The energy is growing! Another week another perfectly attended Senate meeting! Kudos to the Senate. As a whole, your energy and excitement have simply been contagious and makes me feel enthusiastic to serve as your Grand Marshal.
The Senate came together bright and early (9 am) for an orientation/welcoming breakfast this past Sunday. It was an extremely successful session. A special thanks to Linda McCloskey and Jane Reel from the Archer Center and Rick Hartt, director of the Union.
The ideas flowed and poured across the table. While most of you were still clinging to your pillows, your Senate was thinking of and developing ideas to involve you—our constituents and our bosses, more directly in the flow of students voice. Friends, prepare yourselves for an incredible year of fun and excitement! This Senate will not rest until students understand that we can make all of your voices not only heard, but amplified to the highest echelons of the administration.
In order to achieve this goal, I want as many of you as possible to come work with the Senate. Being a senator is only one of many ways to be involved. The work of the Senate is charged to various committees, and it is within the realm of these committees that the tangible accomplishments of the Senate take place.
The committees are as follows: Student Life, Academic Affairs, Computing, Campus Communication, and Community Relations. I want to make it abundantly clear that any student is invited to attend any of the committee meetings and, furthermore, serve on these committees. It is not necessary for you to be a senator, be on a class council, or have any other experience within student government—currently or formerly. The only requirement is that you have a desire to improve the RPI campus and community.
I have been to other schools, and I cannot stress how much true power we have as students here. Stand up and be heard. Get involved. On the campaign trail I heard student after student gripe about parking, and yet I have received no response to my ad or column last week asking for students to sit on the Parking Review Board. I recognize that it is the end of the semester, and people are hard-pressed for time. But I sincerely hope that many of you who are concerned about this and other topics will become involved in the future.
If you would like to get involved call me at 276-8597 or e-mail me at gm@rpi.edu. Come see your Senate Wednesday, April 25, 8:30 pm on the top floor of the Union. Among other things, I will be appointing this year’s committee chairs! Good Night!
