Have your say.
JCR GOVERNANCE
MEET THE EXEC
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I work as a representative for the students of Stephenson and do lots of behind-the-scenes work to keep our Junior Common Room running.
Graduated, MA Environmental Humanities.
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I support the President and the JCR and organise the College Wardrobe, the Academic Guides programme, as well as supporting sustainability in college!
3rd Year, Economics
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I make sure that the JCR has stable governance and elections.
3rd Year, Law
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My role this year will be to support all the other JCR officers manage their budgets, and to handle all of our finances. Part of my role will be to make sure my work is transparent so JCR members know what is happening with their money.
2nd Year Physics
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JCR events are all about meeting new people and having a good time! I’m really looking forward to planning your events this year, especially Stevo Day!
2nd Year, Geophysics
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I am responsible for the JCR’s communication with students, including managing our social media.
3rd Year, Classical Civilisation
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I am responsible for planning and facilitating both the winter and summer ball in all aspects from planning venue and foods to risk assessments and compliance.
4th Year, Business and Management
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I am here if you ever need a chat, and I am looking forward to running events throughout the year for everyone!
2nd Year, Criminology
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I help to oversee and run Team Stevo, the college’s 25th anniversary this year is going to be big for Team Stevo.
3rd Year, Computer Science
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I am doing this role for the 2nd year in a row - Stevo societies are very important to me. I can help with maintaining and setting up new societies, so please ask if you have any questions!
3rd Year, Computer Science
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My job is to ensure that everyone feels equally represented and included in college and on the JCR, and also to organise events championing diversity in our community.
2nd Year, Biology and Philosophy
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2nd Year, Business and Management
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I’ll be organising a variety of volunteering events and fundraisers for those who want to make a positive impact on the local community whilst at Durham!
4th Year, Psychology
JCR Meetings
WHAT HAPPENS?
JCR meetings are where we discuss important issues, review and vote on motions, listen to husts (speeches) for prospective Executive and Non-Executive Officers, and ensure the elected officials running the JCR are effective and held to account. As a democratic body, the JCR meetings are ultimately a forum in which the members deliberate on issues that impact our community.
In a typical year, there are around 3 JCR Meetings per-term, excluding the exam period.
Minutes from our previous meetings are available here along with any motions to review before the next meeting.
HUSTS
One of the most important elements of the JCR meetings is that of the husts, which are held prior to any elections being held by the JCR. Husts are in essence speeches that provide election candidates the chance to expound on the ideas presented in their manifestos and answer questions from the assembled members. This is a crucial part of the election process as it acts as a moment of direct communication between the candidates and the electorate!
In a typical year the JCR will hold 2-3 series of elections, with the single largest being our General Election, held in Feburay-March, in which all Exec and Non-Exec positions are up for grabs. You can find out more about JCR elections here.
ASK THE EXEC!
Ask The Exec! sessions are an opportunity for the current students to ask questions of the JCR Executive Officers. This is a good opportunity for our students to remain informed about what the Exec Officers have been doing and keep them accountable with questions. Ask The Exec! sessions are incorporated into the last JCR meeting for each term.
DEBATES AND DISCUSSIONS
As a democratic organisation, it is vital that important issues are debated and discussed by the members, and our JCR meetings are the point at which these debates and discussions can be held. The issues being discussed can be of any magnitude, ranging from issues purely relating to Stephenson College or the JCR, to issues that are prominent across the university and occasionally the wider UK.
MOTIONS
Motions are formal recommendations and suggestions put out by members of the JCR on improving our student body. Proposed motions are then discussed in JCR meetings, to which members then are able to vote for or against. If the majority votes for the proposed motion, then it becomes ratified and applied to JCR standing orders.
If you would like to submit a motion please contact the JCR Chair on stephenson.jcr-chair@durham.ac.uk or fill in the Motions Submission form below. The full terms of the substantive motion are to be placed on the agenda paper together with the names of one proposer and one seconder. Such motions shall be submitted to the JCR Chair in writing at least 4 days before a JCR meeting unless it is a procedural motion. Further information can be found in the Standing Orders.
APOLOGIES
Attending JCR meetings is compulsory for first-year students who live in college. If you are not able to attend, an apology with the reason for your absence must be submitted to the Chair with the reason for your absence at least two hours before the meeting.
Governing Documents of the JCR
As an organisation, we have two foundational documents. The DSO framework broadly dictates how we operate as a Durham Student Organisation (many other JCRs are also DSOs), while our Constitution and Standing Orders outline how things work specifically within Stephenson College. You are welcome to have a read, and if you take one thing away from them, it should be that we are a democratic, student-led organisation, with our policies and activities decided and championed by our community and members.
The Constitution & Standing Orders as of 19/6/2025:
JCR Finance
Stephenson Grants and Funds
