MINUTES – EA 10-08STANDING COMMITTEE ON EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Thursday October 14th, 2010 @ 1:30 pmMUSC 204

Call to Order at 1:32 p.m.

CALL OF THE ROLLPresent: Justin Neves(MSU Health Sciences), Andra Popescu(SRA Science), Tanya Cagna(SRA Humanities); Alex Ramirez (SRA Social Sciences); Alicia Ali (MSU Social Sciences)Observers: Kathy Woo (MSU Humanities)Chair: Huzaifa Saeed

BUSINESS

1) Municipal Elections: The Committee discussed various ways the MSU is promoting the Municipal Elections and the Finalization of the Questionnaire. They also discussed in detail the importance of having a polling station of Campus. Ramirez in particular strongly believed we can get a strong turnout and getting a polling station on campus is integral to it. The committee was at a consensus that the logic of increasing voter turnout for the 2010 election without a polling station on campus, in order to get one for 2014 is counterproductive.

2) Think Tank: There was further discussion on Think Tank.3) CASA LobbyCon: After a brief closed session discussion, the committee was at a

unanimous consensus that it’s okay for the commissioner Saeed to not go to CASA Lobbycon taking into consideration the structure of the conference as well as the costs.

4) CASA Visit to SRA Meeting: Saeed informed the committee that CASA Home Office would be visiting the SRA for a Delegation on Sunday(19th). The Committee will also have a more indepth meeting with the National Director on Monday(20th). There was discussion on the importance of asking questions and getting informed on the various pro’s and con’s of CASA. Some example notions and questions were discussed.

TIME OF NEXT MEETING

Saeed– The next meeting will be next week, at the same time and place.

ADJOURNMENT

Adjourned at 2:35 p.m.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MINUTES – EA 10-08STANDING COMMITTEE ON EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Thursday October 21st, 2010 @ 1:30 pmMUSC 204

Call to Order at 1:30 p.m.

CALL OF THE ROLLPresent: Justin Neves(MSU Health Sciences), Tanya Cagna(SRA Humanities); Alex Ramirez (SRA Social Sciences)Absent(Excused): Andra Popescu(SRA Science), Alicia Ali(MSU Social Science)

Chair: Huzaifa Saeed

BUSINESS

CASA Home Office Visit: The Committee individually and one by one discussed their thoughts in detail about the SRA meeting Delegation and the Separate External Affairs Meeting with CASA National Director. The discussion was open ended but Saeed recommended particular focus on their opinions on:# How Important is it for the MSU to be a part of Federal Lobbying Environment# Whether the tangible benefits of CASA are worth the additional $24,000 required to move to full membership.Some of the problems concerning the voting system were discussed and a couple of members agreed with the National Director’s stance that we have to look at the bigger picture when it comes to voting and to go with one school one vote. Committee to a good extent were happy with the presentations, barring a few reservations and the understanding that further research needs to be done for the CASA Review.

Members were assigned CASA Policies to Review and Present the Next Week. They were also assigned student unions they will be contacting for interviews.

TIME OF NEXT MEETING

Saeed– The next meeting will be next week, at the same time and place.

ADJOURNMENT

Adjourned at 2:33 p.m.