President Shirley Ann Jackson met with students over a spread of pizza, wings, and fruit punch last Wednesday, January 16. The gathering in the upper level of Russell Sage Dining Hall was the semester’s first installment of the Student Senate’s Pizza with the President series, designed to give the community an opportunity to share questions and concerns with Rensselaer’s top executive.
To introduce the session, Jackson offered a brief overview of a number of recent developments, including some new hires, facilities, and renovations. She also touched upon some new initiatives specific to student life. In particular she discussed a revived class dean program and a new focus on residence life, both on and off campus.
Jackson then opened the floor to questions from the audience. The conversations then moved from greek life—a short Institute-sponsored course in house management may become a possibility—to ways in which to expand the university’s international experience program.
After fielding a question about upgrading some of the campus’s science facilities, Jackson reacted to worries about RPI’s language program. Talk then transitioned to a general discussion of the arts at Rensselaer. Several of the students expressed an interest both in increasing attendance at existing productions and attracting popular artists to perform at local venues. Jackson responded to this by noting that current construction projects—including the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center and the East Campus Athletic Village—will greatly improve the range of facilities available for shows of various sorts; she also indicated a willingness to personally sponsor a concert every year.
The next Pizza with the President event is scheduled for 5:30 in the Russell Sage Dining Hall on Monday, February 11.
