The Daily Gamecock

Guest Column: Fall an exciting time at Carolina

Shelby Ryan, 18, left, from Sherman Oaks, a freshman at Cal State Northridge, and her roommate Abby Souza, 18, right, from Davis, hang out inside their dorm room with Austin Garcia, 18, from Bakersfield, who was visiting from his room located down the hall of the coed dorm, August 26, 2013.  All three students are freshmen. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times/MCT)
Shelby Ryan, 18, left, from Sherman Oaks, a freshman at Cal State Northridge, and her roommate Abby Souza, 18, right, from Davis, hang out inside their dorm room with Austin Garcia, 18, from Bakersfield, who was visiting from his room located down the hall of the coed dorm, August 26, 2013. All three students are freshmen. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

Friends,

On behalf of Student Government, I’d like to welcome everyone to our beautiful campus. Whether you’re reading this on your way to your first ever college class, or are sadly anticipating your last home football games at Williams-Brice, fall semester at Carolina is an amazing time, and I’m excited to be on campus with you.

There are exciting updates to share from across campus.

Dining halls in Capstone House and the Honors Residence Hall are now buffet style — "all you care to eat." These options are on the meal plan, which also got an overhaul this summer. A new dining hall called "The Community Table" will soon open in the 650 Lincoln Residence Hall. When completed, it will be open 24/7.

Student Government is proud to announce the launch of a new initiative called USC Probs. It’s a Facebook page that lets you directly interact with Student Government and our administration, so you can tell us directly how to improve our campus.

Construction is finishing up, both for the journalism students in the new College of Information and Communications building and for anthropology students in the Hamilton building. South Tower recently finished light renovations, 650 Lincoln residences are up and running and there are several new off-campus student apartment complexes located near Colonial Life Arena and Greek Village. This semester, work will begin on the expansion of our student health center; you will probably notice changes in the Russell House Patio area beginning around the midpoint of this fall.

We’re excited to announce that Carolina Convoy (Student Government’s annual away game excursion) will travel this year to Tennessee. Tickets are available on the student account manager.

Although we are in the midst of an exciting time as a community and as individuals, we live in a changing world that will undoubtedly challenge us this year. As we face these challenges, it is important to remember that we are privileged to receive a top-notch education at one of the best universities in the world. Let’s challenge ourselves to seize the opportunity, and to make the most of every moment. Bring your professor to lunch; join a student organization; ask your advisor about undergraduate research; study abroad; apply for internships; kill apathy. Grab a USC Bucket List and get to work learning about our traditions. In whatever you do, strive to leave a positive impact on our community; your legacy is entirely up to you.

This semester, I hope you interact frequently with Student Government. Please come and find me in the Russell House, on campus, on social media, at dinner or at a campus event. The only way for me to represent you well is to know you, and I hope to meet you this year. If you need anything or have any questions, stop by my office in the Leadership and Service Center, on the second floor of Russell House. You can find me on Twitter @jonathan_kauf. I’m excited to talk with you, and can’t wait to meet you soon!

Forever to thee,

Jonathan Kaufman
Your Student Body President


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