The first “Let’s Go Red!” chants of the hockey season were yelled on Saturday, October 4, as the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Engineers played the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers at the Houston Field House. The RPI Pep Band played “O Canada,” then the Rensselyrics took center ice to sing the United States National Anthem. The game was full of excitement as several fights broke out, one ending with the UPEI goalie getting ejected. At the end of the game, the Engineers defeated the Panthers 5-2. Read more...

In 2014, American college students will graduate with an average of $29,000 in debt. In American culture, this is a hard truth that anyone looking to gain a college education must face. But this year, Germany has said enough with college debt, eliminating tuition fees. This is not a new concept for European countries. Sweden, Norway, and Denmark have all eliminated college tuition fees in recent years. According to popular opinion in pertinent regions, college tuition fees are unjust. Students feel that socioeconomic status should not be a limiting factor in regards to education. Local and national politics have been influenced by a surge in support for the removal of tuition fees. College aged students have historically been the lowest percentage of voters, so politicians seeking to gain support have advocated for lower tuition. Read more...

To consider that the implementation of automation could be slowed or reversed is a concept that should be left behind at the point we are at in history. Automation is already here, and its influences will only continue to grow throughout my lifetime. But automation isn’t just specialized robots building products; it is rapidly spreading to markets which, only a decade ago, few could have ever foreseen anyone but humans working in these jobs outside science fiction. Read more...

Upon entering the studio that the concert would be performed at, I was already impressed right off the bat. The room was very dimly lit with a few hanging light bulbs above the stage area. The seating was set up in rows of a “V” formation, so each person would be facing the stage, which to me was a very good idea. The lights dimmed further as the show was about to begin, which signaled Mr. Barr to enter the room. Read more...

The Undergraduate Council is a Student Government organization responsible for coordinating the class councils. It consists of two representatives from each class, plus a president. Its president is voted upon by all of the class councils in a meeting held by the Grand Marshal within two weeks of their election. Its representatives are then appointed by each class council. A president can only be elected at this meeting, according to the UC bylaws, and each of the newly-elected class councils must meet quorum among their eight class representatives for the election to take place. Due to the short timeframe involved with bringing this meeting together, the UC has not existed in several years. Read more...

Hey you. Yes you. You’re that one guy that I met in the floor lounge. Or at Navigating Rensselaer and Beyond. Or I sit near in math. You’re the one that I say hi to when I see you around campus or in the residence hall or at a hockey game. I know you. Well, I know your face. Unfortunately, names aren’t exactly my forte, and, to be honest, a lot of other people struggle with them too. I, along with many others, have mental files full of faces that we just cannot place or put a name to. Read more...

Well over 50 students came down to New York City for the People’s Climate March two weeks ago. This was an incredible turnout, for over 50 busy students to wake up early on a Sunday morning and not get back until late that evening. Many other students expressed interest but had other commitments, or were too busy to go. We need to keep that momentum moving forward to push for sustainability on our campus and around the world. Read more...

The RPI women’s rugby team was victorious in their first home match of the season Saturday, October 4, beating Hamilton College 27-24 in a fast-paced, exciting game. Read more...

This week’s Rensselaer Union Executive Board meeting opened with Sodexo giving the E-Board an update on the work done over the summer. Matt Mueller, general manager for Hospitality Services, and Mark Wagner, retail director, met with the E-Board to discuss changes in the McNeil Room, Rathskeller, and Father’s Marketplace. Read more...

This past Monday, the 45th Student Senate voted to establish a Union Constitution Committee for the third consecutive year, to be chaired by Nathan James ’16. With this week’s Top Hat Article, I would like to explain the importance of the Union Constitution, our decision to reestablish this committee, and our current intentions for its direction this year. Read more...

Meet Devon Bernard ’16 Computer Science.

Bernard’s experience with programming began at the young age of 13 when he used it to create 2D indie games. His portfolio of languages started with C#, but quickly grew to include JavaScript, PHP, C++, C, and Python. The passion for programming, having started by the indie games, soon extended to building websites, browser extensions, and desktop tools. According to Bernard, the reason behind this new-found passion was “to increase (his) productivity and have fun.” He knew RPI was the right fit because it is a reputable engineering school, mixing well with his focus on science and engineering. Read more...

This week’s athlete of the week is RPI men’s hockey senior defender Curtis Leonard. In the exhibition game last Saturday against Prince Edward Island University, Leonard scored two goals. The first came with one minute and eight seconds left in the second period to give RPI a 4-1 lead. The goal was assisted by freshman defender Bradley Bell and freshman forward Drew Melanson. Read more...

Hey RPI!

First, I would like to congratulate men’s hockey on their 5-2 victory over the University of Prince Edward Island in their exhibition game this weekend! It was a great start to what looks like an amazing season. Men’s hockey was not the only successful team this weekend; I would also like to congratulate field hockey, women’s soccer, men’s tennis, football, and our men’s and women’s cross country teams on their great performances last weekend. I wish them luck in their contests this weekend as well! Read more...

On Thursday, September 25, freshman elections were held for the election of the Class of 2018’s Student Government representatives. With poll sites in Commons Dining Hall and the Darrin Communications Center, the election garnered 380 valid ballots, representing 28 percent of the freshman class, an increase from last year’s turnout of approximately 315 voters. Read more...

The 36th annual National Society of Black Engineers/Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Career Fair was on last Friday and Saturday, September 26 and 27 from 10 am–3 pm. The Poly staff would like to remind those that attended to follow-up on companies. Read more...

On the last Friday of every month, the streets of Troy fill with students and residents who are there to enjoy Troy’s food and cultural opportunities. In Monument Square, there were food and art vendors displaying their wares to passing visitors. The Troy Children’s Chorus and The Bluebillies provided music to people of all ages enjoying the last few warm days of summer. Read more...

On Saturday, September 27, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute hosted rival Worcester Polytechnic Institute for the annual Transit Trophy game. RPI had a lot of support, as the stands were packed cheering for a victory. Saturday’s game marked RPI’s first league game of the season. RPI entered Saturday’s game with two wins and one loss, the loss being to rival Alfred University. WPI entered the game with one win and two losses. The RPI Engineers found themselves on top of this meeting, defeating WPI 27-6. Read more...

The week of September 21 was National Hazing Prevention week in the United States. On Thursday, September 25, the Rensselaer Interfraternity Council held its first ever lecture on hazing prevention in the Darrin Communications Center for new pledges. IFC President Tyler Gumina ’15 and Executive Vice President John Schiel ’16 started off the lecture by formally defining the term “hazing.” It is “emotional and physical abuse for the purpose of integration into a community.” Schiel then stated that, according to a study done in 2008 at the University of Maine, 55 percent of club, team, and fraternity participants are exposed to some form of hazing, including sex acts, drinking, and embarrassment, which is often public. Read more...