Archives

February 2019


On-Campus Event

Veronica Taylor shares life experiences with fans

By Namish Gali February 27, 2019
The panel featuring Veronica Taylor during Genericon was held in the largest room in the Darrin Communications Center—a good choice when considering how many fans showed up.
Interview

Record-holding goaltender Lovisa Selander talks childhood, goals

By Namish Gali February 27, 2019
Lovisa Selander—a senior studying Chemical Engineering, and captain and goaltender for RPI’s women’s Ice Hockey team—has recently broken the record for women’s hockey NCAA Division I career saves, with a total of over 3,800 for her collegiate career.
Executive Board

Global Medical Brigades denied additional funding for medical mission trip

By Brookelyn Parslow February 27, 2019
The Executive Board broke precedent on Thursday when it failed a motion to give Global Medical Brigades an additional $900 toward bus transportation to the airport for its medical mission trip to Honduras.
Editorial Notebook

Can there only be one? Gender and recognition in rap

By Pragati Pant February 27, 2019
I spent my teenage years listening to hours and hours of hip-hop, R&B, and rap: Drake, Lil Wayne, Ne-yo, Nicki Minaj.
On-Campus Event

Actor discusses filmography with nearly empty room

By Pragati Pant February 27, 2019
As part of Genericon, Colby Boothman—an actor who has performed in films like Jurassic World—was featured in a panel to talk about his experiences on Saturday.
Top Hat

An Arch update from Student Senate

By Stefanie Warner February 27, 2019
Hi, RPI! I am sure that I am not the only one excited for Spring Break next week. I hope you all enjoy some downtime and get the chance to catch up on sleep!
Derby

Club officers should prepare for The Arch

By Justin Etzine February 27, 2019
Hello, RPI! I hope the semester is going well. I know I am looking forward to Spring Break next week!
On-Campus Event

The dangers of algorithms

By John Stotz February 27, 2019
“Algorithms are not facts. They are opinions,” said Cathy O’Neil during a talk on the dangers of algorithms titled “Weapons of Math Destruction.” O’Neil has a doctorate in mathematics and worked as a data scientist creating algorithms until she started to see the problem with them.
On-Campus Event

Elevator Pitch Competition allows students to practice essential skills

By Varenya Gade February 27, 2019
Since its inception in 2010, the MANE Student Advisory Council has been working to bridge the gap between students and faculty in the mechanical, aeronautical, and nuclear engineering departments.
Editorial Notebook

Building a culture of understanding

By Namish Gali February 27, 2019
Up until recently, I didn’t realize that my name was somewhat racially ambiguous. According to the US Census Bureau, in the year I was born only 37 percent of people with my last name were of Asian descent.
Opinion

Racism is inherent in our immigration agencies

By Akanksha Singh February 27, 2019
The American dream holds a different connotation for everyone who hears it. But, for immigrants, the American dream signifies a new beginning and the possibility to rid themselves of the hardships from their home country.
Executive Board

Statler & Waldorf office revoked, RMA funds reallocated

By Quinn Gangadharan February 20, 2019
The Executive Board “revoke[d] Room 3332 in Rensselaer Student Union from Statler & Waldorf, effective at the end of Fiscal Year 2019” and reallocated money in the Rensselaer Music Association’s budget toward a jazz clinic on Thursday.
Editorial Notebook

Make the most of your college career

By Anahit Hovhannisyan February 20, 2019
As my career at Rensselaer comes to an end, I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on the lessons I have learned over the past four years.
Empac Event

EMPAC director shares life’s work

By Harrison Todd February 20, 2019
Before Johannes Goebel assumed his role as director of the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center in 2002, he was involved in creative projects of all kinds ranging from handmade instruments to collage and spoken word pieces, as well as music and collaborations with artists of every type.
Campus Event

Union After Dark offers variety of entertainment

By Namish Gali February 20, 2019
On Friday, Union After Dark: Showcase Edition kicked off with a stand-up performance from Fumi Abe, a comedian based in New York City.
Campus Event

An Evening of Performance excites, delights on Valentine’s Day

By John Stotz February 20, 2019
One of the struggles of Valentine’s Day is figuring out what to do with your girlfriend or boyfriend.
Derby

Importance of the Club Management System

By Justin Etzine February 20, 2019
Our Club Management System, also known as CMS, is incredibly valuable. Beyond the obvious benefit of serving as the budgeting platform for clubs, the system provides us with a wide variety of uses and, with advances in technology and further development, the benefits will only continue to grow.
Top Hat

Campaigning begins for GM Week 2019

By Stefanie Warner February 20, 2019
Campaigning has started and the elections season is ramping up! Have you—yes, you—thought about running for Student Government? Through my own experience of asking this question, the answer is occasionally a quick response of “yes” or “no,” but the vast majority seem undecided or inquisitive as to what Student Government roles entails.
Movie Review

A Star is Born: dramatic, filled with original music

By Pragati Pant February 20, 2019
A Star is Born, released late last summer, served as the fourth remake of the original 1937 film. Starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, this movie reminded me of the various other renditions I have seen of this story, including a Bollywood version.
Letter To The Editor

Calling all writers: Enter the McKinney Contest

By Barbara Lewis '99 February 20, 2019
Have you written an excellent paper for one of your classes? Maybe a persuasive or researched essay?  Do you write poetry or short stories in your spare time? Do you have a digital project or video that relies on language as well as images? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you can enter the McKinney Competition!
Tv Series Review

The Dragon Prince explores the pain of growing up

By Namish Gali February 20, 2019
The Dragon Prince was, in my humble opinion, the best new Netflix original series to debut last year.
Student Senate

Student Government Elections Policy approved

By Madeline Wilson February 14, 2019
The Student Senate voted to approve the Student Government Elections Policy with changes presented by Elections Commission Chairperson Zachary Taylor ’21, heard a presentation on the ongoing “Restore SIS Man” petition, and approved multiple policy changes to the Bylaws of the Rensselaer Union Undergraduate Council on February 4.
Event Review

Night of Free Expression helps bring community together

By Varenya Gade February 13, 2019
The first thing I heard when I walked into the McNeil Room on Saturday evening was the smooth harmony of jazz floating throughout.
Editorial Notebook

Searching for balance between health and success

By Quinn Gangadharan February 13, 2019
People who are sleep deprived are nearly three times more at risk for Type 2 diabetes, see a 48 percent increased likelihood in developing heart diseases, and are three times more likely to catch a cold than their rested peers according to researchers at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Derby

Reflecting on my relationship with The Poly

By Justin Etzine February 13, 2019
I disagree with The Poly quite often. Don’t get me wrong—I think we have great students involved in The Poly, and I believe they fulfill the vital function of student media on our campus.
Artist Spotlight

Musgraves showcases unexpected talent in Golden Hour

By Tanner Vargas February 13, 2019
Alicia Keys’ surprise announcement of Golden Hour as Album of the Year at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards caught most of us off guard.
Top Hat

Working to improve outreach

By Stefanie Warner February 13, 2019
It’s crazy to think about how quickly this past year has gone by! With the GM Week 2019 Election right around the corner, I’ve been thinking about all of the goals that I had for myself during my term as grand marshal.
Executive Board

RPI Quidditch given additional $5,000 for travel to nationals

By Brookelyn Parslow February 13, 2019
The Executive Board gave RPI Quidditch an additional $5,000 to attend the 2019 U.S. Quidditch Cup, approved a new ticket sale program for the RPI Players, and approved the purchase of six additional Chromebooks—primarily for use during elections—on Thursday.
Student Senate

Grad student activity fee decrease recommended

By Brookelyn Parslow February 13, 2019
The Senate approved the Union Annual Report Committee’s recommendation for the Fiscal Year 2020 activity fee and the Union Annual Report Fiscal Year 2020 on January 28.
Greek Life

Deadline for public comment on Greek life suggestions extended by one week

By Brookelyn Parslow February 11, 2019
The Greek Life Review Committee extended the deadline for public comment on the Draft Report of the Greek Life Task Force by one week on Friday.
Show Review

Evening of Performance offers unique spin on comedy

By Namish Gali February 7, 2019
I don’t have a lot of experience with theater or much knowledge about the medium. So, right until the lights dimmed, I found myself questioning whether I’d enjoy RPI Players’ Audience, a play by Michael Frayn, or whether I’d just not “get it.” All that changed when the play started; the storyline follows the antics of a typical audience watching a play.
Administration

How does RPI respond to winter storms? Rounds explains

By Anahit Hovhannisyan February 6, 2019
“It’s not a casual process,” said Vice President for Administration Claude Rounds regarding Rensselaer’s inclement weather preparation, decision-making, and response.
Executive Board

Rensselyrics taken off probation

By Quinn Gangadharan February 6, 2019
The Rensselyrics were taken off of probation on Thursday January 31 2019. In September, the Executive Board places the a cappella group on probation for violating Union procedures; it had spent around $3,300 on recording a CD without a purchase order.
Top Hat

Moving forward with SIS Man, preferred names

By Stefanie Warner February 6, 2019
Hi, RPI! I wanted to give you all an update on some initiatives the Student Senate is hoping to make great progress on during this semester in collaboration with the Office of the Registrar and the Student Life Committee.
Album Review

Rosalía and the redefinition of flamenco

By Tanner Vargas February 6, 2019
The cavernous spaces between the opening synths of “MALAMENTE” are intoxicating. Ever-present handclaps float around the hazy, organ-like runs as Rosalía’s enigmatic voice erupts, dancing like a flame with the brooding energy of its flickering shadow.
Editorial Notebook

Should you move? Yes!

By Serge Piskun February 6, 2019
With the Spring semester underway, most RPI students have already begun planning their move into new housing.
Men'S Hockey

Gallery: RPI loses Mayor’s Cup in historic overtime

By Madeline Wilson February 6, 2019
This year’s annual Mayor’s Cup hockey game made history as the first-ever Mayor’s Cup to be won in a shootout on January 29.
Movie Review

Aquaman lacks originality, falls short

By Namish Gali February 6, 2019
It’s no secret that the DC Comics’ Extended Universe isn’t exactly setting the ratings charts on fire.
Derby

Rensselaer Union Guidelines & Procedures created to benefit new clubs

By Justin Etzine February 6, 2019
Student clubs and organizations form one of the most important parts of the Rensselaer Union. In addition to the programming, resources, and services the Union offers, our clubs provide students with a substantive component of the student experience they want while in college.
Men'S Hockey

PSS: Men’s hockey falls to Yale at Freakout

By The Poly February 6, 2019
Executive Board

Rensselaer Union Guidelines & Procedures approved

By Quinn Gangadharan February 6, 2019
The Executive Board approved an internal policy overhaul, reallocation of funds for student performers and a fist installation at the Black Students’ Alliance annual fashion show, and new jackets for RPI Ambulance on January 24.