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The purpose of this emergency meeting is to discuss and consider a comprehensive proposal for the reform of our Standing Orders and thus conduct a Standing Order Reform vote. Many of us have invested significant time and effort in this initiative, which we believe is crucial for the future functioning and inclusivity of our MCR. Context and Rationale for Reform: This year has been exceptional in various ways, not least because it is one of the few years in which the entire Executive Committee was elected during the Michaelmas term. Traditionally, senior positions within the MCR, such as the President, Treasurer, Social Chair and others, have been filled during the summer term. This practice has inadvertently restricted Master’s students' ability to run for office, thereby exacerbating a divide between Master’s and PhD students. Subsequently, it has also led to significant inequality, limiting opportunities for Master’s students who join the MCR later in the academic year. The College is committed to fostering an inclusive environment, but this commitment is not adequately reflected in our current Standing Orders. By effectively reserving the senior positions only for PhD students with prior experience in Durham, the current Standing Orders are excluding Master’s students from the opportunity to lead, contribute, and shape the future of the MCR. This lack of inclusivity not only limits opportunities for Master’s students but also stifles the introduction of fresh ideas, leading to stagnation within the Middle Common Room. Moreover, this has contributed to the creation of a heavily polarised and politicized atmosphere, fuelling divisive factions within the MCR. Such an environment is not only unacceptable but also contrary to the sentiment and ethos of community and family that our MCR should embody. This situation prompted many of us to thoroughly examine the Standing Orders to address these inequalities. Our experiences over the course of one of the most successful MCR years—marked by over 100 events—have motivated us to advocate for a comprehensive overhaul of the current, outdated Standing Orders. Key Issues Identified in the Current Standing Orders: 1.Discrepancies in Sections: There are clauses that refer to requirements in certain sections that are irrelevant or misaligned. 2.Inequality Between PhD and Master’s Students: The current framework tends to marginalise Master’s students, often deeming them inexperienced and unfit for senior MCR roles. 3.Provisions Allowing Anonymous Political Attacks: There are provisions that permit the publication of anonymous criticisms, which can be used to defame other MCR members without any accountability and merit. It also deprives the Executive Committee the opportunity to investigate any matters put forward and detect whether it is true or not. 4.Irregularities in Provisions: Some provisions are inconsistent or poorly defined, leading to confusion, vagueness and subsequent misapplication. 5.Lack of Transparency: The Standing Orders lack sufficient rules to ensure transparency in decision-making and governance. 6.Lack of Clarity: The document as a whole is often unclear, with convoluted language and structure. 7.Outdated Position Descriptions: Some positions within the MCR are described in ways that no longer reflect their actual roles or responsibilities as well as containing legacy positions that are no longer active. 8.Inadequate Participation in Changes: Historically, changes to the Standing Orders have been passed by a small minority, often with only 10 to 15 votes, resulting in a patchwork Standing Orders, lacking coherence. 9.Unenforceable Rules: Certain rules within the Standing Orders are impractical or impossible to enforce, undermining the authority of the document. These issues represent only a fraction of the problems we have identified. Consequently, we have developed a Standing Order Motion Proposal that includes significant amendments aimed at rectifying these deficiencies; to aim to create equal opportunity regardless of academic level or how long a member has been in Durham. Next Steps: We believe that this reform is essential for ensuring that our MCR is governed by a set of rules that are fair, clear, and reflective of the diverse community we serve. As a result, I believe we should have an Emergency Meeting, Wednesday 21st of August 2024 at 8PM to engage in discussion of the proposed changed. After the conclusion of the meeting, a vote on the new proposed version of the Standing Order will take place. If you agree, please sign the petition above. As per the Standing Orders, the petition requires 10% of Members for an Emergency Meeting to be triggered. If the petition passes the threshold, an email will be sent to all.