Dear Phillips Academy,
As the school’s official “lame duck” president, I write to you on behalf of the Student Council. We recently took our first step in raising awareness about messes left at Commons tables after meals, so be on the lookout for little posters in the napkin holders reminding you to tidy up. We must try to remember that Commons is a shared space in the community, and it is no one’s job to clean up after us. However, an organized effort can only do so much; it comes down to students holding their friends accountable. If you see someone is leaving plates or food behind at their tables, don’t just let it slide. Politely ask him or her to put their things away. I know the saying is overused, but the truth is that Non Sibi is most important in small, everyday actions.
Another issue that has been brought to our attention is the misuse of library resources. Apparently, there has been an epidemic of students taking books out of the library without checking them out. A rough estimate is that one out of every four misplaced books has actually been taken out of the library without being checked out. The spring term is research paper season, and the librarians are having a very hard time supplying the necessary books to students. Students have also been “squirreling” books by taking them from their proper place on the shelves and stashing them in another remote location in the library. In an already stressful time, students are unable to locate the books they need to conduct their research. Student Council will be creating more posters and putting them around the library to remind students to check out their books, but similar to cleaning up after ourselves in Commons, it is really up to individual students to make the right decision. I really do believe that Andover students care about one another, so let’s also care about each others’ grades in History 300.
School Congress is a once a term meeting between adults and students on campus to discuss a wide range of topics, from on campus happenings to current events in the world. As some of you may have noticed, there was no School Congress this term. Instead, members of Student Council took the time to meet with ADCOM, the faculty meeting advisory group, to discuss possible directions to take with School Congress next year. Student Council will work very closely with ADCOM in developing School Congress in the future. Topics will be discussed with a greater amount of both student and faculty input before the meeting and will feature more specific and in-depth conversation. If you have an idea that you would like see discussed at School Congress, please contact either me or Mike MacKay.
The first round of Upper Representatives for the Class of 2012 occurred this week, with more than a dozen candidates stepping up to the plate. We are now down to the final seven candidates, who will present their speeches to their class next week. There are three Upper Reps elected, and they begin their term in the fall of their Upper year.
As the year slowly comes to a close, I find myself reminiscing over my four years at Andover, as well as my short year as School President. Thank you all for the wonderful opportunities and support you have given me. I must say that it has been an honor serving you this year and I hope that I lived up to your initial expectations. The role of Student Council president is difficult, but given the chance, I would do it again in a heartbeat. The joy of the presidency came from the people I worked with, both students and adults, and in getting to know a wide range of the student body at Andover. As I pass the torch on to Mike, I have full confidence that Student Council is in good hands and that next year will be quite extraordinary. Don’t forget though, there are still three weeks left in school, and I intend to make use of them. I’ll see you at ASM next week.
Eternally yours,
Faiyad