The first presentation of the Executive Board’s meeting on October 22 was made by Marissa Wright ’12. An experienced curler, she found about eight other RPI students who also have an interest in the sport and applied for recognition as an official club by the Rensselaer Union. The Schenectady Curling Club is very supportive, and wishes to start a college league; however, participation in such a league would cost $50 to $200.
Wright argued that curling is a social sport which can be played at difficulties ranging from very casually to competitively, and that it appeals to a diverse group of students. Their goals for this year are to form a solid base membership and attend one or two bonspiels. The first motion of the evening, to give Union-recognition to the Curling Club, passed 10-0-0.
Michael Doo ’10, of the Chinese-American Student Association, presented next, asking for funding to attend the East Coast Asian American Student Union conference at Rutgers University. Members of clubs such as Japanese and Taiwanese Student Associations would send two students, with a total of about 25 RPI students attending and an estimated cost of $209. Benefits include CASA gaining status as a well-recognized national organization, and the possibility that students who attended could create a similar event at RPI. Some had reservations, because, while it is not unprecedented for the Union to assist a group to attend a conference, many groups pay their own way. A vote to table the issue until some ambiguity can be cleared up and more students contacted was passed 10-0-0.
The third presentation of the evening was made by Calvin Stone ’12, asking for the E-Board to recognize the Tetherball Club. Right now, the club is very small and does not even have tetherball equipment. It was argued that the club be given recognition despite these shortcomings because it will have trouble growing until it can apply for funding for a tetherball pole and ball, have rights to place the pole, and advertise through the Union. Tequisha Hendrickson ’10 summed the benefit to RPI stating, “I like the idea that he’s a freshman and he’s bringing something new to the campus.” After discussing ways for the club to promote itself, a purpose statement reading, “To promote tetherball and increase awareness on the RPI campus,” was passed 8-2-0.
The fourth discussion of the night addressed how to make the most of the welcome desk in the Union. The E-Board members brainstormed what they wished could be a part of the welcome desk, which led to a conversation on whom the welcome desk serves. It was decided that the space should be used to serve both visitors to the campus and students who live here. Ideas thrown around included, “you can never have enough seating,” and “more hardcopy information.” The welcome desk already includes phones and a fax machine.
Finally, the issue of smoking was addressed. Sodexo has decided to drop the sale of cigarettes. The only reason Father’s Marketplace sold cigarettes for so long after they ceased to be profitable was because, when Sodexo took over Father’s, the company was instructed to continue to sell everything already sold in the store. Four reasons were given to the E-Board justifying the removal of cigarettes from Father’s: First, the product gives Sodexo a bad reputation. Second, it is a high-cost item. Third, it is a slow-moving item. Finally, the legal expenses of selling tobacco are high. The E-Board stated that it respected this decision.
