To the Editor:
We are recent graduates of RPI, who reside in the northeastern region of the United States. Like many, we were affected by last week’s snowy and icy conditions; however, through a toughness and resilience sculpted by years of residence in Troy, we went about our days as normal. Weathering the storm, we went to our respective places of employment as good, hard-working citizens.
Therefore, it is with boundless shock and disgust that we heard the news that our alma mater would be canceling classes on Wednesday, February 14. Could it be true? Had RPI really gone that soft? The information initially seemed preposterous, but the impossible was soon confirmed. Rensselaer had indeed shut down campus (in advance) for less than two measly feet of snowfall.
In our day, the Institute weathered many a snowstorm. Granted, occasionally certain professors wouldn’t make it to campus. There was an incident in early 2003 in which morning classes were called off due to a two-inch thick coating of ice that shelled all of Troy, but never did RPI close its doors during our time of study. In fact, only one other time in the past 14 years has RPI closed due to weather; in February of 2001, a far greater snowfall landed on Troy.
Let us make our point clear; we are not jealous because you students had a snow day while we never did—quite the contrary. What really infuriates us is that this event has compromised the very spirit of Rensselaer. When we left Troy, we left as hardcore, snow-weathered engineers who never whined about anything and never received anything we didn’t deserve. Apparently times have changed. Consider your degrees tarnished.
Mark Andrews ALUM ’06
Nicholas Lesniewski-Laas ALUM ’06
