One of my least favorite things to do is write about a show part way through. I usually dislike talking about a series when its full hand hasn’t been revealed, and there is still more to discover. But what if you don’t like what has been shown? What if it hasn’t instilled confidence in the viewer that the show has a leg to stand on? That’s how I feel about the current season of Community. Read more...

Women’s Lacrosse utilized a strong first half to defeat the University of Rochester Yellowjackets by a score of 16-5 on Friday, April 17. Then, on Saturday, they hosted the Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers, where, after taking a one-goal lead into halftime, the Engineers faltered, surrendering five second-half goals to RIT, and lost 9-8. Read more...

Satellite images have revealed China’s numerous structural modifications on existing islands and the construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea. These modifications include the building of airstrips and what China’s neighbors fear to be various military facilities. China claims almost 90 percent of the South China Sea and disputes various islands with Japan and South Korea. China maintains that it has the right to conduct construction projects in its sovereign territory. In recent years, China’s assertive activities in disputed waters have caused problematic friction with its neighbors (e.g., Japan, Vietnam, and the Philippines). Read more...

I have a huge sweet tooth. Given the option, I will consume all the sugary delights I can find until I feel sick. And then when I start to feel a little bit better, I’ll eat some more and feel really sick. You are playing a dangerous game if you decide to share your candy with me. I will respect that it is yours until you offer me some, at which point you will find yourself out of said candy. Read more...

On Friday, April 24, from 10 am–3 pm, EcoLogic will be hosting their annual EarthFest. This event is put on by the club to celebrate Earth Day and bring awareness to environmental issues. EcoLogic will have several tables full of free goodies, such as vegan smoothies, tie-dying, paint-a-pot pot-a-plant, and a make-your-own recycled notebook station. EarthFest will take place on the Rensselaer Union Patio. Stop by for a few minutes to grab yourself a refreshing smoothie, or stay longer and tie-dye a shirt, make yourself a recycled notebook, and learn more about environmental issues and how your fellow students are working on solving them. Read more...

After splitting a pair of games at State University of New York, Cortland on Saturday, April 18, softball returned home to host the St. Lawrence University Saints for their final two home games of the regular season. In the first game of the day, both pitchers dominated and the Saints’ lone run was enough to lift them past the Engineers. Then, in the second game of the day, both teams’ bats came alive and Rensselaer won a wild 11-inning game by a final score of 9-8. Read more...

Election results can be found on Flagship (http://poly.rpi.edu/s/2r0gj/). Read more...

As I sit here writing this notebook with a black eye and slight pain in my nose, I want to discuss intramural sports. Simply, they are recreational sports here at RPI and other schools that anyone can join to play. Just gather a team together, pay a few bucks, and you’re in a league. Back to the black eye I have, last Wednesday night I had an IM division two basketball playoff game. It’s the five versus five league, and I was pretty pumped for this game. First of all, out of all the people in the two courts at the East Campus Athletic Village, I was the only girl playing, while two others were watching. Additionally, already three times at frisbee, I was the only girl playing under the lights at the football stadium. Why was I the only girl playing? IM teams are open to everyone. Read more...

West Hall Auditorium was witness to quite a pageant of color and sound this Saturday. The Pakistani Students Association held its annual Jashn show on April 18. ’Jashn’ translates to celebration in Urdu, Pakistan’s main language, and the show is meant to be a celebration of south Asian culture. Part of the show was a Mr. and Ms. Jashn pageant. Contestants are nominated because they are believed to represent a fusion of south Asian and western cultures; the pageant aims to find the contestant that best exemplifies this fusion. Read more...

During Grand Marshal Week, Alpha Phi Omega hosts their annual Meanest Man on Campus Competition. Several people or groups enter, supporting a charity and encouraging anyone to vote for them. Every cent counts as a vote and the winner has all of the money donated to their chosen charity. The contenders and their charities were as follows: Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) Fraternity for Peppertree Dog Rescue, Randi Mogul and Jean Purtel for the American Cancer Society, Grand Marshal Kyle Keraga ’15 and President of the Union Erin Amarello ’15 for the Ronald McDonald House, the Office of Financial Aid for the Whiskers Animal Benevolent League, Mike & Mike of Thunder Mountain Curry for St. Joseph’s Food Pantry, The Freshman Fifteen for A Well Fed World, and finally, Tofu Tim for the Wounded Warrior Project. This year, the brothers of FIJI were the Meanest Men on Campus, and the event raised a total of $1797.25 for Peppertree Dog Rescue, which is four times more than what was raised last year. Read more...

Hello RPI,

I’d like to thank you for electing me to be your 150th Grand Marshal! It’s been a long journey, and I’d like to share with you a bit about what I’ve learned while campaigning these past weeks. Read more...

It’s been six years since the Danish indie alternative rock band Mew released a full-length album, but they definitely haven’t forgotten how to make a great song. Titled +-, the group’s sixth album brought their ethereal style of music into focus with a packed album of title-track worthy songs one after another. Having never heard of nor listened to the group prior to this release, I found myself apprehensive at first, but as the album progressed, I grew ever more enthusiastic. The album is easy to listen to and even easier to enjoy. Swelling melodies, deep beats, and outer space-like synth intertwine to create a rich, full array, yet the album still seems to be on a space-walk, as though it’s lighter than air and impossible to bring down. Read more...

Hey RPI, surprise!

Still Erin. The Rules and Elections Committee and Judicial Board had a busy weekend making decisions on all of the sanctions against the elections, but they handled it well. Last night at 9 pm in Mother’s Wine Emporium, the remaining election results for Grand Marshal week 2015 were announced. I would like to congratulate Marcus Flowers ’16 on his new position as the 150th Grand Marshal and all of the new and returning senators, class representatives, class presidents and vice presidents. I wish all of you the best of luck in your upcoming term. I would also like to congratulate my fellow alumni officers, Jacob Andrews ’15, Sarah Spellane ’15, and Colton Fisher ’15; I look forward to serving with you over the years to come. Read more...

For initial general election, the editorial board of The Polytechnic voted for no endorsement in the 2015 race for President of the Union, due to a board-wide underlying conflict of interest involving a candidate on the ballot. For those who are unaware, the original general election, held Thursday, April 16, failed to elect a candidate. Because of this, there will be a runoff election involving the two still-eligible candidates who received the most votes from the original election, these candidates being Gregory Bartell ’17 and Nicholas Dvorak ’16. Due to this, our staff has been allowed to return to an objective position on the candidates in the race. In a unanimous vote of the members of the editorial board present, on Tuesday, April 21 we have elected to endorse Dvorak in this election. Read more...

To the Editor:

Student politics at RPI are confusing. The past two elections have been sullied by poster tampering and, I must say, I am still at a loss as to why a candidate would risk removing a few posters given the ramifications. I’m confused further as to how they could not learn from the mistakes of the previous year. Sure, I can see why they would want an edge over their opponents, but if they’re so desperate to win that they break the rules of the very organization they are running for, then why run for the position in the first place? Read more...

Today marks the 45th celebration of Earth Day. While much has been accomplished, both here at Rensselaer and worldwide, it is still vital that there is a sustained push for environmental sustainability. Examples of extreme weather, such as the California drought and superstorms like Sandy and Irene, are projected to become more frequent in a warmer climate. Read more...

The Rensselaer Union Judicial Board ruled on Sunday that all election results remain valid, instructing the Rules and Elections Committee to release results at their discretion. Read more...

The Rules and Elections Committee has released a decision regarding the results of all races involving party members of "A Stronger Union." The decision can be seen below or on Flagship (http://poly.rpi.edu/s/2o4qf): Read more...

Today, the Rules and Elections Committee has released a revision to their original Sanction 9. In this revision, R&E state that upon further evidence brought to them during the appeals process, they could not prove that "A Stronger Union" campaigned as a party after Sanction 8. As a result, they have decided to remove all sanctions applied to Han and Etzine. However, they find that Sudano is in violation of the GM Handbook honor code and leave the sanctions of sanction 9 applicable. Their revision can be found on Flagship Docs. Read more...

President of the Union candidate Andrew Sudano ’17 has withdrawn from his race, citing involvement with recent election tampering allegations. Sudano, a member of the Union Executive Board, has recently come under fire for vandalizing opponent Greg Bartell '17's campaign materials. Read more...