Only hours after I sent my last letter to The Poly, the Council learned what the administration plans to do about the parking issue. It is my understanding that, after talking with administration officials, the lots surrounding the Field House are to replace the parking near the CII during the construction of both the biotechnology center and the parking garage. This parking is to be accompanied by the use of shuttle buses that will take folks from campus to the Field House and vice versa, however it was unclear how often the shuttles will run or if this has even been discussed yet. It is my hope that the shuttle will run at intervals of no less than 10 minutes in order to accommodate student needs, and students need reliability.
The IC is also halfway through the process of preparing surveys for this semester. Classes have been selected and survey packages have been bundled. We hope to have these surveys distributed to class professors within the next two weeks, eliminating the problem of un-surveyed classes (blamed on late distribution). Please remember, if you see the characteristic blue IC survey form, that professors are issuing this survey of their own accord in an attempt to improve student life here at RPI. The Independent Council greatly appreciates the participation and effort of these professors in the past semesters and will continue to in the future.
On a more exciting note, the Independent Council has been granted funding this year for social events, after a long period of dormancy. An agreement between one of the most entertaining groups on campus and the IC is currently "in the works," which would allow the IC to sponsor at least one of their shows. The group shall remain nameless for this article, but depending on how negotiations go we may have a spectacular show for the campus. We are also budgeted for other events to take place this school year, so please send your suggestions (ic@union.rpi.edu).
