The issues are on our radar and have not left our sights since they originally surfaced. The graduate tuition policy and the new commencement policy are the two issues which seem to have most students up in arms. On the graduate tuition policy front, the Graduate Council has not faltered in its continuous commitment to push the administration for answers and for increased clarity. As many of you may know, a group of graduate students has banded together to form a petition against the new policy, and it has always been my policy to promote any student initiative. So there is student mobilization on the issue, and if you would like to learn more or get involved, I advise you to visit the RPI website and learn the official administration side, and then ask the likes of Ayala Cnaan or Mitch Gold (of the Grad Council) for more feedback on the student mobilization.

As for the commencement policy, I have personally been strongly advocating for students and attempting to strengthen appeals wherever I can. It is important to note that the guidelines of this policy going forward are being reconsidered, and it is pertinent that we continue to provide the feedback and criticism necessary to formulate the best policy from here on, regardless of student input having been snubbed from the original decision or not.

All of this leads me to my final point. I am currently working with President Jackson and Vice President of Student Life Knowles on developing a panel of key student leaders to meet with the student life vice president on a regular basis. This panel is in addition to a key group of student leaders to meet with the President and key cabinet members on a scheduled basis. For the latter, I am leaning towards proposing an amendment to the Union Constitution, and I will keep all of you abreast of the situation.