My wife and I are alums of Rensselaer, and are on the Rensselaer Alumni Association mailing list. I received an email from Vice President for Institute Advancement and Interim Executive Director of RAA Graig Eastin and RAA President Kareem Muhammad. In summary, Eastin and Muhammad brush off the Renew Rensselaer claims that the RR continued the RAA meeting and elected a new RAA board. The email states that RAA bylaws were not followed, and that RR members do not speak on behalf of the RAA, let alone now control it. The email continues with ongoing disparagements and claims on RR activities. Read more...

I’ve only owned Android phones; and, ever since I got my first phone, my texts have appeared green on iPhones. I’ve always been a “green bubble person.” Read more...

The notion that you are not defined by your actions is absurd and goes against the natural instinct that we judge people by their character. Everything you do or associate with reflects on your character in some way or another. For example, if you wear white socks every day of your life, and wear different color socks for one day, you are no longer defined as a person that only wears white socks. You are now a person that wears white socks, except for one occasion. Read more...

Socially, the stigma against addiction is toxic. Often, people who seek help feel discriminated against and are treated as junkies or fiends. Drugs are normal. Drug use has been a normal practice across different cultures and time periods. As a society that has normalized nicotine, alcohol, and marijuana use, there is a difference between using drugs and chaotic drug use. One difference is as simple as drinking on the weekends versus binge drinking every day. Read more...

There are a lot of changes happening on our campus right now. Everyone is aware of the changes stemming from the Arch program and changes to the Greek community. As Grand Marshal, I am tasked with thinking about these changes and recognizing that many have been manifesting for years. One change that I would like to see prioritized is the creation of a new interfaith space. Read more...

There are many things in my life that I’ve wanted to do, but haven’t ever gotten around to doing. I’ve always wanted to get a fixer-upper car, get a tattoo, take a spontaneous road trip, go skydiving, and a lot of other activities that sound like a blast in my mind but a bust when actually considered. Admittedly, most of these ideas would be feasible if I had money—but I feel like I wouldn't act on them even then. Why, you ask? I, like most people, am risk-averse and it is such a problem that I feel like I need to admit it publicly in order to start changing. Read more...

The Hearthstone Dedication Ceremony took place this past weekend. It was a wonderful event in which we were able to honor the unique student-staff partnership here at Rensselaer. Read more...

At the beginning of March, representatives from the Division of Student Life told the director of the Union and the Union business administrator that in order for the Union budget to be considered by the Board of Trustees, changes were required. What’s most concerning is the fact that this information was only told to Union staff when they asked about whether the Union budget was approved with other budgets during the March Board of Trustees meeting. The president of the Union or any other student Executive Board members were never directly told that changes had to be made. Read more...