Last week was a busy and exciting week for the Senate. We wrapped it up with a wonderful retreat dinner at the locally owned and operated Plum Blossom Chinese restaurant. It was a time for bonding and sharing outside of the Senate meeting to build our team spirit. Go and try the Shrimp Tempura! Trust me, it is worth the trip.
Earlier in the week, the Senate came together outside of our weekly meeting and worked with Linda McCloskey from the Archer Leadership Center in an orientation/planning session. During the orientation period we probed what the body needs to know about each individual to work most effectively. It was an open-ended discussion that helped to clearly identify possibilities for improvement and will help to facilitate our future success. We gained a better appreciation for how each senator functions, and this will help the body work together better to meet students’ needs.
During the second half of the evening, we discussed a fictitious future article to be written on the front page of the New York Times about the RPI Senate. This exercise allowed us to determine our strong points to date, goals and objectives for the future, and plans to get there. The synergy of the group produced an abundance of great ideas and plans of attack. I will share one point that your Senate dearly prided itself on: The notion that as a body we are totally student focused and directed. We are working hard to "get things done." To further facilitate these ends, I would like to unveil my latest initiative.
Starting on October 30 and continuing until November 19, I will begin my campaign of 20 days and 20 nights of student feedback. Obviously, the Senate and I are constantly gathering feedback and input from students, but during these 20 days I personally, along with participating senators, will intensify efforts to gather diverse student feedback by coming to you, the students. I will interact with as many clubs and organizations as possible. In addition, I will hit the greek community as well as dorms. If you would like me to stop by, e-mail me at gm@rpi.edu.
In order to provide a better perspective of the current issues facing students, I will be inviting the committee chairs to write guest "Top Hat" columns in the following weeks. My goal for the "Top Hat" has always been to inform students of the issues the RPI community is facing and to facilitate input and discussion, so if you have any feedback or requests, send me an e-mail or call at x8597.
Come to the Senate meeting this week, Tuesday night at 9:30 pm in Union Room 3202! We represent you! Good night.
