Formal Recruitment underwent some major changes this fall as the Panhellenic Council worked toward shortening the sorority recruitment period to a mere six days compared to the four weeks in previous years. The new emphasis on rotational events as opposed to a series of individual house parties ensured that potential new members (PNMs) met the requirements of bid eligibility by meeting all five sororities, or women’s fraternities, and each house had an equal opportunity for exposure. Read more...

If you have been sitting under a rock for the later half of the summer without some political issue to ponder, no worries; nationalized health care is going to drag you out. Not only is nationalized health care a perceived partisan issue, it has also sparked television ads that are pushing the American public to one side or the other. However, before you make up your mind about the merits of the bill, some misconceptions need to be remedied. Proponents of nationalized health care support the bill using many misleading arguments which include that it will be cheaper, will provide more extensive individual coverage, and that Republicans are trying to stop you from obtaining health care. All three of these arguments are deceptively misleading—two are even half-truths. Read more...

Last Saturday may have looked to most people like a dreary, overcast day with the occasional shower, but it was an exciting day on campus. Our football team won their season opener, 28-0, in the debut of the East Campus Athletic Village’s stadium. If you haven’t seen the new stadium yet, you should certainly head over this Saturday for the second game of the season against Utica Collage at 1 pm. Read more...

Welcome to RPI, Class of 2013! As you’re settling in to your dorms and attending your first week of classes, don’t forget to consider your options for extracurricular activities, where you can make friends and balance out your schoolwork with fun. Read more...

Financial Aid. Two words that nearly every student has had on his or her mind over the past few months. It seems that the change in economy has brought financial decisions to the forefront of everyone’s mind, both on a national scale and even as local as the Institute. With that newfound realization, a large college tuition bill is just the sort of thing that has people worrying. Read more...

“I can do this. I can do this. I’m not dumb. I mean, I’m dumber than that kid Sean who built a laser in the dorm last night, but I did graduate high school, so I can do college. But what if I can’t? These people look really smart. OK, focus. I can’t fail or pass if I don’t find the classroom. Read more...

As Rensselaer begins what will truly be a historic academic year, no doubt many of you have heard of Rensselaer’s plans to implement the CLASS initiative—the new vision for student life based on the concept of Clustered Learning, Advocacy, and Support for Students. Read more...

I wrote in my April 29, 2009 Top Hat that “School is out for summer, but the work never ends.” I promised when elected that I would work as hard for you as I possibly could, and I want to tell you it is a promise that has not changed. I’m your 143rd Grand Marshal, we’re your 40th Student Senate, and we are here for you. Welcome back. Read more...

Classes have started yet again as we all turn our attention away from summer and toward our studies. With orientation complete and freshmen done with their Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond activities, it’s time to settle back into that demanding activity that we call college. But there is no reason to think of this as a dull time; there is plenty of fun to be had. Activities around campus are revving up, including clubs and fall sports. I encourage everyone to look around, get involved, and enjoy the entertainment available on campus. Read more...