I want to begin my column this week by congratulating a friend, mentor, counselor, and “colleague;” the new dean of students, Mark Smith. I have known Mark since my initial days at RPI when he served as director of OMSA. I instantly saw his compassion for students and took to him keenly. He always had advice and resources for all students. He was a crucial ally and advisor to my fraternity brothers and me (La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc.) when we were recognized as the first new fraternity in decades, three years ago. Mark was also a guide and friend along the way, and since I have been grand marshal has consistently been a “give back” administrator, toiling hours each week with the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Student Rights. He will do an incredible job as dean of students, and RPI is a better school for it. For that and many other reasons I tip my hat to Dean of Students Mark Smith.
What does having a full dean of students mean for you? Well, Dean Smith has done an incredible job holding down three hats: dean of students, director of OMSA, and chief judicial advisor, searches have begun to fill the other two roles, which will allow him to focus more on his office and to give us two new dedicated administrators that will strengthen the judicial system and OMSA. Relating to the judicial piece: our Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities is currently in revision. If you would like to recommend changes con-tact either Dean Smith at smithm@rpi.edu or Senator Chris Gill at gillc@rpi.edu.
As for the “hot” student issues of the day—commencement policy and graduate tuition—I encourage everyone to seek firsthand knowledge whenever possible and be careful not to succumb to rumor. For the commencement policy, if you want to walk make sure you file a degree application! If the application is denied, it will automatically be appealed, and you will have an opportunity to petition to participate. The Graduate Council is working with the administration to try and understand the new tuition policy and give feedback where needed. If you have any comments or suggestions e-mail Mitch Gold at goldm@rpi.edu or myself.
I have been good about keeping this column to RPI-related topics (for all my Brain Salsa fans), but I really need to vent on something. The following is strictly Gil Valadez’s opinion and in no way represents the Senate’s or office of the Grand Marshal’s opinion. Disclaimer aside, at some point in the last week I watched a “newscast” by a national news organization in which the lead stories were Gary Condit’s re-election bid (which, like 80 degree weather tomorrow in Troy, ain’t gonna happen), Mike Tyson being ludicrous, and the straw that broke the camels back: “Skategate,” the charming tale of political intrigue surrounding the critical world of pairs figure skating. Not to be cliché, but let us not forget that less than six months ago, we were under attack as a nation and a way of life. All of us were affected by the tragedies that day, and I hoped last October that we would never revert to shallow, meaningless media sensationalism, but here we are with Kerrigan-Hardy II and Gary Condit dominating our airwaves. Need I remind anyone that Osama Bin Laden and Mullah Omar Mohammed, the leaders of the assault against us are free men today? Maybe this shows we are going back to normal. Maybe “normal” isn’t all that great. Regardless, I encourage all to attend the series of lectures organized by the 9/11 Open Response Committee and think through 9-11 instead of watching figure skaters whine. The guest at their next event, on Tuesday, is a UN Weapons inspector from Iraq, on February 26. No class, so no excuse. See you then.
