Peters Constitutional Overhaul
The St Peters College JCR Constitution is to be completely rewritten in a major move undertaken by Second Year Engineer Matthew Richardson.
Richardson's draft, which aims to update and modernise the document is to be presented to the JCR Committee for approval as soon as it is completed. The most significant structural changes that have been outlined so far are aimed at reducing what he sees as the "bloated" committee to a few key roles, as well as attempting to put the college in line with the 1994 Education Act. As it stands, St Peters is dangerously close to being in breach of the financial regulations of the act.
Richardson, a former candidate in the JCR's Presidential elections, decided to tackle the Constitution at the beginning of the year, and has been working on his new version since then. Despite not being a member of the JCR Committee, he is currently entitled to do so under the terms of the old constitution without the need for prior permission, as long as the Committee approves the finished work.
His changes also cover a range of measures such as renaming the JCR as "The Union of St Peters Students". The current President, Alex Belcher, described this particular move as "intended to alter the introverted and false image of Oxford colleges to outsiders" although she admitted that "for students at Oxford it would be far more convenient and less confusing to keep the name as it is". Other plans involve streamlining several Committee posts, by combining the role of Warden and Bar rep into one residential post, which would be assisted by another officer in charge of all dispensers and games machines. However, there is disagreement as to how feasible this is. The current bar rep, Johnny Clayton is in favour although the warden is opposed to the change.
The creation of additional smaller posts has also been proposed by Richardson, with the aim of freeing up the core committee from superfluous tasks and thus create a more efficient organisational structure. These include a Punts Rep, whose sole duty would be to look after the two punts hired each year in the summer term, and a Summer Rep who would live in college over the summer break in case anything arose between terms. However, this plan has been criticised for creating too many unnecessary positions.
Richardson defended his plan of reforms by saying that "people are bored because they've been overexposed to JCR politics", and remains buoyant that he can effect real improvements to St Peter's JCR.
Asked to comment further on Richardson's work, the JCR president said that she "likes the fact that he's so interested in the JCR. His proposals may need revision but it's good to see someone trying.'
22nd Nov 2001