In my last column, I said that I would elaborate on the duties of the class councils; however, something more important has recently come up. I, like many others, participated in the Relay for Life from Friday night until Saturday morning. This positive, compassionate event is an example of how RPI students truly can make a difference. What happened elsewhere on campus while Relay was occurring is what I’d like to talk about: graffiti.
Upon leaving the ’86 Field, I learned that someone else had been up all night, but for entirely different reasons. Someone had spray-painted “underboob” all across campus. Each major fixture on campus was desecrated—DCC, the Quad, the footbridge, and even the Union. Both freehand spray painting and stencils were used in the destruction of campus property.
Not only does this wanton act display a complete disregard for the buildings’ histories and heritages, it also shows a lack of respect for every single person here at RPI. Many students assist the administration in creating a positive environment for everyone on this campus, and statements like this undermine the student voice. Instead of creating a positive environment, vandalism is a negative, inconsiderate act that should not, and will not, be tolerated. This also affects Environmental and Site Services since they will have to spend countless hours attempting to powerwash and sandblast this filth off of our buildings.
Sadly, this is not the first time that our campus has been plagued by vandalism. Last semester, a rash of graffiti, albeit much more lighthearted in nature, occurred around campus. I believe it is time for harsher penalties to be placed upon those caught. For displaying a complete lack of respect for their education, their peers, and above all the law, these vandals should be expelled.
There are much more productive and less destructive outlets for those who may be artistically inclined. West Hall is well known for its murals on the back of the auditorium’s wall. The Class of 2010 also decided to create a graffiti wall last semester. Some are even working to have areas of campus open for chalk usage, though this is not a policy as of yet. Any of these outlets are a better option than choosing to mar our campus. While I hope Public Safety and the Troy Police Department are successful in catching whoever is responsible for this latest act of disrespect, I believe it is time for students to be more respectful toward their school, and their lives.
In other news, the Undergraduate Council is now nearly fully-formed, and I will be looking into holding our first meeting next week. At this meeting, as I have stated earlier, the Constitution of the Class of 2010 will be passed as our first action, starting the massive turnaround from the previous administration.
