Medhini Mankale


Medhini is a junior Biochemistry and Biophysics major from Centreville, VA.

Previous positions
  • Editor in Chief July 2021 to May 2022
  • Senior Managing Editor December 2020 to June 2021
  • News Editor March 2020 to December 2020
  • Associate News Editor October 2019 to March 2020
  • News Coordinator October 2019 to October 2019
Greek Life

Stickers around campus claim "Ski drugs women"

April 19, 2022

Stickers that stated “SKI DRUGS WOMEN” were found around campus yesterday, featuring a picture of a hand holding a pill over an open drink. The Polytechnic has attempted to investigate the stickers’ accusation but has not verified it.

Administration

Martin A. Schmidt named next president of the Institute

November 23, 2021

Martin A. Schmidt ’81 has been named the 19th president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Schmidt will assume his position as president from July 1, 2022, succeeding President Shirley Ann Jackson after her 23-year tenure at RPI. Schmidt currently serves as the provost at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Tv Series Review

We Are Lady Parts is the quirky coming-of-age narrative we’ve been waiting for

September 14, 2021

Editor in chief Medhini Mankale ’23 and photography editor Rachel Wang ’23 explain why We Are Lady Parts is the one show you should binge this semester. The comedy series follows an all-female Muslim punk band as they prepare and audition for a battle of the bands competition, with plenty of witty banter and jokes along the way.

Administration

Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson announces retirement

June 27, 2021

On Friday afternoon, President Shirley Ann Jackson announced that she will be retiring from her position as President of Rensselaer in July 2022. Jackson has served as president since 1999.

Academics

Online services to be partially reinstated

May 18, 2021

Some services dependent on Rensselaer servers will be partially reinstated, starting today. The Learning Management System (LMS) currently works for a limited timeframe. The Student Information System (SIS) only works on campus, and Rensselaer Webmail is not yet running.

Academics

Monday, Tuesday finals canceled due to cyberattack

May 18, 2021

An announcement was posted this afternoon to all of Rensselaer’s social media stating that “all final exams and submissions (e.g., term papers, project reports) scheduled or due for Monday (May 10) and Tuesday (May 11) are cancelled” as a result of the cyberattack on RPI servers that occurred on Friday.

Academics

RPI takes down servers in response to cyberattack

May 18, 2021

Earlier this morning, Rensselaer servers were shut down in response to a cyberattack leaving many students unable to access LMS course materials, contact professors through email, take their final examinations, or submit final projects.

Student Rights

Student Handbook updates reflect acts of discrimination, clarify community health requirements

April 25, 2021
This semester, the Rensselaer Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities was updated to include a section pertaining to “Acts of Bias, Discriminatory Behavior, and Harassment.” This change was incited by the Rensselaer Black and Latinx Student Coalition, after they realized there were no explicit disciplinary actions against acts of racism at Rensselaer in the Student Handbook.
Student Life

New members inducted to Phalanx and White Key Societies

April 17, 2021

The newest members of the Phalanx Honor Society and White key society were inducted in a "tapping ceremony" on April 17. The Phalanx Honor Society and White Key Society recognize Rensselaer students and faculty with outstanding records of leadership and service.

Town Meeting

Jackson discusses support for underrepresented students during Town Meeting

April 9, 2021

Rensselaer students and faculty members asked Institute President Shirley Ann Jackson and other administrators about plans for the Fall semester, advocacy for underrepresented students, and condemnation of the recent spike in anti-Asian hate crimes during the Spring Town Meeting on March 25. Dr. Jackson also announced intentions to hold commencement in-person and have the campus operate almost normally by the Fall semester.

Elections

Bennett, Mahmoud, elected as GM, PU

March 28, 2021

Cait Bennett ’22 and Yaseen Mahmoud ’22 have been elected to the positions of Grand Marshal and president of the Union, respectively, and Rhea Banerjee ’22 was elected as the next Undergraduate President.

Breaking News

RPI hits Trigger Level 1, Institute to quarantine

March 2, 2021

Rensselaer begins quarantine on Thursday, March 4, having reached the over 30 case threshold outlined in the University Pandemic Protocols.

Student Senate

Senate recognizes Arch away students as Union members

February 28, 2021

The Student Senate passed a motion to recognize students participating in their Arch semester away as Union members on February 17. This recognition allows students who are away on Arch to vote during the GM Week elections and hold club leadership positions, which only Rensselaer Union members are permitted to partake in.

Opinion

RPI's policies are a recipe for burnout

February 27, 2021

With the ongoing pandemic and no Spring Break this semester, Senior Managing Editor Medhini Mankale ’23 suggests policies for the Institute to implement to prevent student burnout.

Club Spotlight

RPI clubs persist through the pandemic

January 30, 2021

As part of an ongoing attempt to maintain a semblance of the normal college experience, many clubs have adapted their activities to operate fully online. The Polytechnic interviewed club officers about forging friendships online, pursuing projects virtually, and planning for the future.

Student Life

Institute retracts remote learning request approval, calling initial approval an “error”

December 3, 2020

On Tuesday night, students were notified that previous emails approving their remote learning requests for the upcoming Spring semester were sent “in error,” and that the actual decision regarding remote learning requests would be communicated by December 18, one week after the on-campus housing application deadline. This announcement sparked outrage in the student body and a joint email by student leaders condemning the action.

COVID-19

Jackson announces plan for Spring semester

November 18, 2020

In an email to the Rensselaer community, President Shirley Ann Jackson announced plans for the Spring semester. Freshmen, sophomores, and seniors will return to campus, with freshmen and sophomores living in on-campus housing. According to Jackson, this will cause “some increase in on-campus housing density.” All seniors will live off-campus and still follow the Fall semester density standards which include having two people per bathroom. Students will also not be allowed to live in Greek houses. Additionally, all winter sports, including hockey, are cancelled.

Town Meeting

Fall trigger levels for University Pandemic Protocol updated

October 13, 2020

President Shirley Ann Jackson revealed updates to the University Pandemic Protocol trigger levels during the Fall Town Meeting. Now, trigger level one will be enacted after there are more than 30 confirmed COVID cases in two weeks, resulting in an immediate switch to remote instruction. When the amount of confirmed cases exceed Rensselaer’s ability to isolate and quarantine students, the updated trigger level two will be implemented. With the activation of trigger level two, the semester will be extended by a week, and students must vacate campus within 72 hours and continue the semester online.

Breaking News

Severe thunderstorm causes power outages across campus

October 7, 2020

Severe thunderstorms over the Northeast region of the United States have left many Rensselaer students without power.

COVID-19

Health center to expand services for Fall semester

July 16, 2020

Services from the Health Center and the Counseling Center will be expanding, as confirmed by Executive Director for Health and Wellness Dr. Leslie Lawrence during the Town Meeting on July 1. Students arriving to campus from certain states will be required to quarantine for two weeks, and all students on campus will have to undergo continuous testing.

Opinion

The importance of Asian-American allyship

June 4, 2020

Monday marked the end of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. As young Asian-Americans, we wanted to examine the role of Asians in America: how we came to this country, how we lived, and how we can move forward as a group, particularly in today’s social climate.

Town Meeting

Dr. Lawrence announces plan to prevent coronavirus spread

May 25, 2020

Executive Director for Health and Wellness Dr. Leslie Lawrence outlined a plan during the Spring Town Meeting to prevent the spread of COVID-19 when students return to campus.

Academics

On teaching at home

May 24, 2020

After transitioning to distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, Rensselaer professors provide their perspectives on online teaching and the lessons they will bring back with them when on-campus learning resumes.

Elections

Narayan and Choiniere win GM, PU races

May 3, 2020

Advaith Narayan ’21 and Anissa Choiniere ’21 have been elected Grand Marshal and President of the Union, respectively. The announcement was made on a live stream through the Union’s Instagram account, and a rundown of the election results was sent out in an email shortly thereafter.

Elections

Election missteps may lead to invalid results

May 2, 2020

Major errors that could invalidate this week’s elections were at the forefront of discussion in the Student Senate meeting on Thursday. These errors included votes cast by those who should not have been able to vote, as well as the use of Google Forms to fix the incorrect categorization of students by class cohort.

GM Week 2020

Elections Commission announces online voting platform

April 25, 2020

Elections for grand marshal, president of the Union, undergraduate president, and positions on the Student Senate will be held online from April 29 to May 1 using the platform Simply Voting. This platform was chosen by the Elections Commission due to its similarity to the Rensselaer Union Voting Suite, as well as its security and accessibility.

Campus Health

Remote classes to last through semester’s end

March 11, 2020

Students were informed that classes will be held online for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester in an email sent from University President Shirley Ann Jackson at about 6:30 pm on Wednesday. In addition, “all undergraduate students in Rensselaer Residential and Greek Commons [are required] to move out of these residences by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2020.”

Campus Health

Rensselaer shifts to remote classes

March 11, 2020

An email sent at about 1:30 pm on Tuesday from University President Shirley Ann Jackson informed students that in-person instruction will be suspended until at least March 30 due to concerns regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus.

On-Campus Event

Frozen 'fits at the BSA Fashion Show

March 3, 2020

Enjoy this brief gallery of a breathtaking walk, titled “Ice Me Out,” from this year’s BSA Fashion Show in anticipation of our upcoming in-depth article. The walk expressed two sides of luxe: opulent, glittery fabrics mixed with edgy streetwear looks and silhouettes.

Rensselaer Union

Union website updates underway

February 19, 2020

The Rensselaer Union website is currently undergoing maintenance to increase its functionality and address some issues. The site’s present status renders some information regarding clubs and Union events inaccessible to the greater student body, causing students to resort to social media such as Reddit and Facebook.

Administration

Students angered by selective restrictions placed on multicultural events

February 17, 2020

While Big Red Freakout and Winter Carnival went on without a hitch, administrators placed severe restrictions on some students’ biggest events of the year, citing concerns with coronavirus. “It’s discriminatory and wrong,” said Multicultural Leadership Council member Sundjata Suma ’20 while discussing the issue in a meeting.

On-Campus Event

Beginner's guide to an RPI hockey game

February 4, 2020

Freshmen staff writers Medhini Mankale and Sarah Shiang reflect on their first Big Red Freakout game.

Student Senate

“Hail!” endorsed as RPI student fight song

January 28, 2020

“Hail! Dear Old Rensselaer” was endorsed as the official fight song of students by the Senate after a petition advocating for this change reached 275 signatures.

Student Senate

Constituency report brings grad student situations to light

January 21, 2020

The main issues brought to light through the report include low pay, comparatively low usage of Union resources, and tense student-advisor relations.

Club Spotlight

DFA offers unique solutions to community problems

January 14, 2020

Recently, Design for America had two major events—the annual Design Expo and a fall Dinner Party—that highlighted the work that DFA members do to better the community.

Student Senate

Student Government discusses facility issues

December 4, 2019

The Facilities and Services Committee presented a follow-up report to the senate about facilities concerns found during the Light Walk. In addition, the Arch Task Force introduced a mental health module to its Arch preparatory course, and the Hospitality Advisory Services Committee announced several projects that will begin implementation next semester.

Empac Event

Rensselaer Orchestra entrances audience

November 26, 2019

The Rensselaer Orchestra, conducted by Matthew Chamberlain, performed at the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center on Saturday. The orchestra played pieces from various eras of classical music, with compositions from Jean-Baptiste Lully, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Franz Schubert, and Pyotr-Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

Executive Board

Two women's clubs gain Union affiliation

November 20, 2019

The Executive Board approved the annual art show held by the Black Students Alliance and the Union recognition of Women’s Club Basketball and Women in Business on Thursday.

Club Event

RPI Players bring bountiful banter onstage with Pride and Prejudice

November 15, 2019

As I walked into the Playhouse to catch the open dress rehearsal of the RPI Players’ Pride and Prejudice, I was greeted by the production manager, Isabel Donelson, and various other crew members rushing around making sure everything was in place.

Student Senate

Changes made to Counseling Center

November 13, 2019

The addition of two counselors, drop-in counseling, and the ability for students to book their first appointments online were some of the recent changes to the Counseling Center presented by the Student Life Committee on November 4.

Empac Event

Frightening fridge-dance fascinates

October 30, 2019

The avant-garde Turkish dance duo Taldans performed one of their earliest pieces, titled Dolap, on Thursday at the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center. Mustafa Kaplan and Filiz Sizanli make up the group, which was formed in 1996, the duo choreographed Dolap in 2000, and Thursday evening's performance was an example of the cumulative effect of working on a single piece for nearly twenty years. Dolap was the kind of piece that excited the audience with the dancers’ physicality and trust in each other. It lent itself to many interpretations and plenty of discussion, especially regarding Taldans’ strange choice of prop: a refrigerator.

On-Campus Event

Family weekend closes with GM–PU brunch

October 27, 2019

The Grand Marshal–President of the Union brunch was held in the McNeil Room as part of an activity-packed Family Weekend. During her address to the students and parents, President Shirley Ann Jackson stated how proud she was to have “a Union run by the students.”

The Arch

Six-week courses removed after student feedback

October 27, 2019

The Arch Core Committee approved the recommendation to eliminate six-week courses during the Arch.

Tv Series Review

Over the Garden Wall: a fall-themed feature you’ll fall in love with

October 16, 2019

So far during my time at Rensselaer, many people have asked me about the television shows I enjoy watching. Usually the answers vary depending on who’s asking. I, however, always make sure to mention Over the Garden Wall, the animated miniseries created by Patrick McHale that aired on Cartoon Network in 2014. In fact, this is a show that I often call “essential fall viewing,” because the aesthetic of the show meshes so well with the changing colors of the leaves outside and the spookiness of Halloween, but, this show can, and should, be enjoyed at any time of the year.

Club Event

RPI aims to become 'Stronger Than the Stigma'

October 16, 2019

The Active Minds “Stronger Than the Stigma” event, held October 9 on the ‘86 Field, was a great way to showcase the various mental health resources available on campus.

Executive Board

Indian dance clubs unite

October 16, 2019

During their meeting on Thursday, the Executive Board confirmed the absorption of the Indian dance teams RPI Rounak and RPI Bhangra into the existing dance team within the Indian Students Association, RPI Rudras. During a closed portion, they also approved a budget for Men's Club Basketball.

Executive Board

Fishing Club becomes Union recognized

October 11, 2019

During the Executive Board meeting on Thursday, the RPI Tennis Club, RPI Fishing Club, and the Multicultural Leadership Council all had their requests for additional funding approved.