Image by Lucas Haskins
At 09:12 this morning, 10th February 2023, Magdalen students received an email from Aaron McIntyre, the JCR Secretary. It was a notice that three members of the JCR Committee – Vice-President Madeleine Blackburn, Treasurer James Melia, and McIntyre himself – had resigned, citing “untenable working conditions”.
A longer letter, shared with members of the JCR Committee at around the same time, alluded to “alleged misconduct” on the part of the JCR President, Ciaran Tobin, which had not been “in keeping with the values of our community”.
Accordingly, the three revealed that they had sent a letter requesting Tobin’s “imminent resignation” on Tuesday 7th February. This was refused, prompting their own resignations.
Tobin subsequently sought to schedule a JCR meeting for 10:00 on Saturday 11th February, pursuant to rules requiring a 24 hour notice period. At 12:59, however, he sent out an email with the subject line: “Resignation”.
Tobin attributed his standing down to being unable “to work effectively with the Exec”, as well as a “[break] down in communication”. He also referenced his previous belief that he could balance “My Degree, My Sleep, and the JCR”, before concluding “I have not been able to”.
Tobin’s email makes no mention of “misconduct” or of the “ongoing welfare issues” cited by the three committee members in their letter, nor does it explicitly address this morning’s resignations.