In recent years, all members of RPI have witnessed the rebirth of the Independent Council. Our productivity has increased, our numbers have surged, and these facts are matched only by our determination to produce visible results for those we represent. These are the very reasons why I find it so difficult to graduate.
When I first took office two and a half years ago, outgoing president Jerry Abrams and I sat down and discussed the fate of the IC. Having emerged from a state of dormancy, future planning was absolutely necessary to make sure the IC grew back into its former standing—a council with full class representation. At that time, Abrams expressed his desire to see the IC return to publishing its course survey results. Since that request, the IC has committed itself to producing additional visible results.
Maintaining the tradition of producing visible results, it is my pleasure to introduce the first annual IC GM Week endorsements. We have noticed that candidates have received endorsements from various groups, yet there was no independent opinion present. Therefore, the IC wishes to endorse Michael Borzumate for GM, and Eric Griffith for PU.
The IC decided, after taking a vote of its members, Borzumate would be the best candidate for GM because of his extensive student government experience and ability to smoothly communicate with the students and the administration. Harol Baez, while he holds the best interests of the student body close to heart, may offend the administration with his straight-talk and lead to a counterproductive situation.
For PU, the IC has come to endorse Eric Griffith because of his extensive experience and dedication with to Executive Board and various Union clubs. Griffith’s experience stretches over four years of involvement, and he has the administrative contacts to implement his ideas. It was a close call, however, with Mike Augello running a tight second. Augello has gone out of his way to learn about the E-Board, asking questions where necessary, and possesses the interpersonal skills to represent the student body effectively. Still, the IC feels that Griffith’s background knowledge about the Union makes him exceptional. Another candidate, Suzanne Peluso, lacked sufficient knowledge regarding Union operations to make an effective, efficient president. The Council, however, believes that Peluso’s previous student government experience would be best applied as a continued member of the E-Board.
As a footnote, neither the two RNE members on the Council nor myself were involved with the endorsement vote, and the Council upholds these decisions by a majority. In closing, I want to thank outgoing VP Mark Matarazzo for being my advisor for two years and maintaining my focus. I would also like to thank outgoing treasurer John Thomas for using his financial skills to keep the Council running for the last couple years. It has been an exciting, and sometimes challenging time as IC president. I wish the incoming Council godspeed and hope that all their tasks are accomplished with the same success my administration had been blessed with.
