It’s crunch time again. The signs are everywhere. From the capacity crowd studying in the Union every night this week, to the frantic jog of blurry-eyed students to final presentations, to the line of customers buying Jolt and coffee at Father’s, the increasing stress level is clear.
On behalf of everyone in student government, I encourage you to hang in there. It’s almost over, with the payoff of a three month summer vacation close on the horizon. This week we met with a variety of administrators, and they offered only positive encouragement and praise for the academic effort given by students this semester. Everyone recognizes the difficulty of the curriculum at RPI. Be proud of what you will accomplish in the next two weeks.
Two important meetings will take place tonight. At 7 pm in Union Room 3202 we will elect a new president of the Undergraduate Council. Any student who serves as a class representative or vice president on one of our class councils is eligible for nomination to the position of UC President, and to vote in this election. It is critical that every class rep and VP attend this meeting! It is our final opportunity for the semester to hold this election, so it is critical we have quorum. Anyone not eligible to vote is still invited and encouraged to attend as an observer of the election.
At 9 pm we will hold the final Student Senate meeting of the semester in Union Room 3606. This is one of the most important meetings the Senate conducts each year, as PU Suzanne Peluso will be bringing a full slate of Executive Board appointments before us. We will also consider several other committee appointments, approval of the Fall Election Handbook for freshman elections, and certain changes to the Senate by-laws that will permit the Rules and Elections Committee to operate our elections more smoothly each year. Anyone is welcome to attend the meeting as we follow a very full agenda.
There is also an important opportunity for stress relief tonight. The Union’s Clubhouse Pub will be holding its first-ever Grand Marshal Appreciation Celebration. As time permits around the meeting schedule tonight, I will be available in the Pub for casual conversation and general destressing with all students 21 and over. If you have a few free moments, I invite you to visit.
Finally, make sure you do take some time for safe stress relief this week. Take a walk around our gorgeous campus. Spend an hour shooting pool in the Games Room. Watch your favorite movie. Sleep. The investment in mental health time will be reflected in your final grades. Always remember, if the stress becomes too intense, the Health Center has confidential resources available to help. Do not hesitate to use their services.
As the semester draws to a close, if there is anything the Senate or I can do for you, we are always available at gm@rpi.edu or senate-listens@rpi.edu, or by visiting the GM/PU Office in the Student Government Suite.
