This fall, the Student Council introduced a new aspect of its organization: the establishment of sub-committees. In previous years, the Student Council worked as a single unit. Recently however, members of the Student Council have decided to create four focused sub-committees in order to function more efficiently. These subcommittees are comprised of three or four council members, with each committee focused on school spirit, communications, community, and the dining hall.
School Spirit Committee
Ever notice that certain school events such as football, hockey, and soccer games often get more attention and support than others sports games? The new School Spirit Committee wants to put an end to this imbalance. As our Student Council President Tomi Lawal ’16 noted, “This committee wants to boost our school spirit and attendance at sports games and arts events. Historically, certain events get a lot more praise and attention then others. Therefore, we really want to try to build school spirit in all aspects and make sure that everyone is getting the attention that they deserve.”
Communications Committee
What actually goes on in the Student Council? In the past, though Student Council meetings have been open for the general Choate community, Choate students have nonetheless been unclear about the council’s ongoing plans and actions. The Communications Committee was established in order to address this concern and to increase contact between students not affiliated with the Student Council and the council itself. Julian Yau ’18, a fourth form representative and member of the Communications Committee, said, “We try to bridge the gap between the Student Council and the whole student body. Our goal is to see what people want and then inform them about how we are taking action.” One way the Communications Committee has achieved their goal is by using the new Student Council website, located under “Groups” in the Choate portal. This website provides information about each Student Council member, notes on each weekly Student Council meeting, and a discussion forum for non-Student Council members to submit suggestions, comments, or concerns. Yau added, “I would really encourage students to go on that website because it can develop good, thorough discussions. This will reveal to the Student Council what the students really want in this community.” With this website, the council hopes that students will be more informed about the Student Council’s role and upcoming plans, as well as more willing to express their concerns.
Community Committee
According to Lawal, the purpose of the Community Committee is “to foster a better-sense of and also more inclusive community here and make sure that everyone feels included and unafraid to be themselves.” With this committee, the council hopes to unify the entire Choate community, including students, faculty, and staff, by introducing more events and other potential ideas. According to Yoonjong Lee ’16, Vice President of the Student Council, “We’re going to try to do a school wide record event because we want to get our name on the Guinness World Record book. We don’t know what it’s going to be yet, but we’re trying to incorporate everyone in our school to do it.”
Dining Hall Committee
The Dining Hall Committee has the unique purpose of bridging the gap between students and SAGE Dining Services. With this committee, SAGE hopes to receive feedback on what the students enjoy in the dining hall, what they think could be improved, as well as any other concerns that they may have. HPRSS teacher Mr. Craig Johnson, one of committee’s two faculty advisers, said that the goal of this committee is “to have some sort of communication with the dining hall to make food more teenage friendly.” Because most members of the Choate community eats their meals in Hill House Dining Hall, the Dining Hall Committee works with SAGE to make sure that the food that we put in our bodies is both tasty and nutritious.
Lawal noted that these committees were established for specific reasons that would benefit both the Choate community and the council as a whole. “I think it’s going to help us stay more organized and it’s going to help best address the concerns of students.” Lee added, “ I think we will be able to get through a lot more concerns, suggestions, and improvements quicker as a council.”
