President's Perspective: Welcome to a new semester

To everyone, welcome back from the holidays! I always think they are going to go slow, but nope, big surprise, you are back at work/school before you even feel like you had a break! But I hope that everyone had a great holiday, that Santa was good to you, and that your New Years Eve was an “eventful” as mine!

Once students come back to second semester, they have gotten their first set of grades, and figure, ok this isn't so bad. Things even tend to quiet down, or so you think. I feel like this second semester is going to be even busier than the first and that I will be looking forward to Spring Break by about this time next week!

In January, the FSU will be running their referendum for the dental plan. It would be approximately $75 annually for each student, which will be added onto the health plan. It covers one cleaning, some minor dental surgery and much more. For anyone who has had to pay for a cleaning before, you will know that it costs an average of $150.00 on its own. So that's a great deal. And the best part… if you already have dental coverage, you can opt out of this plan and get your money back. So during the last week of January, I encourage all of you to vote, and to vote “yes” whether you will be using the plan or not. There are so many students that need this and want this, and it's up to you, the student body, to help us make this happen.

In February, we will be starting our nominations for Executive Student Council. As sad as it makes me to think I get the boot in May, I am excited to see a new team come in and continue all the work that we have made so far for Fanshawe College. I encourage anyone who is interested in politics, interested in meeting new people, or wanting to get involved in a big way to run for a position. It's easy to run, and who knows, maybe when you graduate you will end up being President and writing these articles too.

In March the campaigning begins and new council will be elected. It will be advertised in the newspaper and online and on posters, so I will make sure that you know who will be making decisions on our behalf next year. And if you aren't going to run, then get out and vote. It's your money, so make a difference!

Also in February we are hosting the next College Student Alliance conference. This will take up a substantial amount of time for Council, and we look forward to showing off the facilities that our college has to offer. I will be sure to include pictures in the paper following this conference.

April is budgeting and by-law month, dreaded for most, but desired for me! Rules and regulations are just one of those things that I think is interesting and I look forward to helping for the third time.

So as you can see, your council is going to be very busy for the last four months of their terms in office. If you have any questions, you know where to reach us, and I hope that you do. Enjoy your second semester and keep working hard. Summer will come- I promise.
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