11 minute read
JCR through the decades
Times have changed over the past half century, though many traditions that make Mansfield, Mansfield have remained. We asked former JCR Presidents - spanning more than six decades - to share their recollections.
1960-70
Sidney Blankenship (Theology, 1967)
JCR President 1968/69
In the 1969 College photo, you’ll see the depiction of a 100% male college community, including Principal John Marsh (himself JCR President 1930/31), tutors, Visiting Students, undergraduates, and doctoral students. There was no MCR – everyone met in the Common Room at the west end of the main building, where JCR meetings were held.
The second photo is our 1968 First VIII rowing team: centre, Keith Gittins (History, 1966), cox; Principal Marsh, an avid supporter of the Boat Club; and Wally Buckingham, Steward. Back row: Paul Worsley (Jurisprudence, 1966), Alan Spoors (English, 1967), Antony Thomas (Jurisprudence, 1966), and Paul Jay (English, 1967); front row: John Main (History, 1965), Chris Hayman (History, 1966), Bruce Robertson (DPhil Theology, 1967), and myself. We attained three bumps, and one in 1968 Torpids.
As Bob Dylan almost said, ‘The times, they were a-changing’. The Vietnam war was a source of discontent; Bill Clinton was at University College; Prince Charles was at Cambridge; and Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. Yet the JCR was not a political vehicle. We were generally occupied with our individual academic pursuits. As a master of caring paternalism, John Marsh had a Christian view of morality, order and discipline. Wally Buckingham had the presence of a stern enforcer, but was equally a nurturing friend. We all managed on that basis, and deep friendships were formed.
The incident of foregoing academic gowns in Hall, in retrospect, seems to have been simply a test of wills that did not prevail. I recited the College Latin grace before evening meals, and the formality of Oxford was an assurance of the University’s order and prestige. By my day, the College had already evolved as a Permanent Private Hall from its early Congregational debates over theological subjects, even as Theology remained a field-encompassing course. See Mansfield College, Oxford by Elaine Kaye for that history.
With its increasing interdisciplinary input from all subjects at Oxford, the JCR was open to the idea of accepting women students during my tenure, and so we voted. This issue was ultimately settled within the University.
1970-80
Admiral Sir Philip Jones GCB DL (Geography, 1978)
JCR President 1979/80
I stepped up to the role of President from JCR Treasurer at short notice in my second year and really enjoyed it. Mansfield was transitioning from accepting only male undergraduates (my year was the last such year), and it was fascinating to see the way the College was changing to reflect that. The whole University was going through a similar transition at the time.
I recall some feisty discussions with the SCR over rents, bills and charges, but it was always conducted in the right spirit and in the engaging, sympathetic style that was the hallmark of the wonderful Dr Donald Sykes, Principal at the time. The JCR itself was a fun place to gather, and you could always find someone that you knew in there for a chat, a cuppa, or a beer (or three!), depending on the time of day (‘posh coffee’ wasn’t really a thing 45 years ago).
Mansfield was turned into a film set during the Easter vacation of my second year, to portray late 19th-century Harvard for the opening scenes of Michael Cimino’s epic (flop?) Heaven’s Gate. Many students were employed as extras, enduring early starts and long days, but some welcomed the extra income. I missed it all, as I was at sea on a Royal Navy frigate, keeping my hand in as a University Cadet. This also involved lots of early starts, long days and some welcome extra income, so I suppose it wasn’t that different in the end.
1980-90
Sir Ian Blatchford (Jurisprudence, 1983)
JCR President 1984/85
In early 1984, I was the Education Officer at the Oxford University Student Union (OUSU) leading a ‘Target Teachers’ campaign. Its aim was to encourage teachers in the state sector to embrace the idea of Oxford entrance, as research had shown that prejudices and uncertainties about the ‘dreaming spires’ might be curtailing pupil aspirations. However, fascinating though this project was, I was encouraged by several Mansfield friends to run for JCR President and so resigned from OUSU.
The JCR was very much focused on ‘bread and butter’ issues with long negotiations with the then Bursar (David Kinnersley) over potential increases in battels, and fairer procedures for allocating (scarce) College accommodation between home and international students. One nice ritual was a pre-lunch sherry with Principal Donald Sykes every Wednesday to catch up on the latest issues, concerns and gossip across the student and Fellow bodies.
It felt like a very vivid time politically, with Thatcherism at its peak and the Left struggling to define its narrative. I had been elected to OUSU under the Lib Dem banner, during a period when the social democratic ticket was very strong. Universities were also the subject of controversial funding changes, although these now seem mild compared to today. The JCR went on a massive demonstration outside All Souls when Keith Joseph, Education Secretary, was speaking at a dinner.
As JCR President, I was invited to attend the famous Congregation meeting in the Sheldonian when the dons voted by a large margin not to confer an honorary doctorate on Margaret Thatcher, in protest at cuts to scientific and medical research funding. I recall a passionate but erudite debate.
1990-2000
Gill Kirk (English, 1991)
JCR President 1992/93
The year 1993 was an awesome time to be JCR President. Why? The students were ace, the academic and administrative staff almost exclusively kind and smart, and we followed in the footsteps of wise, witty and pretty sane JCR Benches, led by 1990’s President, the beloved and gone-too-soon Nigel Hall (History, 1988), 1991’s Ed Cox (Geography, 1989), and 1992’s Jason Edwards (PPE, 1990). Our Principal was another recently departed hero, Dennis Trevelyan: ‘Den-Trev’ as I’m sure he’d forgive me revealing. And on a personal note, Lucinda Rumsey was my marvellous English Course II tutor - here’s to her recent retirement (too young, surely?!).
The Lodge was run by a heavenly trio: Hugh, Mike and Karl, and we had a JCR-run bar and a glorious JCR full of soggy old sofas, which ate newspapers and soaked up leaky beakers of questionable coffee and floating cigarettes.
Sunday was Video Night – thanks, Steve Elliott (History, 1988). Thursday JCR meetings were decent get-togethers, with passionate but respectful argy-bargy, upholding Mansfield’s tradition of dissent, in all its mucky glory.
These were great days because of the true mix we all were. We rarely agreed on anything. I’ve worked in politics - and scriptwriting - ever since, and that Mansfield spirit of disagreement, listening and questioning remains central to my world view.
After Mansfield, I was an OUSU sabbatical officer. My supporting OUSU exec member was Liz Truss, and I realised how special our JCR was; let’s say she had a different way of working! I genuinely treasure that year, and all my Mansfield time. I love bumping into ‘us’ in the strangest places, knowing that we shared some weird differences, but that we all knew this special time and place.
2000-10
Sara Bainbridge (Human Sciences, 2007)
JCR President 2008/09
My presidency in 2009 included snow, swine flu and a spat. Early on in my term of office, I had to alert hungry students that 12 inches of snow had cancelled all catering - but I knew I could turn to others for help.
Being JCR President has never been a solo effort. The brilliant VP, Kath Davies (English, 2007), was always on hand to provide humour and wisdom (and still is).
I was lucky to be preceded by James Naish (History, 2006), an excellent President who had campaigned for and secured more equitable rent for students living on and off-site. He’s now an MP, so demonstrated his political acumen early and was unfailingly supportive - a positive sign for his new constituents in Rushcliffe!
We had to prepare for swine flu, with a buddy system and isolation measures communicated to the students. Luckily, we didn’t see much illness, though it did plant a seed of professional interest - I’m now working in public health.
Another time, an unhappy open letter to the then-Dean was sent from the student body, which meant I had to look up the word ’pusillanimous’. I’ve found an email from our Principal of the time where apparently, I managed to defuse the situation, but I can’t say I enjoyed the role of diplomat.
I am proud that Mansfield JCR started its journey as a ‘College of Sanctuary’ back in 2009, when we passed a motion to support people seeking asylum via a scheme run by the charity Praxis.
I’m sure being JCR President still involves many meetings and emails. Mansfield students were always engaged and even more so when it came to the riddle included in each weekly update. We also adopted a College cat - the friendly black and white Erasmus - whose food the JCR bought (and was delivered by my mum at the start and end of each term!).
2010-20
Daria Lysyakova (Jurisprudence, 2016)
JCR President 2017/18
My time as Mansfield JCR President started with a ‘baptism of fire’ – the new JCR pool table was damaged during the last social event of term, and it was now my responsibility to figure out how to fix it. No two days in the role were the same: it was exciting, busy, challenging and a lot of fun. My tenure was highlighted by an issue near and dear to Mansfield. In 2018, fallout from the first Annual Admissions Statistical Report led to an invitation to then-Vice Chancellor Louise Richardson’s office for a conversation about future University-wide access initiatives.
Whether it is by welcoming new students to Mansfield, running multiple social events each term, or providing peer support, the JCR Bench is at the heart of the student experience at Mansfield. Some of my fondest memories are of attending JCR-run Champagne and Chocolates events, either behind the bar serving with the rest of the committee or enjoying a champagne with friends. The JCR President’s main role is to lead the JCR Bench, providing a helping hand, and meeting with the right person when needed. All the credit for the great achievements of the JCR is due to the members of the committee.
I recall my predecessor, Joe, describing the role as a ‘full-time job’, and I certainly agree. I hope the current and future JCR Presidents of Mansfield rise to the challenge of one of the best full-time jobs out there!
2020-present
Daisy O’Connell (Geography, 2022)
JCR President 2023/24
The role of JCR President comes with a set of unique challenges. It can be a slightly awkward position, as I find myself navigating the tension between being the leader of the JCR, and a member of the JCR myself. Sometimes, it can be tricky to oversee the activities of my peers given that many of them are my closest and most valued friends. In working through these challenges, I have reconfigured my definition of good leadership. I have concluded that the best leaders are the ones who are prepared to take their foot off the gas, be carried away by the ideas of others, and get stuck into making these happen with the rest of their team.
Such collaborations have led to the most exciting initiatives of this JCR. One example is the creation of the new bike-share scheme. This project has been a joint effort, involving a number of actors across the College. From the Environment and Ethics officer who suggested the idea, to alumnus Jan Fischer (VSP, 1989) whose funding made the scheme possible, and the multiple members of the JCR who helped to transport accessories across town in the rain. Projects like these are only made possible through our combined efforts.
While the JCR population changes by roughly a third every year, such willingness to lend a helping hand has been a constant in my time at Mansfield. I am endlessly impressed by the generosity of our community, with the outpouring of time and energy working to keep the cogs turning. I am proud to be a representative face of the JCR, but our success is down to the character of the JCR Bench and the members who engage with our initiatives.
