Sample Motions for your JCR/MCR
If you want to get your college on board with some green or ethical issue, passing a motion in your JCR or MCR can often be a step on the way. Here you can find some motions that other colleges used - remember that they might need to be modified to suit your college's needs, and that getting them passed is not enough. They need to be followed up on, so that they actually get implemented and things begin to change.
Simply click on the title to download a sample motion.
Greening Future Balls
With this motion, a JCR commits to make future balls greener, in particular with regard to recycling. Also have a look at our sustainable events page for more info.
College Bags for Life
Many colleges have, in the past, ordered college-themed bags and encouraged students to take them along when they go shopping, thus reducing the number of plastic bags that are used.
Meat Free Mondays
Given that the overconsumption of meat leads to gross environmental damage and fuels climate change, there are various campaigns that aim to introduce meat-free days. Here you can download two motions, the first one aims to reduce the consumption of meat on Mondays, the second aims to introduce entirely meat free Mondays.
Sustainable Fish
Overfishing is threatening to lead to the extinction of many species, and of endangering our supply of fish. Thus eating sustainably sourced fish is a good idea; this motion expresses the JCR's support for the demand that only fish that is accredited as sustainably sourced be served in hall.
Fair Trade
Encouraging Fairtrade consumption in their college is something many E&E reps have worked on in the past. They have pursued the official Fairtrade College accreditation (see here the motions from the St John's College MCR and the St John's College JCR), or run various events with the support of their common rooms (see a motion for financial support for a Fairtrade Fair here.) If you have any questions regarding Fairtrade, or any ideas to share, get in touch with our Information Officer for Faitrade. You can find the contact details here.
Save Water: Water Hippos
Each time you flush the toilet, a lot of water can be wasted. Installing water saving devices that Thames Water can provide for free can save up to 2.5l every time. This motion can help you to convince college to install them/allow you to install them. For more info, see the Thames Water webpage.
Plastic Cups
The trademark environmentalist quest is still worth pursuing. Find a motion here lobbying for the abolition of plastic cups in hall, and one for their abolition in the college bar. Get in touch with our Information Officer for Recycling & Waste, if you'd like more info. You can find the contact details here.
Environmental Policy
A good environmental policy can guide decision making across the college, thereby helping to reduce the environmental footprint. A first starting point can be the adoption of an environmental policy for the JCR, that can then be used to lobby the college authorities. Find a sample motion and the Balliol College Environmental Policy, that might be useful in developing your own.
Simply click on the title to download a sample motion.
Greening Future Balls
With this motion, a JCR commits to make future balls greener, in particular with regard to recycling. Also have a look at our sustainable events page for more info.
College Bags for Life
Many colleges have, in the past, ordered college-themed bags and encouraged students to take them along when they go shopping, thus reducing the number of plastic bags that are used.
Meat Free Mondays
Given that the overconsumption of meat leads to gross environmental damage and fuels climate change, there are various campaigns that aim to introduce meat-free days. Here you can download two motions, the first one aims to reduce the consumption of meat on Mondays, the second aims to introduce entirely meat free Mondays.
Sustainable Fish
Overfishing is threatening to lead to the extinction of many species, and of endangering our supply of fish. Thus eating sustainably sourced fish is a good idea; this motion expresses the JCR's support for the demand that only fish that is accredited as sustainably sourced be served in hall.
Fair Trade
Encouraging Fairtrade consumption in their college is something many E&E reps have worked on in the past. They have pursued the official Fairtrade College accreditation (see here the motions from the St John's College MCR and the St John's College JCR), or run various events with the support of their common rooms (see a motion for financial support for a Fairtrade Fair here.) If you have any questions regarding Fairtrade, or any ideas to share, get in touch with our Information Officer for Faitrade. You can find the contact details here.
Save Water: Water Hippos
Each time you flush the toilet, a lot of water can be wasted. Installing water saving devices that Thames Water can provide for free can save up to 2.5l every time. This motion can help you to convince college to install them/allow you to install them. For more info, see the Thames Water webpage.
Plastic Cups
The trademark environmentalist quest is still worth pursuing. Find a motion here lobbying for the abolition of plastic cups in hall, and one for their abolition in the college bar. Get in touch with our Information Officer for Recycling & Waste, if you'd like more info. You can find the contact details here.
Environmental Policy
A good environmental policy can guide decision making across the college, thereby helping to reduce the environmental footprint. A first starting point can be the adoption of an environmental policy for the JCR, that can then be used to lobby the college authorities. Find a sample motion and the Balliol College Environmental Policy, that might be useful in developing your own.