As a Union, we stand strong on a foundation based upon the merging and celebration of different cultures. As Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, we are a diverse student body, and that is our strength. As humans we all have basic needs such as food and shelter and every culture fulfills these needs in different ways, resulting in cultural diversity. It is through these cultural differences, that we enrich our knowledge as students and members of the Union. We celebrate our similarities and differences with open minds. This is where I believe Rensselaer students thrive as a campus community; they accept and welcome every culture without making judgments. We all come from different backgrounds and places. We are all unique; we have different beliefs, appearances, and lifestyles. We come from different counrties and continents, yet we all have one thing in common: we are Rensselaer students.
As an Institute and an Executive Board, we have made a priority of enhancing the educational experience through the act of learning and appreciating new cultures. This past Friday, the brothers of Lambda Upsilon Lambda held their ninth Annual Cultural Pride Night in the McNeil Room. The event is aimed at raising cultural awareness by exposing students to aspects of different cultures. Students used different mediums to express themselves, including music, poetry, fashion, dance, and spoken word. There were a wide variety of groups participating, from the Indian Student Association to the Pilipino American League. There were performances ranging from The Rusty Pipes to the BSA Step Team. This was a perfect example of an active expression of cultural diversity on campus, and was an enlightening evening for all who attended.
As the year moves along, the E-Board has begun business, and committees are beginning to form. I would encourage students to get involved with the different E-Board committees. They are an opportunity to make the Union a better place for everyone. If you are looking to get involved, I can think of no better activity to make a direct impact on student life in the Union. Become an integral part in the organization of new clubs on campus with the Constitution Committee, or get real world experience in business with the Business Operations Committee. If you are interested in advertising or the visual arts, you would certainly be an asset to the Marketing Committee. There are open positions in all of these groups, so feel free to contact me at pu@rpi.edu if you would like to take part.
