Wow. After the dust has settled, we're very happy to report amazing results from this semester's booksale. Over 1,000 people sold books at the sale, which was a record. The total amount of books sold exceeded $50,000, which means that we will be donating $5,000 to charity.

The booksale is a large project, perhaps more than many students realize. Many hours of work get put into the sale by all the Senators, particularly the executive team. However, as with all that Senate does, the entire situation is very much a team effort. Every Senator puts in many hours during an already busy first week of school.

And yet despite the heavy work load, we are happy to be able to serve the student body in this way. We enjoy meeting people and helping them find the books they need. It may sound contrite, but we are very happy to be able to do this - it's part of the job we are committed to do.

The booksale is not the only event going on with Senate right now, however. As the second semester begins, we will begin rolling out a whole new set of ideas and agendas. Our focus is to make a lasting impact on the campus that will remain long after we have moved beyond our positions and our office.

Now comes the more pressing question among the student body: what is Senate doing for me and how can I suggest an idea to the Senate?

Legislature is not some abstract and undefinable essence in the political realm. It is a real and tangible group made of people, students in this case, who are just like you. Just as Kennedy famously said, ``ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,'' so we also encourage you to seize the initiative in making this campus a place for growth, learning, and Christian community.

Senate can do nothing apart from the support and opinion on the student body. If you have something you'd like to know about, or see accomplished, or any idea you have, regardless of the topic, e-mail it to us, drop us a note in our mailboxes in the Commons Annex, or come see and talk to us in our offices.

True to democratic election, we are leaders by your choice, not ours. We are merely servants carrying out the task placed before us by the students here: to ensure the uniquity of excellence at Calvin College on every day and in every way.

So inform us of what it is that we can do to help you make Calvin College more excellent. We are not slaves, nor are we masters - we are equal partners in the great place of Calvin College.