[Tanya Cagna]

A Message from Tanya CAGNA for SRA Humanities!
Hello everyone,

My name is Tanya CAGNA. I am a third year McMaster Student and I am in the process of completing a double honors in history and political science with a minor in theatre. I wish to represent you next year, as I cant wait to LISTEN to you and act on your needs, concerns and feelings! I feel most at home when I with "the people" so to speak. I like to think of my office as anywhere Humanities students are living and breathing @ MAC!

During My time at McMaster I have been involved in many projects associated with our humanities passions! I have been a member of the McMaster Thespian Theatre Company executive for two years, where I served as VP promotions, and I currently hold the position as VP hiring. During this time I also performed in several productions with this company. Currently I am rehearsing for our upcoming production of Shakespeare's "A Winters Tale" which will debut in Robinson theatre in March.

I have also performed with the McMaster Honors performance series as well as the Mcmaster Summer performance festival.

Currently I hold the position of VP communication in McMaster's Pre law society, am currently serving with the McMaster Canadian International Council executive and have previously served with the McMaster Model UN association. I also currently hold the position of president with McMaster OCF Theological Association.

Finally I have made an effort to become as informed as possible about the SRA on my own initiative, as an MSU student and currently hold a seat on the By Laws and Procedures Committee with the SRA.

What I wish you to take form this message however, is that I'm listening to you, I wish to increase the cohesion between student government and the students.
The humanities caucus of the SRA cannot be effective unless it knows a vast portion of its constituents. We are one of the smallest faculties! This is a possibility, and if you choose to elect me we can make it a reality together!

Please do ask me any questions or share your ideas on this forum... I'm "all ears" as they say!

Sincerely,

your eager potential representative,

Tanya CAGNA.

[Tanya Cagna]

Alright everyone, below is my platform,
PLATFORM PLEGES:

1) SRA EXPOSURE and FIRST YEAR ENGAGEMENT

The SRA must make their existence and function known to incoming McMaster students during their first year! Most students do not even know about the SRA until their second, third or even fourth year! As of now First Year council has done a poor job of advertising the SRA to first years, and it appears that the committee of University Affairs has also lost sight of this significant job. I propose the SRA remove the "FIRST YEAR ENGAGEMENT" branch under The University Affairs Committee and make it a committee of its own. This would strengthen the activity under this branch as it would be the primary focus and not an after thought. This would not only increase voter turnout during elections but general participation in MSU and SRA events.
After all... First years are the future of MAC!

2) Extensive collaboration and communication with the McMaster Humanities Society (MHS)

The MHS is the on campus group which represents humanities students and they are often privy to intense amounts of information about the lives and education of humanities students. As a result it is absolutely essential that the SRA remain in close contact with them at all times, so as to better understand the needs of humanities students. Therefore I propose that the MHS Reps. attend at least one meeting per month of the SRA, with the intent to complete a pre determined agenda agreed to by the MHS and SRA or focus on a pre determined and specific area of discussion, for the purpose of becoming better informed about the needs of humanities students. This communication link is essential to preserve the connection between the humanities society and student government.

3) ART HISTORY COMPENSATION

Both the specific and overarching grievances associated with the phase out of the Art history program must be determined using Art history student focus groups. Following these conclusions the SRA should proceed to work closely with students and the MSU to deliver the most advantageous compensation for these students, as per their demands.
Again... "I'm Listening"

4) More SRA Awareness and Visibility

The SRA must start advertising their efforts and ideas through different avenues than the MSU website, Facebook or twitter. If a student is not aware that the SRA exists how will they know to search it on Facebook or follow it on twitter? Therefore I propose an Annual "SRA DAY". An event that the entire McMaster community is invited to, at a location on the McMaster campus. The purpose of this event would be to raise awareness about the SRA and its members in a relaxed and comfortable fashion. Ideally this would create a sense of increased accountability and visibility between students and the student government. This event would simultaneously give the SRA the opportunity to personally meet with students to discuss their lives and education, which is always a benefit.

Now that you have read my platform we can discuss it on any level you wish. please feel free to rant or agree... In any event, I would be glad to answer all of your questions and/or concerns. So plough away...

I do however want to stress that I am very interested in finding out exactly what you want and what you think you need from your education and life at MAC... Thats what's REALLY important!..." Lets Talk Humanities...I'm Listening"

[Tanya Cagna]

Hello All, please be advised that this is a general outline, my philosophy is rooted in the idea that students need to be consulted before future projects can be initiated and established, so if you wish to share an idea or concern of yours please feel free. Thanks so much for your interest and involvement.

Tanya CAGNA

[Goce]

I like your poster, Tanya. The slogan really caught my eye. I wish you all the best in your campaign.

[Tanya Cagna]

Thank you so very much Goce! Your support is more than welcome. You can join my facebook group called : "Tanya Cagna for SRA Humanities", or send me a personal e-mail at cagnat@mcmaster.ca.

remember that voting is so close... this Wednesday and Thursday!

Best of luck with your studies and hope to talk with you soon!

Tanya CAGNA

[huzaifa47]

Hey Tanya, I apologize for being a attention to detail geek but I was wondering
what you meant by this : "We are a small faculty, the smallest one in fact!"

In what sense did you mean that? In terms of number of students or SRA Seats?

Because in both regards Kin, ArtSci,Nursing, HealthSci, Commerce would be smaller then us in terms of enrollment, even SRA seats are mathematically calculated using enrollment numbers hence the above have 2,1,2,3 seats each while Humanities has 4!

In any case Good Luck with campaigning and the election!

[Goce]

Originally Posted by Tanya Cagna

Thank you so very much Goce! Your support is more than welcome. You can join my facebook group called : "Tanya Cagna for SRA Humanities", or send me a personal e-mail at cagnat@mcmaster.ca.

remember that voting is so close... this Wednesday and Thursday!

Best of luck with your studies and hope to talk with you soon!

Tanya CAGNA

I actually fall under Social Science rather than Humanities, but I do appreciate the effort you are putting in to your campaign. We've actually had class together a few times and you've always been attentive and hard working - good qualities for any candidate.

[Tanya Cagna]

Hello Huzaifa, You are right! Thank you for pointing that out to me! What I meant to say was that its ONE of the smallest faculties. I got tongue tied! Ill correct that right away!

Hope your campaign is going well! I miss chilling in the student center and talking obsessively about Google!

Cheers,

Tanya CAGNA

[.:callen:.]

Could you elaborate on the part of your platform that discusses compensation for Art History students?

[Tanya Cagna]

Thank you for your question Callen, absolutely!

With respect to the art history phase out, I would like to firstly point out that I have been and am well aware of the effort already being exerted by the current humanities caucus in this area, including the discourse they have had with senators such as yourself. I am looking forward to the possibility of improving, strengthening and contributing to this effort, if elected. My platform point is also concerning the acknowledgment of grievances students posses as a result of this phase out and the deliverance of compensation for those students. Some of these grievances may not even be academically related, however to identify them in more detail I proposed holding focus groups with the students affected. Please remember that these are only proposals to strengthen these existing efforts.

Furthermore my point regarding art history compensation can also be applied to those students who have been effected by the women's studies phase out. After listening to a fellow humanities student, currently enrolled in women's studies, earlier this week, she informed me that one of her grievances, is that the phase out of the women's studies program will potentially lead to a lack of women and feminist solidarity on campus. She feared that there would be a lack of support for women facing women's issues on campus. This is an example of a grievance that I'm referring to. Something that we could not have been privy too unless we approached and listened to students. That is why I propose the focus group to determine these potential grievances in more detail for both art history and women's studies students, as they are often unknown to the individual who does not ask or organize this setting. A setting which is comfortable and not intimidating, as I feel this is best for this situation.

This is mainly an investigatory point, I feel the most concrete projects begin after surveying those involved, and then acting upon the information we gather from these students.

Thank you so very much.

Tanya CAGNA