Image by Lucas Haskins
Yesterday morning, Friday 10th February, Magdalen College’s JCR was thrown into chaos by the simultaneous resignations of three executives – Vice President Madeleine Blackburn, Treasurer James Melia, and Secretary Aaron McIntyre – who cited “untenable working conditions” arising from the “alleged misconduct” of President Ciaron Tobin.
At 12:59, Tobin himself resigned, mentioning only his struggles balancing “My Degree, My Sleep, and the JCR”, and alluding to a “[break] down in communication”.
In a meeting this morning, Saturday 11th February, however, the JCR Committee selected temporary replacements for all the unfilled executive positions. As had been widely anticipated since the previous day, Jessica Tunks assumed the presidency, beating out one challenger. The other roles were uncontested: Om Muthukumar is Vice-President, Annabel Kay is Treasurer, and Ella Kenny is Secretary.
As per “chapter 74 ‘Vacancies’” in “section 65(c)” of the Magdalen JCR constitution, by-elections will be held in the coming two weeks. Nominations will open on 12th February and close on the 17th February, and polling day will be on 23rd February. Since none of the four temporary appointments currently intend to run, the composition of the Executive Committee will soon change once again.
The absence of four executive members has made performing the normal functions of the JCR highly challenging. JCR Tea (formerly Welfare Tea) on Sunday 12th, for instance, will be “BYOS” – Bring Your Own Snacks – since “we don’t have a treasurer and we can’t get reimbursed”.
Following the dramatic resignation of Tobin, and the failed attempt to impeach President Daniel Dipper in Trinity 2022, perhaps whoever is elected to fill Tobin’s term will finally bring a measure of stability to Magdalen’s JCR.