What is it?

The Members’ Fund is a pot of money set aside in the SJCR budget to help our members with urgent, unexpected, or necessary costs. The fund exists to:

♢ Support welfare needs (e.g. urgent travel home in an emergency).
♢ Cover academic costs that couldn’t reasonably have been anticipated.
♢ Help with replacement of essential items that are broken.
♢ Enable equal participation in sports and societies, by supporting necessary equipment, travel, or fees where cost would otherwise be a barrier.

Applications are confidential and are considered by the SJCR Tier 1 Executive. Records are kept but can only be reviewed by members of the SJCR Trustee Board and auditors.

Applications can be made through the paper form attached below or through this online form.

How do I apply?

1. Check the examples below of what the fund can and cannot cover.
2. Fill in the Microsoft Form under the ‘Resources’ and ‘Members’ Fund’ section of the SJCR Website.
3. Alternatively, a physical form can be downloaded and returned by email or in person to any member of the Tier 1 Executive (contact details below).

What does the Members’ Fund cover?

♢ Unexpected travel costs (normally under £50).
♢ Sports or society costs needed to allow participation where financial barriers exist (e.g.
kit).
♢ Cost to repair essential items (e.g. sports equipment, electronics) that are broken.
♢ Academic costs that couldn’t reasonably have been anticipated (e.g. specialist software, printing required for assessments).

This fund is a finite resource and we want to help as many of our members as possible. As such, if a request for over £100 is made, the Tier One Executive can choose to ignore precedent. The above is also, by no means, an exhaustive list.

What does the Members’ Fund not cover?

♢ Rent payments or deposits for accommodation.
♢ Laptop or mobile phone replacements.
♢ General living costs (food, utilities, etc.).
♢ Entry fees for other College sports or Team Durham activities.

The cost of the above would set an unsustainable precedent for the SJCR and ensure we are working towards our charitable objectives as a membership organisation. The above is also, by no means, an exhaustive list.

How is my application reviewed?

The Tier One Executive will meet to discuss every application and will consider each one alongside the questions below.

1. Is the request necessary for the student’s welfare, development, or participation?
2. Is the request for specific costs? (The fund cannot “top up” accounts).
3. Could the student reasonably have budgeted for this?
4. Does approving the request set an unsustainable precedent for the SJCR? Applications are usually reviewed weekly. You’ll be notified of the outcome within 5 working days. If rejected, you’ll be signposted to other support where possible.

If you are in urgent need of funding for any costs, please fill out a form submission. The worst that will happen is that we will endeavour to direct you to a more appropriate fund or to people who can help you.

Completed forms or any questions should be directed to any member of the Tier One Executive – our email addresses are below.

SJCR President Oliver Davis johns.president@durham.ac.uk	SJCR Treasurer Luke Chadwick johns.treasurer@durham.ac.uk
SJCR Vice-President (Undergraduate) William Powell johns.vp@durham.ac.uk	SJCR Vice-President (CCR) [To be elected] johns.ccr.vp@durham.ac.uk
SJCR Vice-President (MCR) [To be elected] johnsmcr.president@durham.ac.uk