?

Just give it a go and do not necessarily go for something which plays to your strengths! Try something new; that’s what University is all about, no?

Campaigns and Inclusivity Officer

Next up is me, Kate Langton, the SJCR Campaigns and Inclusivity Officer. I’m responsible for some of the welfare representatives, such as LGBTQ+ Rep and Year Out Officer, and making sure everyone is represented in college. I also get to plan and organise loads of fun events like Stressless and Pride!

Name: Kate Langton

Subject: History

Year: Third

From: Stockport, Greater Manchester

Why did you apply for your role?

At the start of my second year, I became the Liver’s Out representative, which meant that I went to all the Welfare Committee meetings where the role of Campaigns and Inclusivity Officer was first established. I’d really enjoyed my work as Liver’s Out rep, and I thought this new role sounded really up my street because, unlike most people, I love admin, organising, and planning. I’m also very opinionated and love fighting for justice and representation, so I thought this role would be the perfect fit for me.

What has been your favourite part of the role so far?

I really loved organising all of the Stressless weekend events, particularly the Petting Zoo, which had a fantastic turnout. I put loads of work into planning and organising it all, and so to get positive feedback and see people enjoying the events was an amazing feeling.

Chair

Up next is Theo, our SJCR Chair, who plays a huge role in planning and running all our meetings – which there are a lot of! He also runs the elections and is in charge of ensuring the SJCR remains democratic and follows the Constitutional Documents.

Name: Theo Roose

Subject: History

Year: Third

From: Fleet, Hampshire

Why did you apply for your role?

I had enjoyed my previous experience with the SJCR as a Frep and as Vice-Chair, so wanted to continue to participate in college life and contribute to various projects around John’s.

Have you got any advice for people wanting to get involved in college life?

Every role in the SJCR is important, so even if you don’t want to commit to being on the exec there is so much you can do to get involved without giving up all of your time.

Communications Officer

Next is Lucy, the SJCR Communications Officer, who tirelessly types away, writing minutes for all of our many meetings, as well as monitoring notice boards around college.

Name: Lucy Hunter

Subject: History and Politics

Year: First

From: Liverpool

What do you wish people knew about your role?

Attending committee meetings can actually be enjoyable, and there is more to my role than meetings.

Have you got any advice for people wanting to get involved in college life?

It is definitely worth getting involved, as you get to have an insight and a large involvement into how the SJCR runs, and is a great way to make friends across different years and subjects.

Fresher’s Week Coordinator

Up next are our two SJCR Freshers Week Coordinators, Miles and Sophie, who are so excited to welcome all the new Freshers to John’s in September!

Name: Miles Balderson

Subject: Engineering

Year: Third

From: Warwickshire

What has been your favourite part of the role so far?

Being able to decide on the frep team was a real highlight – but now the hard work begins!

Has anything surprised you about being on the exec?

That there are biscuits at every exec meeting.

Name: Sophie Gallagher

Subject: Theology and Religion

Year: Third

From: Belfast, Northern Ireland

What has been your favourite part of the role so far?

Our team – we have such a great Frep team this year, and I’m so excited to work with them over the summer and in September/October!

What do you wish people knew about your role?

There is so much that goes on behind the scenes for Freshers’ Week – our prep started in April when we were first elected. It isn’t just a two-week role!
Services Manager

Next is Josh, the SJCR Services Manager, who organises the maintenance of things like washing machines and vending machines in college. He also has the job of ordering the all-important stash!

Name: Joshua Hogan

Subject: Physical Geography

Year: Third

From: South Manchester

What do you hope to get out of being on the exec?

A better understanding of how online shopping works.

What do you wish people knew about your role?

That it is a bit less about washing machines and a bit more about understanding Microsoft Excel.

Social Secretary

Next is Hannah, our SJCR Social Secretary, who does a fabulous job organising and running events such as the Bailey Ball and Mega Formals. She works with her SEC team to make amazing decorations and organises brilliant entertainment which make every event special.

Name: Hannah Parfitt

Subject: Biological Sciences

Year: Third

From: Cardiff, Wales

Why did you apply for your role?

I’d like for every single John’s student to feel welcome and included, and I think that running events like Bailey Ball and John’s Day are a way that we can do that.

I’m also super excited to work with the exec and my Social Events Committee.

What has been your favourite part of the role so far?

Bailey Ball 2022 was a lot of fun – it was amazing to see college change into The Four Seasons so quickly!

I also really enjoyed the Fresher’s Formals. It was such an honour to help welcome a new year of Johnians.

Sports and Societies Officer

Next up is Jonathan, our SJCR Sports and Societies Officer, who plans and runs sporting events in college like the amazing John’s Chad’s Sports Day.

Name: Jonathan Savine

Subject: History and International Relations

Year: Second

From: London

What has been your favourite part of the role so far?

Finishing in an amazing second place in the Festival of Sport relay race with Thomas Jackson, Liz the chaplain, and Olav

What do you hope to get out of being on the exec?

Stash.

Treasurer

Next is Ben, our SJCR Treasurer, who has the very important job of controlling and managing the SJCR budget.

Name: Ben Dickinson

Subject: Maths

Year: Fourth

From: Merseyside

What do you wish people knew about your role?

I don’t have unlimited control over the budgets and finances of the SJCR!

Have you got any advice for people wanting to get involved in college life?

Speak to the person currently holding the role you’re interested in; they will be more than happy to have a chat about what they do.

Vice-President (CCR)

Next is Emily, the Cranmer Common Room Vice-President who represents Cranmer Hall in our exec meetings.

Name: Emily McDonald

Subject: Theology, Ministry & Mission

Year: Third

From: Doncaster

What has been your favourite part of the role so far?

Interviewing Frep candidates, it was great to see so many people who are enthusiastic about welcoming the next cohort to John’s.

What do you wish people knew about your role?

My role has a lot of behind-the-scenes meetings for both John’s and Cranmer.

Vice-President (MCR)

Next is Izzy, the Middle Common Room President, who, similarly to Emily, represents the non-undergraduates (postgraduates, mature students and 4th year undergraduate students) in our meetings.

Name: Izzy Hubbert

Subject: Psychology

Year: Third

From: Yorkshire

Why did you apply for your role?

I really found a community within the MCR, and I wanted to help the MCR recover from the pandemic. Also, I really love the MCR, so I love being super involved in it.

Has anything surprised you about being on the exec?

So many meetings … like omg.

Vice-President (Undergraduate)

Next is Libby, our SJCR Vice-President, who represents the Undergraduate voice in college and helps the President ensure the smooth running of college and the SJCR in a variety of ways; essentially, she is always there to problem solve and put out fires.

Name: Libby Wright

Subject: French and German

Year: Fourth

From: County Durham

What do you wish people knew about your role?

That there are 3 different VPs for 3 different parts of the Common Room – we are not all the same person.

Have you got any advice for people wanting to get involved in college life?

Getting involved in the SJCR is such good fun and you can meet so many new people. It’s also a great outlet for any ideas you have about events or ways to improve things. In the end, the more people who help out with the SJCR, the better, as it means everything we deliver can be done bigger and better and in a way that caters to more people’s needs/interests.

Welfare Officer

Finally, we have our SJCR Welfare Officer Talitha, who runs events and drop-ins to look after student welfare. She also manages her team of Peer Supporters who help her support students in John’s.