Over the past week, the student council has thought up, voted on, and begun implementing a number of ideas and effecting Choate life. As stated, most of these are advancing towards the larger goal of the more efficient use and conservation campus-wide.

One of the problems the Student Council is working towards solving is the inefficient use and placement of grass sprinklers systems outside of the Humanities building, which have been met with negative feedback from students since they were first placed and activated at the beginning of the year. The Council is pushing for a more efficient set-up that keep the walkways (and students) dry, while creating an overall greener campus by placing sprinklers in areas where they are more needed, such as Memorial Field.

The major project being worked on for the fall term is a coffee shop, called “The Daily Grind,” which they hope will be up and running by the end of November, says sixth form student council representative Lauren Provini ’08. It will be located in the Humanities Rotunda, where students will be able to buy coffee and other beverages, and will be open Tuesday and Friday every week during conference period.

At the moment, the Student Council plans to use the shop’s profits to build a well for a small village in Niger. One student also has contacts with members of the U. S. Embassy, in Niger, whom they hope will provide additional aid. The Council away from their original plan to purchase water filters for third world countries because, as Provini explained, they felt that through the building of a well, “the fruits of our labors can be more easily seen.”

Other smaller improvements the Council hopes to put into effect include hammocks at different spots around campus so that students can lie down and take a break from the many stresses of the day-- be it tests, essays, or sports, says Provini. They also hope to implement a “community bike system.” Bikes, owned by the school, will be available for use throughout the day for student use, helping students avoid being late for classes at farther locations, such as the Science Center, Brownell, and the Arts Center.

There have been few changes with the Student Council band. The members are still in the process of selecting songs to perform at the all-school meetings.

Also, this week student council members voted changes to the constitution. Though they have yet to be disclosed, Provini assures that no drastic changes have been made.