Nobody needs to tell you that the semester is in full swing. You can feel it. For me it means that I’ve been going to bed later and later, and waking up earlier and earlier in hopes of crossing yet another thing off of my infinite ‘to-do’ list. I’m tired, and I know I’m not the only one.
I used to wake up a little earlier than I needed to and check out The New York Times online for a quick daily dose of news. I’m still waking up early, but my morning news time is now used as finish-up-the-homework-I-was-too-tired-to-finish-last-night time. I have no idea what’s happening in the world; I haven’t read the newspaper in weeks. I’ve been consumed in work and overtaken by apathy.
Despite our zombie-like state, I know there are issues that RPI students care about. Beginning in the early weeks of school, the underage drinking task force has angered both greek and independent students alike. The lack of parking on this campus coupled with the increase in parking fees has left many students frustrated. Still others don’t see the purpose that EMPAC will serve. Most recently, students have been registering to vote in Troy and had their attempts challenged by politicians.
While from personal experience I can see how interest in national issues and current events is easily forgotten in RPI’s microcosm, the above issues affect RPI students everyday—it’s happening in our neighborhood and on our campus, you can’t get away from it.
In spite of all that’s going on, Letter to the Editor submissions this semester have been at a low. This is your student newspaper. If you have a problem with the administration, think that the people at The Poly are doing a lackluster job, or want to tell the campus about something that’s important to you, this is the place. Chances are, if your submission is coherent and non-inflammatory, it will get published.
This leaves me with the perfect opportunity to rouse you to action. As mentioned above, elections are coming. Many RPI students registered to vote in Troy for the upcoming election. I’m sure that at least some of those students are in strong support of at least a few candidates. Submit a letter to the editor this week telling everyone who you support and why; more likely than not, other student will read it and go out and vote for that candidate.
Next week’s issue is the last one before elections. It’s your last chance to render your support publicly for or against a local candidate. In light of this, I’m extending the deadline for Letters to the Editor this week until Saturday at 6 pm. I’ll even accept them later than that if space permits. Submit them electronically to edop@poly. rpi.edu.
