The final part of the TOG series looking at Corpus Christi JCR - big thank you to all the JCR officers for getting involved!
Socio-economic Liberation Rep - Emily Simpson
For the last year I've been the Socio-economic Liberation Representative for Corpus Christi College. My role involved representing the interests of working class students at Corpus, such as at JCR meetings where appropriate. This role was relatively new and undefined when I took over so my main aim was to be a friendly person people could talk to about class related issues, in addition to this I advertised lots of social events ran through the Class Act Campaign and talks related to class. During Unity Week (an equalities week at Corpus) I ran a talk about State School versus Private School and busting myths about the two; I also helped organise the Homelessness Panel that was held during Unity Week. Women’s Rep - Colette Webber In my position as Women’s Rep for Corpus Christi JCR I represent undergraduates on issues of gender inequality. So far, I’ve initiated a scheme for free tampons and pads within college to challenge period poverty and to send a clear message that sanitary products are a right not a luxury! I put events on within college throughout the year, sometimes with support from other members of our Equal Opportunities committee, for example for Unity Week I invited the sexologist Laura Doe in to give a talk in Corpus. I also had a lot of fun working with the Women’s Reps from Oriel and University college putting on an event for International Women’s Day, something we hope to build on this coming year! Other than this I aim to be an approachable figure to come to in college, I’m here if you need someone to talk to about sexism or harassment and can help you if you want to take the issue higher.
Female Welfare Officer - Lilya Tata
In my role as Corpus JCR Welfare Officer, I aim to make myself an approachable and friendly face in college. I’m here for our junior members for anything welfare related: whether it be feeling down after a bad essay to dealing with a bereavement. I am also peer support trained, meaning that I have undertaken 30 hours of listen skills training with the University. My main job for peer-to-peer welfare is to act as a point of contact for the JCR, if they ever feel that they need further support or welfare. Alongside these duties, the other welfare officer and I run a welfare week every term (Corpus Cares Week), in which we organise events to support and improve the welfare across college (free yoga, ice cream trips, movie nights, late night teas, etc). We also run a welfare tea every weekend, which is a specific time to come and approach us for welfare. Free sexual health supplies, such as condoms, lube and dental dams, are ordered and distributed by us too. This year, I have been working on a proposal with college to get a college-specific counsellor. I’ve also worked closely with our women’s rep, Colette, to pilot a scheme which provides free sanitary products to the JCR.
Male Welfare Officer - Alexander Grassam-Rowe
I help ensure that there is sufficient provision of welfare to all members of the JCR through the termly welfare lunch with senior staff, and the weekly JCR committee meetings. I am also there to act as a person to talk to, such as during our weekly welfare teas. I'm there to make sure that everyone is as happy as they can be, and feel supported by the college and their peers - with a specific remit for those self-identifying as male. I have been involved in surveying the JCR's opinion about where they get their welfare, and how we might improve it, before presenting it to the senior welfare staff. I am organising the first freshers' talk for 'How to look after yourself' after consulting with the college Dr etc. I am organising how I will attempt to provide a more active male welfare role in college for the incoming freshers and future years.