As I started to get involved with the Student Senate, I realized that Troy and RPI students are connected through an omnipresent bond. Within the senate, the Community Relations Committee is responsible for maintaining and increasing the strength of this bond, ensuring that a healthy relationship exists between RPI students and the greater Troy community. To accomplish this, the Community Relations Committee will be organizing numerous projects that will promote student awareness of their interactions with Troy.
While moving off campus can be exciting and full of new experiences, it can also be very stressful. In light of this, the CRC has been working with the Dean of Students Office to continue its Tenant Training Seminars from last year. These seminars give practical advice for living off campus, teach students how to compare different housing situations, and show how to be a respectful neighbor in a community of non-student residents. Also, the CRC will be working with the Independent Council to host a “Housing Fair,” where Troy-area property owners will come to advertise their available housing for students.
Using RAD is very convenient, but unfortunately, RAD cannot be used off-campus. Instead of worrying about having cash next time you go to Big Apple Pizzeria, what if you could pay with your student ID? The CRC is currently working with the Department of Auxiliary, Parking, and Transportation Services to create an off-campus network of RAD-accepting businesses in the Troy area. Numerous restaurants, cafes, and shops have already shown persistent interest in this program, and will do everything they can to accept RAD.
If you’re ever looking for something to do on a Saturday morning, why not head down to the Troy Farmers’ Market? Homegrown food only a short walk away—quite irresistible! The CRC will be collaborating with the Farmers’ Market to possibly have vendors come up to Freshman Hill periodically to sell their goods on campus. Furthermore, the CRC will be discussing the possibility of having shuttles run to and from the Farmers’ Market each Saturday. In addition to Saturday morning shuttles, the CRC is also investigating the feasibility of having shuttle routes created for each Troy Night Out, increasing the student representation during this exciting event.
Also, coming in the near future will be numerous smaller-scale projects. The CRC intends to work with local food pantries, local youth groups around Troy, and organize different Earth Day projects to benefit the community.
If you are at all interested in the work that the Community Relations Committee is currently doing, or have any ideas or suggestions for the CRC, please feel free to contact me at jonesw2@rpi.edu. Also, if you’d like to attend a meeting, please do not hesitate—everyone is welcome. The CRC meets Thursday nights, 7 pm in the Student Government Suite (third floor of the Rensselaer Union).
Editor’s Note: Grand Marshal Kara Chesal ’09 has asked her committee chairs to write a series of “Top Hats” in her stead.
