Welcome back from your long weekend, and congrats on your first week of classes. I hope you’ve all had the chance to get settled in. In these early weeks, take the chance to meet up with good friends and classmates, and use this time before classes to get busy in scoping out some new activities and extracurricular opportunities. Read more...

On September 21, concerned citizens and environmental activists plan to converge in New York City and stage the largest climate change protest in history: The People’s Climate March. The march has been organized, promoted, and will be attended by over 950 organizations and businesses from large environmental non-governmental organizations to small community churches. The march is preempted by the United Nations’ upcoming summit on climate change and the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon is urging governments to work towards a global agreement on reducing climate change. The marchers plan on demanding a world with an economy that works for people and the planet; a world safe from the ravages of climate change; a world with good jobs, clean air and water, and healthy communities. The motto of the movement is
“Action: Not Words”, and members are planning on taking any action necessary to make the planet safe from climate change. In addition to the march in NYC, there is also a global movement with events planned in almost every part of the developed world, such as a fossil free weekend in Sweden, outdoor concerts in Ghana, and other climate marches in New Delhi, Mumbai, Lagos, Manila, Seoul, Lisbon, Paris, London, Amsterdam, Rome, and Berlin. Read more...

Hey RPI!

I hope that all of you enjoyed our three-day weekend, getting plenty of rest and relaxation with the first week of classes behind us. Read more...

Last Thursday and Friday, EMPAC hosted the avant-garde film artist, Ken Jacobs. Jacobs’ work involves films and studies of movement, which are showcased. On Thursday, he presented his film, Blankets for Indians, a stereoscopic film that starts about a water fountain, but is soon enveloped by the event surrounding it, Occupy Wall Street. Read more...

In regards to your editorial piece by Kelsey McNeely published on July 7, 2014, I find the author grossly misinformed and in publishing such a piece, The Poly actively misguided their readers. Read more...

On September 10, we will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies with a symposium on the intersection of science, engineering, medicine, and health care that is open to the entire Rensselaer community. Read more...

Kyle Keraga ’15 said he had always wanted to be Grand Marshal, but it was not until midway through last year that he finally decided that he was going to run. When we asked what his motivation was, he said that he felt there was a need for change. Keraga is a senior pursuing a major in computer science. Read more...

Staff Editorials are the weekly opinion of the editorial staff. For this Poly Press Pass issue, we decided to let the Press Pass members put their thoughts together into a special piece on Student Orientation and Navigating Rensselaer and Beyond. Read more...

Students were given a chance to sample A Taste of A capella on Wednesday, August 20, as part of the Navigating
Rensselaer & Beyond program. The day started off with members of
Rensselaer’s first a cappella group, the
Rensselyrics, leading the activities. The freshmen participants in this group learned “Kiss Me” by Christian rock band Sixpence Six None the Richer. The students were then divided into three groups based on their vocal ranges. The women went into a separate room to work on the tenor parts, and the men divided into separate soprano and bass sections. Although no experience was required for the event, it was clear how talented the entire group was. After a very short time, each group was singing in harmony. Once the groups were ready, they came together and ran through the song. After practicing for a while, members of the Rensselyrics demonstrated some of their songs for the students, such as “Under the Bridge” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. James Schure ’18, who informed me how much he had learned about a capella from the program. Many students who had choir experience flourish in a cappella groups. Another student, Chris Zhang ’18, said, “I would definitely think about auditioning for the group after the program if I had time.” Read more...

When presented with the opportunity to interview Seth Appert, we wanted to gain some insight into the coach’s and team’s past in preparation for this year’s season. Appert grew up in Cottage Grove, Minn. where he began playing hockey at the age of four. In light of tradition, he stayed in his hometown to play for his high school team before moving on to Ferris State University. His aspirations of playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL never became a reality because, as Appert puts it, he “wasn’t good enough.” After nine years as an assistant coach at the University of Denver, Appert was brought to the RPI staff in 2006. He states he was drawn to RPI’s “great tradition of history and success” and believes the team is “a part of the cultural fabric of our community.” When asked about his coaching staff, Appert was humble in thanking Nolan Graham ’03, Bryan Vines, and the newest addition, Andy Thomas, the operations coordinator, for their hard work. He credits them for their work in recruitments and relationships with the players themselves and later states, “You can’t operate a successful Division I program without a good supporting staff.” Appert then went on to credit the Engineers’ fan base in not only intimidating the opponent, but also for the role they play in the recruiting process. Read more...

I was fortunate to be able to have a chance to meet with RPI’s Vice President of Strategic Communications and External Relations, David Brond, and the Assisstant Director of News and Editorial Services Mike Mullaney. Here is the conversation: Read more...

Hey readers! For anyone confused by this week’s paper, we as a staff have decided to consolidate Press Pass into the first issue of this semester. This way, coverage of Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond events is more publicized and those who worked on this issue are given more credit. We strove to report on as many events as we could. Read more...

MUSICALLY INCLINED FRESHMEN PUT on an excellent performance for their fellow classmates in EMPAC Concert Hall on August 21 at 9 pm. The different musical groups include the newly introduced jazz ensemble section and concert band section. One of the bands performed “Barber of Seville” by composer Gioachino Rossini. Read more...

Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond events were held on August 20, including ultimate frisbee at Upper Renwyck Field. In order to advance the interest of the sport and provide an opportunity for fitness and challenge amongst other RPI undergraduates, students tested their abilities through collaboration and sharpened their skills simultaneously, even the neophytes. In the morning, concentration was placed upon fundamental skills including throwing and catching, defense and coordination. Read more...

On Monday, September 25, the 45th Student Senate met for their first meeting of the Fall semester, with guest speaker Auxiliary and Parking Services Director Alexandre da Silva. After an initial presentation by Morgan Schweitzer ’16 on new and updated parliamentary procedure policies, da Silva took the floor to start discussion with senators and the public over recent Sodexo policy changes. Additionally, Shoshana Rubinstein ’16 was approved as the new Senate-Executive Board liaison. Paul Ilori ’17 was approved as Senate representative to the Rules and Elections committee. Read more...

Hello everybody, and welcome back to the Rensselaer campus! I hope you’ve all enjoyed your summer, and that you’re ready to get back into the swing of things. With the close of Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond, I hope you’ve been given a taste of what campus life has to offer. The events this year were spectacular and larger than ever thanks to capable, dedicated, and fun-loving Student Orientation advisors and Residence Life Staff, and it was my distinct pleasure to be able to share in the experience. Read more...

A good way to begin freshmen year is getting to know the diversity of activities, clubs, and organizations on RPI’s campus. In an effort to introduce and
familiarize students, the
Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond program put together a Rube Goldberg design and construction activity. Five different categories were given, each representing a different category of clubs and organizations, including sports, media, multi-cultural, and performing arts. Teams were grouped based on students’ interests. Read more...