In my convocation speech over a week ago, I explained the role of student government and specifically what the Student Senate does and has done. For those of you who were not there or just missed it, our job is to represent student interest in Institute planning and policy by making use of our liaison network and communicating with the administration, faculty, and other members of the community at large. We are also charged with making sure programming is available that best meets the students’ needs, and we fill in the gaps when necessary. Some of our accomplishments over the last few years include the Concerto system of digital signs you see all over campus, the shuttle tracking system, Pizza with the President, the creation of the Student Sustainability Task Force, and tenant training seminars, just to name a few. Many members of the Senate work countless hours—and some even the entire summer—to get projects off the ground to improve campus and the overall quality of life for students here.
All of these projects, while great and bold, would not have happened and cannot continue to progress without additional help and support. In the next few weeks, freshman elections will occur and those who have been recently welcomed to our institution will have the opportunity to become a part of student government. I highly encourage first-year students to get involved if they want an effective means to enact change on campus.
Those who are returning students, it is not too late for you. While elections took place last spring for upper-class and graduate students, anyone can join a Senate committee at any time. In order to accomplish as much as possible in our short term in office, we delegate and break down into a few major committees: Finance, Facilities, and Advancement; Student Life Committee; Web-Tech Group; Academic Affairs Committee; Community Relations Committee; etc. Each group is responsible for addressing and creatively finding solutions to issues that fall under them. If you wish to transform things on campus in regards to facilities, dining halls, sustainability, academic integrity, TA issues, and the list goes on and on, we have a committee that is willing and able to work on it. There is a way to facilitate change—be a part of it.
If this sort of activity, however, does not interest you, I encourage you to find something outside of academics that does. Clubs and organizations are just getting started for the year and are very easy to join. Even if you’ve been here for five years, there may be something you never knew existed or you can create something that better fits your needs. Join something, do something, change something.
And, as always, feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns at gm@rpi.edu.
