Archives
April 2018
Top Hat
GM shares excitement for new appointments
April 25, 2018
Hi, Engineers! I hope you are all having success in wrapping up any projects or assignments, and that studying isn’t causing you too much stress!
Derby
Introducing new Executive Board members
April 25, 2018
Hello, RPI! Tonight, appointees for the 2018-19 Rensselaer Union Executive Board will come before the Student Senate for confirmation voting!
Letter To The Editor
Strong should retract claims
April 25, 2018
This past week, student government dealt with the fallout of the reckless and irresponsible decision of Interim Vice President for Student Life LeNorman Strong to inform the Rensselaer community of what he claimed were concerns from anonymous students regarding the recently-concluded GM Week 2018 Elections.
Letter To The Editor
Student elections disrespected
April 25, 2018
“‘Smells rotten’: Administrators meet with Elections Commission” says it all. The rotten smell is due to several odor contributors.
Executive Board
Destination Imagination granted $4,000
April 25, 2018
In the meeting of the Executive Board on April 17, Roebling Investment Group and She’s the First were approved as a Union affiliated clubs, Destination Imagination was approved funds for globals, the Multicultural Leadership Council was approved as a committee, and Pride Alliance was approved to transfer funds originally meant for their drag show to a barbecue and the purchase of board games.
Judicial Board Decision
‘2018 GM Week election results are valid’
April 25, 2018
“In summary, the 2018 GM Week election results are valid, and there is no need to run a new election,” wrote the Judicial Board in an email sent to members of the Union on Sunday.
Student Senate
Committee chair appointments confirmed
April 25, 2018
The Student Senate met to confirm Grand Marshal Stef Warner ’19’s appointments to various senatorial positions including vice grand marshal, parliamentarian, secretary, and all other necessary roles.
Campus Event
BSA fashion show awe-inspiring
April 25, 2018
Student strutted their stuff at the Black Student Alliance’s annual fashion show, which featured student performances by Charles Omore and Asoh!
Editorial Notebook
How hedonism can make you happier
April 25, 2018
Life sucks. You will go through pain, you will make mistakes, and you will go through times where nothing seems fair and you just want to lay in bed and feel sorry for yourself.
Letter To The Editor
Title IX issues should be on prospective students’ radar
April 25, 2018
Dear Potential Students: Congratulations on being accepted to RPI! Your academic achievements thus far are certainly exceptional, and I am sure that your success makes the process of choosing a college a difficult one.
Editorial Notebook
A look at the future
April 18, 2018
A guy from my capstone group and I had a little competition in the Union this past week. We were trying to determine who had the better vision by reading various clubs’ signs posted around the third floor.
Editorial Notebook
Hard work or talent?
April 18, 2018
Talent or hard work: which leads to success? According to Google, talent is “a natural aptitude or skill.” To me, the word “natural” implies that talent is something people are born with—it can’t be developed over time.
Top Hat
Grand marshal addresses short, long-term goals
April 18, 2018
Hi everyone! With the semester quickly coming to a close, and the weather finally starting to warm up, it’s time to have a productive few weeks and end the year strong!
Empac Event
Art should be challenging
April 18, 2018
“Welcome to my dollhouse.” Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center Director Johannes Goebel held an event addressing many common questions about the subject of art.
On-Campus Event
Paul Harding, follow-up talk
April 18, 2018
The awards for the annual McKinney Writing Contest were given out last Thursday. Students and faculty gathered in the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies auditorium.
Album Review
Debut album provides powerful messages
April 18, 2018
Cardi B debuted her studio album, Invasion of Privacy, on April 6. A fairly new face, the singer has been gaining much recognition for her bold voice and fearless songs.
Executive Board
Active Minds now Union-affiliated
April 18, 2018
Newly-elected Justin Etzine ’19 opened the weekly meeting of the Executive Board—his first since becoming the 129th president of the Union, and the second-to-last of this semester.
Concert Review
Concert underwhelms
April 18, 2018
I had been waiting for this concert since April 2016, the month that The Chainsmokers came to RPI. After being extremely disappointed that there wasn’t going to be a concert for my junior year, I became super excited about who might come perform my senior year.
Elections
‘Smells rotten’: Administrators meet with Elections Commission
April 17, 2018
The Elections Commission was summoned to a meeting with Vice President for Student Life LeNorman Strong, Vice President for Information Services and Technology and Chief Information Officer John Kolb ’79, General Counsel and Secretary of the Institute Craig Cook, and Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students Travis Apgar via an email sent on Sunday. The meeting occurred yesterday at 5 pm.
Elections
Strong questions validity of elections
April 17, 2018
“Last night I met with the 2018 Elections Commission to discuss the reported issues. Given the lack of integrity in the election process, the Commission is now determining whether any of the election results should be invalidated,” wrote Interim Vice President for Student Life LeNorman Strong in an email to the Rensselaer community.
Club Spotlight
Festival of colors
April 11, 2018
The Indian Students Association put on a Holi celebration outside of Commons Dining Hall this past Saturday where students celebrated by throwing colors and spraying water on each other.
Movie Review
Blockers offers more
April 11, 2018
UPAC Cinema hosted a free pre-screening of the upcoming Universal Pictures feature, Blockers. Starring John Cena and Leslie Mann, this movie follows three parents as they set out to ruin their daughters’ prom night.
Empac Event
Kyle Pope on current state of journalism
April 11, 2018
Kyle Pope, Editor In Chief and Publisher of the Columbia Journalism Review, spoke on the current state of journalism in the Experimental Media and Performance Arts Center’s concert hall last Tuesday.
Album Review
Break-up mixtape
April 11, 2018
Surprising his fans, The Weeknd released a mixtape, My Dear Melancholy, on March 30. This was the Canadian singer’s first extended play, and it features French techno artist, Gesaffelstein.
Editorial Notebook
Taking a break is worthy of consideration
April 11, 2018
This summer, and for the next eight months, I will basically be taking a leave of absence from society.
Top Hat
Preferred names, student rights priorities
April 11, 2018
Hi RPI! My name is Stef Warner, and I am humbled to be serving you as your 153rd grand marshal! First and foremost, a big thank you to everyone who got out and voted last week.
Editorial Notebook
Changing music habits
April 11, 2018
A few weeks ago I stumbled across an article by Haley Nahman called, “I Think I Figured Out Why My Brain Always Feels Fried” and for whatever reason I haven’t been able to get it out of my head.
Derby
Interested in E-Board? Applications are open
April 11, 2018
Hello, RPI! My name is Justin Etzine, and I’m excited to be serving you as the 129th president of the Union!
Staff Editorial
Elections flawed, reform necessary going forward
April 11, 2018
GM Week elections are the most important Student Government event of the year. They determine who will represent us and advocate for student interests.
Off-Campus Event
Wet Monday at Muza, Polish holiday honored
April 11, 2018
Smigus-dyngus—also known as Wet Monday—is a Polish holiday celebrated on the Monday after Easter, where Polish boys and girls douse their crush with buckets of water and hit them with pussy willow branches.
Elections
Warner, Etzine win GM, PU races
April 7, 2018
Stef Warner ’19 and Justin Etzine ’18 have been elected Grand Marshal and President of the Union, respectively.
Gm Week 2018
Warner, Etzine lead in preliminary election results
April 5, 2018
These are the raw, uncertified results from today’s elections, including any discrepancies that may have been introduced by duplicates and the improper inclusion of candidates on the ballot.
Gm Week 2018
Elections marred by falsified sanction, ballot issues, lines
April 5, 2018
The Elections Commission chairperson falsified a sanction and issued it unilaterally, without a vote of the members of the Commission.
Gm Week 2018
GM Week elections underway
April 5, 2018
52 candidates will appear on the Grand Marshal Week 2018 ballot, along with one professor and two amendments to the Union Constitution.
Elections
Bush, Warner win GM primary
April 4, 2018
On April 3, the Elections Commission released the results of the primary election, certifying that Grand Marshal candidates Nancy Bush ’19 and Stef Warner ’19 will be on the final ballot.
Endorsements
Graduate Council endorsements, explanation of proposed amendment
April 4, 2018
Necessity of Amendment II As the primary voice of the graduate student body, the Graduate Council would like to clarify the purpose and impact of Amendment II, which will be up for vote this Thursday.
Gm Week 2018
Sanctions issued to Chaudhary, Bush, Warner
April 3, 2018
The Elections Commission has released the following sanctions regarding the GM Week 2018 elections: Sanction 1 Noting that the GM Week 2018 Elections Handbook, Section 6, 15 states: ‘Excessive postering in a singular area is prohibited.’ Due to violations of this rule, the Elections Commission has decided to sanction Trishala Chaudhary with the following: Candidate Chaudhary’s posters have been removed, and she has been sanctioned with two (2) hours of community service.
Gm Week 2018
Etzine campaign posters defaced
April 3, 2018
On Monday, posters belonging to president of the Union candidate Justin Etzine ’18 were found defaced with stickers distributed by president of the Union candidate Ida Etemadi ’19’s campaign.
Endorsement
Undergraduate President: Joey Lyons
April 2, 2018
The Polytechnic endorses Joey Lyons ’20 for Undergraduate President. The Undergraduate President presides over the Undergraduate Council, and it is her responsibility to nominate officers, assume the duties of unfilled officer positions, uphold bylaws, and preside over meetings.
Endorsement
President of the Union: Justin Etzine
April 2, 2018
The Polytechnic endorses Justin Etzine for President of the Union. This past year, some of the Executive Board’s operations have lacked both transparency and efficiency.
Editorial Notebook
Privatized military overdue for change
April 2, 2018
The date is September 16, 2007. A 20-year-old Iraqi is driving his mother to her clinic in Baghdad during the height of a civil war threatening to tear the country apart.
Candidate Questions
Undergraduate President candidate profile
April 2, 2018
I’m running for Undergraduate President because I hope to expand upon the current and previous Undergraduate Presidents’ efforts to support and promote collaboration between the class councils.
Interview
Harding discusses his work, process
April 2, 2018
Paul Harding won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for fiction for his novel Tinkers. Tinkers follows the thought process of its narrator, George Washington Crosby, as he lays on his deathbed and reflects on the relationship with his father, Howard.
Executive Board
Club inclusivity ratings approved
April 2, 2018
The Student Executive Board met for the last session of its term on Thursday to wrap up the year by allocating money for Union-branded merchandise, discussing club inclusivity, and reflecting on their term together.
Editorial Notebook
Prioritize positivity
April 2, 2018
“Be a good person.” Those were the joking, parting words of Scott Peters, former roommate, and my dear friend before he left for another room.
Endorsement
Grand Marshal: Nancy Bush
April 2, 2018
The Polytechnic endorses Nancy Bush ’19 for Grand Marshal. As the highest elected student official at Rensselaer, the GM serves not only as the head of the Student Senate, but as the leader of the student body.
Candidate Questions
Grand Marshal candidate profiles
April 2, 2018
I am someone who believes that one person can make a difference. I have also been able to see that first hand on the Rensselaer campus.
Endorsements
Union Constitution amendments
April 2, 2018
The Polytechnic supports proposed Amendment I. This amendment to the membership and eligibility section of the Union Constitution was created to specify requirements for being an officer in student government, the composition of the Graduate Council, and membership for the Executive Board.
Endorsements
Interfraternity Council endorsements
April 2, 2018
As the representatives of all Fraternities on the Rensselaer campus, the Interfraternity Council seeks student government candidates that understand the circumstances and issues pertaining to Greek Life, as well as intend to further the interests of the Greek community.
Student Senate
Reflecting on the past year of Senate
April 2, 2018
In the last Student Senate meeting of the semester, each committee, as well as the grand marshal and vice grand marshal, presented their accomplishments and processes throughout their term, and the things they hope to continue in the future.
Candidate Questions
Senator candidate profile
April 2, 2018
Much of what I have worked on as a senator so far has been in advocating for policy to maintain or improve student representation.
Candidate Questions
President of the Union candidate profiles
April 2, 2018
Our Union community has made itself evident as a key pillar of Student Life at RPI. Students come to the Union and find places to express their ideas and collaborate, to study, to exercise, to grab a meal, and to spend time with friends, whether in a club program, while working on a group project, or just chatting until three in the morning.
Top Hat
GM shares excitement for new appointments
April 25, 2018
Hi, Engineers! I hope you are all having success in wrapping up any projects or assignments, and that studying isn’t causing you too much stress!
Derby
Introducing new Executive Board members
April 25, 2018
Hello, RPI! Tonight, appointees for the 2018-19 Rensselaer Union Executive Board will come before the Student Senate for confirmation voting!
Letter To The Editor
Strong should retract claims
April 25, 2018
This past week, student government dealt with the fallout of the reckless and irresponsible decision of Interim Vice President for Student Life LeNorman Strong to inform the Rensselaer community of what he claimed were concerns from anonymous students regarding the recently-concluded GM Week 2018 Elections.
Letter To The Editor
Student elections disrespected
April 25, 2018
“‘Smells rotten’: Administrators meet with Elections Commission” says it all. The rotten smell is due to several odor contributors.
Executive Board
Destination Imagination granted $4,000
April 25, 2018
In the meeting of the Executive Board on April 17, Roebling Investment Group and She’s the First were approved as a Union affiliated clubs, Destination Imagination was approved funds for globals, the Multicultural Leadership Council was approved as a committee, and Pride Alliance was approved to transfer funds originally meant for their drag show to a barbecue and the purchase of board games.
Judicial Board Decision
‘2018 GM Week election results are valid’
April 25, 2018
“In summary, the 2018 GM Week election results are valid, and there is no need to run a new election,” wrote the Judicial Board in an email sent to members of the Union on Sunday.
Student Senate
Committee chair appointments confirmed
April 25, 2018
The Student Senate met to confirm Grand Marshal Stef Warner ’19’s appointments to various senatorial positions including vice grand marshal, parliamentarian, secretary, and all other necessary roles.
Campus Event
BSA fashion show awe-inspiring
April 25, 2018
Student strutted their stuff at the Black Student Alliance’s annual fashion show, which featured student performances by Charles Omore and Asoh!
Editorial Notebook
How hedonism can make you happier
April 25, 2018
Life sucks. You will go through pain, you will make mistakes, and you will go through times where nothing seems fair and you just want to lay in bed and feel sorry for yourself.
Letter To The Editor
Title IX issues should be on prospective students’ radar
April 25, 2018
Dear Potential Students: Congratulations on being accepted to RPI! Your academic achievements thus far are certainly exceptional, and I am sure that your success makes the process of choosing a college a difficult one.
Editorial Notebook
A look at the future
April 18, 2018
A guy from my capstone group and I had a little competition in the Union this past week. We were trying to determine who had the better vision by reading various clubs’ signs posted around the third floor.
Editorial Notebook
Hard work or talent?
April 18, 2018
Talent or hard work: which leads to success? According to Google, talent is “a natural aptitude or skill.” To me, the word “natural” implies that talent is something people are born with—it can’t be developed over time.
Top Hat
Grand marshal addresses short, long-term goals
April 18, 2018
Hi everyone! With the semester quickly coming to a close, and the weather finally starting to warm up, it’s time to have a productive few weeks and end the year strong!
Empac Event
Art should be challenging
April 18, 2018
“Welcome to my dollhouse.” Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center Director Johannes Goebel held an event addressing many common questions about the subject of art.
On-Campus Event
Paul Harding, follow-up talk
April 18, 2018
The awards for the annual McKinney Writing Contest were given out last Thursday. Students and faculty gathered in the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies auditorium.
Album Review
Debut album provides powerful messages
April 18, 2018
Cardi B debuted her studio album, Invasion of Privacy, on April 6. A fairly new face, the singer has been gaining much recognition for her bold voice and fearless songs.
Executive Board
Active Minds now Union-affiliated
April 18, 2018
Newly-elected Justin Etzine ’19 opened the weekly meeting of the Executive Board—his first since becoming the 129th president of the Union, and the second-to-last of this semester.
Concert Review
Concert underwhelms
April 18, 2018
I had been waiting for this concert since April 2016, the month that The Chainsmokers came to RPI. After being extremely disappointed that there wasn’t going to be a concert for my junior year, I became super excited about who might come perform my senior year.
Elections
‘Smells rotten’: Administrators meet with Elections Commission
April 17, 2018
The Elections Commission was summoned to a meeting with Vice President for Student Life LeNorman Strong, Vice President for Information Services and Technology and Chief Information Officer John Kolb ’79, General Counsel and Secretary of the Institute Craig Cook, and Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students Travis Apgar via an email sent on Sunday. The meeting occurred yesterday at 5 pm.
Elections
Strong questions validity of elections
April 17, 2018
“Last night I met with the 2018 Elections Commission to discuss the reported issues. Given the lack of integrity in the election process, the Commission is now determining whether any of the election results should be invalidated,” wrote Interim Vice President for Student Life LeNorman Strong in an email to the Rensselaer community.
Club Spotlight
Festival of colors
April 11, 2018
The Indian Students Association put on a Holi celebration outside of Commons Dining Hall this past Saturday where students celebrated by throwing colors and spraying water on each other.
Movie Review
Blockers offers more
April 11, 2018
UPAC Cinema hosted a free pre-screening of the upcoming Universal Pictures feature, Blockers. Starring John Cena and Leslie Mann, this movie follows three parents as they set out to ruin their daughters’ prom night.
Empac Event
Kyle Pope on current state of journalism
April 11, 2018
Kyle Pope, Editor In Chief and Publisher of the Columbia Journalism Review, spoke on the current state of journalism in the Experimental Media and Performance Arts Center’s concert hall last Tuesday.
Album Review
Break-up mixtape
April 11, 2018
Surprising his fans, The Weeknd released a mixtape, My Dear Melancholy, on March 30. This was the Canadian singer’s first extended play, and it features French techno artist, Gesaffelstein.
Editorial Notebook
Taking a break is worthy of consideration
April 11, 2018
This summer, and for the next eight months, I will basically be taking a leave of absence from society.
Top Hat
Preferred names, student rights priorities
April 11, 2018
Hi RPI! My name is Stef Warner, and I am humbled to be serving you as your 153rd grand marshal! First and foremost, a big thank you to everyone who got out and voted last week.
Editorial Notebook
Changing music habits
April 11, 2018
A few weeks ago I stumbled across an article by Haley Nahman called, “I Think I Figured Out Why My Brain Always Feels Fried” and for whatever reason I haven’t been able to get it out of my head.
Derby
Interested in E-Board? Applications are open
April 11, 2018
Hello, RPI! My name is Justin Etzine, and I’m excited to be serving you as the 129th president of the Union!
Staff Editorial
Elections flawed, reform necessary going forward
April 11, 2018
GM Week elections are the most important Student Government event of the year. They determine who will represent us and advocate for student interests.
Off-Campus Event
Wet Monday at Muza, Polish holiday honored
April 11, 2018
Smigus-dyngus—also known as Wet Monday—is a Polish holiday celebrated on the Monday after Easter, where Polish boys and girls douse their crush with buckets of water and hit them with pussy willow branches.
Elections
Warner, Etzine win GM, PU races
April 7, 2018
Stef Warner ’19 and Justin Etzine ’18 have been elected Grand Marshal and President of the Union, respectively.
Gm Week 2018
Warner, Etzine lead in preliminary election results
April 5, 2018
These are the raw, uncertified results from today’s elections, including any discrepancies that may have been introduced by duplicates and the improper inclusion of candidates on the ballot.
Gm Week 2018
Elections marred by falsified sanction, ballot issues, lines
April 5, 2018
The Elections Commission chairperson falsified a sanction and issued it unilaterally, without a vote of the members of the Commission.
Gm Week 2018
GM Week elections underway
April 5, 2018
52 candidates will appear on the Grand Marshal Week 2018 ballot, along with one professor and two amendments to the Union Constitution.
Elections
Bush, Warner win GM primary
April 4, 2018
On April 3, the Elections Commission released the results of the primary election, certifying that Grand Marshal candidates Nancy Bush ’19 and Stef Warner ’19 will be on the final ballot.
Endorsements
Graduate Council endorsements, explanation of proposed amendment
April 4, 2018
Necessity of Amendment II As the primary voice of the graduate student body, the Graduate Council would like to clarify the purpose and impact of Amendment II, which will be up for vote this Thursday.
Gm Week 2018
Sanctions issued to Chaudhary, Bush, Warner
April 3, 2018
The Elections Commission has released the following sanctions regarding the GM Week 2018 elections: Sanction 1 Noting that the GM Week 2018 Elections Handbook, Section 6, 15 states: ‘Excessive postering in a singular area is prohibited.’ Due to violations of this rule, the Elections Commission has decided to sanction Trishala Chaudhary with the following: Candidate Chaudhary’s posters have been removed, and she has been sanctioned with two (2) hours of community service.
Gm Week 2018
Etzine campaign posters defaced
April 3, 2018
On Monday, posters belonging to president of the Union candidate Justin Etzine ’18 were found defaced with stickers distributed by president of the Union candidate Ida Etemadi ’19’s campaign.
Endorsement
Undergraduate President: Joey Lyons
April 2, 2018
The Polytechnic endorses Joey Lyons ’20 for Undergraduate President. The Undergraduate President presides over the Undergraduate Council, and it is her responsibility to nominate officers, assume the duties of unfilled officer positions, uphold bylaws, and preside over meetings.
Endorsement
President of the Union: Justin Etzine
April 2, 2018
The Polytechnic endorses Justin Etzine for President of the Union. This past year, some of the Executive Board’s operations have lacked both transparency and efficiency.
Editorial Notebook
Privatized military overdue for change
April 2, 2018
The date is September 16, 2007. A 20-year-old Iraqi is driving his mother to her clinic in Baghdad during the height of a civil war threatening to tear the country apart.
Candidate Questions
Undergraduate President candidate profile
April 2, 2018
I’m running for Undergraduate President because I hope to expand upon the current and previous Undergraduate Presidents’ efforts to support and promote collaboration between the class councils.
Interview
Harding discusses his work, process
April 2, 2018
Paul Harding won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for fiction for his novel Tinkers. Tinkers follows the thought process of its narrator, George Washington Crosby, as he lays on his deathbed and reflects on the relationship with his father, Howard.
Executive Board
Club inclusivity ratings approved
April 2, 2018
The Student Executive Board met for the last session of its term on Thursday to wrap up the year by allocating money for Union-branded merchandise, discussing club inclusivity, and reflecting on their term together.
Editorial Notebook
Prioritize positivity
April 2, 2018
“Be a good person.” Those were the joking, parting words of Scott Peters, former roommate, and my dear friend before he left for another room.
Endorsement
Grand Marshal: Nancy Bush
April 2, 2018
The Polytechnic endorses Nancy Bush ’19 for Grand Marshal. As the highest elected student official at Rensselaer, the GM serves not only as the head of the Student Senate, but as the leader of the student body.
Candidate Questions
Grand Marshal candidate profiles
April 2, 2018
I am someone who believes that one person can make a difference. I have also been able to see that first hand on the Rensselaer campus.
Endorsements
Union Constitution amendments
April 2, 2018
The Polytechnic supports proposed Amendment I. This amendment to the membership and eligibility section of the Union Constitution was created to specify requirements for being an officer in student government, the composition of the Graduate Council, and membership for the Executive Board.
Endorsements
Interfraternity Council endorsements
April 2, 2018
As the representatives of all Fraternities on the Rensselaer campus, the Interfraternity Council seeks student government candidates that understand the circumstances and issues pertaining to Greek Life, as well as intend to further the interests of the Greek community.
Student Senate
Reflecting on the past year of Senate
April 2, 2018
In the last Student Senate meeting of the semester, each committee, as well as the grand marshal and vice grand marshal, presented their accomplishments and processes throughout their term, and the things they hope to continue in the future.
Candidate Questions
Senator candidate profile
April 2, 2018
Much of what I have worked on as a senator so far has been in advocating for policy to maintain or improve student representation.
Candidate Questions
President of the Union candidate profiles
April 2, 2018
Our Union community has made itself evident as a key pillar of Student Life at RPI. Students come to the Union and find places to express their ideas and collaborate, to study, to exercise, to grab a meal, and to spend time with friends, whether in a club program, while working on a group project, or just chatting until three in the morning.