ECOS welcomes a new semester

The United States Constitution states that the president shall "from time to time, give to the congress information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures that he shall judge necessary and expedient." With the exception of George Washington and John Adams, the State of the Union was not delivered to Congress in person until Woodrow Wilson addressed members of Congress, the Cabinet, and Supreme Court Justices in 1913. Since then, this delivery has developed into an important annual tradition.

Last Thursday, the ECOS Student Senate members unanimously ratified the 2011-2012 ECOS Constitution and in accordance to Article II, Section 204 of the ECOS Constitution, the president shall "make a State of the ECOS address to the Student Senate at the beginning of each semester."

To adhere with the ECOS Constitution and mirror the tradition of the United States government, the ECOS Executive Council would like to invite all students to the 2012 State of the ECOS address during the first Student Senate meeting of the spring semester on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. in the Palmetto Coffee House. For those who are unable to make the meeting, an electronic transcript of the address will be available online.

ECOS entered the Fall Semester outlining a trilogy of objectives: continue tradition, engineer new initiatives, and evolve the vision as a student government. Now in review of the fall semester and halfway through the year, this is what we have done.

The creation of the Small Changes, Significant Impact initiative, following the philosophy that even the smallest changes can make a significant impact, has experienced growing success. To date, ideas and improvements have covered topics ranging from food availability in the café and pub, volleyball nets, pool cues and hammocks and seating on South Beach. Over the next couple of weeks, keep an eye out for better speed bags, jump ropes, and a new intermediate weight set in the Fitness Center, reusable hooks for the Flush publication in restrooms across campus, and a shed to house tools for the campus garden.

Continue to think. Continue to dream. Continue to question what can be done

to make campus better. The process of evolution ensures a long-term approach in setting the foundation for today and a vision for tomorrow. Next semester will continue to honor traditions and produce novel initiatives, reveal a new set of objectives that will work with key departments on campus and ECOS is continuing to build relationships and establish lasting events that are equally beneficial to the current student body and the student body of the future.

On behalf of the entirety of ECOS, we wish you the best of luck during final's week and safe travels during winter break. Happy holidays and have a happy New Year.