Long weekend ... long month seems more appropriate. One month ago most of us had no idea what the Taliban was. We still had our innocence, and now we face a new reality. In the midst of all the coverage and latest developments, I wanted to focus our energies, even if just for a moment, on the victims again. Someone I knew was found last week, based on dental records. A young, successful, beautiful person, who was very loved, is gone forever for absolutely no other reason than hate and fanaticism. It is very sad. I pray for all the victims, the service men and women, and the impoverished people of Afghanistan (not the Taliban!).
I wanted to lead with that notion, because while I find it critical to "move forward" we cannot allow ourselves to forget and become complacent once again. In addition, if we keep dialogue going it will be much healthier than internalizing everything.
On a happier note, I learned that my sister and my baby niece are coming to visit me here in Troy for a few weeks. I have yet to see my precious, three-month old sobrina and I am very excited. Let me know if you want to see pictures!
This weekend I stayed here and caught up on work. On Monday, I had the pleasure of attending Safe Zone training. Safe Zone training is an educational and awareness program on campus led by the Health Center. Health Center counselors, Katrin Wesner, and Terri Kersch, along with members of the Pride Alliance led the program participants through an awareness and educational session about the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning communities.
The program really brought the issues of the GLBTQ communities to light. The program was extremely interactive, fun, and rewarding and solely on a volunteer basis. Everything culminated with the participants deciding if they would like to be identified as an "ally" to the GLBTQ community.
I chose to do so and will receive a certificate indicating my office as a "Safe Zone." Pretty cool, huh? This initiative falls right in line with the campus climate initiatives of Student Life. For their outstanding leadership, I want to tip my hat to Katrin,Terri, and the RPA.
On another hot student issue, in the very near future student leadership opposed to the DOSO move will be meeting with Dr. Knowles and President Jackson to discuss the move. The dialogue should help ease tensions and address the student concerns.
The Class of 2005 senators joined the ranks last week and did a wonderful job in their first meeting. I am excited about the rest of the semester. I have yet to hear from students about some of the issues they face here at RPI and what they would like fixed (a simple wish and a more dream level wish). Write me at gm@rpi.edu.
Come to the Senate meeting this week! Tuesday night 9:30 pm in the Union Room 3202. We represent you! Good night.
