With the semester coming to an end, the first half of the school year has passed us by and what has the Student Senate done? To some they’ve done a lot, others are still surprised to know we have a Senate. At the last Senate meeting on November 17, the Grand Marshal Max Yates ’06 gave a presentation reviewing the past semester and all the Student Senate has done this year.
One of the main issues Yates focused on was that Ruckus was never the Senate’s only priority. Instead, he highlighted how the Student Senate was protecting students, building school pride, sustaining academics, raising the student’s voice, leading with compassion, improving campus life, connecting and informing the student body.
Some of the major things the Senate has done this past semester include Project Hope, Go Be Red, and Ruckus, which are pretty well-known projects on campus. Project Hope, which was started in response to Hurricane Katrina, has raised over $26,000 thus far. Go Be Red, which has increased school pride, has been truly appreciated by the athletes who now have enthused and unwavering fans in their stands. Finally, Ruckus, which took many on campus by storm, has been a success so far as one of the many projects in improving campus life.
Some students, however, still don’t feel the true presence of the student government as Michael Ignacio ’07 said, “I didn’t even know we had a Student Senate.” Not that the Student Senate is elusive, but it’s hard for a whole campus to know everything that’s going on at all times. Not to say that’s an acceptable excuse, but the Senate is actively reaching out to its peers, the student body that they represent. The Senate’s website has been revamped and updated, the meetings are now filmed and aired by RPI TV, the senators have red shirts that they wear, and they have also started the Monday Morning Mailing list which sets out to update students on committee initiatives and meeting times. In addition to that, a town hall meeting is in the works so that Senators and students can interact and work together.
The Student Senate this semester has been on the “offensive.” As Yates said, “We’re not just responding, we’re bringing ideas on behalf of the student body.” Recently, the Student Senate stood outside of Russell Sage Dining Hall and talked to students to try and make them aware of how financial aid was going to be cut trying to spark and lead a telephone campaign in response to the possible cuts. There were also three campus lighting walks in October held by the Finance, Facilities, and Advancement Committee under Senator Horvath to ensure campus safety.
Academically, the Student Senate has been talking and joining in efforts with the Faculty senate to improve advising and start midterm progress reporting. In addition to that, the Academic Affairs committee chaired by Julia Leusner ’08 is looking to change the course block from 8 am-4 pm to 9 am-5 pm for classes.
A new issue being dealt with this semester is the shuttle tracking system which is still being developed. New projects being worked on include Project Did You Know, led under Senator Nathan Parker ’06, to help students know about Rensselaer’s past, trivia about RPI all brought together so students can see where RPI has come from and where it’s going. Some other possible future plans of the Senate include zip cars on campus to alleviate the amount of cars on campus, a night bus to Jillian’s in Albany, extended hours in the Armory and Sage, and meeting with other capital district student governments.
Some of the students have seen and are aware of the Senate’s increased initiative. According to Ronald Cardoso ’07, “I think they’ve been making a better effort this year than in previous years with getting their views out to the student body, especially with the Monday Morning Mailing. It shows they care about how we feel on issues and gives us more opportunity to voice opinions to particular senators regarding issues.”
The Senate’s presence on campus is not overbearing or burdening, it’s more like an invisible hand that initiates and foster’s change, as Grace Tangney ’09 said, “I think it’s amazing that we as students have an outlet where we can vent our feelings and thoughts on RPI, and what’s even better is that we have a Senate that listens and does something about it.”
Grand Marshal Max Yates concluded his semester review in saying that the Senate is not only changing today but building for the future with its focus on committees and new project initiatives. Yates asked the senators to keep the big picture in mind: “We are RPI, part of an entire nation and world, and there are so many things we can be focused on; we have the ability to do that.”
The Student Senate is a branch of the student government that has so much power and potential. This past semester it has brought forward and initiated many projects but much of the student body still doesn’t know its senators. In addition to that, as much as the senators think and speak on behalf of the students, they do not always have a grasp on what the student body is thinking. More time should be spent on connecting with who they represent, the students. The student government is a liaison between the students and the administration and they should remember that they do keep the student’s interest in mind, but I think if the students knew their Senate and senators, it would only lead to more initiatives and more progress. Too often issues are postponed or not pushed hard enough, like shuttle tracking, and if the students and the Student Senate aren’t vehement, then the administration won’t listen. Only through cooperation of the student body, Student Senate, Faculty Senate, and administration will there be a true fruition of togetherness and progress.
