This past Thursday, the Rensselaer community was given a glimpse of the cohesion that is possible when students join together for a common cause. Approximately 500 students gathered for a peaceful demonstration dubbed “Uprise at Five,” to call for greater transparency from the Rensselaer administration. Although the students’ motivations may have greatly varied, the individual ideas were strung together by that common tie. Despite varied opinions of the demonstration, the editorial board of The Poly applauds the ability of students to vocalize their opinions and the display of solidarity by the group of students who attended.
Though only a small fraction of the student body attended the demonstration, this stands as a sign that people at this school are not always apathetic; from average RPI students to club leaders, the types of people in attendance transcended many different labels. This protest demonstrated that students have a desire to be involved in decisions that directly affect student life and the RPI community as a whole.
We must ensure, however, that we take advantage of the ability to affect policy decisions where we can. Students should try to attend events like the Student Life Performance Plan review that Vice President for Student Life Eddie Ade Knowles holds annually. Although this is usually attended solely by student government leaders, it is an event open to the entire student body to discuss what it wishes to see within the Division of Student Life at the Institute.
The Poly urges students to express their concerns in a constructive manner. Tomorrow, President Shirley Ann Jackson will be hosting the Presidential Spring Town Hall Meeting, entitled “The Flight to Quality: Leadership in Challenging Times,” at 10 am in the Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center Concert Hall. Past town meetings have allowed a forum in which members of the RPI community were able to put forth any questions and comments to the administration. Now, more than ever, we feel it is important for this assembly to be utilized to its fullest extent, while ensuring that we keep it constructive and respectful.
