There is currently a huge problem at RPI that has gone largely unaddressed up until this point. There is no denying that the general student population here is largely apathetic in nature. One of the primary missions of the College Democrats is to reduce or eliminate that apathy.
Just last week, you may have noticed four large pieces of plywood standing next to the footbridge near Russell Sage Dining Hall. We called it the “Free Speech Wall” and brought along some spray paint for anyone and everyone to express themselves on it. Our goal was to fight apathy by giving students a free way of expressing themselves. The event was a massive success—our wood was coated several times by students’ artwork.
When it comes to issues on campus, such as the problem with faculty governance, many of the students don’t seem to care because they fail to see how it affects them. The idea that students should not get involved simply because this is a matter between the faculty and the administration is flawed logic at best.
During the Holocaust, many people sat quietly and did nothing while their neighbors were shipped away, never to return, just because they were not directly affected. Below is a poem by Pastor Martin Niemöller.
First they came for the Jews / and I did not speak out / because I was not a Jew. / Then they came for the Communists / and I did not speak out / because I was not a Communist. / Then they came for the trade unionists / and I did not speak out / because I was not a trade unionist. / Then they came for me / and there was no one left / to speak out for me.
History has taught us that if we do not stand up for our neighbors in times of need, a similar fate will fall upon us. I’m not telling everyone to jump in and support the faculty in this matter. I am asking everyone to at least investigate the situation.
Remember that while we pay a large amount for our tuition here, most of it does not wind up in our professors’ pockets. From my experience, many of the faculty here will bend over backwards to help us get the best education possible. If this conflict continues, the first direct impact this will have on you as students will be a decrease in the prestige of the Institute, and that shows directly on your diploma, whether you’re a freshman or finishing grad school.
This afternoon there will be a Teach-in on Democracy and Participatory Governance held at 5 pm in the Chapel + Cultural Center on Burdett Avenue and I strongly encourage the entire Rensselaer community to attend. This will be an opportunity to hear what the faculty thinks about this issue and to voice your own opinion in these important matters. I hope to see you all there!
Editor’s Note: “The Elephant’s Peanut Gallery” and “Liberal Bias” run biweekly and are opinion columns granted by the Editorial Board to the College Republicans and the College Democrats. The opinions expressed in this column belong to the author and do not represent the views of the Poly Editorial Board.
