Group of students and teachers in a classroom or meeting space, standing and sitting, with a presentation slide projected on the wall behind them.

Have your say.

JCR GOVERNANCE

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UNDER CONSTRUCTION RIGHT NOW! SORRY FOR THE MESS!

MEET THE EXEC

I’m Millie, this year’s JCR President.
Last year I was a student in college, but having graduated over the summer with a degree in Anthropology and Sociology, I am very excited to be elected into this position for 2025/26! 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.

Hi, I’m Emily - I’m going to be your vice president for 2025/26! I’m a 4th year Politics (with a year in Industry) student :) I’ve been elected to support the JCR and the President, support sustainability in college and help make college life the best it can be. If you have any questions about anything or my experience at Stevo, please reach out to me at stephenson.jcr-vicepresident@durham.ac.uk
I’m excited to meet you all, Bleed Red !!

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Hi I’m the Treasurer. 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.

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Hello, I'm Logan (3rd Year Law Student), and I am your JCR Chair for this year. I'm a lover of constitutional law, and my goal this year is to improve democracy and the JCR Constitution.

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Hi! I’m Kate, this year’s communications officer for Stevo. I’ll be running the JCR’s social media accounts and marketing. I love reading and hanging out with friends. I’m super excited to meet you all!

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Hi, I’m Grace and I’m so excited to be your events officer this year! JCR events are your opportunity to have a laugh, meet some new people and make amazing memories with friends so get involved and bring your flatmates! There is something for absolutely everyone, whether you want to try every themed cocktail on the menu or just want a chill space to hang out. I’ve met some of my best friends for life at Stevo events and hope this year will be another one to remember! My No.1 piece of advice from my first year is say yes more and go to everything, you won’t regret it! Please feel free to reach out to me anytime at stephenson.jcr-events@durham.ac.uk
I can’t wait to plan some fab events for you this year, bleed red!

Young woman with glasses, septum piercing, and wavy dark hair smiling in a neon-lit arcade or amusement area.

Hi I’m James, I'll be your Ball Chair for 25/26. I love going to concerts and spending time with friends. I’m excited to be organising the college winter and summer ball because they are some of the best events of the year. If you are looking to get involved please don't hesitate to contact me! Can't wait to meet everyone this year!

Updating soon…

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Hi I’m Louis, and I will be your Societies Officer for the second year in a row! Societies at Stevo are really important to me and I really recommend you get involved in as many of our societies as possible. Personally I am an active member of Grow Soc (our gardening society) and The Flaming Steamos (our college jazz band). I’m also always on the lookout for new societies to start and get involved with and if anyone wants to start anything new just ask! I look forward to meeting everyone in September, please say hi if you see me!

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Hi I’m Seb, I’m a second year classical civilisation student, and I’m going to be your senior welfare officer this year! I’m excited to be running events throughout the year and I’m always up for a chat if you see me around - most likely in Stevo central playing cards, Fabs, or Klute.

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Hello, I’m Flynn, and I am doing an MA in Environmental Humanities. My role as the volunteering and outreach officer is to organise and oversee our volunteering projects. There is a wide range of opportunities available; check out @stephenson.volunteering for all the information.

Hey! I’m Natalya, your International Officer for the year. As an international student myself from Egypt, I love meeting new people and hearing stories from around the globe. When I’m not planning events that celebrate different cultures, you’ll probably catch me at DU Art Society or at Platform 2 playing pool, feel free to come say hi, I’m always up for a chat!

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Hi, Im your Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Meg. This year I returned to Stevo as a postgrad to study for my Master's in Law! I represent all things EDI on the JCR and MCR, and am always open for a chat, or to hear your ideas about how we can make college as inclusive as possible. This year I'm most looking forward to our Pride events :) You can also ask me about DU Dance, Women in Law, and returning to college as a postgrad.

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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.

MINUTES FROM PAST MEETINGS

MOTIONS TO BE REVIEWED

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.

SUBMIT A MOTION

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:

VIEW OUR CONSTITUTION

VIEW OUR SOCIETIES FRAMEWORK

VIEW OUR SPORTS FRAMEWORK

VIEW THE DSO FRAMEWORK

VIEW OUR EnVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABILITY POLICY