The Board of Trustees Weekend was wonderful. The student agenda was the prime focus and the feedback you have given student government this year was the key topic of discussion! The transition of the Union to a 24 hour Sunday-Thursday facility (regular Friday and Saturday hours will still be in effect) was met with great excitement and resounding support. This suggestion came directly from the 20 days and 20 nights of student feedback campaign that was led by the Senate and made successful by the collective efforts of both the E-board and Senate. As you read this article, this initiative has already been placed in Dr. Knowles’ performance plan, and Institute and student leaders are working together to bring the effort to fruition.
We have said it before and will continue to state that we, as students, are the drivers of every facet of this Institution. We are what makes RPI world renowned and when we come together and combine our energies, we get our way! There will always need to be a degree of compromise and sensitivity to the difficulties and challenges faced by the administration, but it is clear that if we organize, push, and stretch, our ideas are met with openness, and are often taken as far as we push them. As Thomas Edison said, “If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.”
You may often read our column (or maybe not). If you do, you may be familiar with the mention of many long term issues such as parking and safety, but rest assured we are working very hard to develop tangible deliverables based on your feedback. Just a few examples:
• Students complained about the lack of access to the Ethernet jacks in the McNeil room and bam — we worked with the staff to change the setup of the room in order to allow the full utilization of all jacks by rearranging some tables.
• You asked for more jacks and study space on the third floor of the Union, so we are adding 16 more jacks and 8 new tables to meet your demands.
• Vice President Claude Rounds, along with other key administra–tors, will be walking around the RPI campus at night during finals week with both of us. We will be looking at any and all lighting and safety issues. That’s right; we will be walking around in the cold, dark Troy night for you to make your campus better and safer.
• Ever complained about the dark corner in the Union on that stairwell off the north side of the building? Expect to be able to sun tan there at night soon. You bring us an issue and the E-Board and Senate will work to address your concerns.
• Do you think that we need a new Union server? We did too and that’s why your E-board approved one. “How does that affect me?” you may ask. Well, first of all, it gives us a ton more web space so that all the clubs can get adequate web space. Further, it creates the possibility of a wealth of development beyond the current static Union web presence. In other words, imagine submitting your club list on a simple online form, checking your club membership and dues on the site, and submitting feedback directly to the Senate and E-board. Also, the room scheduling, Union van rentals, and event calendar could all become dynamic and real time.
Speaking of “real-time,” have you seen the Senate or E-board website recently? They are rocking! These pages are updated and maintained regularly. You want recent minutes? Check out the sites and give us your feedback Remember, feedback brings action.
Senate: http://www.rpi.edu/dept/union/senate/
Eboard: http://www.rpi.edu/dept/union/eboard/public_html/
We tip our derby and top hat to Chris Lacey, Chris Mather, and Laura Crescenzo for their leadership in this effort!
