features inside sports Classifieds ...... 14 Students explore Comics ...... 12 Men’s lacrosse falls in Europe in ISP Community Calendar ...... 11 tournament play Editorial/Opinion ...... 6 Features ...... 8 8 Sports ...... 16 16

Volume CXXX, Number 1 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY Friday, July 16, 2010 Serving The Members Of The RPI Community Since 1885 Remembering Jimmy HEAVY METAL Students mourn death of James Johnston ’11 ZUZANNA NAUMOWICZ Sweet stories about Jimmy have been floating around Staff Reporter to preserve the memory of the vibrant young man. One way people have been sharing their sentiments is In describing James “Jimmy” Johnston ’11, all fam- through a Facebook group called “Remembrance of ily and friends could agree that, no matter the situation, Jimmy Johnston,” dedicated to the memory of their he always knew how to bring a smile to everyone’s family member, student, and friend. In the group’s face. With great sadness, the precious memory of discussion section there is a “Memories” thread, a Jimmy’s smile is now all they have to hold onto. compilation of funny stories, sympathetic thoughts, On July 6 at the youthful age of 23, the life of and joyful recollections of time spent with Jimmy. the senior materials science major was cut short. Among the plethora of messages coated with Found in his family’s swimming pool in Chester the words “I miss you,” Claire Jackson, a friend of Township, N. J., he was transported to a local hos- Jimmy, recalls his comforting nature. pital where he was pronounced dead a mere half “Jimmy always seemed to have a way of under- an hour later. The cause of death was determined standing you even when you didn’t quite understand to be drowning. yourself. He was able to make you feel like you “The loss of a student is a very difficult event for weren’t alone, and when you had a problem he would a university community to experience,” wrote Vice be able to help calm you down without making you President for Strategic Communications and External feel like someone was judging you or looking down Relations William N. Walker in an e-mail to the Rens- on you. He was always a lot of fun to be around …” selaer community on July 8 regarding Jimmy’s death. Another friend, Dan Elton ’10, reminisces: “He was The loss of Jimmy, valued member of the Science such a unique person, I will never forget him, espe- Fiction Association and treasurer of the Rensselaer cially his unique sense of humor. He would always Games Club, has certainly shaken up the lives of bring smiles to the faces of those around him.” those that knew him. Jimmy’s family set up visitation hours on July 11 “I remember one particular night after a terrible at the William J. Leber Funeral Home in their town day of tests, I hadn’t eaten anything all day and for those who wanted to pay final respects. A private wasn’t feeling my greatest. Jimmy was the only funeral service was held the following day. person who recognized the stress I was under and To his college friends, it may feel like something Ryan Baltazar/The Polytechnic offered to drive me out to get some food. We spent is missing during the upcoming semester without NELSON BRUNS ’10 INSTALLS one of his metal sculptures the time talking and laughing about all of life’s seeing Jimmy’s smiling face throughout campus. on the second floor of the Rensselaer Union on June 8. The little stupid mysteries. I thanked him that night, Jimmy is surely missed by the Rensselaer commu- sculpture takes advantage of the properties of magnetism. but I’m not sure he knew just how much it had nity, but his presence will be kept alive through the meant to me. I will miss you so much Jimmy,” valuable memories of experiences and moments shared Nicholas Milano ’10. shared with him. Class of 2014 arrives Tobacco-free policy begins JOSH EASON decision to attend. “RPI just had this Staff Reporter sort of atmosphere that other universi- KELLY LOTTMAN with the Student Handbook of areas, rather than having a ban in ties didn’t have, and it was something Senior Reporter Rights and Responsibilities for place over the entire campus. Some After a record number of applica- that I valued. I could actually learn so students and the Human Resources other smoke-free universities tions were submitted to the Institute many things, and still have fun.” July 1 marked the start of RPI’s Policy Guidelines for faculty and have followed this model, such this past year, the RPI Class of 2014 Overall, the final class is broken up tobacco-free initiative, which will staff” for subsequent offenses. as San Francisco State University, has shaped up to be a very diverse with 53 percent engineers, 26 percent prohibit usage of any tobacco prod- The counseling sessions will at which “Facilities and Service group of students. in science, 4 percent in the Lally uct within the confines of campus. be conducted through the Capital Enterprises is responsible for The Class of 2014 is projected to School, 6 percent in Architecture, and The policy applies to anyone on Employee Assistance Program, and identifying designated smoking have 1,135 students this fall. The 6 percent in Humanities and Social campus, including visitors and smoking cessation classes will be areas.” In response to this idea, decrease in class size this year is a Sciences. vendors. According to its website, available on and off campus. Powell noted several statistics result of an intentional decrease of The class is slightly less geographi- the Institute decided to create a Despite indications during the about the negative effects of engineers. This reduction is to im- cally diverse this year, with only 27 tobacco-free campus because of spring semester’s Pizza with the tobacco use and second-hand prove the teacher-to-student ratio in percent of students enrolling from the evidence that tobacco use and Cabinet that the policy would be smoke. He then explained that, the school of engineering, according outside the Northeast, down from second-hand smoke are significant enforced by “community polic- “Smoke-free workplaces are the to Vice President for Enrollment and 30 percent last year. Enrollment for health hazards. ing” and no monetary fines, the only way to eliminate secondhand Dean of Undergraduate and Graduate underrepresented minorities has also “Tobacco use” includes not only Institute decided to include fines smoke exposure.” Admissions Paul Marthers. decreased, dropping to 8.1 percent, smoking tobacco through a ciga- in the enforcement procedures after While praising the tobacco- The class was selected from yet from last year’s 9.5 percent last year. rette, cigar, pipe, or other device, receiving feedback from faculty, free initiative’s ability to improve another record-breaking group of Additionally, the average SAT score but also the use of chewing or staff, and students, said Powell. campus health, Hunt stated that, 13,466 applicants, a 9 percent increase for enrolled students is 1363, up from smokeless tobacco. When asked what specific actions “What becomes difficult with from 2009, and a 142 percent increase 1354 last year and 1320 in 2005. 66 The policy will be enforced would be taken after the third of- this new policy is enforcement. from 2005. This year has also seen a 1 percent of enrolled students are in through the use of “progressive fense, Powell said, “It is difficult to As written in HR Policy Guide percent increase in women enrolling, the top 10 percent of their graduating corrective actions,” according to respond to a ‘what if’ offense. The 800.3 ‘Tobacco Use,’ enforce- bringing the total to 28 percent female. class, up from 61 percent last year. Vice President of Human Resources intent is not to punish violators, but ment is vague and amorphous. “Once again, the freshman class With these increases in academics, Curtis Powell. These disciplinary to assist such violators with profes- I will be working with HR to is comprised of very bright students however, come increases in financial actions are “verbal counseling and sional assistance that is meant to hopefully develop more ad- with a special interest in discovery, in- burden. The tuition discount rate is education about the health effects improve their quality of life.” equately defined enforcement novation, and interdisciplinary study,” down to 41.3 percent versus last year’s of tobacco use” on the first offense; Some students, such as Grand guidelines so that no students are exclaimed Marthers. 43.6 percent and 2005’s 52 percent. written warnings on the second; a Marshal co-terminal student Ben met with surprising penalties.” “When I [got] accepted by RPI, I Overall, the Class of 2014 has an monetary fine or community service Hunt ’10, have mentioned the To read the policy, visit http:// started to learn more and more about impressive background that raises on the third; and “other appropriate possibility of having specific areas rpi.edu/about/tobacco/index. it, and I fell more in love with it,” ex- the academic standards for incoming disciplinary actions in accordance of campus designated as smoking html. plained Fabian Hough ’14 about his classes at RPI. 2 • news Friday, July 16, 2010 the poly

Technology changes social networks

KANE HADLEY Staff Reporter

Around us is a world filled with connections and relations, and on May 4, 2010 Rensselaer opened the new Social and Cognitive Networks Academic Research Center to study these connec- tions using the network sciences. Network science encompasses a very general area: galaxies im- pacting each other, different parts of the human body interacting, communication networks, and more. Specifically, the Center is applying network science to social and cognitive networks. Claire & Roland Schmitt Distinguished Professor of Computer Science Bolek Szymanski, the Director of SCNARC, states that “in the Center, one of the very exciting things is that we are looking at something generally known as net- work science ... We look at any two nodes and ask how they interact so Ryan Baltazar/The Polytechnic in a sense we look at the connection THE SOCIAL AND COGNITIVE NETWORKS ACADEMIC RESEARCH CENTER STUDIES how people act in networks, and how between two nodes rather than at those networks are affected by technology. Picture, from left to right, are professor Gyorgy Korniss, postdoctoral research associate each node individually. And, there- Andrea Asztalos, professor Bolek Szymanski, and postdoctoral research associate Sameet Sreenivasan. fore, we see how these interactions Specifically for the Center, thought and how we behaved was large hurdle, as what may be ac- IBM plays a major role in study- behave and how these interactions he looks forward to how it may mainly dictated by what kind of ceptable in one culture may not ing organizational social networks impact the network.” explain how people act in various people lived around us” and that be acceptable in another, and it by supplying the data of more than In addition, Szymanski is inter- networks and how technology there was “enormous pressure is hard to make this distinction 300,000 employees over the world ested in where the boundaries of has enabled us to act this way by neighbors to conform—to be or to correct oneself when using using its own developed system. computers and other sciences meet and changed the way people act. similar.” With the Internet we can electronic communication. They will attempt to improve busi- to “build new tools which would He points out as an example that “interact with people who have In researching these problems, nesses by discovering how helpful then help scientists to do scien- “big tragedies in the past came similar interests to us” and keep RPI has partnered with IBM TJ or necessary mentors are, whether tific accomplishments.” Examples from the fact that people could not more ideas and interests alive than Watson Research Laboratory, having a large social network help or of his interdisciplinary perspec- communicate immediately,” like may have been in the past. Northeastern University, and hurt the workplace, and how many tive include his research with in the story of Romeo and Juliet. With new opportunities the City University of New managers are sufficient to keep a Professor Heidi J. Newberg from Many meetings may have been come new problems, however. York as well as collabora- company developing and growing. the Department of Physics, Applied missed when people did not know Szymanski acknowledges that tors from the Army Research While there are many networks Physics, and Astronomy to under- how to find or contact a person, these technologies also removes Laboratory, Massachusetts that want to advertise them- stand the structure of the Milky while today with cell phones and many important aspects used in Institute of Technology, New selves for popularity or business, Way from a computational perspec- the Internet we can “immediately person-to-person interactions. York University, University of there are also networks that tive and his research on helping see the face,” or if lost and trying Text communication has its dif- Maryland, Indiana University, would prefer to remain disguised. geologists rapidly exchange and to find each other we can “use ficulties with a lot of important Notre Dame University, and Szymanski feels it would be in- disseminate rock data between the cell phone and say that I am non-verbal communication re- Northwestern University. teresting and useful to discover each other without having to visit waiting by the station” along with moved. Tone of voice and facial The Center is currently par- these networks, whether they each site for their own samples. An other applicable situations. expressions that convey reactions ticipating in five large projects. be helpful local user groups or iPhone application that can check Szymanski continues to explain are no longer available, which They include social networks in violent groups that can endanger where samples are collected and that technology has enabled new has led to the creation of emoti- organizations, adversary and hid- the community. Different statisti- who collected those samples is networks to form that may not cons, demonstrating how neces- den networks, cognitive aspects of cal methods are being employed being developed and approved by have been able to exist before. sary expression is to interaction. networks, trust in networks, and the Apple for distribution. He says, “In the past what we Cultural differences create a dynamics of networks. See SCNARC, Page 4.

Tessier named Pew Scholar RPI receives stem cell research grant Professor awarded art grant

Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biological The Empire State Stem Cell Board of the New York Associate Professor of Electronic Arts Kathy High Engineering Peter M. Tessier was named a 2010 Pew Stem Cell Science Program awarded a $2.45 million grant has recently been named a fellow of the John Simon Scholar in Biomedical Sciences in June. The Pew to Principal Investigator and Director of Operations at the Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. She was awarded Scholars program provides funding to assistant profes- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies a one-year grant of $35,000 to support her project, The sors who have shown exceptional promise in the field of Glenn Monastersky. Vampire Study Group, which investigates concepts such as health and biomedical research. The award grants Tessier The purpose of the grant is to further enhance RPI’s life, death, and immortality, using various forms of media. $60,000 per year for four years. stem cell research programs in Biotech, such as the re- High was also an artist-in-residence at SymbioticA, Along with the Laboratory of Biological Interactions search Constellation in Functional Tissue Engineering a BioArt research center at the University of Western and Self-Assembly, Tessier has been researching causes and Regenerative Medicine, by creating a world-class Australia “dedicated to the research, learning, critique of protein misfolding and aggregation and how folding stem cell research center that will be widely available to and hands-on engagement with the life sciences,” accord- defects can be prevented. stem cell researchers in New York state. A portion of the ing to its website (http://www.symbiotica.uwa.edu.au/). “Our work on resveratrol is based on our interest in un- funds will specifically go toward finishing and equipping High has recently returned to SymbioticA for another derstanding the biological properties of different protein two spaces in the CBIS that will be “dedicated to stem cell residency in order to continue working on the projects conformations in diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease,” research, which requires extremely careful and intensive she has developed as part of The Vampire Study Group. Tessier stated. laboratory effort,” Monastersky said. High is also the founder of the 16-month BioArt RPI will also work with other sources of human stem cell In May 2010, a paper was published in the Journal Initiative at RPI, which began in March 2007. The pur- lines such as the National Institutes of Health and those at of Biological Chemistry, where lab members discussed pose of the initiative was to merge electronic arts and other upstate universities and research institutions. how an organic compound called resveratrol “selectively biotechnological research and examine research practices The research has applications in medicine, explained remodels” three of five protein conformers connected to Monastersky. “The basic research in stem cell science in a “cultural context.” Inspiration for the BioArt Initiative Alzheimer’s. that we envision will contribute to the future therapies came from the research and goals of SymbioticA, but and repair procedures for human disease and trauma.” additional models are being sought.

Serving the RPI Community Since 1885 the poly Friday, July 16, 2010 news • 3 ‘We are here as resources,’ explain deans MICHAEL CHU Staff Reporter

During your time at RPI, you’ll undoubtedly meet a lot of new faces that will aid you in learning and growing as a person. As part of the Clustered Learning, Advocacy, and Support for Students initiative, assistant deans have been selected to live in certain residence halls on campus for students to go to when- ever they need help of any kind. Below are short profiles of some of the people you might be living with; use them as brief introductions to get to know them a little bit better.

Christina Lowery Hometown: Gardiner, Maine Residence Hall: Hall Hall What she looks forward to doing as an assistant dean: “Building relationships with the ResLife staff.” If she could be any kind of fruit: I’d be a blueberry, because blueberries are sweet and they’re from Maine.

Randi Mogul Michael Chu/The Polytechnic Hometown: Latham, N.Y. RESIDENCE LIFE DEANS ADVISE freshmen to try new things. Pictured, from left to right: Mary Gleason, Shannon Hitchcock ’05, Residence Hall: Crockett Hall Randi Mogul, and Christina Lowery. What she looks forward to doing as an assistant dean: “I’m big on What she looks forward to doing Strawberry Shortcake, and I liked this is the second year that Blitman for freshmen: not to be frightened programs—hosting and going to as an assistant dean: “Being here her when I was younger.” has been open, “There [will be] a lot of failing. Try new things if they them,” Mogul remarked on doing in the beginning of the year for of improvements from before, since aren’t working out,” said Hitch- fun programs for her residents. everything,” as Gleason was not Shannon Hitchcock ’05 most the kinks have been worked out.” cock, elaborating on trying differ- If she could be any kind of fruit: around to see the start of the school Hometown: Lowville, N.Y. If she could be any kind of fruit: “I ent clubs or changing majors. “Strawberry—it’s my favorite.” year in 2009. Residence Hall: Blitman Residence think I’d be a raspberry, because they “Students don’t have to be afraid If she could be any kind of fruit: “A Commons are my favorite, and if you can’t be of us,” commented Gleason, as she Mary Gleason strawberry, because I have always What she looks forward to doing as an your own biggest fan, then who can?” talked about how students might Hometown: Clarence, N.Y. loved strawberries—they are one of assistant dean: “Spending time with think assistant deans are simply Residence Hall: Polytechnic my favorite fruits.” And if strawber- Blitman and connecting the building As for other things new students rule enforcers. “That’s not our jobs; Residence Commons ries were to be personified, “it’d be to the downtown community.” As should know? “The biggest thing we are here as resources.”

Deadline for Student Health Insurance Open Enro llment/W ai ver P eri od As applicable , all eli gible students need to ENROLL or WAIVE the student health insurance plan ANNUALLY at the beginning of EVERY academic year. This online process is completed at www.maksin.com/RPI.aspx More detailed information is available at studenthealth.rpi.edu.

The h ea lthi h insurance c harge CANNOT bidfSbe waived after Septemb b15er 15

Serving the RPI Community Since 1885 4 • news Friday, July 16, 2010 the poly SCNARC:

Former employees sue concrete road are capable of safely supporting RPI suspends P-cards Seven former RPI employees from among the weight of a fire truck. Following several allegations of theft, RPI Professor the 80 laid off in 2008 have filed a lawsuit “They’re asking us to put our firefighters 100 cancelled faculty and staff credit cards without against the Institute, claiming that they were feet in the air on plastic egg crate blocks,” said prior notice in early June. Faculty and staff were fired because of their age. The suit claims that Garrett. He has ordered firefighters not to of- informed of the cancellation through an e-mail explains 83 percent of the employees laid off were over fensively fight any fire that occurs in the VCC. from Chief Financial Officer Virginia Gregg. 40, while only 66 percent of those employed Vice President for Administration Claude The suspension of the cards has led to by RPI prior to the layoffs were that age. Rounds disputes Garrett’s claims about the some confusion and difficulty for those research The employees, according to the Times safety of the pavers—plastic grids filled with affected, who used the cards for everyday From Page 2. Union, will seek reinstatement of their jobs, gravel and sand and topped with sod, placed purchases and work-related travel. The back pay, seniority credit, and damages of an atop a base that is capable of handling 80,000 Institute is reviewing the program during to sift through the large sea of amount yet to be determined. pounds. According to Rounds, the pavers were the summer and should have more details interacting groups and attempt to According to Vice President for Strategic tested a few weeks ago; a fire truck drove on on how it will handle future purchasing in find these networks. Communications and External Relations the pavers and left a tire mark, but was stable. mid-August. In order for social networks to William Walker, however, the U.S. Equal Rounds is “very confident” in the engineering exist there must be some level Employment Opportunity Commission dis- of the pavers. Handbook undergoes revisions of trust between its members. missed the claims. He added that he felt the Additionally, the State of New York has The Dean of Students Office, working with Analyzing how this trust is formed employees were treated fairly and provided inspected the area and cited RPI for some mini- the Student Senate, has proposed changes to can give us insight into how net- with a “very liberal” severance package. mum class violations, including the existence some sections of The Rensselaer Handbook of works arise and how people who “Rensselaer acted in good faith, objectively, of a dead end. RPI submitted an improvement Rights and Responsibilities. The changes deal meet each other form a trust be- and provided the affected staff with salary and plan approved by the state that included the use primarily with the Institute’s ability to address tween themselves. Learning how benefits continuation, as well as career transi- of grass pavers, which they were implementing student misconduct off-campus, expanding this trust is formed will also enable tion support,” said Vice President for Human before the stop-work order was put in place. RPI’s right to pursue disciplinary action in us to know how we can facilitate Resources Curtis Powell. “I think that we presented a sound alterna- such circumstances. this trust and enable networks to tive [to the original access roads] in every The Senate is currently waiting on a response grow more quickly. Troy: stop work at VCC respect,” said Rounds. from the Institute counsel on the changes. Network dynamics takes a look The City of Troy has issued a stop-work According to the City Engineer Russ Reeves, To view the exact changes that have been at what the underlying rules of order on the access roads on the south side the stop-work order will be lifted when the area proposed to the Student Handbook, visit networks are. Knowing how trust is of the Vorhees Computing Center. The order reaches Garrett’s approval. “I want to make sure http://documents.studentsenate.rpi.edu/docu- formed and how to find networks is came because Fire Chief Tom Garrett does he is satisfied with whatever system is selected. ments/680. useful, but it still does not tell why not believe that the grass pavers that line the That is under his purview,” Reeves said. networks grow and disappear. The Center tries to apply an information and computation point of view and use models to find these answers. summer.rpi.edu College The last project the Center is Students involved with looks at the cogni- tive aspects of networks and how our limitations as human beings impact our network interactions. College life at Rensselaer con- Seeing how the mind works and tinues into the summer. Take how people approach a network expanded course offerings, Summer may help create more efficient and effective ways for people to be (including unique electives), involved in these networks. accelerate your time to degree @ It should be observed that sci- ence has taken a renewed interest completion, catch up on classes Rensselaer in these fields. “Today, often the you might have missed, and interactions are over the internet, cell stay on track to graduate with Catch Up, Keep Up, phones, over computer networks and therefore are somewhere recorded,” study abroad, research, co-ops, Get Ahead! and now, “All of a sudden we have and internships. We invite you enormous amount of information, scientifically objective information to stay on campus this summer about how people interact with each to Catch Up, Keep Up, and other,” says Szymanski. Get Ahead. When asked about the current role of students, both undergradu- ate and graduate, he notes that the Center is still fairly new with CREDIT COURSES SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES some spaces still being finished. While he plans to expand student Course Offerings Summer Financial Aid Job Openings for Current Rensselaer Rensselaer offers summer credit courses from Spending the Summer@Rensselaer is within Students involvement with URPs and letting all five schools – Architecture, Engineering, your reach with the Summer Student Tuition Need extra cash in the summer? Are you students design and participate in Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, the Assistance (STA). Summer financial aid is avail- staying on campus? Consider a summer job. experiments, right now there are Lally School of Management and Technology, able to full-time undergraduate Rensselaer stu- Summer job openings are available from only graduate students and two many offices around campus. Specific infor- and Science. For a list of courses, visit dents who qualify for need-based financial aid in post-doctoral researchers hired. He http://sis.rpi.edu. Discuss with your adviser how the upcoming fall/ spring academic year. Funds mation and applications for positions in Summer@Rensselaer can fit into your plan of are provided through a separate pool of funds Summer@Rensselaer programs are avail- emphasizes the importance of stu- study to “Catch up, Keep up, and Get ahead!” and are considered outside the maximum of eight able at http://summer.rpi.edu. dents in helping with this research semesters allowed for financial aid. Students due to the “generational gap” of the How to Register must apply for STA through the regular financial Undergraduate Research Programs “older people being less involved Current Rensselaer students register for summer aid process. For more information, contact the Summer undergraduate research programs in the same way as they do for fall and spring. Financial Aid office at [email protected]. include Summer Undergraduate Research with these new tools than younger All eligible, continuing Rensselaer students will Program (SURP), Primary Undergraduate people are. For example Twitter is be notified by e-mail as to when they can begin Housing and Dining Institute (PUI) Partnership Program, Rens- very popular among young people summer registration. Register for classes or find Students are welcome to live on or off campus. selaer Center for Open Software (RCOS), ... the older generation participates, the courses you want at http://sis.rpi.edu. Residence Life is the focus for student housing and Research Experience for Undergradu- but not as intensively.” programs related to living and dining at Rensse- ates Program (REU). Prospective, New and Visiting Students must laer. For more information, email res_life@ Looking to the future, apply and be admitted to Rensselaer in order to rpi.edu, call (518) 276-6284, or visit the Web Faculty-Led Short Term Study Abroad Szymanski “hopes to expand” register. Students interested in Rensselaer site at http://reslife.rpi.edu (summer housing Programs what the Center encompasses and degree programs should apply for matriculated information will be posted in March). Rensselaer faculty members are leading stu- status. Students interested in taking courses undertakes, because he believes dent travel groups to international destina- there are many “diverse issues of only should apply for non-matriculated status. tions for credit. Contact the Office of Inter- Applications should be completed at least two NRB INFO SESSION national Programs at (518) 276-3411 or social networks” that can “relate to weeks prior to registration. Visit the Web site http://undergrad.rpi.edu. other fields.” There are currently for application information. Thurs., August 26; DCC 318, 3:30 p.m. faculty members from various departments involved without 10 SUMMER WEB SITE We invite you to come to this session to learn faculty members representing five about Summer@Rensselaer. You will be able to meet Rensselaer students who have taken sum- departments and three schools in- Please visit the Summer@Rensselaer Web site mer courses, held a summer job on campus, par- volved without including the many at http://summer.rpi.edu for detailed informa- ticipated in summer undergraduate research pro- tion and program offerings, registration infor- collaborators at other institutions, grams and traveled on short term study abroad Academic Outreach Programs | (518) 276-8351 summer.rpi.edu mation, tuition and financial aid information, but this can increase eventually as programs. Free gifts to all students who attend! Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, housing, Rensselaer Community Activities needed since networks are general 110 8th Street, Troy, NY 12180-3590 USA (RCA), and other resources. and ubiquitous.

Serving the RPI Community Since 1885 the poly Friday, July 16, 2010 dictionary • 5 The (almost) all-inclusive dictionary of Rensselaer terms As you start your academic career at the ’Tute, it will not be long before you have to pull your first all-nighter, but before you do, you will want to make a Chopper run. Afterward, you’ll hope the God of Partial Credit is kind. If you’re coming to RPI, you have to know the slang. The Poly staff doesn’t want any freshmen to be at a social disadvantage, so here’s a list of words you can start using today.

all-nighter—A studying rampage in which a student If not, good luck to you here at RPI. Rath, the—The Rathskellar. This is the lower tries to learn four weeks of material before dawn. GM—Grand Marshal, leader of the student body. level of the Rensselaer Union which features the Approach, the—For many years, this was the The GM is elected during GM Week, presides over the bookstore, Mother’s, Father’s, and other sources primary route to and from downtown, until it was Student Senate, and is the students’ link to the admin- of entertainment and food. allowed to fall into disrepair. It has since been istration. Currently, co-terminal student Ben Hunt ’10. RCS—Rensselaer Computing System. The net- renovated. See Communiversity. GM Week—The week in spring when classes are work of UNIX and Windows workstations around Archie—(pronounced “ark-ee”) An architecture often cancelled to celebrate the election of new campus. Source of countless hours of both useful student.flunking Look for them in their natural habitat, the student leadership (andin a good excuse to party). and wasted time. Greene Building. God of Partial Credit—The deity responsible for recursion—See also recursion. back test—A test from a previous year which is you not getting an entire six-part, 50-point question RensSearch—The library’s online catalog of used as study material even though it is nothing completely wrong when you added “2” and “3” and books and journals. like the test you are preparing for. Beware ... See got “6” instead of “5” in the very first line. RIBS—Ratio-Induced Bitch Syndrome. This is also test files. grad—A student who is pursuing a master’s de- the ever-so-lovely term coined to describe some Biotech—The shorter name for the Center for gree or a Ph.D. in some curriculum. Many did their RPI females. Supposedly, the surplus of males Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies. This undergraduate work at RPI and have been here a turns females into mean teases. is the fancy glass building that is primarily open long, long time. robust—A virtually meaningless word that is used to biology and chemistry researchers. greek—A member of a fraternity or sorority; often to describe many, many things at RPI. See CLASS. Black Saturday—A hockey season tradition mistaken as a person from Greece. ROTC—(pronounced “rot-see”) Reserve Officer where black clothing is mandatory. This was in- hockey line—A line around the Union which is Training Corps. The people who dress in uniform troduced a few years ago as another school spirit created every fall to get the best season hockey on Tuesdays so they can serve our country every game similar to Big Red Freakout!, where the tickets. It is much like sleeping outside for concert day after graduation. crowd must make as much noise as possible. Nor- tickets except for the actual length of time—the RPInfo—RPI’s own home page for students. mally Black Friday, this season is an exception. therecord is around 157.4Pub days. From it, you can access everything you’ve ever bullet—Former logo of RPI. Basically, “RPI” horseshoe—The no-parking area in front of the wanted to know about RPI but didn’t really care inside a circle. Union where students park while waiting for other enough to ask. Chopper run—An excursion to a Price Chopper students before leaving campus. RPI TV—This is the official television station on (also known as “the Chopper”) to buy food or house—Short for either a fraternity or sorority campus. Broadcasts include the Student Senate beverages. house or the fraternity or sorority itself. meetings and some hockey games. CLASS—Clustered Learning, Advocacy, and independent—Any non-greek-affiliated student. rush—This is when all the fraternities and sorori- Support for Students. This recently introduced and See also greek. ties go around campus inviting people to join their robust student life initiative requires sophomores IPAC—Information and Personal Assistance houses. Since food is usually served at rush events, to live on campus, among other things. Center. A place to call when you need to know it is possible to survive the first month of the fall Clubhouse, the—The pub in the Union, at which where your final is the next day or how many semester without ever walking into the Commons. beer, wine, and snacks are served to those over 21. stairs there are on campus. You can reachRIBS them at See also greek. See also the Pub. 276-6636. SIS—Self-Service or Student Information System. Commons, the—The main dining hall on campus. LA—Learning Assistant. A student housed in a The website that knows more about you than you The food changes when parents and prospective dorm as an in-house tutor. know about you. This is where students check their students aren’t near campus. lab—The non-lecture portion of a class where accounts, register for classes, and wait hours for Communiversity—The clever combination of students learn to make mistakes “hands-on.” Alter- their professors to post grades. “community” and “university.” Basically, RPI tries natively, the place where grads spend the majority sustainability—A fancy way to say “going green,” to interact with the citizens of Troy by luring them of their waking (and often, non-waking) lives. this term was popularized by the Student Sustain- in with food and games. eLMS—Learning Management System, or flawed ability Task Force, a group of long-haired hippies curve—The phenomenon that lets your grade online website. that sprang up a few years ago. of 20 out of 100 points become a passingv grade loop, endless—See endless loop. S&W—Statler & Waldorf, the fortnightly campus thanks to those people who cut more than you. McNeil Room—This refers to the central lounge magazine. Known for its humor, the youthful pub- Diffy-Screw—Introduction rto Differential and dining area on the second floor of the Union. lication shares a suite with The Poly. Equations, occasionally called DiffEQ. This is a great place to study, and there are often TA—Teaching Assistant. Unfortunate graduate downtown—The part of Troy just down the hill concerts and cultural shows during the weekend. student who speaks a foreign tongue and is forced from RPI, which is home to many students as well Northway, the—Interstate 87 north of Albany. to teach undergrads in English. as the location of many bars.u See the Thruway. test files—An archive of old tests and homework ECAV—East Campus Athletic Village. The ex- NRB—Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond. This assignments kept in storage by most sororities and pansion of RPI’s athletic facilities. is essentially the second portion of orientation in fraternities. Independents can access the one kept Electronic Carillon Systemc —Class Gift of the which students participate in specialized activities, by the co-ed service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega Class of 2008, this system sits atop the Union and like our Poly Press Pass. in Union Room 3420. See also back test. chimes the hour, reminding late students to scurry Pizza Bella—The frequently visited pizza estab- Thruway, the—Interstate 87 south of Albany off to class. It plays the alma mater at noon. lishment on College Ave. Now called Big Apple and Interstate 90 west of Albany; runs from the EMPAC—Experimental Media and Performing Pizzeria, the former name, Pizza Bella, is still used Pennsylvania border, hangs a right at Albany, and Arts Center. This is the huge building coming by most students. into New York City. out of the hillside that plays host to some of the Players—RPI’s lively group of actors. They have Troylet—A resident of the city of Troy, usually weirdest shows you’ll ever see. performances in the fall and spring at the Play- used in reference to the students of the high school endless loop—See loop, endless. house, located near the footbridge. across Burdett Avenue who creep onto campus. Father’s—Father’s Marketplace. This is the con- Poly, The—The campus newspaper. You’re read- ’Tute—An affectionate abbreviation of our school, venience store in the Union where students go to ing it right now. The place to find all the news Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. stock up on snacks before an all-nighter. Don’t be you need to know as well as your weekly doses ’Tute Screw—A screw that goes in no matter surprised when the staff calls you by name. of Dilbert, the Top Ten, and the Incident Blotter. which way you turn it. Also used to refer to being Flex Dollars—Formerly referred to as Bonus PU—President of the Union. This person, elected screwed by the Institute. Bucks, this money is built into the meal plans to by the student body during GM Week, is the Big Union, the Rensselaer—The square building give students a break from the dining halls. These Kahuna when it comes Troyletto matters of the Union. located on 15th Street. Considered the “center of can be used at the Rath, as well as the cafés. Currently, Mike Spitz ’11. campus life,” you may be pulling all-nighters there. flunking in—To secure one’s stay at RPI with Pub, the—The Clubhouse Pub in the Union. Lo- UPAC—The Union Programs and Activities grades too low to transfer elsewhere. cation on campus where you are likely to find the Committee. The group that brings all of the the fountain—Also known as the waterfall, this is grad who is the TA for your lab. comedians, movies, lecturers, folk singers, and a fountain behind the Commons that is only turned Puckman—Famed official mascot of RPI Ice McNeil Room concerts to RPI. on when parents are visiting, probably because it Hockey. Essentially a hockey puck with arms, legs, wind tunnel—The stretch of walkway that you breaks every time it is used. a hard hat, and a sense of humor. Can be found will transit every day on your way to classes. Freakout!, Big Red—The highlight of the hockey at the Houston Field House during home hockey This breezy stretch sits next to the Jonsson season where red is mandatory and the Engineers games as well as at various events on campus. Engineering Center. On a good day, you can try to clobber and embarrass the opponent. RA—Resident Assistant. These people serve as hear the wind howling through the columns from freshman 15—The oftentimes inevitable weight managers, supervisors, and buddies to the dorm halfway across campus. gain exhibited by freshmen. residents—that would be you. WRPI—(pronounced “Whir-Pee”) The campus FYE—The Office of the First-Year Experience. RAD—Rensselaer Advantage Dollars. These are radio station where you can listen to just about If you are a freshman and you are reading this, similar to Flex Dollars, but the RAD can be used anything, and we really mean anything. chances are you have heard of them once or twice. to eat at Pizza Bella or Ben & Jerry’s. Serving the RPI Community Since 1885 p o l Friday, y EDITORIAL July 16, 2010 Editor’s Corner Print remains relevant in Discussion repairs relations technological news world I was pleasantly surprised to read the following in the principle to heart and we’ll see more interaction between Opinion section of The Troy Record: the administration and students, faculty, and staff this Unsurprisingly, we at The Poly are pretty avid fans “It’s incredible what [President Shirley Ann Jackson]’s coming academic year. There have been some sore spots of newspapers. We feel that newspapers are still an done in the decade she’s been in Troy and she just signed between the administration and the other community important part of our society and contain much valu- on for another decade’s worth of work so it will get nothing groups, but I firmly believe that the best way to fix that is able information. but better. RPI is an institution with world wide reach and through communication. People need to feel listened to; Campus newspapers tend to be underrated. In today’s her tenure has done nothing but make it more so.” they want to be assured that policy-makers are consider- communication age, it is fairly easy to feel inundated The relationship between Troy and RPI has been un- ing their perspective when making decisions. This holds by the sheer amount of immediately available content comfortably strained for the three years I’ve true with all decisions that affect our commu- one can come in contact with, from television to print been here, so such a laudatory comment from nity, big and small: CLASS, the tobacco-free media to blogs and streaming video. But there is some- The Record threw me for a loop. What caused policy, research overhead funds, changes to thing decidedly unique about the campus newspaper, them to praise Jackson as they did? the academic calendar, and so forth. especially in comparison to the local or national one. She talked with them. She didn’t have a Jackson and her cabinet have been very ac- First, campus newspapers are intended for a very spokesman talk to them; she didn’t send a cessible to student leaders over the past year, specific audience, primarily students and other mem- press release. She just sat down with them and and we’re all very appreciative of that. The rest bers of the school community, such as faculty and staff. answered their questions. of the student body, however, is a little more Second, campus newspapers can serve as a link to the “[Jackson]’s actually not a bad person to talk disconnected. The semesterly Pizza with the community outside the school, featuring local events— to,” continued James V. Franco of The Record. Kelly Cabinet is a fantastic mechanism for direct after all, being on a college campus does not isolate us “After sitting down with her for the first time, Lottman communication between students and adminis- from being part of the surrounding area. Third, campus it’s a shame she doesn’t come down off the Editor in Chief trators; however, Jackson is not present at these newspapers are usually student-run, serving as a voice hill more often and talk to real people. Maybe stop in at events. While it’s a great idea to have the cabinet present, as independent from the official media publications put out Francesca’s or Arnet’s or the South End Tavern or Holmes Pizza with the President could sometimes put undue focus by a college’s PR bureau. They often serve as a second- and Watson for lunch and/or dinner. Mix it up with the on Jackson, it would be nice for students to have the op- ary form of communication with alumni or parents to people who also call Troy home.” portunity for face-to-face conversation with their president. keep them updated on current events. I was impressed to see Jackson take this step, which Even more distant than students, however, are the Newspapers are more than just news or entertain- could go a long way toward repairing RPI’s relationship faculty. Faculty members I’ve talked to recently reiterate ment. They offer a medium to feature events or express with Troy. The Institute does so much for Troy that doesn’t a common theme: they don’t feel like the administra- one’s opinion, all in a professional manner. Campus get publicized, and Fire Chief Tom Garrett’s criticism just tion listens to their concerns. While most universities newspapers hold to the same codes of journalism as keeps getting louder and louder. Taking the time to meet exhibit some amount of tension between the faculty and any other paper, and intend to objectively present a The Record for lunch and go over a number of controver- the administration, it seems rather exaggerated at RPI as story as truthfully and thoroughly as possible. However, sial issues sent a signal that Jackson and the school as a of late. The disbanding of the faculty senate left many they are written and edited by students, who are un- whole care about Troy. It demonstrates a willingness to be professors feeling as though they’d been cut off, as if they afraid to be critical when necessary and give praise accessible, to answer questions, and to be held account- no longer had input into how their school was run. They where praise is due. After all, the campus newspaper able for actions. And it took some guts—public opinion no longer have a formal voice, and most rarely interact is more than just an ideal picture of campus life pre- of RPI in Troy can be extreme, and Jackson becomes with the administration. How can this group, so critical sented in a pretty booklet. It is current, relevant, and the focus point for all the frustrations. The more face-to- to the Institute’s ability to function and, in fact, thrive, made for you by your peers. face interaction Jackson and her staff have with the city, communicate their concerns and needs to the higher-ups? Campus newspapers exist to keep you informed though, the less likely we are to be seen as “snooty college If Jackson and Provost Robert Palazzo—or simply the and involved in the world you’re part of for these four professor[s],” as Franco put, in our ivory tower on the hill. president and her cabinet as a whole—were to reach out years. So don’t be afraid to pick up a paper and find While I like the idea of Jackson visiting Troy citizens, to the faculty for a discussion on recent Institute affairs, out what’s going on. Keep yourself in the know. as Franco suggests, I also hope to see more of that within I’m sure they’d be received with open arms. As The Troy RPI. In her editorial on page 7, Jackson discusses the Record’s opinion section has shown, a willingness to meet benefits of old-fashioned social networking and encour- and talk openly about problems can do wonders to improve ages face-to-face interaction. Hopefully she’ll take that a rocky relationship. the rensselaer Editorial Notebook polytechnic Dear 2014: Do work. Rock on. Growing up, my parents always I sent out job applications here watch TV at work. Inconveniently, Box 35, Rensselaer Union, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180-3590 placed a lot of emphasis on spending and there, I called in favors and con- they only play one DVD, so I end up Editor in Chief time with family. My summers were nections. For every form I filled out watching the same three episodes for Kelly Lottman spent visiting family, extended family, that asked me, curiously, why I was eight hours straight. [email protected] friends, and otherwise vacationing. seeking employment there, I wrote I’ve made a lot of friends, though; There was no time to do anything “INCOME” in order to be the most like Fran, the cashier who taught me Editorial Board other than visit and socialize and do honest. And it worked. I got a job. how to calm down angry custom- Senior Managing Editor Sara Melikian [email protected] things with family. I generally came Working at a retail store is not bad ers and how to use a register, and Managing Editor Josh Eason [email protected] out of it so tired that going back to as far as jobs go. Every morning they Carmen, who tells me about all Managing Editor T.J. Lipscomb [email protected] Contributing Editor Sarah Hulse [email protected] school was a relief. hold a store meeting in the back to sorts of superstitions and swears Contributing Editor Julia Van Cleve [email protected] This all changed once I started col- motivate the employees, who are she’s quitting every night. There’s de facto News Editor Kelly Lottman [email protected] Business Manager Evan Weinberg [email protected] lege. The summer after my freshman called associates because everyone John, the cart guy who checks up de facto Features Editor Josh Eason [email protected] year, I decided it was high time for has a share in the company. The on me and says hi every night; de facto Sports Editor Sara Melikian [email protected] me to be a responsible adult and that meeting always ends with the store Mike, the other cart guy who saw Editorial/Opinion Editor Zuzanna Naumowicz [email protected] Copy Editor Lea Sidoti [email protected] the best use of my time would be to cheer. “Gimme an L!” someone the Hannah Montana exhibit and Photography Editor Ryan Baltazar [email protected] take summer classes. So I spent my yells, and we all drone back the nec- promptly curled up into a fetal posi- Associate Copy Editor Adam Tetelman [email protected] summer days in lecture and in lab, and essary letter. “Gimme a squiggly!” tion in the middle of the floor; and Graphics Director Michael Chu [email protected] came home at night to tearful parents and then everyone does some kind Louis, whose first words to me were besot by nostalgia. “It’s just like it was of shimmy. It is inspiring to watch. “Welcome to the family!” Coordinators before you left home,” my parents de- The company is also very family So, my point: You might not know News Coordinator Erica Sherman [email protected] clared frequently, and I began to worry oriented. They are very keen on the what you’re doing with your time this Copy Coordinator Graham Mohlo [email protected] that they might get used to this sort of customer getting everything they summer. Maybe you’re like me and Systems Coordinator David Brigada [email protected] thing. So I made it easier on them and need and like to remind them in case you’re working a job you might not Production Staff: Max Cane, Leroy Cone, James Fagan, Kerry Flynn, spent as much of my following breaks they forgot anything by suggesting have wanted at first, or maybe you’re and Matt Nebel. away from home as I could. items on their TVs. They announce trying to get a head start on classes.

The Rensselaer Polytechnic is published weekly, except during holiday and examination periods, by the This summer, however, I soon things like “It’s already grilling sea- Maybe you’re spending time with students of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as authorized by the Rensselaer Union. The first two copies realized that while responsibility in son, so remember to pick up ketchup family, or maybe you’re vacationing of each issue are free of charge to members of the community; subsequent copies cost $1.00 apiece. Opinion pieces in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the views of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute academia was all well and good, I for your burgers!” Before I began my yourself to exhaustion. or the Rensselaer Union. All submitted material becomes the property of The Rensselaer Polytechnic. The Editorial Board reserves the right to edit for reasons of space, clarity, libel, or style, and to compose suddenly had financial strains on me career in retail, I did not know that But whatever you’re doing, enjoy it. headlines for all articles printed. “Letters to the Editor” must be typed, signed, and less than 500 words that my parents could no longer help “grilling” was a season. Now, I know. Be generous with your time, and pa- in length. “My Views” must be typed, signed, and between 500 and 700 words in length. The telephone number of the author is required for letter verification. All letters are due by 5 pm on the Friday prior with, and summer classes were not The latest display is a Hannah tient with the people you meet. They to publication, and can be sent in a Word document attachment via e-mail to [email protected]. Views expressed in opinion columns provide differing viewpoints to help balance the newspaper and an option. What had seemed like a Montana setup, where they’ve de- might just be your new family. And do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Editorial Board. These opinion columns, other than those small fortune of a few hundred dol- cided to play DVDs of the show as my good friend Hannah Montana’s granted to certain student government organizations, are granted on a semesterly or yearly basis by the Editorial Board. Those interested in starting a column should e-mail [email protected] for details. lars, good for meals and textbooks to remind customers to buy DVDs been telling me, “Life’s what you Editorial and Business offices are located in Room 3418 of the Rensselaer Union, Troy, New York, 12180-3590. Subscription and advertising rates can be forwarded upon request. Subscriptions are sent for months and months, had rapidly and clothes for their little girls. make it, so let’s make it rock.” via first class mail. Address correction requested. trickled away and been drained by Conveniently, the TV is set up across So rock on, 2014, and welcome to rent and bills. I needed to work. from my department, so I get to the family. the poly Friday, July 16, 2010 opinion • 7 President’s Corner President encourages ‘face-to-face’ interaction A handshake, a pat on the back, and breaking bread together talents, skills, and interests in an ad hoc manner. Most notably the Sophomore-Year Experience—with 100 percent of the may seem a little old-fashioned in a world of texting, blogging, the Atrium in the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary students either living on campus or in one of our signatory and tweeting, but interacting face-to-face is the oldest kind of Studies attracts a variety of people from our community in a greek houses. Our retention rates are already strong, but we social networking, and it really has not gone out of style. way that encourages conversations that I believe will become believe this added commitment to supporting face-to-face Rensselaer certainly takes online relationships seriously. the basis for the next generation of world-shaping ideas. community within Rensselaer will pay off for our students In fact, our leadership in developing the Semantic Students know their classes are apt to encourage in myriad ways as they go through the years here—certainly Web, which will connect people with knowledge them to work in teams that, because they deal with academically, but also because they can get the help they need, more effectively by including the meaning of real world problems, draw upon people with differ- and they are appreciated within a caring community. data, has gotten a lot of attention lately. Tetherless ent capabilities and forge unexpected and valuable The friendships our students make and the relationships they World Senior Constellation Professor James new social networks. One of our students pointed nurture will stay with them long after they have graduated. But Hendler, in particular, has been recognized for out that this is captured in an immediate way by our even more important—and this is a priority and a value with his contributions to data.gov. clubs. On any given weekend you can walk across Rensselaer—our students get opportunities every day to listen But face-to-face social networking—bringing campus and be welcomed by clubs that are doing a to, to learn about, and to come to understand people with very together our talented people to share their knowl- Shirley Ann variety of things—the Pakistani Students Association different backgrounds and worldviews. They develop skills edge and understanding of different disciplines, to Jackson, Ph.D. sharing its music, Black Student Alliance holding in establishing trust across cultures—skills that are essential work together on new ideas and to have fun—is Institute President a fashion show, or members of our fraternities or both for exploring new domains of knowledge and for building an area of intense interest and investment within sororities engaged in philanthropic activities, such camaraderie and friendship. Rensselaer. If you look across the student body, you will find as fundraising or community service. Our kind of social networking is only enhanced by the people from 42 states and 60 different countries. We put an The first-year students who just joined us already know new tools that everyone is so excited about. They are rein- emphasis on diversity here because it expands the horizons of the efforts we put in to develop ways for people to get to know vigorating face-to-face community building so that connec- our community. Our Experimental Media and Performing Arts each other. They will find it moves to a higher level as building tions at Rensselaer are just as innovative and productive as Center provides a platform for working in an interdisciplinary community continues during the academic year through the the latest application on the Internet. We are excited about manner, because it is in these border regions that some of the First-Year Experience. Resident faculty, peer help, and orga- what this will mean in terms of this new year and all we best innovations and insights come to life. nized activities are just part of how their class will be supported. do together. We welcome back those who are already part As you stroll across our campus, you will find many spaces This year, our sophomores will see their relationships of our community, and we embrace those joining us from that are designed to bring together people who have different continue to build as they become our first class to engage in the Class of 2014. Top Hat Rensselaer among few with smoke-free campus You finally have time to go out and became effective July 1. Remember current as of July 2010 and listed or follow. I imagine that someday develop more adequately defined see a movie, the only tests you have our previous policy? There was to 249 colleges, including RPI, that in the future all of our competing enforcement guidelines so that no are in your nightmares, the sun stays be no smoking within 25 feet of are completely tobacco-free. I also institutions will have signed on to students are met with surprising pen- up for so long and your days so full a residence hall and smoking was found a document from the American such a program. I think it is more of alties. Maybe there will be a specific that you don’t feel guilty going to permitted anywhere else outside of Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation a case of when, not if, this initiative three strike policy or the like before bed at 9 pm, and you trade personal campus buildings. But the policy did titled U.S. Colleges and Universities will become ubiquitous. So why not any fine or more stringent punish- freedom and nagging for free rent by not work well, as cigarette smoke with Smoke-free Air Policies. This lead the way? ment. Invariably people will breach living with your parents: welcome moved into dorm rooms document cites 420 institu- July 1 also marked the completion the policy, so I’d like as much feed- to summer! You now have soaked and classrooms and stu- tions that have smoke-free of a “double whammy” on smok- back as possible as we acclimate. If up—literally and figuratively—al- dents smoked on the steps campuses, but that may ers. Effective July 1, the N.Y. State you have a story, positive or negative, most half of your summer vacation. of Sage Labs. Ultimately, allow some tobacco prod- Legislature passed an excise tax on about the new policy, or just want For some that means you can’t wait I wasn’t going to die in- ucts. In a nutshell, there is a cigarettes of an additional $1.60 per to send a comment my way, e-mail to get back to start your fall semester haling a bit of this smoke precedent for such a policy pack that will bring prices up to an me at [email protected]—disclaimer: I at RPI, and for others, you are having as I walked past, but it as we now have, yet with average of $9.20 per pack—the high- save all comments or opinions of too much fun enjoying freedom and certainly wasn’t pleasant. over 2,500 colleges in the est price anywhere in the country. any type on a running excel file. To your less rigid summer schedule. I am also aware that some country (including com- Admittedly I’ve never been a learn more about the policy itself and Regardless, enjoy it for what it is; students have asthma, with munity colleges), we are smoker, so I can’t begin to un- read FAQs, visit http://www.rpi.edu/ someday a three month long vaca- some being extremely Ben still part of a unique group. derstand the physical and mental about/tobacco/index.html. tion period will be unfathomable. allergic to smoke. I’m of Hunt What really surprised ramifications of this new policy. But I want to close with a bit of per- I sincerely hope your summer the belief that although me about these lists was realistically, tobacco users now just spective: did you know that Brigham Grand Marshal finds you well as you flip through we now sacrifice some that I didn’t find one have to wander a bit farther, a slight Young University of Utah does not this special summer edition of The personal liberties, we will of our peer or aspirant inconvenience. I can’t think of any- sell caffeinated beverages on campus? Poly. I last left off writing to you see an overall healthier community colleges anywhere. That is, RPI where on campus that is more than Imagine no energy drinks! Imagine in mid-May. Well, it is now mid- and this new policy will work for the regularly benchmarks itself against 100 yards from a public sidewalk. studying with no caffeine! Now let’s July and there have been some greater good. “market basket” colleges with The one thing about this new policy count our blessings and embrace what breakthroughs on campus, but in To fully understand the new pol- which we compete—MIT, Yale, that bothers me is the vague nature will soon be a healthier campus. particular I’d like to talk about the icy, I did some research on the sub- Carnegie Mellon, etc ... but none of the enforcement. All community new campus smoking policy. ject. I first found a document from were to be found on any of these members are to police the policy. Editor’s note: The current policy is A few weeks ago you received an the American Lung Association lists. What I like about this is that Also, “monetary fines” have not been to only fine tobacco users after a e-mail from Vice President of Human called Colleges and Universities it shows some progressive think- rule out as enforcement. How will third offense. Read “Tobacco-free Resources Curtis Powell about the with 100 percent Tobacco-Free ing on behalf of RPI and a desire fines be levied? I will be working policy begins” on page 1 for more tobacco-free campus initiative that Campus Policies. This document is to lead, not necessarily emulate with Human Resources to hopefully information. Derby Union offers club choices to enhance experience Hello everyone! Some of you may be here $8.9 million budget, impacting everything I recommend three kinds of organizations. (the budgetary club that oversees the $8.9 mil- over the summer for summer courses, research, from clubs and athletics to study and fitness Choose one activity you have learned in the lion budget), please send me an e-mail as well. an internship, a regular job, or just hanging facilities. There are over 180 active clubs and past, one new activity you have always wanted Aside from my role as President of the around Troy. Or you might be an incoming organizations on campus, and each to do, and also one activity purely on Union, I am also a Student Orientation freshman that is here for Student Orientation. does its part to bring fun events a whim of spontaneity that you see Coordinator with the Office of First- So let me say first, “Welcome Class of 2014!” and opportunities to relieve the during the Activities Fair. Year Experience. My co-coordinator, You are about to embark on a journey that will stressful lives of RPI students. And don’t fret if you try some- Megan Banko, and I are really excited help you grow intellectually and personally On Thursday, September 2, dur- thing you do not like. College is for Orientation and have been working as you achieve a great academic background, ing the first week of classes, the all about finding who you are as extremely hard and long hours into the all in the good company of newfound friends. Rensselaer Union will host the an- a person and change is simply a night since the beginning of the summer During your schooling at RPI, you will come to nual Activities Fair in the Armory. part of that process. You might find assisting with preparing for Orientation. At realize how fundamental the Rensselaer Union I highly suggest stopping by to get yourself trying new clubs, dropping the time of writing this article, the Student is to student life. a glimpse at all the organizations Mike or adding classes, changing majors, Orientation Advisor staff has arrived just The Rensselaer Union is the central hub available. You will be able to sign switching advisors, making friends, yesterday to begin their extensive train- for student activities outside of the class- up to an e-mail list for each club Spitz and even changing your tastes for ing. We are teaching them all about RPI rooms. Remember, you are attending college without commitment. Feel free to President of food. In all of this change, just and getting them ready for the arrival of to experience as well as learn. Rensselaer’s learn about as many clubs as you the Union remember to be active. What’s the the incoming students. At Orientation you extracurricular activities and athletics are like; it is an opportunity for everyone worst that can happen? should have all your Rensselaer questions very unique, largely because the body which to be involved, be it in a cultural, publication, If you have any questions about RPI as a answered. If you feel like you still have oversees them, the Rensselaer Union, is service, performing arts, political, or sports whole or the Union in particular, please feel free questions, e-mail me as well. entirely student run. Students ultimately club on campus. However, when deciding what to e-mail me at [email protected]. Oh, and if you are With that said, I hope everyone enjoys the have the final say about the spending of an clubs to actually commit to for the semester, interested in joining the Union Executive Board rest of their summer. See you all in the Fall! Serving the RPI Community Since 1885 p o

l Friday, yFEATURES July 16, 2010 When in Rome, do as the RPI students

CARA RIVERSO the Vatican City or Colosseum is only a 10 Senior Reporter minute walk from class is a somewhat in- comprehensible experience the first couple My bet is that maybe 10 students on weeks that you’re here. Being able to absorb campus know about RPI’s International a new culture and language at the same time Scholars Program, which is now in its third as seeing firsthand some of the renewable year of existence. Though the program is energy technologies that Italy has imple- nearly unheard of on campus, I was lucky mented is the experience of a lifetime. enough to find out about it right before Unlike typical study abroad, the educa- graduating (without any real plans follow- tion isn’t much of a culture shock since the ing May 29). So, what better way to follow professors are from RPI and it’s not a class up an RPI undergraduate education than at an international school; however, the trick with a graduate one? lies in managing your time between being Now what, you ask, is ISP? Well, it is in a new place and wanting to explore and a 10-week summer semester run through still making sure to get the massive amounts Rensselaer at Hartford. During the pro- of homework done. gram, students and RPI professors travel Now, I don’t mean to scare everyone abroad and experience the course materials when I say we spend most of our time firsthand, in addition to having lectures and working—we do occasionally escape the discussions in the typical classroom set- confines of the classroom and homework. ting. Students have a choice of two tracks In the first weekend in Rome, many of us to study while abroad: Global Management saw the typical tourist sites that are on or Energy Systems. The Management track everyone’s list, such as the Colosseum, focuses on building business relationships Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Vatican in the context of globalization and inter- City. The second weekend was spent in national markets; delivering goods and the North of Italy; after a set of lectures services in cross border business relation- in Milan, we were free to travel, if we so ships; and macroeconomics in dealing with chose to. Though much of the group took international exchange rates, monetary and the train to Florence, a trio of us decided to fiscal policy, and trade. Meanwhile, the visit Lake Como; it’s so close to the Swiss Energy Systems track focuses on the latest border, you can see the Alps on a clear day. renewable energy technologies, develop- The trip was a lot of fun, though I didn’t ing sustainable business practices, and get to stake out George Clooney’s villa as discovering what kind of energy policies I had hoped. and regulation exists in various countries. Another culturally enriching experience (Those who would like more information was watching the World Cup. The game was on the ISP program may visit http://www. played in many restaurants and pubs across ewp.rpi.edu/isp/) the city, and people even gather around And something I kind of glossed over be- outside hoping to catch a glimpse of the fore: students are taking these classes while Courtesy of Cara Riverso score. Being surrounded by people from all spending four weeks in Rome, followed by WHILE STUDYING classes abroad, students will have the opportunity to visit his- over the world that are brought together by another four weeks in Shanghai. Now, don’t torical areas and experience the culture of another country first-hand. the game gives you a firsthand view on the get any ideas that this is just a sight-seeing way soccer (or “futbol” over here) has some trip; we are kept busy from 9 am–4:30 pm technologies, concepts, and policies. The Buy, while the energy students work with crazy fans abroad; I’ve never seen such a with classes Monday through Thursday and takeaways from class are ideas we can actu- the Joint U.S.-China Collaboration for show of national pride! It was sad, however, have plenty of homework. In addition, Energy ally use in the real world instead of just an Clean Energy (or JUCCCE). Though each to see the Italian population so devastated Systems students have weekly visits to indus- abstract concept, providing a perfect follow- team has a different assignment within at their loss to Slovakia. try sites, such as the Alessandro Volta power up to a very theoretical undergraduate edu- each project, all the companies provide But now that our time is dwindling in Italy plant, Sunray Photovoltaic facility, or Gamesa cation. Many of our professors come from students the opportunity to contribute to a and we’re getting used to our patterns (mine Wind Farm, while Global Management stu- industry and thus provide valuable insight worthwhile project and essentially garner involves a café with delicious cappuccinos dents visit facilities abroad such as Kodak, into the fields we hope to enter. internship experience. and lots of spinach and mozzarella paninis), Best Buy, IBM, and the Banca d’Italia. In addition, all students are assigned to Overall, I think the study abroad experi- we are all keeping in the back of our minds In the energy track, I find the classes a team project, and each works with a dif- ence in Italy is great so far—albeit a little that China’s bound to be a world away from extremely interesting since they focus ferent company: the management students tiring at times. Walking to class each day what our experiences are now. But I say, on current and continuously developing are split between IBM, Kodak, and Best past the Piazza Navona and knowing that “Bring it on!” Sustainability Farmers market brings natural food to RPI

ANASHA CUMMINGS cannot be found elsewhere. Once you have tasted a sun- concerned comments. In particular, several community Staff Columnist ripened, local strawberry or an heirloom tomato, it is hard members have written to us to express their concern to go back. We aim to bring this charm directly to the RPI that this market will negatively effect the Troy Farmers The Student Sustainability Task Force and the rest campus and make sure that it is so convenient that students, Market or discourage students from venturing down the of the sustainability community has been working hard faculty, and staff have no excuse not to check it out. hill. This has been a concern for us from the beginning over the summer. From creating a pilot composting pro- To this end, the market will have its grand opening of the project, so we have worked closely with the other gram to revamping the single-stream recycling system, on September 2, right outside the Union on the 15th markets in the area throughout the process. Like those to working with parking and transportation to get a car Street side, and will be open every Thursday from 10 markets, our goal is to connect you to local farmers and sharing program in place, there are many passionate am–2 pm year round, assuming all goes smoothly. In fresh food. We believe that by picking a few core vendors people here at RPI working to create real change. anticipation of this, we have been conducting a survey to make up our market, we can strike a balance between One of the projects we are really excited about, though, and have gotten an overwhelmingly positive response easily and conveniently introducing the campus to local is the RPI Farmers Market. This project brings issues of from hundreds of RPI students, faculty, and staff. The produce and piquing their interest to encourage them to sustainability, community, and health together around one vast majority have said that they would like to shop at visit the other markets. thing we can all agree on: delicious food. Upstate New the market every week and while we don’t necessarily For more information about the Farmers Market or to York has a lot of incredibly lively farm land and grows expect that the whole campus will do their shopping contribute your thoughts to the survey, check out http:// everything from apples and pears to squash, greens, beets, there, we do aim to expose the campus to a new way of www.farmersmarket.union.rpi.edu/. For more information and corn. Beyond this, there are people who make fresh thinking about food. about the SSTF and its other projects, check out http:// cheeses, breads, preserves, and more. One graduate student surveyed said they thought “a www.sstf.union.rpi.edu/. If you have ever been to a farmers market, you know that farmers market on campus would make eating right so there is something unique about buying food directly from much easier,” while another student simply said, “This the person who grew it. Far too often in this modern age, has the potential to be one of the coolest things to happen Editor’s Note: “Sustainability” is a column granted to the we are tricked into thinking that eggs come from cartons at RPI in a long time.” Of course, such comments have Student Sustainability Task Force by the Editorial Board to and beans from a can. Farmers markets break this illusion, strengthened our resolve and shown that many people discuss issues of sustainability on the Rensselaer campus but beyond that, they provide fresh, natural food that often here at RPI share our vision, but we have also gotten some and around the nation. 10 • features Friday, July 16, 2010 the poly Pixar ends film franchise that started it all

JOSH EASON with these films, about to move off to col- Senior Reviewer lege. While packing, he is faced with the decision of what to do with his childhood Well, it’s been a good run. For 19 years toys. The film wastes no time setting the I’ve managed to hold it together. I made plot in motion, and right away it feels like it through the heart-wrenching conclusion being reunited with old friends. Woody, of Old Yeller, somehow held it together as always, tries to lead the group of toys for Where the Red Fern as they face a life in the Grows, and even managed attic, assuring them that to stay composed during Toy Story 3 they need to be there for that one awful scene in when Andy needs them, Crash. However, leave it even though everyone to Pixar to finally end my else is aware that he 19-year tearless streak. doesn’t anymore. How- Yes I’m talking about ever, through a series of Toy Story 3, and yes, it’s accidents, all of the toys the best film of the year— wind up being donated well, at least for those to a local day care. At Courtesy of McClatchy Tribune from my generation. Let 5 out of 5 first, it seems like a WOODY, BUZZ, AND THE GANG FIND themselves being donated to a local daycare me explain. The earliest perfect place for toys center after some misunderstandings between Andy and his mother. movie-going experience I Starring to retire; however, they can remember was seeing Tom Hanks and Tim Allen quickly learn that every- threw-up on the screen. Every children’s it was because we were able to relate with the original Toy Story. As thing is not as nice as film studio should take a lesson from this Andy so closely, since all of us had just such, I, like many others, they originally thought, movie; there are ways to make films ap- experienced the emotional rollercoaster of witnessed the birth of a new age of anima- and soon they decide that perhaps they peal to kids without needing to use bright leaving everything behind and heading off tion. Pixar single-handedly established would be better off with Andy. neon colors or silly looking designs. Ev- to college, and maybe that’s what Pixar was the computer animated genre, and in the The film then jumps into high gear, erything is believable, and that’s why we going for. I’m getting chills right now just process, they launched one of the most as it becomes a prison break film. The are able to connect with these toys. thinking about it. iconic franchises of the last 20 years. Just comedy is top-notch, proving once again And it is this connection that Pixar uses It’s not exactly a sad ending, it’s almost like kids living in the ’70s with Star Wars, that Pixar can create movies that are fun to tug on your emotions in a way you didn’t a celebration of a time that has long come we grew up with these movies, and thanks for adults and children. Visually, this is think possible. I won’t spoil it, but expect and gone for Andy and all of us. It’s time to the incredible story tellers at Pixar, we Pixar’s best-looking film. I don’t under- the last 15 minutes to reduce you to your when all we needed was a few plastic toys actually cared about the fate of these toys. stand how they are able to continually top five-year-old self again. The ending is that and our imagination to have any adventure So, when Toy Story 3 was announced and themselves year after year, and I wonder powerful. As the toy’s story comes to an we wanted. Pixar has done a wonderful was supposed to end the story of Woody, if they will ever reach a visual plateau. end, there is a sense that your childhood is thing—they gave us closure to one of the Buzz, and the gang, I knew I would have The toys all look like themselves, but with ending with it. And don’t expect only girls most beloved children’s series of all time. to see this part of my childhood off. upgraded details that weren’t possible to cry; some of the manliest friends I have So go see Toy Story 3, and give your child- Toy Story 3 picks up with Andy, now 15 years ago. The movie is colorful and completely broke down while watching it, hood the proper send-off it deserves. the same age as those who have grown up vibrant without looking as if a rainbow and I was right there with them. Perhaps This Old Troy Bunched fruit has deep Troy’s history home to history and delicious uses major American icons HARIS KHAN lexicography nerd that I am, it doesn’t, but Senior Reviewer I’ve got a couple of other interesting details JOHN NEHRICH steep bluffs here powered numerous sure to fit your fancy. Staff Columnist mills. The Hudson is really an estuary, I didn’t think I would do this ever again, How about the actual source of the grape? a long inlet of the Atlantic Ocean with that is, do a “fruit review,” but here I am Domestication of purple grapes began During the War of 1812, Troy merchant tides reaching Troy. Ships encountered ready to review something so ordinary and in what is now southern Turkey. Ancient “Uncle” Samuel Wilson sold meat to the minimal current sailing up-river. The so prevalent in our lives that it seems silly Egyptian hieroglyphics record the cultiva- feds. Neighbors joked that the “U.S.” on Hudson-Mohawk Valley is one of the that this topic needs reviewing. Or at least tion of purple grapes and history attests to the barrels of salted pork stood for his few gaps in the long Appalachian Range, that’s what I thought when I wrote my first the ancient Greeks, Phoenicians, and Ro- nickname. Political cartoonists in the 1840s allowing passage both north and west, piece on fruit. I have never been more wrong mans growing purple grapes. Eventually the used him to represent America, drawing him with Troy at the crossroads. about anything in my grape reached North as a gangly Yankee, a contrast to the portly Henry Burden invented machinery that life. It is my greatest America and quickly English “John Bull.” Later, Lincoln’s top made one horseshoe per second, produc- belief that the most Grapes spread through the re- hat and beard were added to the image. But ing enough shoes for 12 million horses common things in our gion like wildfire. during the 1970’s urban renewal, Troy tore each year. (Typically, blacksmiths ham- life are the ones that we Grapes grow in down the actual home of Uncle Sam. mered on one horseshoe for minutes at a know the least about. clusters of 6–300 and In colonial times, pork was the dietary time.) This machinery became a vital stra- So, I will take this op- can be in all sorts of mainstay, as pigs could forage for food tegic resource during the Civil War, when portunity to truly make colors ranging from in the unbroken virgin forests. As land Confederate spies were captured near the you know everything crimson, black, blue, was cleared, grazing sheep produced plant in south Troy. Union soldiers were you need to know about yellow, green, and for both meat and wool. When the cotton ordered to remove the shoes of horses left grapes. I will do this you ladies out there, gin made cotton the primary fabric, beef in battle, lest they fall into enemy hands. with great appreciation even pink! Fun fact, replaced mutton in our diet. Shepherds, Burden’s plant was powered by the for the grape, since I am white grapes are actu- part of folklore from Biblical times to world’s largest waterwheel, 60 feet tall. a horticulturist first and ally green in color and Little Bo Peep, were replaced by the Among the many RPI students marvel- engineer second. come from the same American cowboy. ing at the so-called “Niagara of Water Where does the word 4 out of 5 evolutionary family as In 1827, Hannah Lord Montague grew Wheels” was one George Ferris, who grape even come from? the purple grape. Now I tired of hand-washing her husband’s shirts later designed the Ferris Wheel for the Truth be told, it came Featuring could go into the detail when only the collar was dirty. She made 1893 Columbian Exposition. to English in a rather of the genetics behind the collar separate, beginning Troy’s On a per-capita basis, in 1840, Troy was roundabout way. As Pinot Noir and Zinfandel why green grapes are detachable collar and cuff industry, of the fourth richest American city. A manu- you may or may not green and not purple, national import. The largest collar com- facturing center equal to none (some 612 know, a grape is bo- but I will ask that you pany here marketed their “Arrow” collar different manufacturers at its peak), it was tanically a berry and historically the grape just read the Wikipedia article on grapes through one of the first full-scale advertis- the 19th century’s “Silicon Valley,” with had been called a “winberie.” There is no for that information instead. ing campaigns. Ads featured the “Arrow innovation actively sought and encour- such thing is a “failberie.” No, the name So grapes are old, they have been culti- Collar Man,” who became a national icon. aged. RPI’s role was pivotal as the coun- was derived as a result of the grape’s use vated for thousands of years, and their name 19th century victorians bundled them- try’s first degree-granting technological as a key ingredient of wine (England at the has been constantly evolving. Great. What selves head-to-foot. Back then, urban university. Up until then, all engineering time had a dryer and warmer climate and does that do for us anyway? I will grant you streets were deep in horse manure, and was military—aiming cannons or building was known for its wineries). This was of that it doesn’t do much for our stomachs, horseflies (which bite) were a major forts. RPI taught engineering for civilian course before France rose to prominence. but do you know what does? How about problem. A collar, kept upright by the tie, purposes, hence “civil engineering.” When France began to harvest grapes, they jam, juice, jelly, vinegar, raisins, and not to protected the back of the neck. In the early would use a hook called a grappe, like a mention that grapes are used in some kinds 1900s, the shift to automobiles eliminated grappling hook. I think you get the idea. of confectioneries? Are your taste buds wa- horses and horseflies. People could wear Editor’s Note: “This Old Troy” is a Dictionary.com tells me that the root of tering yet? If not, well there’s also that little less clothing, including collarless t-shirts, column granted to John Nehrich ’72 of the word is Germanic and so it must be. thing called wine and if that’s not a good and washing machines made laundry easy. the Rensselaer Model Railroad Society by Now that you know where the word grape enough reason for you to appreciate grapes, The waterways of our area helped the Editorial Board to discuss the history comes from, how does that help you ap- then what exactly are you doing reading an spark the Industrial Revolution. The of Troy, N.Y., and the surrounding area. preciate the grape more? Unless you’re the article about grapes? Serving the RPI Community Since 1885 the poly Friday, July 16, 2010 events calendar • 11 The Community Calendar

• FRIDAY • • THURSDAY • • THURSDAY • July 16 July 29 August 5

The RPI Young Actors Guild pres- Watch The Clash of the Titans in Mo- The Young Actors Guild perform ents The 25th Annual Putnam County ther’s. Showtimes are 7 pm and 9:30 pm. Hairspray at the RPI Playhouse. The Spelling Bee at the Playhouse. The show starts at 8 pm. Tickets are $8 for show starts at 8 pm. Tickets are $12. RPI students, children under 12, and seniors; and $10 for general admission. There will be shows from August 5–8. • FRIDAY • • SATURDAY • July 30 July 17 The RPI Young Actors Guild con- tinues, this time performing a special • TUESDAY • Brush up on your networking with children’s musical, A Pirates Life for August 10 a Women’s Coffee House. The event Me. The show starts at 7:30 pm in the will be at Flavour Cafe from 5–7 pm. Playhouse. Tickets are $8 for RPI stu- Movies in Mother’s continues with There will be another Coffee House on dents, children under 12, and seniors; and How to Train Your Dragon. Showtimes Thursday, August 19 at the same time $10 for general admission. There will be are 7 pm and 9:30 pm. and place. RSVP to [email protected]. another performance at the same time the next day, July 31. Call 276-6505 Chipshots Restaurant and Sports for ticket reservations. Bar hosts Greg Aidala for its Brew Ha-Ha Comedy Showcase. The event • WEDNESDAY • begins at 8 pm. Admission is $10. August 14 • FRIDAY • The Akjun Ballet Theatre performs August 6 Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake at The Egg. This classic ballet will be a two act ver- Turn on the bright lights with Interpol sion choreographed by Chiara Akjun. • TUESDAY • and Twin Tigers as they perform at The show starts at 7:30 pm. Tickets are July 20 Northern Lights. Doors open at 7 pm. $17 for senior and children; and $29 Tickets are $30. for everyone else. The Saratoga County Fair comes to Ballston Spa, N.Y. Come to see ani- mals, vendor shops, and go on rides. The fair runs from 9 am–midnight on July 20–25. General admission for Tuesday–Thursday is $8, while it is $10 for Friday and Saturday. What is RBS?

Simply put, RBS (Rensselaer Bicycle Shop) is the new, on campus, student- run bike shop that will be open for the 2010–2011 school year in the RPI ’87 Gym. RBS will provide the RPI community with an inexpensive, friendly, professional, and local means to service and repair bikes. Through • THURSDAY • the provision of an active bicycle shop on the RPI campus, we hope to July 22 encourage greater support for a healthy and active lifestyle through the Eat cheesecake at the All American use of bikes. Furthermore, we aim to promote safety and the awareness Cheesecake Festival, which will be held in of risks associated with common bicycle use. We plan to do this through the McNeil Room of the Rensselaer Union. education, maintenance, and theft prevention for cyclists. There will be a caricature artist as well as a special performance by country/blues Why is an on campus bicycle shop so important to the RPI community? group Red Haired Strangers. Cheesecake Simply because there is no shop in close proximity to RPI. The nearest shop is $3 per slice with toppings. The event is more than 5 miles away! This can make it incredibly difficult for students will be from 11:30 am–1:30 pm. without a car to get their bike fixed. Additionally, bicycles should have a larger presence on campus. Bicycling is a sustainable method of transportation, a The Goo Goo Dolls come to the healthy activity, and lots of fun! They are also far less expensive than cars. Saratoga Performing Arts Center. The This shop will be part of a much larger Bicycle Renaissance taking place at event starts at 7:30 pm. Tickets are RPI and around the world. $25–65. “Give yourself some extra time, grab that bike that is collecting dust, and go by bike. It is guaranteed to do one or more of the following: give you hot legs that co-workers will desire, create a free endorphin party, make you feel like a kid again, make you sleep better, make you feel more, make you smile, Know of any exciting events make you wonder why you ever stopped.” going on? E-mail them to —1 World 2 Wheels [email protected] if you’d like to see them here. For more information e-mail [email protected]

Serving the RPI Community Since 1885 p o l y Friday, LASSIFIEDSLASSIFIEDS July 16, 2010 CC Let’s have a conversation about something. You just got an IM, you just got an IM, you just Who is the ancient guy who carried a scepter? I probably have pictures of you somewhere. got an IM, wonder who it’s from? campus notices —ESW — JE —JF —RB Ra? Teddy bears? Don’t start a conversation with that. The Weather: It’s summertime! There’s lots of golf clubs in the back. That may be —ESW —RB an issue. We can put them in the trunk though. —JF

—JE I wish I got the medal. I could use the money. personals Have you come up with any more personals? The best gelato in the world is there! Screw that, I’ll ride in the trunk! —RB —JE —RB Where? Duck goes “quack,” cow goes “moo,” SJ —ESW Switch to Geico! —KL goes ... Nope. Rome. No trunking! —JE —JE —JG —ESW —MC “$$$.” Quick, come up with stuff! —ESW —RB Does he fist pump?

Eh, I’ll BS something eventually. —JE Welcome to RPI, JJ and VB! Join The Poly! —ESW No, he doesn’t. —ESW and KMF —SH So ... what are we doing tonight for dinner? JMT and JT— I thought it was just a nervous tic that everyone —RB from New Jersey fist pumps. It’s an S&W/Poly hybrid! Er, I mean ... congratulations! Eating babies. —JE —ESW —MC Food? You’ll “rue” the day. JMT— —RB —NCC Congratulations! Munchkins are delicious. Let’s go to Commons. Like from Winnie the Pooh? —TPS —ESW —JE

It’s always too early for these kinds of she- I’m going to punch you in the face. They’re building buildings in NYC? nanigans! —ESW —SH —SH Whoa. Whoa. Hold the phone. ESW, do you want to go underneath? Just pretend you didn’t sleep last night, then it might be a reasonable hour for it. —ESW —RB —ESW She is! No. —RB Interested? BL— —ESW E-mail [email protected] or stop by our office, Rensselaer Wait. There’s no shower in the Union! Union 3418, any Tuesday evening to meet the team of I miss you. Oh, hell, I’ll go underneath. —JE —MC students who help deliver the news each week. —JE

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SARA MELIKIAN November 5 followed by Quinnipiac Senior Reporter University on November 6, the team the Engineers played a three-overtime dead- The talent of RPI’s women’s hockey lock with during the ECAC Tournament. team hasn’t gone unnoticed in the past Rensselaer ultimately prevailed in a match few seasons as the squad’s schedule for that was hailed as the longest women’s the 2010-11 season has been ramped up hockey game ever played. for this year. The Engineers will face a The Engineers head to Yale University slew of new foes throughout the 33-game on November 12 and Brown University regular season, including six games that the following day before hosting Niagara will feature teams that participated in the University for a two-game series on 2010 NCAA Tournament. November 19 and 20. Rensselaer then Last year, under the tutelage of Head Coach heads out to budding Syracuse University John Burke, the Engineers finished 16-15-6 for another pair of non-conference games overall and 11-7-4 in the ECAC. RPI took on November 26 and 27. Rensselaer closes down Quinnipiac University in the ECAC out the fall semester with a home-and-home quarterfinals, and advanced to the team’s series with local rival Union College the second-straight ECAC semifinal appearance, following weekend. The Engineers head to where Cornell University prevailed. Schenectady on December 3 before hosting Rensselaer opens the season against the Dutchwomen on the 4th. three-time national champion the University After a month-long hiatus, Rensselaer of Wisconsin with a pair of games at remains home for two-straight weekends Madison, Wisc., on October 1 and 2. to take on Dartmouth College on January 7 The Engineers will then return home for and Harvard University on January 8, fol- five-straight games against Hockey East lowed by games against national runner-up opponents, starting with the University Cornell University on January 14 and Colgate of Vermont Catamounts on October 8 and University on January 15. The Engineers then 9 at home. Also heading to the Houston hit the road playing a reverse of the two previ- Sara Melikian/The Polytechnic Field House will also be the University of ous weeks, heading to Harvard and Dartmouth RISING SENIOR KENDRA DUNLOP WEAVES through the opposition during New Hampshire Wildcats on October 15, on January 21 and 22, before heading west to one of RPI’s final regular season home games of the year. Dunlop was chosen as which also marks Reunion & Homecoming Colgate and Cornell on the 28th and 29th. the team’s captain for the 2010–11 season. weekend. RPI closes out non-conference RPI hosts Brown and Yale on February 4 play with games at Providence College on and 5 before hitting the road to Quinnipiac selected by her teammates and coaches to be Five freshmen join Engineer squad October 22 and Northeastern University on and Princeton on the 10th and 11th. The captain of the 2010–11 Engineers. Joining In addition to the 16 returning upperclass- October 24 before heading into the 24-game Engineers will then close out the regular her as assistants will be classmate Sydney men, which include nine forwards, four ECAC schedule, beginning with a trip to season at home with matches against the O’Keefe, along with rising juniors Alisa defensemen, and three goaltenders, five the North Country to face St. Lawrence Clarkson Golden Knights on February 18 Harrison and Amanda Castignetti. skaters are expected to join Rensselaer for the University on October 29 and Clarkson and St. Lawrence Saints on February 19. Dunlop has only missed one game of upcoming season. On defense will be Nona University on October 30. her three-year career, and has continually Letuligasenoa and Madison Marzario, while RPI returns home for the ECAC home Four set to lead team been one of RPI’s leading scorer the past Missy Mankey, Toni Sanders, and Jordan opener against Princeton University on Rising senior Kendra Dunlop has been three seasons. Smelker will be up front as forwards. NCAA: Engineers earn honors following season From Page 16. of the Week awards, and was a six-time selection for Rookie of the Week in the Liberty League. teams. The midfielder led the Engineers with 46 points Defenseman Hutchinson helped to lead the Engineers’ on 28 goals and 18 assists, while also leading the team fourth-ranked scoring defense in the nation, and finished in shots with 95, and was second in shots on goal with second on the team in caused turnovers. Hutchinson col- 53. In addition, Billy led RPI in man-advantage goals lected a goal and two assists as well as 36 ground balls. with three. A unanimous selection to the All-League USILA finished handing out its awards with the First Team, Billy also posted an impressive 30 ground 2010 Scholar Athlete honors, given to RPI seniors balls and caused turnovers. Paul Cerone and Bryant Johnson. Billy also earned numbers within the Liberty Johnson, a midfielder, finished with 30 goals on League, finishing fourth in the League in points per the season through all 17 games. He also collected game (2.71), sixth in both goals (1.65) and shots (5.59) five assists, and was third on the club with 35 points. per game, and eighth in assists per contest (1.06). Johnson also led the team in shots (95), shots on goal Billy, along with sophomore Tyler Hutchinson, and (66), and game-winning goals (2), while also record- freshman netminder James Manchester were named ing 27 ground balls and three caused turnovers. A me- ECAC All-Stars. While Billy and Hutchinson earned chanical engineering major, Johnson has earned many All-Second team honors, Manchester was named the academic awards, including multiple mentions on the Rookie of the Year. Dean’s List and All-Liberty League Academic team, Manchester led the league in several categories, and as well as being a member of Olympia (Rensselaer’s posted some of the best numbers in the nation. The Student-Athlete Honor Society) and Rensselaer Niskayuna, N.Y., native finished a 6.09 goals against President’s Award recipient. Johnson also earned average—the third best among all Division-III goalten- the Rensselaer Leadership Award and was the Vice ders—and a .629 save percentage through all 17 games President of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. this year. Manchester also led the league in shutouts with Also a mechanical engineering major and multiple one, and held the second-best record for goals against Dean’s List honoree, Cerone finished second in the average and save percentage. In addition to his third-place Liberty League in assists (19) and seventh in points Sara Melikian/The Polytechnic finish in goals against average, Manchester also ranked (32). Garnering All-League Second Team, he leads JUNIOR NICK BILLY CUTS up the field at the East Campus ninth nationally for save percentage. Throughout the in assists and was second in points and third in shots Stadium during one of the team’s regular season matches. season, Manchester earned three Defensive Performer (59), shots on goal (31), and ground balls (36). RPI: Men’s hockey brings seven to Class of 2014 From Page 16. and Clarkson, before closing out Brutlag, who was also an assistant in power play goals, and finished Class of 2014 Announced the regular season at home against captain last season, started the year fifth for points and sixth overall Joining the Engineers for the the 29, Rensselaer hosts Harvard, Princeton and Quinnipiac. on the blueline, but shifted forward in goals scored. The Edina, Minn., 2010-11 season will be seven Dartmouth, Brown University, for some added production on the native was also eighth in goals per skaters—three forwards and four and Yale University. The January Captains Announced power play. Brutlag also played in game with 0.67, seventh in points defensemen. Also returning for RPI 29 matchup against the Bulldogs For the second straight season, all of the Engineers’ games, col- per game with 1.33, and 10th in will be 22 upperclassmen, includ- also marks the 34th Annual Big rising senior John Kennedy will lected seven goals and 11 assists shorthanded goals with two. ing 15 forwards, four defensemen, Red Freakout! don the ‘C’ for the Engineers. The for 18 points, of which two goals D’Amigo, one of RPI’s budding and three goaltenders. The Engineers hit the road defenseman from Saginaw, Mich., came on a power play and two stars, comes off a gold medal vic- New to Rensselaer will be de- to face Quinnipiac University was featured in all 39 contests were game-winners. tory with Team USA at the World fensemen Nick Bailen, Bo Dolan, and Princeton University before last season, and collected his first Polacek, a forward, finished a Junior Championships back in Patrick Koudys, and Guy Leboeuf. coming back to the Houston collegiate goal against Quinnipiac stellar season with 26 goals and 26 January. The Binghamton, N.Y., Up front will be centers Brock Higgs Field House to play Colgate University on February 19. assists for 52 points, making him winger was named the ECAC and Johnny Rogic, as well as winger University and Cornell University Joining Kennedy will also be among the nation’s leaders in scor- Rookie of the Year after finishing Matt Tinordi. In addition, sophomore in February. RPI closes out the classmates Bryan Brutlag and ing. The Hobey Baker nominee, second among all league freshmen forward Greg Burgdoerfer will be season with a trip to the North Chase Polacek, as well as ris- All-American, and ECAC Player of in scoring, with 34 points on 10 available after sitting out a season Country to take on St. Lawrence ing sophomore Jerry D’Amigo. the Year ranked third in the nation goals in 24 assists. due to the NCAA transfer rule. Serving the RPI Community Since 1885 p o l y Friday, SPORTS July 16, 2010 RPI falters in NCAA Tournament to Midd

SARA MELIKIAN with just under seven minutes re- Senior Reporter maining in the half. The Engineers managed to get After a promising season that one more tally on the boards before saw the No. 12 Engineers take de- the end of the half from sophomore feat to only one other team—No. 13 Paul DiLandro, but Middlebury Middlebury College—RPI could sophomore Tim Cahill beat the not uphold its perfection, as the buzzer with his first of three of the Panthers managed to squeak away day to close the half, 9-4 Panthers. another game from the homestand- Following the brief intermis- ing Rensselaer. This time, however, sion, the Panthers picked up right it was on the much larger stage of where they ended, with another the NCAA Division-III Lacrosse goal from Connor to increase tournament. Despite a bump to the Middlebury’s lead to six. RPI second round, RPI could not defend freshman Wes Rudy made his its home turf at the East Campus mark to cut the lead down to Stadium as the Engineers fell 16-8. 10-5, but the Panthers continued Rensselaer finished its season with rolling with three-straight goals a 14-3 record, while the Panthers over the next four minutes for continued on to the third round with the 13-5 advantage. Middlebury a 13-5 mark. would add one last mark to close Junior David Hild powered out the third quarter. Middlebury with a six-point effort With only 15 minutes remain- on the afternoon. Hild opened scor- ing to make a stunning comeback, ing for the game with a quick pair senior Paul Cerone stepped up for of goals, pulling the Panthers up the Engineers to close the gap to 3-1. Rensselaer junior Nick Billy 14-7 in the opening 38 seconds of Sara Melikian/The Polytechnic responded with a goal to make it a the final quarter. However, Cahill FRESHMAN WES RUDY FIGHTS off a Middlebury College defender during the Engineers’ 16-8 loss 3-2 game after 15 minutes of play responded with back-to-back to the Panthers in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. had elapsed, but Middlebury rallied goals within seconds, deepening with three-straight goals to start the the gap. Billy added his second goals, and Connor notched two Rensselaer’s Billy posted a team- Engineers Tabbed for second quarter. of the game at 4:33, but it wasn’t goals and two assists. In addition, best two goals on the day while National Honors With nine minutes remaining enough as both teams played solid senior Russell Baker added a pair collecting an assist. Cerone was The United States Intercollegiate in the half and Rensselaer down defense through the final minutes of goals, while fellow senior Pete the only other multi-point Engi- Lacrosse Association recently 6-2, sophomore Andrew Liptak of the game, keeping both squads Smith had a goal and two assists. neer, tallying a goal and an assist named Rensselaer junior Nick Billy cut the deficit down to three, but off the boards. In net, junior Ryan Deane made 11 in the loss, while five other RPI as an All-American Honorable Middlebury’s Hild and fellow ju- For the Panthers, Hild led the saves for the win, with classmate players added goals. In net, fresh- Mention to its 2010 All-America nior Andrew Connor added marks team with five goals and an as- Charles Ward making one stop in man James Manchester stopped 13 to give the visitors an 8-3 advantage sist, while Cahill collected three the final 3:34 of play. attempts in the loss. See NCAA, Page 15. Engineers announce 2010–11 season, captains

SARA MELIKIAN game event that also features the Clarkson Senior Reporter University Golden Knights taking on the St. Lawrence University Saints on the The RPI men’s hockey team will once same evening. again be pushed to its limits as the Engineers RPI’s ECAC schedule opens on the road are tasked with yet another difficult season against Dartmouth College and Harvard for the squad’s 109th year of play. After University on November 5 and 6, respec- bowing out early from the ECAC tournament tively, before heading back to the Capital last season, much will be expected for the District for a home-and-home series with talented group of skaters who have a healthy the Union Dutchmen. Rensselaer will and hearty recruiting class to fill the voids of head to Messa Rink on November 12 those who have graduated. before heading back to Troy for Black Last year, Head Coach Seth Appert led Saturday on the 13th. the team to one of its best finishes in years, Once again the Engineers play host to with a 18-17-4 overall record, including the oldest college hockey tournament in going 10-9-3 in the ECAC. The Engineers the nation, the 60th Annual Rensselaer finished fifth overall in the league and held Holiday Tournament on November 26 home ice advantage through the first round and 27, just as students head back to of the playoffs, a feat that hasn’t been ac- campus from the brief holiday break. complished since 2006. RPI will play in the 7 pm games both Unlike previous seasons, which have ei- nights, opening against the University ther opened with the Red/White Scrimmage of Connecticut Huskies on Friday, and or an exhibition game, the Engineers will playing either Bowling Green University jump right into the thick of the action with or the University of Alabama-Huntsville a two-game set in Colorado Springs, Colo. the following evening. to face the Colorado College Tigers. RPI Heading into the winter break, Rensselaer then heads east to Boston, Mass., to take hits the road to face Yale University on the Northeastern Huskies on October and Brown on December 3 and 4 before 15 before returning home to the Houston returning home one last time in 2010 to take Field House for the first time this season to on Boston University on December 11 in take on another Baystate foe, the Bentley non-conference action. University Falcons, for Homecoming & Instead of the usual tournament during the Reunion Weekend. This will be one of the winter break, RPI will head to Alabama to first opportunities for fans to witness the take on the Alabama-Huntsville Chargers renovations made to the Houston Field Sara Melikian/The Polytechnic for a pair of non-conference games on House over the offseason. RISING SENIOR JOHN KENNEDY PREPARES to lead the team for the second- December 30 and 31. The Engineers then The Engineers remain home to host straight season as captain of the Engineers. Joining him will be classmates Chase close out the remainder of the 16-game sea- two non-conference games: the Rochester Polacek, Bryan Brutlag and rising sophomore Jerry D’Amigo. son with ECAC matches, 10 of which will Institute of Technology Tigers—a Frozen be played at home. Through January 21 to Four participant and one of four teams in will face—and Niagara University. On Union College at the Herb Brooks Arena the NCAA tournament that Rensselaer October 30, RPI will take on local rival in Lake Placid, N.Y., for a special two- See RPI, Page 25.