Name: Matt Risser
Faculty: Arts
Major: Poli Sci / IDS
Year: 3rd

What has been your greatest accomplishment at Saint Mary's?
Personally I think it has been getting involved and volunteering with the CASA Campaign last semester to help students express their concerns about education directly to the national government in Ottawa.

Describe a situation where you showed leadership.
It's hard to pick out a specific situation but I have consistently tried to be involved in student political life here at St. Mary's. I ran for Residence Rep in my second year, applied for an Academic Senate position in that year as well. I am serving as Council Chair right now and have worked on other students campaigns in the past.

What previous experience qualifies you for this position?
I am the current Chairperson of the Students' Representative Council for the 2006-2007 Academic Year, a Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) Campus Ambassador for the 2007 Winter Semester and I volunteered on CASA campaigns last semester as well, and I Chair the SMUSA Standing Committees on Performance Review and the Constitution.

Why are you the best candidate for the job?
I feel I am the best candidate because I am politically knowledgable, have SMUSA experience and have a passion for the issues surrounding external affairs. This is why I volunteered for campaigns on these issues long before I decided to run for VP External. I believe to be an effective VP External you have to have a good understanding of both SMUSA and political lobbying. I believe I have both and thats why I think I am the best candidate for VP External.

What is the most pressing problem/situation at SMU that you intend to solve/improve?
The greatest possibility for us to expand our external influence is through municipal lobbying. There has been some work done on it this year but the time just isn't there to get everything accomplished that needs to be. I would say my absolute highest priority would be to establish a similar organization to CASA and ANSSA for municipal issues.
List up to five main campaign goals

1. Work with CASA to achieve a dedicated transfer payment from the national government to the provinces. Right now they make transfer payments under the Canada Social Transfer which doesn't specify where the money goes. A dedicated transfer would ensure a consistent and increased amount of funding for post-secondary education. ??2. Work with ANSSA to establish a Needs Based Grants System for Students from Low-Income backgrounds. Despite having the highest tuition rates in the country, NS is one of a few provinces that does not have an upfront needs based grants system to help cover the costs of university. These grants would ensure that everyone in our province has an equal opportunity to get a degree.

3. Coordinate with other student's unions in the HRM to better lobby the municipal government. We have a great opportunity given the amount of post-secondary institutions in the HRM, to increase our influence by working together and perhaps eventually even forming an organization similar to CASA and ANSSA at the provincial level.

4. Work with CASA to improve the Canada Access Grant and ensure the renewal of the Millenium Scholarship Foundation. The grant is designed to allow low-income students more accessibility but it only covers half of their tuition and only for the first year of study. CASA has been working hard to see that expanded to all four years and I would too. The Millenium Grants are up for renewal in 2009 and if they are cancelled it would mean hundreds of millions in lost money for students, so we need to ensure that it gets renewed.

5. It is hard to improve on the already great community involvement that Saint Mary's has but nothing is impossible. SMU has been incredibly involved in charitable causes such as Breast Cancer Research, community events such as Feed Nova Scotia through the RAK Squad (Random Acts of Kindness), and a variety of others. If there is anything we can improve on its taking a greater interest in global causes such as make poverty history and raising awareness about getting involved. Although even here A.W.A.R.E. does an excellent job. So it's hard to improve but we can do it.