Politics are everywhere here at RPI. Between the College Democrats, the College Republicans, and all the other social and political groups on campus, every student can find a club with appealing viewpoints. When our president and her administration actively get involved in regional and national politics and elections on campus, however, it is simply unacceptable.
It is no secret that members of the Institute’s administration have connections within political parties—this is bound to occur when you work for one of the premier engineering schools in the nation. The last two speakers at commencement have been retired Gen. Wesley K. Clark and Senator Hilary Rodham Clinton, both of whom are considered possible candidates for the 2008 Democratic nomination for president. While these politicians may not have been welcomed by all students, at least their appearance at RPI had some reason behind it. Eliot Spitzer’s stop here last Wednesday, however, had no such justification.
For those of you not from New York (or, if you are just not up on politics), Spitzer is the state’s attorney general, currently in the race for the governorship. According to Campus.News, the purpose of his visit to RPI was for a discussion on “the important role that universities play in stimulating economic development.” He was given a personal tour of the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies by President Jackson, whom Spitzer had considered as his running mate for lieutenant governor. Is it a coincidence that this “discussion” had to take place just one week before Spitzer’s primary election?
Politics and politicians have a place at RPI: within their respective groups on campus. That is the reason they exist—to increase awareness on the issues affecting society today. When the administration instead makes an effort to influence an election by allowing a candidate to effectively campaign on campus, it leads people to believe that the school and its students support him in his race. The silent endorsement of a specific campaigning politician by bringing him to campus creates an uneven playing field, both for the political groups on campus as well as for those candidates in the election. If a candidate for office is to come to campus, let the group invite him. Furthering its viewpoints is the purpose of its existence and should not be the administration’s job. Don’t turn my school into a campaign stop.
