1 00:00:00,150 --> 00:00:04,530 Hello and welcome to the Queen's Access podcast. It's so lovely to have you here. 2 00:00:04,530 --> 00:00:08,730 And I hope you find this a useful resource in learning more about life at Oxford. 3 00:00:08,730 --> 00:00:11,910 But more specifically, about life at the Queen's College. 4 00:00:11,910 --> 00:00:19,410 My guest this week, Isobel Gibbons, who's just finished her second year studying history and who is the outgoing JCR vice president. 5 00:00:19,410 --> 00:00:23,340 We'll have a chat about how the JCR works and generally what opportunities 6 00:00:23,340 --> 00:00:29,310 are available if you're interested in getting involved in student leadership. My apologies for any poor audio. 7 00:00:29,310 --> 00:00:34,290 These interviews have all been conducted over Zoome, and the Internet connexion isn't always completely reliable. 8 00:00:34,290 --> 00:00:49,050 For a transcript of this episode, please visit the Queen's website. I hope you enjoy. 9 00:00:49,050 --> 00:00:53,490 Hi, Isabel. How are you? I'm great, thanks. How have you been? Yeah, I've been good. 10 00:00:53,490 --> 00:00:59,100 Thank you. Thank you so much for agreeing to record. This is really helpful. And I know you'll be a really interesting guy. 11 00:00:59,100 --> 00:01:03,960 Oh, thank you. I hope so. OK. So to get us started. 12 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:08,850 You tell me a little bit about your plans, Danny. So how did you end up at college? 13 00:01:08,850 --> 00:01:13,290 So my Queen's journey is probably a bit more of a roundabout journey than a lot of people. 14 00:01:13,290 --> 00:01:18,870 I think it's probably best to start from GCSE. So in 2016, after work myself, quite frankly, 15 00:01:18,870 --> 00:01:26,010 to the grave that I came out with 70000 free A's and I got quite a few top of your maths points in several subjects. 16 00:01:26,010 --> 00:01:31,550 These grades were way above the average from a state school in Merseyside. So I chose to stay on at six one. 17 00:01:31,550 --> 00:01:35,600 The fault, the familiarity of teachers will be the right thing to do for me. 18 00:01:35,600 --> 00:01:39,960 By US results day, I need a hefty was one hundred percent while wants to do. 19 00:01:39,960 --> 00:01:45,380 And while Sprouse browsing unis outside Leeds was why I wanted to study along with two Insurance's and Bargewell. 20 00:01:45,380 --> 00:01:49,170 Oh no, you got to pick up to five places and let you study medicine. 21 00:01:49,170 --> 00:01:55,920 So whilst I was browsing I saw that the free A's at Oxford was a possibility for me to achieve. 22 00:01:55,920 --> 00:02:02,310 Unflashy though I remember I told school I wanted to apply. To say they are concerned is probably an understatement. 23 00:02:02,310 --> 00:02:07,150 I got asked if I knew how elitist and difficult it is to get in to get an interview, let alone get in. 24 00:02:07,150 --> 00:02:11,970 And then once I was there, I possibly feel quite isolated and struggle. But to me, it was worth a shot. 25 00:02:11,970 --> 00:02:17,070 It was like, I know I'd like to go to Leeds. I have this cesspit on my you cross application. 26 00:02:17,070 --> 00:02:23,040 Why not give it a go? So, I mean, my job went down to Oxford and did like a whistle stop tour, nearly every single college. 27 00:02:23,040 --> 00:02:30,660 I mean, you're someone access library, the type of state school percentages and obviously the quality of the freebies, 28 00:02:30,660 --> 00:02:35,910 the first face up instead screens because when you walk straight out of exam school is right. 29 00:02:35,910 --> 00:02:40,470 So we went m and we fell in love with the architecture and the libraries and decided. 30 00:02:40,470 --> 00:02:47,010 Right, you know what, I kind of like to study here. I didn't let my heart fully invest in it because I knew it be quite difficult. 31 00:02:47,010 --> 00:02:52,410 So I revise and I mean Ryba for the entrance exam and it turns out I got one the 32 00:02:52,410 --> 00:02:57,300 highest marks in that year and I was invited to interview rather unexpectedly. 33 00:02:57,300 --> 00:03:00,450 However, I was reallocated to Mansfield College for interview. 34 00:03:00,450 --> 00:03:06,150 And what happens at interview is often note move people about before interviews happen to balance fields. 35 00:03:06,150 --> 00:03:13,080 Subtle include like. What school you got in your intrinsics on why you are just to make sure isn't even spread about weapons? 36 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:16,690 So I was reallocated to Mansfield, knew nothing about the place. 37 00:03:16,690 --> 00:03:22,360 But for me, it was a win win. I was worried about state school representation in Mansfield on the Heights. 38 00:03:22,360 --> 00:03:26,400 And I got there and actually looked at the interview was difficult, of course. 39 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:32,370 But come January, I was offered a place and I was absolutely shell shocked. 40 00:03:32,370 --> 00:03:39,890 Fast forward to August twenty eighteen, however, and I did gut feeling that my second biology exam and let me down and did I came out of an eyesore, 41 00:03:39,890 --> 00:03:44,540 a bay and the free market I dropped in biology meant that Mansfield College rejected me. 42 00:03:44,540 --> 00:03:51,450 And what many people are quite unaware of is that I have a policy of clemency selected by a tutor at Queen's. 43 00:03:51,450 --> 00:03:57,300 You didn't care about the being biology, but rather sort of potential. I had my overgraze and the application process. 44 00:03:57,300 --> 00:04:04,430 I was awarded a place at Queen's College and became the first student at my school to stay on at six well and go to Oxford for a considerable period. 45 00:04:04,430 --> 00:04:07,110 You could say my Queen's journey went full circle. 46 00:04:07,110 --> 00:04:12,120 Fast forward to start a third year and I've loved every minute Queen's from being vice president of the JCR, 47 00:04:12,120 --> 00:04:16,380 playing football and in the Queen's Shezi to the privilege of getting to read and talk about the subject. 48 00:04:16,380 --> 00:04:20,640 I look, we can make all of the best institution in the world as a first gen state. 49 00:04:20,640 --> 00:04:24,480 So students who miss that author was given limited encouragement to apply. 50 00:04:24,480 --> 00:04:28,860 I defied the odds and tackled Oxford. All I can say is I'm not ready for this journey to end. 51 00:04:28,860 --> 00:04:33,960 And if you want to see if Ox is right for you, like, Hi, Dad. All I can say is park yourself to the hills. 52 00:04:33,960 --> 00:04:41,140 So, yeah, that's my Queen's journey was a bit full circle, but I got there in the end and I don't really want to leave. 53 00:04:41,140 --> 00:04:48,090 Well, that's amazing. And I think it's so important to talk about people who've had completely different routes because. 54 00:04:48,090 --> 00:04:54,090 Yeah, man, Saren talked about open offers, like people talking about getting like pooled interviews and things like that. 55 00:04:54,090 --> 00:04:59,670 And I just think that sometimes people can see the process as being very linear. 56 00:04:59,670 --> 00:05:07,960 And in that, I applied to Queens, got into your queens, into only at Queens, then got an offer and then go in on results day. 57 00:05:07,960 --> 00:05:12,470 I'm in the minority in my queens. Danny was that Línea? 58 00:05:12,470 --> 00:05:19,730 I think that's important to kind of point out is that people have loads of different routes in and all that kind of thing. 59 00:05:19,730 --> 00:05:28,180 And I think. Yeah, that's fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing that. So in general, what does all week look like at Oxford for you? 60 00:05:28,180 --> 00:05:34,290 Oh, well, everyone jokes. A host of students are infamous for having nothing on. 61 00:05:34,290 --> 00:05:40,570 In part, this is true. All degree is fairly unstructured and driven by personal study. 62 00:05:40,570 --> 00:05:49,140 Pastry is a degree of discipline. And yeah, I basically don't do a lot in my week now at finals. 63 00:05:49,140 --> 00:05:56,340 I typically have two lectures a week, free tutorials every two weeks and possibly a class depending on the paper I'm currently undertaking. 64 00:05:56,340 --> 00:05:59,730 So all in all, that probably averages about five hours a week. 65 00:05:59,730 --> 00:06:05,520 But that could also mean I'm writing free essays every two weeks and preparing source material for a class discussion. 66 00:06:05,520 --> 00:06:10,410 So I was do quickly idle. So my typical week will have football games. 67 00:06:10,410 --> 00:06:14,790 I go to yoga on a Monday, might go to the pool bowl. Bucella at college. 68 00:06:14,790 --> 00:06:19,260 I go to walks and talks and that's scheduled alongside any admin roles I might have. 69 00:06:19,260 --> 00:06:23,640 So when I was vice president, I'd always do on a Sunday all the admin. 70 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:27,150 So it was quite nice for a routine. 71 00:06:27,150 --> 00:06:33,810 All in all, my days probably start about half, eight, nine o'clock and I stopped studying about half, five, six o'clock. 72 00:06:33,810 --> 00:06:39,480 Of course, that's what a lot of breaks into college for lunch because it's got such a great atmosphere. 73 00:06:39,480 --> 00:06:43,650 You could say it's a healthy life balance of work and play. We have to be disciplined. 74 00:06:43,650 --> 00:06:54,630 I think that's one of the major things about being a history student is the lack of contact means you need to make sure you create a rigid, not rigid. 75 00:06:54,630 --> 00:07:00,090 I'd say a nice timetable for yourself, which is quite is quite enjoyable. 76 00:07:00,090 --> 00:07:04,080 I like structuring my day. Yeah. Yeah, definitely. I agree. 77 00:07:04,080 --> 00:07:09,870 I think I've always looked to historians kind of with some level of amazement because 78 00:07:09,870 --> 00:07:15,750 I'm somebody who needs it hasn't stopped her and asked me whether I should agree. 79 00:07:15,750 --> 00:07:21,270 You find that with the like twenty five plus contact hours a week sometimes. 80 00:07:21,270 --> 00:07:27,790 But yeah, I think, I think that's, that's really good. And having a lot of self discipline I imagine is, is so important for that kind of thing. 81 00:07:27,790 --> 00:07:30,870 So yeah. So we've talked a little bit about Izabel personally, 82 00:07:30,870 --> 00:07:36,830 but now I want to get onto the main topic of this episode, which is to do with student leadership. 83 00:07:36,830 --> 00:07:44,520 So I think a key thing to clear up is something that a lot of people find very confusing before they start hogshead, myself included. 84 00:07:44,520 --> 00:07:50,220 What is a JCR? What does it actually mean? Okay, this is a really good question. 85 00:07:50,220 --> 00:07:54,140 As a JCR, as both a body of people on a physical place. 86 00:07:54,140 --> 00:08:02,310 So Jenckes Elston's for junior common room and just describe as describes the body of undergraduates at college as well as their physical space. 87 00:08:02,310 --> 00:08:07,820 So our college, we have three types of quantum rooms. We have junior, middle and senior. 88 00:08:07,820 --> 00:08:11,130 And each of these have a physical space in the building to cold eyes. 89 00:08:11,130 --> 00:08:20,280 So as, for example, has a kitchen, a coffee machine, some sofas and beanbags, a Italian PlayStation, all supplies, Christmas decorations. 90 00:08:20,280 --> 00:08:25,330 And I'm rather randomly we have a bull's head mounted on the wall. 91 00:08:25,330 --> 00:08:31,960 But it's a physical space for undergraduate pairs, college to meet and attend meetings and to chill out. 92 00:08:31,960 --> 00:08:36,000 And so I would say, if you're confused about what JCR is, 93 00:08:36,000 --> 00:08:42,090 it's both the undergraduate pairs you will have within your college, also the place where you will meet them. 94 00:08:42,090 --> 00:08:49,210 Yeah, that's such a fantastic description. Thank you. And so, again, something that I find very confusing. 95 00:08:49,210 --> 00:08:57,900 Or I definitely did before I started. Is how is the JCR Queens different from the Oxford Student Union? 96 00:08:57,900 --> 00:09:01,650 And what kind of power does the DCR have like within college? 97 00:09:01,650 --> 00:09:08,640 I'm with many of us as a whole. So in all honesty, this confused me and sometimes still does until I became vice president. 98 00:09:08,640 --> 00:09:13,770 And you rarely understand the workings of Adjaye solving college itself. 99 00:09:13,770 --> 00:09:16,900 Also how that relates to the student union. 100 00:09:16,900 --> 00:09:22,380 And the best way to imagine it is each college has their own JCR, which deals with their individual student body, 101 00:09:22,380 --> 00:09:29,820 yet also has representation in the wider student body, which is the issue the ASH used to extend its student body at the university. 102 00:09:29,820 --> 00:09:36,080 So encompasses undergraduates and postgraduates, etc., whereas a J-Star is solely the college's undergraduates. 103 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:40,740 The JCR, like all students, when the university does have voting power at the ACM. 104 00:09:40,740 --> 00:09:46,290 But most things, all the A's between the president of the JCR and each college's SMU. 105 00:09:46,290 --> 00:09:53,190 Jay, sailboat's on college white issues. Whereas yes, you will vote on university wide issues in terms of powers. 106 00:09:53,190 --> 00:10:01,500 The best way to see it is an issue in JCR. More like pressure groups and mouthpieces for student concerns within college or university. 107 00:10:01,500 --> 00:10:07,650 So, for example, on the college level, this might include rent negotiations and the power to change. 108 00:10:07,650 --> 00:10:16,400 So it depends on the flexibility of a college. So, yeah, that's sort of about the difference of a JCR to student unions or the powers we have. 109 00:10:16,400 --> 00:10:20,760 Yeah, yeah. That's perfect. Thank you. And I think that probably cleared up any misunderstandings. 110 00:10:20,760 --> 00:10:24,060 I still have. So yeah, I really I really appreciate that. 111 00:10:24,060 --> 00:10:33,510 A key point to talk about as well, which I was going to point out now, is that the Oxford Union and the Oxford Student Union are not the same thing. 112 00:10:33,510 --> 00:10:39,540 And it can be quite confusing when you go in and fresher's week. So the Oxford Union is an independent society. 113 00:10:39,540 --> 00:10:42,550 You can pay to be a part of it. It has its own library. 114 00:10:42,550 --> 00:10:49,800 I have run some events for members and primarily it's used as a place of debating society and a speaking society. 115 00:10:49,800 --> 00:10:51,480 So they have a lot of different speakers come in. 116 00:10:51,480 --> 00:11:00,420 So when you see pictures of people like Theresa May, Stephen Fry speaking, usually that's taking place within the Oxford Union. 117 00:11:00,420 --> 00:11:04,380 But the oxygen is something you have to pay for and it's something you can choose to do. 118 00:11:04,380 --> 00:11:08,840 And France's record choose not to do. Is the student union. Is what? 119 00:11:08,840 --> 00:11:17,340 Well, you actually have power as students. I'm not. That is related to the JCR and to all student all students in this dead body. 120 00:11:17,340 --> 00:11:20,730 So, yeah, that's probably quite a good thing to declare. 121 00:11:20,730 --> 00:11:24,750 Yeah. So good point. Done. Yeah. Yeah. So yeah. 122 00:11:24,750 --> 00:11:31,770 So it's about as you mentioned, you've been the JCR vice president, so you have been to your fair, fair share of JCR meetings. 123 00:11:31,770 --> 00:11:36,480 So what happens in a standard JCR meeting. So. 124 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:39,940 Yeah. J7 meetings can be quite variable, to be honest. 125 00:11:39,940 --> 00:11:47,500 The average eight hour meeting starts at pizza iodised, one constant, depending on how many slices you got, depends on how many people are there. 126 00:11:47,500 --> 00:11:56,040 But the Queen's always sort of meetings with pizza for each meeting is different from the issues we discuss to the outcomes in general. 127 00:11:56,040 --> 00:12:04,050 Students submit motions. I request an action raising questions, asking for money from our monthly budget to contribute to activities. 128 00:12:04,050 --> 00:12:09,630 All these motions are then debated and we cross reference them with the Constitution. But that too can be edited. 129 00:12:09,630 --> 00:12:13,620 And then as a whole we vote on the motions put forward at Queen's. 130 00:12:13,620 --> 00:12:18,990 The recurring theme of our meetings is voting to request a copy of FIFA or an item for the day. 131 00:12:18,990 --> 00:12:27,080 So I'll cover a lot of things like to go walk. Likewise, we discuss food options in hall a lot and vote on plays. 132 00:12:27,080 --> 00:12:34,170 But likewise we discuss really serious issues like discussing the colleges efforts in divestment and representation and holding people accountable, 133 00:12:34,170 --> 00:12:36,630 which is really good that we can discuss diverse matters. 134 00:12:36,630 --> 00:12:42,930 And it's a great way for the student body to come together once a fortnight and either discuss things amongst themselves, 135 00:12:42,930 --> 00:12:49,920 but also plan action to change what colleges like and hopefully enact long term change. 136 00:12:49,920 --> 00:12:54,300 So an agenda is headed by the JCR chair and the meeting is decided by the vice president, 137 00:12:54,300 --> 00:12:59,350 who takes minutes as well as raising any constitutional concerns with the president and likewise the Treasurer. 138 00:12:59,350 --> 00:13:05,250 Is that, too, to provide a rollergirl day on our budget, providing all round informed and engaging debate? 139 00:13:05,250 --> 00:13:12,890 Yes, that's sort of what happens at Adjaye. So I'm meeting. They can be. Anywhere between half an hour to 40, up into a two hour meeting once. 140 00:13:12,890 --> 00:13:22,550 Wow. Yeah, that was that was interesting. Yeah, there are great opportunities to see the diverse concerns and types of students we have at college. 141 00:13:22,550 --> 00:13:28,570 Yeah, definitely, I think I've been to Jaisalmer meetings when things have been raised that I kind of haven't even thought about before. 142 00:13:28,570 --> 00:13:34,710 And what's nice as well is that one of the jobs of the vice president is to send out an agenda. 143 00:13:34,710 --> 00:13:38,570 And it's the chap that sends out the agenda for the meeting. 144 00:13:38,570 --> 00:13:45,720 So you can have a look at what motions are going to be raised before you actually go into the meeting slacken. 145 00:13:45,720 --> 00:13:50,510 Helpful to kind of think upon what you like, what you believe about these issues. 146 00:13:50,510 --> 00:13:54,210 And then it's quite nice to be able to go and either debate or listen to other people's opinions. 147 00:13:54,210 --> 00:14:00,980 And so the good thing about that as well is we because we produce minutes, we have, of course, students from the U.S. abroad, too, 148 00:14:00,980 --> 00:14:05,210 after a meeting and the vice president will email out the minutes so students who cannot 149 00:14:05,210 --> 00:14:08,780 attend the meeting are still up to date with everything going on in that community, 150 00:14:08,780 --> 00:14:14,850 which is really important that we make sure we stay all together, even despite students being dotted across the world. 151 00:14:14,850 --> 00:14:20,300 Also now he is out. Yeah. Yeah. And that's I and I've actually never thought about that before because I I've always 152 00:14:20,300 --> 00:14:23,330 used the minutes as a way of kind of refreshing what happened when the meeting began. 153 00:14:23,330 --> 00:14:27,230 A hundred percentage when you're abroad, you still want to know what's what's going on in college. 154 00:14:27,230 --> 00:14:31,790 Okay. So one of your roles as vice president was to run the elections process. 155 00:14:31,790 --> 00:14:40,250 So how does this work? So the elections process is a it seems daunting at first because it's standing up in front of loads of people. 156 00:14:40,250 --> 00:14:47,590 You might not know that well in your first year. And so you're very exposed, oversaw two elections processes. 157 00:14:47,590 --> 00:14:50,510 It's wonderful online platform that you use for voting, 158 00:14:50,510 --> 00:14:56,870 which I always forget how to plug in the results for the elections versus actually quite interesting itself. 159 00:14:56,870 --> 00:15:01,670 So each time different roles come up for re-election and these roles are part of the J-Star. 160 00:15:01,670 --> 00:15:06,890 Exactly. So these are the people who helped him Freshers Week who do different things for each time, 161 00:15:06,890 --> 00:15:12,140 such as organising photographs, ordering stash, helping with health care events, etc. 162 00:15:12,140 --> 00:15:16,550 So this election or every election is run by the returning officer. 163 00:15:16,550 --> 00:15:19,580 And at Queen's the vice president is the returning officer. 164 00:15:19,580 --> 00:15:25,910 So once all your positions for election have been set, received applications and we have support and seconders, 165 00:15:25,910 --> 00:15:31,520 applicants are given the chance to produce a manifesto which the returning officer circulates the JCR. 166 00:15:31,520 --> 00:15:39,960 And at Queen's, we place quite a big importance on monitoring applicants activities to make sure there's a fair chance for anyone. 167 00:15:39,960 --> 00:15:48,020 And also that anyone has concerns about an applicant behaviour, etc can come forward anonymously and raises consents to returning officer. 168 00:15:48,020 --> 00:15:55,430 So we take that stuff quite seriously. And this is one of the ways we hold people accountable in positions of electoral authority here at Queen's. 169 00:15:55,430 --> 00:16:00,110 There's also the option for people to be wrong's for elections to be reopened. 170 00:16:00,110 --> 00:16:04,350 Thankfully, I've now got to deal with one of those. Yeah, it won't happen soon. 171 00:16:04,350 --> 00:16:09,110 But yeah, the main event, an election, is hosted tonight in the JCR. 172 00:16:09,110 --> 00:16:15,910 And this is I've really well attended at the president's house or not very well attended depending what people go on. 173 00:16:15,910 --> 00:16:22,880 Well, hey, each applicant has to give a short speech on why they're applying for a role, what they bring to position and what they do differently. 174 00:16:22,880 --> 00:16:29,960 So it's sort of selling themself, but elaborating a bit more on that manifesto that we allow them to circulate. 175 00:16:29,960 --> 00:16:35,120 And this gives the J-Star a great chance to say, I've got to know the applicants on top of a manifesto. 176 00:16:35,120 --> 00:16:42,530 And it creates quite an enjoyable atmosphere because we have quite a variety of views in attendance and very good questions come out of it, 177 00:16:42,530 --> 00:16:50,510 along with some very silly ones. But the applicant then faced questions from an audience and it helps inform all voters on 178 00:16:50,510 --> 00:16:55,400 who they want to represent them and who they want to carry out all these responsibilities. 179 00:16:55,400 --> 00:17:04,450 So voting then commits comments on an online platform. Once the vice president worked out how to use the 24 hours, the results to circulators. 180 00:17:04,450 --> 00:17:07,340 And yeah, that's basically an election. 181 00:17:07,340 --> 00:17:15,230 I say the major thing about Adjaye solve election in comparison to maybe an EU election or a societys election. 182 00:17:15,230 --> 00:17:19,670 Is that because the JCR well, especially Queensrÿche, JCR is so close. 183 00:17:19,670 --> 00:17:26,240 Next, we have fairly small groups. I say people is more about people getting to know each other. 184 00:17:26,240 --> 00:17:29,870 And yes, it's a very like family environment. 185 00:17:29,870 --> 00:17:37,750 I say, yeah, I would say because I have thankfully when I ran for classes and I read rap, I was uncontested. 186 00:17:37,750 --> 00:17:42,530 So my Hustlas had slightly less riding on it than some other people's. 187 00:17:42,530 --> 00:17:46,370 But yeah, I would definitely say when I've when I've been to watch Haasts, 188 00:17:46,370 --> 00:17:52,700 where multiple people have been going forward for a role, even then, there's still not a super competitive environment. 189 00:17:52,700 --> 00:17:59,000 Everyone's very supportive of each other and people are very respectful, I think. 190 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:03,860 And, you know, everyone's always very like, congratulations, Ray. And I think it's it's a nicer environment. 191 00:18:03,860 --> 00:18:08,730 I found it significantly less stressful than going for head girl in school. 192 00:18:08,730 --> 00:18:15,080 Yes, completely. So I think that's probably and I think that includes like the presidential elections, 193 00:18:15,080 --> 00:18:20,750 that everything like it's it's nowhere near as stressful was running for positions in school, I'd say. 194 00:18:20,750 --> 00:18:27,380 Oh, yeah. I think. Also, the job of the vice president is sort of make everyone feel a bit at ease. 195 00:18:27,380 --> 00:18:33,390 Like I always email the outlook going. If you want to meet beforehand and go free speech, don't worry. 196 00:18:33,390 --> 00:18:41,870 It's not a place where people are trying to catch each other out. We are genuinely thankful for anyone who's going to order an off food for JCR t. 197 00:18:41,870 --> 00:18:45,190 Yeah. Yeah, definitely. OK. 198 00:18:45,190 --> 00:18:50,980 So if somebody is interested in being a member of the DCR exact, obviously they've got to go through the horse process. 199 00:18:50,980 --> 00:18:53,770 What kind of roles are available to them? 200 00:18:53,770 --> 00:19:01,060 So we have a variety of roles from the day to our exact group, sent in different groups and concerns as they're actually well over 20 positions. 201 00:19:01,060 --> 00:19:08,710 I'm just gonna give a brief overview because a lot of these people you'll either meet on open days or you'll hear about them on our website. 202 00:19:08,710 --> 00:19:11,260 And of course, I'll be organising Freshers Week. 203 00:19:11,260 --> 00:19:18,790 So notably, we have the equality scene, which specifically works of LGBTQ plus international BME, those who identify as women, 204 00:19:18,790 --> 00:19:26,160 disabled or students of low socio economic backgrounds to help ensure they feel represented within college and to address any concerns that arise. 205 00:19:26,160 --> 00:19:30,190 I feel like this is just a really, really important group of people that we have on the exact. 206 00:19:30,190 --> 00:19:37,240 And they also got it. They have their hours of many team owners with inequality's rep attached to them of a team. 207 00:19:37,240 --> 00:19:42,850 I mean, our positions include we have the president, the vice president, treasurer, welfare reps, 208 00:19:42,850 --> 00:19:51,250 social sex and sports and stasch, rap arts, food webmasters, charities yourself, which is a. 209 00:19:51,250 --> 00:19:57,550 We then have academic and careers rap, a webmaster, chat environment and ethics on an issue. 210 00:19:57,550 --> 00:20:04,310 And these individuals deal with anything from organised, not Hamley and the time events, which are almost like parties and fortnightly college. 211 00:20:04,310 --> 00:20:10,850 Bopp's ordering Stasch, which is anything that has Queens reign over at the Y. 212 00:20:10,850 --> 00:20:16,720 And then organising feedback sessions with our tutors and college welfare bands. 213 00:20:16,720 --> 00:20:21,670 And it's a really great way that they almost bring the community together. 214 00:20:21,670 --> 00:20:26,410 And so the J-Star exact will follow relevant concerns and motions raised if ACL meetings. 215 00:20:26,410 --> 00:20:30,760 So likewise, before when I mentioned that we vote on what foods hall, 216 00:20:30,760 --> 00:20:34,450 the food reps will go away and talk to the catering staff and it's a great way 217 00:20:34,450 --> 00:20:39,790 of just channelling communication that clip together and put on Freshers Week, 218 00:20:39,790 --> 00:20:43,990 helping students move in, find their feet and run some really important workshops. 219 00:20:43,990 --> 00:20:48,950 So this is where we run stuff like sexual consent workshops and balancing your time. 220 00:20:48,950 --> 00:20:53,950 And what's really interesting is the exact will be trained by workshops held at the ICU. 221 00:20:53,950 --> 00:21:00,300 That's why the link between the Asuna JCR is and we Klemen deliver these workshops. 222 00:21:00,300 --> 00:21:07,180 And we also do work behind the scenes to make sure that Queens is the most welcoming place to current future and past members. 223 00:21:07,180 --> 00:21:15,070 These people are elected on a variety of terms, cycles as well. So it could range from one term to Freetown's and the shore a different points. 224 00:21:15,070 --> 00:21:21,820 And this really allows loads of people to try different exact responsibilities no matter what year group they're in. 225 00:21:21,820 --> 00:21:26,860 So we could have a third year. Who's on a four year degree? And they applied to do this in their third year. 226 00:21:26,860 --> 00:21:32,440 They really want to get back into college life. I mean, that's really like a nice way that we framed everything. 227 00:21:32,440 --> 00:21:37,270 So, yeah, that's sort of the different exact roles. 228 00:21:37,270 --> 00:21:43,120 I'd say if you are interested in applying for one or you're a bit confused, just pop the person who has the position, 229 00:21:43,120 --> 00:21:48,850 a message or likewise go to the vice president, because that role is advertising the roles and running the elections. 230 00:21:48,850 --> 00:21:54,170 So they know fairly a lot about what the people go to. Oh, thank you, Isabel. 231 00:21:54,170 --> 00:21:58,580 That was a brilliant light whistle stop tour of the exact thing that was. 232 00:21:58,580 --> 00:22:07,340 That's it. Perfect. So, yeah, something as well. That's especially become relevant recently is that even if you aren't a member of the JCR exam, 233 00:22:07,340 --> 00:22:12,140 you can take part in specific working groups within college. 234 00:22:12,140 --> 00:22:16,160 So we have one to do with Queens is ethnic diversity. 235 00:22:16,160 --> 00:22:23,050 We have one to do with developing the way in which sexual harassment is reported within college. 236 00:22:23,050 --> 00:22:26,420 And there's a variety of different working groups. But you don't have to settle on the exact. 237 00:22:26,420 --> 00:22:32,810 So even if you don't think you'd like an exact position, you still have plenty of power. 238 00:22:32,810 --> 00:22:37,220 And there's plenty of avenues to kind of voice any concerns you might have within college, 239 00:22:37,220 --> 00:22:43,070 either through those working groups or through speaking to the rep who deals with the issues that your your concerned with. 240 00:22:43,070 --> 00:22:47,270 So, yeah, I think the JCR is something that definitely brings everybody together. 241 00:22:47,270 --> 00:22:55,670 And it's not I found it was such a bigger aspect of my college life than I thought it was gonna be before I applied. 242 00:22:55,670 --> 00:23:04,070 Yeah, I think that's what some people think as people forget, but also find different about the Oxford Collegiate experiences. 243 00:23:04,070 --> 00:23:09,410 A lot of my friends you go to over unis, there's a lot more emphasis placed on the Asir because they don't have colleges, 244 00:23:09,410 --> 00:23:14,630 whereas because we have colleges, the JCR has such a heavy focus, you can be as involved as you want. 245 00:23:14,630 --> 00:23:19,440 Well, you don't have to be involved at all. But, you know, it's. Which is a really nice thing. 246 00:23:19,440 --> 00:23:26,680 And I think there's such a variety of roles as well, since I was deputy head girl and SEC, for I had an absolute blast. 247 00:23:26,680 --> 00:23:28,550 But it was a massive time commitment. 248 00:23:28,550 --> 00:23:35,870 So I decided before I went to uni, you know, I'm not going to do my classic thing of assigning myself up to everything. 249 00:23:35,870 --> 00:23:41,720 I was I'm not going to I'm not gonna get involved with student leadership because I think that's gonna put too much on my plate. 250 00:23:41,720 --> 00:23:47,750 But then what I found was actually why I thought of student leadership was people standing up and doing speeches all the time, 251 00:23:47,750 --> 00:23:54,770 constant emails back and forth. And yes, that is some of the roles. But equally, I was super passionate about access. 252 00:23:54,770 --> 00:23:59,060 And with the role of any rap, you can do as much or as little as you want. 253 00:23:59,060 --> 00:24:02,920 And I think that's something that people don't necessarily realise. 254 00:24:02,920 --> 00:24:09,830 You don't have to be some overconfident future prime minister to be involved in student leadership with an 255 00:24:09,830 --> 00:24:16,150 Oxford like you can just you can run a super small sub community that you just play a really active part in. 256 00:24:16,150 --> 00:24:21,230 And I think that's really lovely. Yeah, I think just don't ever be scared to put yourself out there. 257 00:24:21,230 --> 00:24:30,430 So I apply the cycle for vice president was from Trinity term to the end of the following Hillary terms as the end of first year. 258 00:24:30,430 --> 00:24:36,460 Halfway through second year. And I apply because I was like, well, I kind of like doing Ottman exams. 259 00:24:36,460 --> 00:24:41,840 I've done some soci university societies, so I really want to get to know people. 260 00:24:41,840 --> 00:24:48,830 And I applied and like did the Holsten. I was only up against one of a person, but I wasn't not confident. 261 00:24:48,830 --> 00:24:57,650 And the role actually brought me on my show and I field made me more integrate into the Queens community like I remember at the end of second, 262 00:24:57,650 --> 00:25:02,450 halfway through second term, when you have halfway home, which celebrates halfway through your degree, 263 00:25:02,450 --> 00:25:08,060 I run the Halfway Hole Awards and I was there thinking of all these wonderful things that my peers at dawn, 264 00:25:08,060 --> 00:25:15,920 which I know that I wouldn't be in a position to know and put myself out there and taken that leap and signed up to be the vice president. 265 00:25:15,920 --> 00:25:21,080 And yes, some things are tedious, like a lot of emails and stuff that people don't see behind the scenes, 266 00:25:21,080 --> 00:25:25,400 which is really unfortunate because you go on doing all these things, then you realise, 267 00:25:25,400 --> 00:25:29,030 actually, no, I'm not I don't want all the praise for it because I love my job. 268 00:25:29,030 --> 00:25:32,390 And then you do little things like that's not on the job description. 269 00:25:32,390 --> 00:25:36,500 Like people will come to me halfway through the day and go, I can't find the newspaper. 270 00:25:36,500 --> 00:25:43,040 And I go and find all the newspapers for them because it's just people know you care. 271 00:25:43,040 --> 00:25:47,120 So it's a great it's a great way to integrate it, but also a great way. 272 00:25:47,120 --> 00:25:51,910 If you're not too competent, you want to dive headfirst straight into your first term. 273 00:25:51,910 --> 00:25:58,740 Right. A bit like I did until halfway through and go, you know, well, this is something I won't be a part of more. 274 00:25:58,740 --> 00:26:04,650 Yeah, definitely. That's fantastic. OK, so as far as a close, I'll ask you what I what I ask everyone on this. 275 00:26:04,650 --> 00:26:08,760 So what is your favourite thing about college and why? 276 00:26:08,760 --> 00:26:12,750 Oh, I. This is probably the toughest question you ask, 277 00:26:12,750 --> 00:26:20,380 because all the other questions are like role descriptions and stuff that is factual that happens every day. 278 00:26:20,380 --> 00:26:26,700 Yeah, I probably about my first question where I said if you asked me four years ago when I was applying to uni, 279 00:26:26,700 --> 00:26:30,390 I would've said the libraries at Queens because that was what made me want to apply. 280 00:26:30,390 --> 00:26:35,970 Like the library was gorgeous. And it's still one of my favourite places to study because we have great staff. 281 00:26:35,970 --> 00:26:39,530 There are always spotless and stocked with all the materials I need. 282 00:26:39,530 --> 00:26:45,510 And it was the reason I applied to Queens and it features too often on my Instagram. 283 00:26:45,510 --> 00:26:49,710 And you know what? BuzzFeed listed it as one of the top ten libraries you see before you die. 284 00:26:49,710 --> 00:26:53,430 And I see no Leiser for now. 285 00:26:53,430 --> 00:27:01,500 Entering my third and final year. I probably say it's a toss up between Xmas celebrations and JCR t. 286 00:27:01,500 --> 00:27:09,150 I think probably a lot of people said I'm not too sure, but locksmith's for those who you don't know, is like Christmas or Oxford. 287 00:27:09,150 --> 00:27:17,490 In our last week of Michaelmas term, we have like a massive party and a Christmas dinner and and then JCR tea for him at Queen's. 288 00:27:17,490 --> 00:27:20,730 We have like snacks on offer to buy that. 289 00:27:20,730 --> 00:27:29,220 We will sit in the JCR and eat on both of those exhibit, like just a great sense of community and fun, like everyone gets together and it's just nice. 290 00:27:29,220 --> 00:27:33,860 And then again there's food at both events and that's a major contributing factor. 291 00:27:33,860 --> 00:27:37,600 That's why I love it. Yeah. I don't know. 292 00:27:37,600 --> 00:27:41,910 It's a tough one. I'd say it's between those table. I probably change my mind in five minutes. 293 00:27:41,910 --> 00:27:47,240 Is too much to love. Yeah, well, that's that's certainly not something I'm going to complain about. 294 00:27:47,240 --> 00:27:54,000 He wants to live at Cloyd's. We can definitely we can definitely have that as a tagline. Isabelle, thank you so, so much for talking to me. 295 00:27:54,000 --> 00:27:58,740 This has been really, really, really interesting. And I hope you have an absolute fantastic day and. 296 00:27:58,740 --> 00:28:12,740 Yeah. Thank you so much for contributing. Thank you to Kyla. And I will see you soon. 297 00:28:12,740 --> 00:28:17,810 Thank you so much to Isabel for that fantastic conversation. And a massive thank you to all of you who listened. 298 00:28:17,810 --> 00:28:27,260 There are loads more access resources on the Queen's College Web site, a w w w dot queen's dot ox, dot ac dot, UK forward slash access dash outreach. 299 00:28:27,260 --> 00:28:30,080 And you can find out more about the college in general through its Web site, 300 00:28:30,080 --> 00:28:40,960 Twitter and Instagram, including on the Access Twitter at Queen's Outreach.