Hey SocSci!
My name Is Huzaifa Saeed & I'm a second year Honors Economics & Sociology major. I'll be one of the 6 SocSci candidates happily soliciting you guys for votes over the course of next week since I am running for one of the two seats on SRA Social Science Caucus!
So the voter turnout at the main SRA election in March 2009 was approximately 10-11% max. Which means around 90% of Social Science students never actually voted for various reasons! According to law of averages Chances are you are one of the 90% who are dissuaded.
But Hopefully if I have managed to keep your attention thus far : I sincerely hope you guys take a few more minutes out to go through my experiences, achievements and extensive & rather ambitious platform; with hope that it will convince you guys to come out vote and at least give me a chance to continue working for the greater utilitarian good at the SRA level
So What exactly is the SRA?
"The Student Representative Assembly (SRA), the governing body of the MSU, is composed of 35 undergraduate students elected by their peers.Together, they work to provide the best possible MSU services and departments, address undergraduate students’ concerns, and lobby the university to improve McMaster’s academic quality. The MSU exists to represent you and to help build a better community for all students."
In other words it is the highest level of student representation on campus that requires a huge amount of experience, dedication and knowledge of the workings of MSU since you are directly representing your constituents and working on issues with direct implications for students.
Before I go onto my platform a bit of my background about my past and current extra curricular involvement over the past year:
- I was involved in my Highschool with the Parliamentary Debate team, Yearbook and Varsity Soccer and won various academic awards.
-I Trained with the Mac varsity track team in my first year & Played for 6 Intramural teams while dealing with a full academic course load.
-Member of the NGO Hamilton Coalition against War
-Appointed member of the McMaster Student Affairs Peer Conduct Board(March 09- Present) after intensive interview and training process: PCB Is essentially a judicial body that handles any cases where a student breaks the Student or Residence Code of Conduct. We hear cases and hand out sanctions according to our bylaws and deliberation
-MSU First Year Council Education & Community Commissioner for 08/09: MSU FYC is a student leadership body aimed directly at the first years & Is essentially an institution below the SRA. It was a great learning process as I was able to learn how exactly the MSU works and gets work done.
-Elected MSU Member for the SRA Operations Committee(April 09-Present): A SRA Committee is essentially the subgroup where alot of work the SRA does gets done. All the Policies and Research for the MSU is done at Committee level first and THEN brought to the main Assembly. Once again this position was highly beneficial in learning HOW it is that the SRA & MSU work. I was and am still involved personally in over 4 projects which I honestly believe is well above the average for any committee member.
But most importantly I realized the difference between "Wanting" to do something and the extensive research and hustling required to actually go through with it!
-FYEO/SocSci Orientation volunteer(June 09): Helped FYEO run and organize sessions and help out Social Science first years during Summer Orientation and Registration.
-Admin of the McMaster Social Sciences 2013 group(Summer 09): I created this group as a guide and resource for incoming first years regarding their transitional,registration and academic concerns since I realized how ineffective the registrars office can be. I was primarily responsible for handling well over 10 emails a day on average on various subjects from concerned students!
-Macinsiders.com Insider Agent (July 09- Present)
-Social Sciences Welcome Week Rep 09! Part of the Awesome SocSoii(sic) rep team that won the faculty cup!
OUSA Street Team Member(September 09- Present): I was involved in promoting the mission and various causes of Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance and fully support their lobbying efforts on OSAP and Government fiscal involvement in Ontario University Education.
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Projects I've Already Completed
-First Ever First Year Council Education & Community Survey(April 09-September 09): Upon my election to FYC in a by-election I promised in my platform and realized the need for the FYC to have more of an Advocacy role in terms of Educational Lobbying. The problem was that FYC over the years has had a hard time gauging student opinion and issues using traditional promotional methods. I worked on the Survey on my own; first basing it on the useful SRA University Affairs Committee survey from last year; Emailing ALL 32 SRA members regarding questions and input and through a series of emails coming to a consensus, Incorporating their input & Extensive Academic Research & Well over 50 hours into a highly useful tool FYC can use over the next few years.
-MSU Operations: Electronic Voting (May 09-Present). The MSU had been flirting with the idea of electronic voting for over a decade however as typical in politics there had never been any substantiative research done on the topic. I was really interested in working on this project because of the potential benefits to student involvement in the voting process and to improve the currently horrible voter turnouts.
In collaboration with the Election's Office I researched & contacted Officials from over 40 Universities in North America; Obtained Security and Pricing Information from 5 Firms, dealt with all the logistics and generated a report that outlines the best 3rd party options for the MSU. It will be presented in November to the SRA.
College Pro Painters/MDP and other Pyramid Schemes and their existence on Campus(Sep 09): It started out with a thread on Macinsiders.com with students complaining about the presence of Sketchy Corporations Soliciting students in mostly first year classrooms and wasting lecture time as well as their marketing, safety and ethical practices over the years. I summarized the concerns of students, did extensive research on the background of these companies, critiqued their websites, consumer reviews and Contracts and presented them to the Exec Board of the MSU. I was successfully able to convince them to have a stance against the presence of such corporations in classrooms. I am currently in contact with two "other" sources regarding further action on this issue. Essentially it is an example of my proactive views on student representation
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What do I bring to the table as an SRA member!
The reason behind my long experience section was to point out the fact that I have through various activities on campus observed,experienced and embody the All aspects of your typical "McMaster Undergraduate Student"; I.e: I can understand and empathize their concerns because of my interaction & observance off a large number of students as well as applying critical sociological thinking into campus life and student affairs issues!
-But more Importantly I firmly believe that of all the candidates running I have the most experience within the MSU environment, a perfect 100% record of getting any project or initiative completed and most importantly I know "exactly" how a campaign platform point can be turned into reality or a serious lobbying effort.
-I also already have a good working relationship and acquaintance with all members of the BOD, most SRA members and Commissioners because of my involvement in diverse projects above and beyond my call of duty and one on one consultation and guidance sessions with them over the last 8 months.
-One of my main motivations for getting involved with the MSU were the over ambitious and vague platforms by alot of SRA and Presidential candidates over the last 3 election cycles! There is a huge difference between what most people who have never been to a single SRA session "claim" and the reality of the MSU. I have elaborated on that in the discussion topic. I am fully aware of the procedure for getting work done and would recommend anyone reading other SRA platforms to not be swayed by grandiose claims without questioning the methods.
-I have also attended almost all SRA meeting since March 09 and have easily racked up over 40 hours of SRA meeting time! Similarly I have read up on the meeting minutes for every SRA meeting in the past 3 years. I.e: I have done extensive preparation to ensure I can represent my constituents to the best of my knowledge.
-I also think that in all modesty, I have been one of the most progressive and modern MSU volunteers when it comes to my initiatives and solutions to MSU Services, Advocacy and Values over the last year. Brand New independent initiatives are very hard to carry out because they send you into new uncharted territory and face skepticism from your superiors that requires alot of research and rational thinking to resolve. My Long term Aim is to turn the MSU into a more cutting edge and influential institution that other Universities hope to replicate in the near future.
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All of the above has lead me to my platform: It is compared to my peers a very focused and "specialized" platform because I know exactly what I intend to do and will get started from day one on them. I will not unfortunately be able to "Reduce Tuition", Solve the CLA/Sessional "Issue", "Reduce Textbook Prices", "Make everything Green", Save the Pandas, Rain forests,Turtles OR Solve Global Warming while I'm at it! For reasons mentioned in the discussion board. But Will do my very best to complete the following:
#1 Student Involvement and participation in the MSU. YES I know this Buzzword has been thrown around by every single candidate in the past 10,000 years but I feel that my Liberal-Utilitarian views on Student Politics might be effective. I have tried to work at grass roots levels to help fight student disengagement with the student union and other opportunities; from interviewing friends and acquaintances to engaging frosh to run for FYC, I especially with my sociological instincts have developed acquired knowledge on this subject.
Recommendations:
- A Facebook Note, MacInsiders.com thread and possibly a section of the MSU website before and AFTER every single SRA meeting to break down the decisions and implications of the SRA Agenda for the week. I understand a regular student isn't inclined to or since he elected me: "Supposed" to understand each and every issue that comes before the MSU. However by getting the word out to the max possible people I can ask for their opinion/concerns on which direction I should vote for or what questions I should be asking. I fully support the idea that the average student is just as intelligent and rational as me and capable of understanding MSU stuff if given the chance.
- Alot of current/former SRA members promote their email addresses and regularly ask people to contact them. However I feel that simply isn't enough, people have a hard time articulating their views into a formal email; instead efforts must be made by SRA to seek out students and their opinions no matter what form it is in! Some students complaining in the lecture next to you, Heated Discussions on Macinsiders.com or even a facebook status comment! I feel I can figure out a rough pattern or treat it as a random experiment of University Affairs!
- Making Every single project or initiative of mine a public WIKI affair, i.e: Inviting people in my extended network or MacInsiders for their opinion or specialized knowledge on something I am working on. Every student at Mac has something different to offer and by allowing them to participate irregardless of their lack of official association I can help them feel a sense of accomplishment and an application of their knowledge/expertise. I have done so in the past via facebook/Insiders for my survey, registrations systems, corporate companies etc.
#3 Registrations Systems Policy: SOLAR is obviously a massive issue for any student!
As an Operations member I knew that there was work done on updating the antiquated MSU stance/recommendations on Registrations systems; but there was alot of work still to be done. I contacted former members, collected recommendations from Insiders, Researched Registration features(eg: waitlists, course volumes, shorter time limits etc). There still is work to be done and I plan on collaborating with my contact in the Registrars office to explore alternative options like Fujitsu Interstage instead of buying expensive new hardware that Mac can't afford.
#4 Promoting any potential federal elections by collaborating with the MSU and External Affairs Committee & Non Partisan Club. As the VP Communications of the Non Partisan club, our mission statement is to promote political involvement and I feel that my position in the SRA will help that goal.
#5 A result of my involvement with the College Painters affair; there was a new MSU initiative to create a "Working Students Portal" which contains information regarding workers rights, allows job reviews and offers career advice. It is in its very initial stage and I have put myself forward as someone willing to work on it and I would love to be officially involved with it in the long run as an SRA member!
#6 Working closer with the McMaster Social Sciences Society(MSSS). I understand that there has already been initiative by the current members of the SocSci caucus to improve collaboration. I would like to help continue this relationship and using the MSSS direct access to SocSci faculty office for direct faculty specific lobbying. As SRA members I envision our caucus to be the research and student opinion gauging unit that can then work with the MSSS to show quantifiable proof of the changes we want.
#7 Because of my extensive work over the FYC survey I feel I can provide decent opinion to the SRA University Affairs Committee when they start working on this years Quality of Education Survey.
#8 I have researched and fully support the lobbying efforts of OUSA(Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance) and their stance on issues like Unfair OSAP Bylaws and Stipulations, Research Funding cuts, Lack of continuity between rise in enrollment and funding, Course Evaluations and so on. While I unfortunately am not able to officially participate at OUSA GM level I will take up any opportunity to contribute to OUSA on behalf of the long suffering Social Science students in whatever way possible!
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#9 This is one of the new ideas I have been researching recently and one that excites me the most. As we all know 1280(Quarters) lost close to $400,000 in the 2008 Fiscal Year. Over the Summer of 2009 the MSU spent $375,000 renovating the place. However we are still arguably on uncertain territory regarding its profitability.
As an Economics student I am aware that our department has one of the more advanced Experimental Economics Labs in the country. An Economic Variable Consumer Research essentially is statistically considered as valid as a extensive survey according to a number of schools of thought! To elaborate in variable terms I intend to quantify the monetary value students place on for eg: Location on Campus VS Walking/Bussing to Charlie West/West End; Price they are willing to pay for the 1280 food & Drinks and its relationship with variable #1. The value placed on the fact that the revenue goes to "their" union instead of a random patron. The Value placed on service quality and timings; The "Magic Box" Menu experiment and so on. This might sound complicated and probably is but it has been used in the past for Casinos and Restaurants successfully. Even if it isn't 100% valid it can do a good job of quantifying a rough pattern of consumer behavior rather then relying on Hearsay for gauging 1280's issues. The VP Finance seemed quite open to my idea. I will start consulting with the department in charges once they come back to campus next month.
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I fully realize that my aforementioned long and winded discourse has probably befuddled & bored you but I put it up with the intent that you guys will take a few minutes out to go through it and then compare it to the "platforms"(or lack off) for other candidates to see If I deserve your vote OR If my claim of having extensive inside/out working knowledge of the MSU is correct and to reveal my unhealthy amount of obsession with creating massive positive change in the way MSU operates and its utilitarian affect on everyday students.
I also fully assure you that I will continue following my pattern of successfully completing all of my platform points or at the very best trying my level best!
As I said in the title: In one Sentence my platform has all to do with constructive change; direct student involvement and voices and NO petty student politics whatsoever! While I have completed a decent amount of work being on the highest student government body will give me the legitimacy and authority to take my plans to the next level!
All I humbly ask of you in return is a few minutes from your daily routine next week to vote for me!
The Voting takes place in THE STUDENT CENTRE NEAR WILLIAMS COFFEE PUB on THURSDAY 22nd Of OCTOBER from 9:30 AM to 4:30PM.
Please come out and vote, tell your friends and invite them to my facebook group if possible! You might not know me personally but I can fully assure you that not only will I get everything above done but I will also not hesitate to call out the MSU or support your viewpoints if and when required!
Facebook Link : http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=171103695208#
OR www.tinyurl.com/srasocsci
Also if anyone has ANY questions whatsoever please post them on the wall or message me!
Thank you for reading!
Huzaifa Saeed
2nd Year Social Sciences
Linear Mode
