Archives
February 2020
Men'S Hockey
Todd Burgess tames the Tigers
February 26, 2020
Todd Burgess ’20 and the Engineers secured home ice advantage for the playoffs after netting seven goals in their victory over the Princeton Tigers.
Men'S Hockey
Engineers run away with a win against Quinnipiac
February 26, 2020
With a win against Quinnipiac, the Engineers inch closer to securing home ice advantage for the playoffs.
Editorial Notebook
No need to stress about your career
February 26, 2020
I realized how many people around me had secured summer internships when my sophomore year ended. When I went home after finals, I applied to positions in a panic. I was afraid I made a mistake by never attending career fairs and making no effort to get an internship.
Derby
There is more to college than academics
February 26, 2020
Your four years here will pass in a flash, so make the most of it. Be responsible and get your work done, but don’t forget to have fun.
Top Hat
How you can get involved in Student Government
February 19, 2020
Campaigning for elected Student Government positions officially kicked off this past week on February 12, 2020! Students can now attend informational sessions to learn about the rules and procedures of campaigning for elected positions.
Opinion
Why you should study abroad
February 19, 2020
The Arch is fast approaching—especially for me, now that I am at the end of my sophomore year. I never really tried to become exempt from the Arch because frankly, I didn’t want to be. Since the beginning of college, I wanted to study abroad for at least one semester, and the Arch allows me to do that without worrying about transferring credit towards my major to graduate within four years.
Off-Campus Event
Year of the Rat was worth the wait
February 19, 2020
The Chinese American Student Association held their Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday. I was there to take photos for The Polytechnic, but I had a blast. I had never been to anything like it before, and sure the food was subpar as it was American Chinese food catered by Sodexo, but the celebration featured a variety of performances from a dragon dance, to a performance on the guzheng—a traditional Chinese string instrument, even including a multitude of dance routines by the group Eighth Wonder.
On-Campus Event
Music, drama, and idiocy at Evening of Performance
February 19, 2020
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said the gentleman behind me after witnessing the closing act of Sheer Idiocy, which marked the end of a night filled with showstopping flair and frenetic fun. The combined talents of the RPI Players, Rensselaer Music Association, and Sheer Idiocy were intricately intertwined to make the Evening of Performance a night to remember.
Opinion
Privacy is (almost) dead
February 19, 2020
Privacy is dead. It died unnoticed while everyone watched.
Obituary
Rensselaer laments loss of graduate student
February 19, 2020
The Rensselaer community mourns the passing of graduate student Yeming Shen, after his roommate discovered him on February 10 in their apartment at City Station.
Letter To The Editor
Yeming Shen’s legacy in research at Rensselaer
February 19, 2020
Yeming Shen’s PhD advisor, Thomas Sharkey, writes about Yeming’s contributions to the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department after his unexpected passing.
Derby
Tell us how your club is adjusting to the Arch
February 19, 2020
We had a meeting of all the Union officers this past week. The grand marshal, undergraduate president, graduate president, judicial board chair, and I all met a few times a semester to make sure that all bodies of our Student Government are working together cohesively. On this occasion, we met to discuss some wrap-up items as many of our terms are coming to an end and student leader appreciation.
Rensselaer Union
Union website updates underway
February 19, 2020
The Rensselaer Union website is currently undergoing maintenance to increase its functionality and address some issues. The site’s present status renders some information regarding clubs and Union events inaccessible to the greater student body, causing students to resort to social media such as Reddit and Facebook.
Women's Hockey
Engineers bested by the Big Green
February 19, 2020
The Engineers’ losing streak extends to 25 games and their record falls to 0‒31‒1 with a 4‒1 defeat to Dartmouth.
Women's Hockey
Nystrøm's heroics not enough to beat the Harvard Crimson
February 19, 2020
The Harvard Crimson prevailed against the Engineers in their game on Friday night with a 3‒1 victory.
Administration
Students angered by selective restrictions placed on multicultural events
February 17, 2020
While Big Red Freakout and Winter Carnival went on without a hitch, administrators placed severe restrictions on some students’ biggest events of the year, citing concerns with coronavirus. “It’s discriminatory and wrong,” said Multicultural Leadership Council member Sundjata Suma ’20 while discussing the issue in a meeting.
Campus Security
Rensselaer lobbied for peace officer bill to expand PubSafe powers
February 17, 2020
Rensselaer lobbied for the New York State Senate bill that would grant peace officer status to certain public safety officers, which was posted publicly on the government website earlier this month and sparked concern in the RPI community. There has been no communication about this initiative to the student body, besides the bill’s posting.
Recommendations
Shows to help you unwind this semester
February 12, 2020
During the cold and rainy days here in Troy, sometimes you just have to bury yourself in blankets and put on a good show. If you’ve already binged all the popular series on Netflix and are looking for something new, The Polytechnic is here to help.
Men's basketball
Historic record nearly broken
February 12, 2020
The Engineers tied—but failed to break—their record for longest win streak of 18 games, previously set by the 1990-1991 team with a win against Vassar College and a loss against Ithaca College this weekend.
Interview
Behind the mask of Owen Savory
February 12, 2020
Sports Editor Andrew Days sits down with the Engineers’ goaltender to learn more about him.
Derby
Give us your feedback about club budgeting
February 12, 2020
President of the Union Caitlin Kennedy discusses the importance of the club budgeting feedback form, and asks clubs to respond. Kennedy also mentions that campaigning for next year’s Student Government starts soon.
Editorial Notebook
It is okay to change your expectations
February 12, 2020
During high school, I had a crystal clear picture of what I wanted to accomplish in college. I wanted to complete a dual major, get involved with research, and get a part-time job or paid internship to help pay for my tuition. After only my first semester at Rensselaer, I couldn’t help but feel I had gone astray.
On-Campus Event
Beginner's guide to an RPI hockey game
February 5, 2020
Freshmen staff writers Medhini Mankale and Sarah Shiang reflect on their first Big Red Freakout game.
Men'S Hockey
Fans freak out over the Big Red Freakout
February 5, 2020
A packed Houston Field House celebrated as the Engineers beat the University of Vermont 1‒0 in the 43rd annual Big Red Freakout game.
Men'S Hockey
Five-year drought against Dartmouth comes to a close
February 5, 2020
The Engineers defeated Dartmouth for the first time in five years, 7‒1, on Friday night.
Editor's Corner
My road to editor in chief
February 5, 2020
Hello, I became the editor in chief of The Polytechnic at the end of last semester. This is how I got there.
Top Hat
Semester away impacting leadership on campus
February 5, 2020
The Arch program is drastically changing how leadership positions in clubs and organizations are filled. Facilities should be updated to support remote student leadership.
Empac Event
Dehumanization in work, war explained
February 5, 2020
Associate Professor of English at Virginia Commonwealth University, Jennifer Rhee, discussed concepts from her book, The Robotic Imaginary: The Human and the Price of Dehumanized Labor, during the first Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center talk of the Spring semester.
Derby
An eventful weekend at RPI
February 5, 2020
What a great weekend for Rensselaer! There was so much going on within the school, especially within the Union.
Opinion
High schoolers are old enough to vote
February 5, 2020
Sports Editor Andrew Days explains why he believes that those younger than 18 should have the ability to vote.
Rensselaer Union
Upgraded mail center moved to Union from Commons
February 1, 2020
The student mail center has been relocated to the first floor of the Rensselaer Union and will open on Monday. It now features an “intelligent parcel locker” system for packages aimed at decreasing wait times.
Todd Burgess tames the Tigers
Todd Burgess ’20 and the Engineers secured home ice advantage for the playoffs after netting seven goals in their victory over the Princeton Tigers.
Engineers run away with a win against Quinnipiac
With a win against Quinnipiac, the Engineers inch closer to securing home ice advantage for the playoffs.
No need to stress about your career
I realized how many people around me had secured summer internships when my sophomore year ended. When I went home after finals, I applied to positions in a panic. I was afraid I made a mistake by never attending career fairs and making no effort to get an internship.
There is more to college than academics
Your four years here will pass in a flash, so make the most of it. Be responsible and get your work done, but don’t forget to have fun.
How you can get involved in Student Government
Campaigning for elected Student Government positions officially kicked off this past week on February 12, 2020! Students can now attend informational sessions to learn about the rules and procedures of campaigning for elected positions.
Why you should study abroad
The Arch is fast approaching—especially for me, now that I am at the end of my sophomore year. I never really tried to become exempt from the Arch because frankly, I didn’t want to be. Since the beginning of college, I wanted to study abroad for at least one semester, and the Arch allows me to do that without worrying about transferring credit towards my major to graduate within four years.
Year of the Rat was worth the wait
The Chinese American Student Association held their Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday. I was there to take photos for The Polytechnic, but I had a blast. I had never been to anything like it before, and sure the food was subpar as it was American Chinese food catered by Sodexo, but the celebration featured a variety of performances from a dragon dance, to a performance on the guzheng—a traditional Chinese string instrument, even including a multitude of dance routines by the group Eighth Wonder.
Music, drama, and idiocy at Evening of Performance
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said the gentleman behind me after witnessing the closing act of Sheer Idiocy, which marked the end of a night filled with showstopping flair and frenetic fun. The combined talents of the RPI Players, Rensselaer Music Association, and Sheer Idiocy were intricately intertwined to make the Evening of Performance a night to remember.
Privacy is (almost) dead
Privacy is dead. It died unnoticed while everyone watched.
Rensselaer laments loss of graduate student
The Rensselaer community mourns the passing of graduate student Yeming Shen, after his roommate discovered him on February 10 in their apartment at City Station.
Yeming Shen’s legacy in research at Rensselaer
Yeming Shen’s PhD advisor, Thomas Sharkey, writes about Yeming’s contributions to the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department after his unexpected passing.
Tell us how your club is adjusting to the Arch
We had a meeting of all the Union officers this past week. The grand marshal, undergraduate president, graduate president, judicial board chair, and I all met a few times a semester to make sure that all bodies of our Student Government are working together cohesively. On this occasion, we met to discuss some wrap-up items as many of our terms are coming to an end and student leader appreciation.
Union website updates underway
The Rensselaer Union website is currently undergoing maintenance to increase its functionality and address some issues. The site’s present status renders some information regarding clubs and Union events inaccessible to the greater student body, causing students to resort to social media such as Reddit and Facebook.
Engineers bested by the Big Green
The Engineers’ losing streak extends to 25 games and their record falls to 0‒31‒1 with a 4‒1 defeat to Dartmouth.
Nystrøm's heroics not enough to beat the Harvard Crimson
The Harvard Crimson prevailed against the Engineers in their game on Friday night with a 3‒1 victory.
Students angered by selective restrictions placed on multicultural events
While Big Red Freakout and Winter Carnival went on without a hitch, administrators placed severe restrictions on some students’ biggest events of the year, citing concerns with coronavirus. “It’s discriminatory and wrong,” said Multicultural Leadership Council member Sundjata Suma ’20 while discussing the issue in a meeting.
Rensselaer lobbied for peace officer bill to expand PubSafe powers
Rensselaer lobbied for the New York State Senate bill that would grant peace officer status to certain public safety officers, which was posted publicly on the government website earlier this month and sparked concern in the RPI community. There has been no communication about this initiative to the student body, besides the bill’s posting.
Shows to help you unwind this semester
During the cold and rainy days here in Troy, sometimes you just have to bury yourself in blankets and put on a good show. If you’ve already binged all the popular series on Netflix and are looking for something new, The Polytechnic is here to help.
Historic record nearly broken
The Engineers tied—but failed to break—their record for longest win streak of 18 games, previously set by the 1990-1991 team with a win against Vassar College and a loss against Ithaca College this weekend.
Behind the mask of Owen Savory
Sports Editor Andrew Days sits down with the Engineers’ goaltender to learn more about him.
Give us your feedback about club budgeting
President of the Union Caitlin Kennedy discusses the importance of the club budgeting feedback form, and asks clubs to respond. Kennedy also mentions that campaigning for next year’s Student Government starts soon.
It is okay to change your expectations
During high school, I had a crystal clear picture of what I wanted to accomplish in college. I wanted to complete a dual major, get involved with research, and get a part-time job or paid internship to help pay for my tuition. After only my first semester at Rensselaer, I couldn’t help but feel I had gone astray.
Beginner's guide to an RPI hockey game
Freshmen staff writers Medhini Mankale and Sarah Shiang reflect on their first Big Red Freakout game.
Fans freak out over the Big Red Freakout
A packed Houston Field House celebrated as the Engineers beat the University of Vermont 1‒0 in the 43rd annual Big Red Freakout game.
Five-year drought against Dartmouth comes to a close
The Engineers defeated Dartmouth for the first time in five years, 7‒1, on Friday night.
My road to editor in chief
Hello, I became the editor in chief of The Polytechnic at the end of last semester. This is how I got there.
Semester away impacting leadership on campus
The Arch program is drastically changing how leadership positions in clubs and organizations are filled. Facilities should be updated to support remote student leadership.
Dehumanization in work, war explained
Associate Professor of English at Virginia Commonwealth University, Jennifer Rhee, discussed concepts from her book, The Robotic Imaginary: The Human and the Price of Dehumanized Labor, during the first Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center talk of the Spring semester.
An eventful weekend at RPI
What a great weekend for Rensselaer! There was so much going on within the school, especially within the Union.
High schoolers are old enough to vote
Sports Editor Andrew Days explains why he believes that those younger than 18 should have the ability to vote.
Upgraded mail center moved to Union from Commons
The student mail center has been relocated to the first floor of the Rensselaer Union and will open on Monday. It now features an “intelligent parcel locker” system for packages aimed at decreasing wait times.