Archives

October 2021


Poly Comics

The ghosts of West Hall

By Habib Nahouta and Jack Zhu October 31, 2021

Exploring West Hall at night is a rite of passage at RPI. In the newest Poly comic, three students have a strange encounter in the rumored-to-be-haunted building.

RPI HISTORY

The forgotten ghosts in the depths of West Hall

By Vaughn Greason October 31, 2021

West Hall has a reputation at Rensselaer for its otherworldly, cryptic nature, with its eerie and complex history. Staff writer Vaughn Greason ’25 walks through the history of West Hall and what it represents to RPI.

Derby

The Union: epicenter of administrative overreach

By Yaseen Mahmoud October 30, 2021

President of the Union Yaseen Mahmoud ’22 discusses the waning self-governance of the Union, emphasizing the erosion of student rights by Rensselaer administrators and higher-ups.

Technology

New multi-factor authentication rules to take effect November 1

By William Hawkins October 29, 2021

New multi-factor authentication rules are set to go into effect for all Rensselaer employees beginning November 1. Anyone who has payroll and W2 information in the Self-Service Information System will be counted as an employee. This includes students employed by the Institute. The new protocols will apply to all Institute websites that use the Rensselaer Self Service login.

Women's Hockey

Terriers torn to shreds

By Jolie Dolan October 27, 2021

Rensselaer beat previously undefeated Boston University in an intense match on October 22, continuing their winning streak. Julia Blitz ’23 clinched the victory with a game-winning wrist shot late into the third period. Rensselaer’s exemplary performance scored them four votes in the USCHO Division I Women’s Poll-October 25, 2021.

Student Senate

Senate approves Judicial Board appointments, seeks new treasurer

By Alexander Orr October 25, 2021

The Student Senate approved new Judicial Board appointments on October 19. The J-Board oversees “a huge variety” of cases, ranging from reckless driving to suspending fraternities. The members appointed at this meeting will eventually make the decisions for future cases.

Editorial Notebook

The only things a kitchen needs

By Dylan Le October 22, 2021

To fill the emptiness of having no kitchen as an on-campus student, Copy Coordinator Dylan Le '24 spend hours browsing online for cookware, dishware, glassware, and other food-related implements. His interest is not in gadgets such as strawberry hullers, spiralizers, and air-fryers, but in more classic tools.

Freshman Elections

Mike Slass elected Class of 2025 president

By William Hawkins October 22, 2021
A total of 376 students cast votes in Wednesday's Freshman election. It marked the first in-person election Rensselaer student government has held since the Fall of 2019.
Top Hat

Freshman elections explained

By Cait Bennett October 22, 2021

Grand Marshal Cait Bennett ’22 reviews the positions for freshman elections and the importance of each.

Executive Board

Confusion surrounds Red Army podcast funding

By William Hawkins and David Liu October 22, 2021

On Thursday, the Union Executive Board passed RPI Red Army’s proposal for a new podcast, but motioned to postpone a budget reallocation that would cover the cost of a new microphone for the program.

Men'S Hockey

Overtime déjà vu

By Andrew Days October 20, 2021

After thrashing the Canisius Golden Griffins 6‒2 the night prior, the Engineers were defeated 3‒2 in overtime, a callback to their defeat versus Bowling Green last weekend. The Engineers’ season record is now 1‒2‒1.

Executive Board

RPI TV proposal for student wages denied

By William Hawkins October 20, 2021

RPI TV's proposal suggesting that certain RPI TV members be paid $15 an hour to cover home hockey games during the 2022-23 season was unanimously denied.

Freshman Elections

Class of 2025 elections underway

By Jolie Dolan October 20, 2021

Today, the Class of 2025 will choose their student government officers. Voting will be open from 8 am to 8 pm at the Rensselaer Union and the Commons Dining Hall.

Student Senate

Marketing and Strategy Committee resurrected

By Alexander Orr October 20, 2021

The 52nd Student Senate approved changes to the Executive Board’s bylaws on October 5 in order to bring back the Marketing and Strategy Committee, which had been dissolved in 2019.

Field Hockey

Engineers’ winning odyssey ends in Ithaca

By Andrew Days October 20, 2021

After defeating the Sage Colleges and Union College earlier this week, the Engineers were taken down by Ithaca College with a score of 1‒0. The loss broke their five-game winning streak, bringing their season record to 7‒7 and 3‒2 in the Liberty League.

Executive Board

Emergency funds approved for UPAC projector repair

By William Hawkins October 20, 2021

The Union Executive Board approved an emergency subsidy for UPAC's Cinema division via an electronic vote on October 14.

Interview

Drag fever with Typhoid Mary

By Erik Cross and Laura Zwirn October 20, 2021

Laura Zwirn ’23 and Erik Cross ’23 interview local drag queen Typhoid Mary to learn more about their artistic endeavors and their lived experiences as an artist in Troy.

Field Hockey

Engineers triumph on turf

By Andrew Days October 13, 2021

The Engineers had a phenomenal three-for-three week, outscoring their opponents 18‒1. Liberty League Rookie of the Week Nina Caprio ’25 scored five goals in the three home games to become the team’s leading scorer with six goals.

Top Hat

Neurodiverse education helps all students

By Cait Bennett October 13, 2021

Grand Marshal Cait Bennett ’22 discusses the need for creative classroom solutions to accommodate and encourage neurodiversity on campus.

Women's Hockey

McCutcheon mangles Union

By Jolie Dolan October 13, 2021

Fresh off a 4‒0 win against Union, the Engineers dominated the match on October 9 with ECAC Rookie of the Week Audrey McCutcheon ’25 leading them to a 9‒2 victory with a hat trick.

FOOTBALL

Engineers continue undefeated season

By Andrew Days October 13, 2021

No. 25 Rensselaer defeated Buffalo State 24‒16, bringing their record to 6‒0 on the season and 2‒0 in the Liberty League.

Administration

Jackson maskless at D.C. conference

By William Hawkins October 13, 2021

President Shirley Ann Jackson appeared without a mask in Washington, D.C. on September 28 for the Amazon Web Services Summit, while Rensselaer continues to enforce mask mandates and travel restrictions for students.

Campus Event

Borderline brilliance at poetry slam

By Maanasa Pulavarty October 13, 2021

Talk Without Borders organized Poetry Slam Night, an event aimed towards providing members of the Rensselaer community with an open space to express themselves in an artistic way.

culture

How Parasite and Squid Game disprove the get-rich-quick myth

By Bill Ni October 13, 2021

Bill Ni ’23 shares his thoughts on why Parasite and Squid Game are so successful and how they reflect on our society’s income inequality.

Executive Board

Lavender Alliance retires, Statler & Waldorf to return

By David Liu October 6, 2021

The Union Executive Board unanimously voted to designate the Lavender Alliance as inactive due to budgetary issues and low membership on September 23.

football

Yellowjackets stung by Engineers

By Andrew Days October 6, 2021

The Engineers began Liberty League play with a 38‒22 triumph over the University of Rochester, continuing their undefeated season. Rensselaer now stands at 5‒0.

COVID-19

Unvaccinated students to comply with additional COVID-19 restrictions

By Maya Johnson October 6, 2021

Assistant Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Travis Apgar presented rules in place for unvaccinated students on campus in front of the Student Senate. Restrictions include more frequent testing, wearing a mask at outdoor events, and following special dining hours.

RCOS

New Shuttle Tracker enters beta

By Dylan Sheils October 6, 2021

Shuttle Tracker recently released a new public beta, called “the new Shuttle Tracker,” with a major new feature: crowd-sourced location data. The Polytechnic interviewed the Shuttle Tracker team on the Tracker's new features.

Student Senate

Senate creates MSFC Liaison position

By Maya Johnson October 6, 2021

The Student Senate voted to create the position of Multicultural Sorority and Fraternity Council Liaison, allowing the appointed liaison, Karina Sandoval ’22, to give her report during Senate meetings.