Archives

February 2020


Men'S Hockey

Todd Burgess tames the Tigers

By Andrew Days 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

By Andrew Days 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

By Michelle Samour 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

By Caitlin Kennedy 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

By Meagan Lettko 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

By August Gehrman 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

By August Gehrman 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

By Namish Gali 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

By Jacob Kaplan '20 February 19, 2020

Privacy is dead. It died unnoticed while everyone watched.

Obituary

Rensselaer laments loss of graduate student

By Michelle Samour 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

By Thomas Sharkey 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

By Caitlin Kennedy 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

By Medhini Mankale 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

By Andrew Days 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

By Andrew Days 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

By Brookelyn Parslow and Medhini Mankale 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

By Brookelyn Parslow 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

By Namish Gali and Michelle Samour 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

By Andrew Days 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

By Andrew Days 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

By Caitlin Kennedy 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

By Anjali Shinde 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

By Sarah Shiang and Medhini Mankale 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

By Andrew Days 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

By Andrew Days 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

By John Stotz 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

By Meagan Lettko 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

By Sarah Shiang 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

By Caitlin Kennedy 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

By Andrew Days 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

By Brookelyn Parslow 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.