One word changes nothing. In order for RPI to reach its full potential, the architects of its future need constant input from the multitude of people that have made, and continue to make it, what it is today. People like you, people like me, and yes, even the few people who don’t read The Polytechnic—assuming the rumors of their existence are true.
By the same token, those architects need to be listening and willing to act on what they hear, even when they don’t like it. Too often, decisions are made without input from the people that they will affect, or worse, without regards to that input. In the interest of diplomacy I will not provide my personal list of examples, but if you stop to think for a moment, I’m certain that you can come up with one or two of your own.
This puts a lot of personal responsibility on each of us. For leaders, it is a responsibility to encourage discussion, collect reliable input, and, above all, act appropriately on that input. For everyone else, it is a responsibility to continue providing constructive criticism and rising to meet the challenges that come with positive change.
Luckily, we are not alone. There are a host of resources available to aid us in this process of input and action. You’re reading one of them right now. Others include The Poly’s fellow student media organizations like WRPI, Statler & Waldorf, and RPI TV, as well as student, faculty, and alumni organizations like the Interfraternity Council, the Independent Council, the Panhellenic Council, the Graduate Council, the Undergraduate Council, the Faculty Senate, the Student Senate, and the Alumni Association.
Equally important are the individuals and offices that work behind the scenes to keep the RPI community up and running. People like the Director of the Student Union Rick Hartt, Vice President of Student Life Eddie Knowles, Chief Information Officer John Kolb, and Grand Marshal Max Yates, to name a few.
Communicate with these people and take advantage of these resources to help RPI reach its full potential. Join or submit material to an RPI media organization. Talk to your student, faculty, or alumni representatives. Whether administrators or other leaders ask you for input or not, don’t hesitate to tell them what you think—even when they might not want to hear it. Be respectful, but be candid.
