Wednesday, October 5, 2016 Volume CXXXVII, No. 6 • poly.rpi.edu
NEWS Page 8FEATURES Page 12EDITORIAL Page 4 David What it’s like to work Raab in the Union Michael Learning valuable Baird lessons at scout’s camp
Staff How to improve the Preferred names rolling out Years & Years album review Editorial Career Fair
MEN’S HOCKEY McGill crumbles to Engineers’ pressure
Jack Wellhofer/The Polytechnic RPI SWEPT McGill University 3-0 during their exhibition opener. The season opener will be October 7 at the University of Maine.
Michael Baird University in the season exhibition goal of the game at 6:43 into the come until the end of the second Senior Reporter opener with a 3-0 clean sweep. first period. Bell passed to junior period with only two minutes One minute after a faceoff won Viktor Liljegren, who fed the to spare. At 1:17 remaining of UPROAR BURST FORTH FROM THE FANS by RPI, following two blocked puck to Bourbonnais down the play, Liljegren and junior Mike in the Houston Field House Sunday shots from junior Bradley Bell by left side for a clear shot. Prapavessis assisted freshman evening, as the Rensselaer men’s Jacob Gervais-Chouinard, senior The play that led to the sec- ice hockey team devastated McGill Riley Bourbonnais scored the first ond goal of the night did not See HOCKEY, Page 2
TENNIS Men sweep 9-0, women crush SUNY 7-2 Maria Espinoza 7–2, which brought the team a 2–0 winning 8–5, further broadening RPI’s lead. Finally, Staff Reporter record. Geneseo had been undefeated before in No. 2 doubles, the duo of freshman Tess facing RPI. In No. 3 doubles, the doubles Lubin and sophomore Mailani Neal won their IT WAS A SUCCESSFUL WEEKEND OF TENNIS FOR team of sophomores Erica Frommer and match 8–6, giving the Engineers a 3–0 lead. In Serving the Rensselaer. The women’s team travelled to Andrea Valencia gave the Engineers the lead singles, Kallish, Frommer, Valencia and Neal State University of New York Geneseo to after winning their match 8–1. Later, in No. 1 all won their matches in straight sets: 6–1, 6–1; Rensselaer play their second dual match of the season on doubles, the team of freshman Allie Kallish 6–4, 6–1; 6–3, 6–0; and 6–0, 6–0, respectively. community Saturday. The Engineers beat the home team and junior Melanie Frank won their match The Knights of SUNY Geneseo defeated the Engineers in No. 2 and No. 3 singles; Lubin since 1885 fell to Pornpitaksuk 6–7 (3), 2–6, while Frank, fell to Susko 2–6, 0–6. Despite those defeats, RPI came out on top with an overall 7–2 score. Next weekend, the lady Engineers will travel to play at the Connecticut College Tournament. Inside Once again, after a successful day on the court, Kallish was honored by the Liberty Comics ...... 6 League. She was named the Singles Performer Editorial/Opinion . . . 4 of the Week in women’s tennis. Last week she Events ...... 10 was named Rookie of the Week. The men’s team competed at the Features ...... 12 Intercollegiate Tennis Association Regional News ...... 8 Tournament this past weekend at Hobart College. The Engineers had a perfect 9-0 record in the first round of the tournament. Junior Tristan Wise made his way to the tournament’s singles quarterfinals while Connect freshman Sebastian Castillo-Sanchez made Visit us online at: his way to the semifinals. Castillo-Sanchez poly.rpi.edu reached the finals in doubles along with Like us on Facebook: partner freshman Zack Ebenfeld. In singles, facebook.com/thepolytechnic Castillo-Sanchez and senior Stephen Baxter Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: won their opening matches in love sets. @RPIPoly Wise won his opening match 8-2 and Xavier Sidney Kochman/The Polytechnic THE MEN WERE at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Regional Tournament. (file photo) See TENNIS, Page 2 2 • Sports Wednesday, October 5, 2016 poly.rpi.edu CROSS COUNTRY Hockey: Hayhurst fi nds Fazio, Lord triumph net for fi rst career goal in individual events Michael Baird Senior Reporter
HONORED AS THE LIBERTY LEAGUE MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY PERFORMER OF THE WEEK following his first place victory at the Saratoga Invitational on Saturday, senior Ben Fazio finished the men’s 8000 meter race ahead of 171 competitors in a time of 25:11.3, averaging 5:05 per mile. This is the fifth time in his collegiate career Fazio has been awarded the title. Hosting the meet were the No. 12 nationally ranked men’s team and the No. 11 na- tionally ranked women’s team from RPI, both boasting first place team trophies from their performances in the 6000 meter and 8000 meter races respectively at Saratoga Spa State Park. Like Fazio, junior Jaime Lord was also as an individual winner, com- pleting the course in 17:30.7. Rensselaer alumna Shannon Trant finished runner-up to former teammate Lord in the 157-person field with a time of 17:52.4. Alumnus Jacob Andrews crossed in third with a time of 25:32.5. Seven other alumni returned for the women’s race, while 14 Sidney Kochman/The Polytechnic competed in the men’s race. The women’s alumni team placed eighth out of 13 com- THE ENGINEERS HOPE to continue their success through the regular season. plete teams, and the men took seventh out of 14. From Page 1 Gervais-Chouinard, on the other hand, All five scoring members of the men’s team finished in the top 10, boosting the Jacob Hayhurst to his first collegiate made 40 saves but, unfortunately for the Engineers to a 70-point lead over the State University of New York Delhi in second. The goal after Hayhurst won the faceoff only Redmen, not 43. athletes responsible for earning 23 points compared to Delhi’s 93 included runner-up seconds before. RPI will return home in two weeks sophomore Grant O’Connor, fourth place sophomore Sean O’Connor, seventh place At 2:03 into the third period, the for their Family Weekend games against senior Brian Crowley, and ninth place senior Matthew Cicciu. Though not included Engineers earned their third and final Niagara University and Rochester in score, senior Garrett Davis’ tenth place finish made for a solid six-man advantage goal of the day. Sophomore Jesper Institute of Technology on Friday, on the course. Ohrvall fired the puck to classmate October 21, and Saturday, October 22, Five RPI women secured a position in the top 10 of the 6000 meter race to help Evan Tironese, who had skated into respectively. Their next match will be the Engineers rank high in both races. Sophomore Karina Bolton placed fifth, senior the opposing defense. Tironese ush- away in Orono, Maine on Friday when Maddie Dery sixth, senior Mary West eighth, and freshman Maddie Sturm tenth. Their ered it through an opening in Gervais- they face the University of Maine Black combined effort resulted in a 37-point lead over the runner-up State University of Chouinard’s defense right into the net. Bears. On Saturday, they will compete New York Plattsburgh with 67. Freshman Chase Perry, a rookie against the Black Bears again to com- Rensselaer’s next meet will be on Saturday, October 15, at Rowan University, where goalie, impressed by halting every at- plete the two-day tournament. both teams will race in the Inter-Regional Border Battle. tempt on his goal for a total of 26 saves. WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY Tennis: First RPI RPI drops two to Buckeyes team wins ITA title Elisabeth Ryan Into the third period of the game, Ohio scored Senior Reporter their fourth goal in a one-on-one scuffle between Selander and an Ohio State forward. At this point, THE RENSSELAER WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY TEAM FACED it seemed the Engineers would be shut out. That OFF against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Friday, is, until Repaci sunk a goal with four seconds on September 30 and Saturday, October 1. The the clock to spare. Throughout the game, Repaci Engineers lost 4–1 and 2–0, respectively. demonstrated a high-charged energy which re- On Friday, within the first few minutes of the sulted in her first collegiate goal. game, Ohio scored two goals on sophomore goal- With the loss on Saturday, the Engineers drop to a tender Lovisa Selander. Faced with multiple shots 1–3 record. Repaci once again lead the scoring-on- on goal, Selander managed to defend the RPI goal goal with six shots, and Selander with 21 saves. The for the most part, saving 18 in total. A third goal first of the two Ohio State scores made on RPI’s goal was made at minute 11:51 of the first period by were made within the first few seconds of the first Ohio State. period. The second was scored in the second period. The Engineers upped their tenacity in the second The Engineers will take on Robert Morris period of the game. During this period, RPI made University Friday at 7 pm, then again on Saturday 11 shots on goal lead by freshman forward Sabrina at 3 pm. Games are free to attend, and the girls and Repaci who made six of the shots. the RPI Pep Band could use your support!
Ana Wishnoff /The Polytechnic RPI WON against the State University of New York Geneseo. (file photo) From Page 1 Oshinowo ’20 won his 8-3. Oshinowo teamed up with Sundar Devakottai ’18 in doubles, they won their first-round match 8-1, while Castillo-Sanchez and Ebenfeld won theirs 8-2, advancing to the second round of competition, where they defeated the team from the University of Rochester 8-4. Castillo-Sanchez delivered once more, winning his second-round match against a player from The College of New Jersey. In the third round of competition, Castillo-Sanchez defeated his competitor 6-1, 6-0 to advance to the quarterfinals where he defeated his opponent 6-1, 6-1 and advanced to the semifinals. He was stopped in the semifinals by Leung of Skidmore College 4-6, 3-6. Wise beat James Hicks from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy 6-1, 7-5 in the second round, but later lost in his third-round match 6-2, 6-2. Oshinowo lost after a long three-set match in the second round, 6-4, 2-6, 9-11. The doubles team of Castillo-Sanchez and Ebenfeld advanced to the finals after winning their quarterfinal and semifinal matches 8-3, 8-6, respectively. Castillo-Sanchez and Ebenfeld went on to win their final match and become the tournament’s doubles champions. They made history at RPI, becoming the first to win an ITA Regional title, as well as the first National All-Americans in the program. After
Jonathan Caicedo/The Polytechnic their win, they advanced to play at the ITA Oracle Cup, which will RENSSELAER FOUGHT valiantly, but it was not enough to stand against the Ohio State Buckeyes. take place later this month in Surprise, Arizona.
Serving the Rensselaer community since 1885 poly.rpi.edu Wednesday, October 5, 2016 Advertisement • 3
Maybe you haven’t heard...
Have you ever gathered financial data from 120 Every day, thousands of countries and made sense of people use our so ware it? to help children with special needs.
Want to know what’s Interna onal expense on TV? Our so ware repor ng? Sure, we can will tell you soon do that. enough. Again.
Have you solved the travelling salesman problem in class? We do combinatorial op miza ons like this in the real world.
We’re like the ninjas of So ware Development. We work with clients locally, na onally and interna onally. We work in industries including banking, insurance, media, educa on and manufacturing. Our clients hire us to solve problems that they cannot. Being able to program a computer is good, but our people do that and more. Can you?
James McGuinness and Associates We’re coming to campus. Talk to the career center. Or find us online: www.jmcguinness.com
Serving the Rensselaer community since 1885 Editorial Wednesday, October 5, 2016 EDITORIAL NOTEBOOKS STAFF EDITORIAL Running the Union, literally Our suggestions for an Keeping busy with numerous tasks while making bank improved career fair ONE OF THE GREATEST OPPORTUNITIES I’VE HAD AS A serve everyone’s needs. The advantage to having IN LIGHT OF THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK ENGINEERS/SOCIETY OF Hispanic student here at RPI is being a student employee a custom developed Club Management System is Professional Engineers Career Fair last Friday and Saturday, the Editorial in the Rensselaer Union. It’s one of the best that we use our “big data” to answer questions that Board of The Polytechnic would like to offer some suggestions for future years. opportunities you have as a current student to the Union has about its own operations. The first suggestion comes from the student petition “Make Career gain some of the intangible experience you need Unique to student employment in the Union is Fair Day a School Holiday,” found at https://poly.rpi.edu/s/zgqwu. The in order to be a competitive applicant for jobs. the high level of ownership that students take in petition makes a good point—it’s frustrating for students who are seeking RPI imparts onto you, in one way or another, the the daily operations of the Union. At night and employment to miss the career fair due to class. While not necessarily technical knowledge for your chosen on weekends, students are the ones who mandatory, most students are in the middle of their first round of tests, career in the many hours spent in and are in charge of the building and help making missing even one day of class a dangerous prospect. First and outside the classroom, but you need run events. Even during the day, the first foremost, we are here to learn, and getting behind in a class can quickly more than just technical knowledge contact for people around campus with snowball into a disaster. It does help that companies were on campus in order to be successful in the world general inquiries will probably be the Saturday, but many companies only attended Friday. Making the day a outside RPI. One of the awesome things student worker at the front desk. A call holiday would allow more students to attend the fair. about working for the Union is the fact to the Union’s campus extension is very Second, we would like to discuss the dress code, which seems to come that there are ample opportunities to likely to be answered by a student who up year after year. The career fair is a strange sight to behold, in that hone your leadership skills. Most of the can answer most of your questions or students are in professional dress, while recruiters pitch their companies student employee teams in the Union David direct you to the right person. in t-shirts and jeans. To us, it would seem best to either enforce a strict are not directly led by professional As far as my team is concerned, we professional dress code for both students and companies, or relax the Raab full-time staff, but rather by a student Associate all feel a sense of ownership on our reins and go with a more business casual approach. coordinator (with ample professional News Editor issues that is unique to the student-run Last, and we acknowledge that this is a stretch, we would like to staff guidance and advice of course). structure of the Union. We all keep speak about the diversity of companies at the career fair. Recruitment I quickly learned how to balance many different around eight office hours a week, but often clock tends to favor certain fields—understandably so, considering that requests and get everything done as efficiently in remotely in order to keep our projects moving there is demand from both companies and students. It’s important to as possible, which is something that best comes toward completion. Another thing that sets us remember, however, that Rensselaer offers a wide variety of majors, with experience. apart from a lot of other student IT workers is many of which could stand to benefit far more from career exposure Specifically, I am the team lead for the team of the fact that we’re allowed complete freedom than the larger, more popular ones. Some students didn’t have many student systems administrators that is responsible in managing our own technical infrastructure. options, and it’s very disheartening to walk up to an employer only for the upkeep of many of the Union-provided Division of the Chief Information Officer staff to be told that they’re looking for a specific major. Moving forward, technical services that you use everyday. I also provide us plenty of advice and lay down general we would like to see more variety in recruiters at the career fair, so work extremely closely with a team of student policies, but the students are the ones who that all of us have a chance to change the world, regardless of study. developers. We run the Club Management System, ultimately have root access to the equipment and the Union website, and provide web space for who are responsible for the technical decisions clubs to use in order to host their own sites. In at the end of the day. fact, any club officer of a funded club who went I definitely encourage any student interested in to the recent training session had an opportunity making some money on the side and who wants to help test out a new feature to submit purchase to gain invaluable real-world experience to check requisitions online. All clubs who want money out the Rensselaer Union page on the Center for from the Union submit a budget at the end of Career Professional Development’s JobLink to the fall semester using CMS. We’re constantly see what opportunities are open at this time. working with the Union Admin Office and the Executive Board so that the application can best Editor in Chief Jack Wellhofer Learning about ropes and [email protected] Editorial Board Senior Managing Editor Sidney Kochman [email protected] of the ropes of life at camp Contributing Editor Nathan Dorer [email protected] Contributing Editor Rex Hu [email protected] de facto News Editor Nathan Dorer [email protected] Boy Scout experience lives on for this staff member Business Manager Peter Begonja [email protected] Features Editor Kay Sun [email protected] WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO the land to the Boy Scouts of always a major stop along the de facto Sports Editor Rex Hu [email protected] Editorial/Opinion Editor Maria Kozdroy [email protected] you: what you receive, or what America during his time as trail, given that it is where the Composing Editor Ana Wishnoff [email protected] you give? How you feel, or president of the New York City core of scouting resides. The de facto Copy Editor Rex Hu [email protected] how you make another feel? Boy Scout Foundation. His merit badges offered in my pro- Photography Editor Stephanie Tan [email protected] Associate News Editor David Raab [email protected] What you learn, or what you contribution provided a siz- gram area were pioneering, ori- Associate News Editor Peter Gramenides [email protected] help another learn? As a person able wilderness retreat from enteering, wilderness survival, Associate Features Editor Serge Piskun [email protected] Associate Sports Editor Michael Baird [email protected],edu who takes more out of metropolitan life for camping, hiking, backpacking, Associate Composing Editor Tyler Carney [email protected] life from helping oth- the city’s soaring and geocaching. Each badge Associate Composing Editor Shane O’Brien [email protected] Associate Copy Editor Elisabeth Ryan [email protected] ers than from helping scouting population, teaches skills on how to live Associate Photography Editor Jonathan Caicedo [email protected] himself, I believe that a consequence of the comfortably in the outdoors. the less you take for worldwide scouting Of all the badges offered in my Coordinators yourself and the more movement that had area, however, pioneering was Advertising Director Elisabeth Ryan [email protected] you give of yourself, spawned earlier in the by far my favorite to teach. Advertising Coordinator David Raab [email protected] Graphics Director Ana Wishnoff [email protected] the more full you will 20th century. In pioneering, scouts acquired Web and Systems Director Sidney Kochman [email protected] feel as a person. My Throughout my the knowledge and ability to Features Coordinator Jacob Kaplan [email protected] point may seem like an three month stay in create and build life-size proj- Sports Coordinator Joseph Saulsbery [email protected] anomaly, so allow me the backcountry, I ects using spars (wooden poles) Michael Production Staff: Stephanie Kern-Allely and Brookelyn Parslow. to elaborate using this held the age-old po- and rope, using the same tech- Baird example from my life. Associate sition of Scoutcraft niques America’s pioneers used The Rensselaer Polytechnic is published weekly, except during holiday and examination periods, This summer, I had Director. Scoutcraft to establish towns as they settled by the students of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as authorized by the Rensselaer Union. Sports Editor Opinion pieces in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the views of Rensselaer Polytechnic the privilege of serv- is one of the many across the country. In prepara- Institute 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 ing the youth of New York City areas in camp where scouts go tion for this challenge, scouts and to compose headlines for all articles printed. “Letters to the Editor” must be typed, signed, and fewer than 500 words in length. “My Views” must be typed, signed, and between 500 and and surrounding areas as a staff- to earn merit badges throughout learned anything and everything 700 words in length. The telephone number of the author is required for letter verification. All man at Camp Aquehonga, one of the week. Every area offers pro- about rope: types of rope, whip- letters are due by 5 pm on the Friday prior to publication, and can be sent in a Word document attachment via email to [email protected]. three scout camps on the 12,000 grams to scouts in the form of ping and fusing rope, coiling Views expressed in opinion columns provide differing viewpoints to help balance the acre Ten Mile River Scout merit badge classes. Aquatics, rope, throwing rope, splicing newspaper and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Editorial Board. These opinion columns, other than those granted to certain student government organizations, are granted on Reservation in the Catskill ecology, field sports, shooting rope, lashing with rope, and a semesterly or yearly basis by the Editorial Board. Those interested in starting a column should Mountains. TMR has a rich and sports, and climbing were some even making rope. They learn email [email protected] for details. abundant history dating back of the other areas at camp. about its properties just as an en- 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 to 1927 when future President As troops came to camp week are sent via first class mail. Address correction requested. Franklin Roosevelt donated after week, Scoutcraft was See CAMP, Page 5 poly.rpi.edu Wednesday, October 5, 2016 Ed/Op • 5 Camp: Applying skills from school to many outdoor activites during thrilling summer job From Page 4 that we made, but was instead a became a reality was the greatest preferential treatment. Although some of the scouts, this was the gineer learns about the properties fully functioning swing set made reward I could have asked for. staff did their best to keep this highlight of their year. of other materials. Based on this during the third week that lasted But it wasn’t all peaches and news away from scouts, it was Take the opportunity to spend curriculum, one might even say until the close of camp in August. cream. I also saw the side of evident that our program areas a summer on a camp staff if you Pioneering is essentially a class The group of scouts who designed scouting that is typically shield- could not be exceptional in all haven’t done it before. You will in primitive engineering, hence, it invested an inspiring amount of ed away from scouts and scout- facets; we were only supplied see the good and the bad, the easy why I enjoyed teaching it the most. time and energy into this project, ers when I joined the camp with the materials to offer the and the hard, the nice and the Many of the projects designed working outside of class whenever staff—the side where finances bare minimum to the boys. It was not-so- nice, yet if you believe in and constructed by classes each the area was open. Seeing them and politics rear their ugly heads. frustrating, even disheartening at yourself, and put your heart into week were remarkable, to say the take so much pride in their work The problem lies in the fact that times, knowing that we had no your work, you will find that in least. To help them formulate some was a sight to behold. In spite everyone wants to run the best choice but to adhere to such a the short span of a mere week, it ideas, my staff and I constructed of the daily struggle of trying to program possible, but as with strict budget. Nevertheless, the is incredible the difference you a monkey bridge out of rope and teach these twelve-year-old boys anything, funds are limited, staff kept the upbeat, cheerful are capable of making in some- wooden bridge in the shape of the basic engineering mechanics and and Aquehonga is not the only attitude that scouts love, and one’s life. The impact could even Aquehonga “A.” The most impres- principles, the twinkle in their eyes camp run by Greater New York proceeded to give them the time last a lifetime. sive project, however, wasn’t one that shined when their vision finally Councils. It doesn’t receive of their lives, knowing that for
TOP HAT DERBY Tips for conversing with Union remains most alumni this weekend important to students HELLO AGAIN RPI! I HOPE THAT ALL the field you choose. Any engineering Starting conversations with alumni may feel of you had an exciting and fruitful or computer science company can teach weekend at the 38th annual NSBE/ you the technical skills related to your odd at first, but can be very beneficial SHPE Career Fair. I found it to be a job but what they can’t teach you is how great reminder of why we are all here to interact with the world around you or BETWEEN THE NSBE/SHPE CAREER FAIR my family and me feel way more comfort- at RPI—of course to learn, understand, how to contribute effectively to a com- last weekend, and Alumni Weekend/ able about where I would be spending the and gain the capacity to affect change in munity. They can’t give you the essen- Homecoming this weekend, there have next few years, knowing more about it and the world around us, but also to further tial leadership skills you need to know been way more alumni around recently than the people it produces. our own long-term goals and aspira- before joining a team, and they may or normally, which is a pretty good thing over- Despite what people say about the nega- tions. I have always felt that, while the may not have the time to let you fail at all. A lot of the most interesting things I’ve tivity of RPI or how focused we all are on career fair may not have yielded the all of these things and truly learn how learned about RPI and its history, ranging academics, I feel like that only tells half of results that I wanted every year, it was to navigate them. So I completely agree from my favorite useless trivia fact about the the story. RPI is also a place that forms a like getting a glimpse of the with every student who stood basement of the Union technically community and sense of belonging finish line and made me push up during that meeting to say being a bomb shelter to explana- for those who spend part of our even harder in the pursuit of that their time contributing to tions of why certain policies and young adult lives here. You see it my own goals and aspira- the Rensselaer Union was the structures are the way they are, in the different clubs, fraternities, tions. In light of what the single most important part have come from random conver- sororities, and groups that exist on career fair offers to students of their education, because it sations with alumni. Who I’m campus. It’s present when a group every year, let’s not forget was mine as well. I was given probably going to just call alums of six kids who have never talked what role the Rensselaer these opportunities to learn for the rest of this, because I’m to each other get thrown together Union plays in our education and the room to fail, but from really not bothered to remember for some group project and end up and our development as the all of that I was able to grow how to conjugate Latin properly. coming together to not only make scholars, leaders, and inno- Chip as a citizen and especially Paul The extended Rensselaer family a team and a final product, but to vators of the future. Kirchner as a leader. So, thank you to is as much a unique, diverse, and Ilori also become friends; it’s the reason Last spring, I attended the President of the Union everyone, past and present, welcoming group of people as the Grand Marshal why, when issues arise relating 2016 Spring Town Meeting who worked so hard to give current student body is. I remem- to changing the elements of the and listened to student after student students the Rensselaer Union that we ber, before I even started school here, the school we all love, like the Rensselaer Union, explain how the Union benefitted them. all know and love. first welcome I got was from some friends you see such a strong outpouring of passion I literally could not count the number With that, I hope everyone enjoyed of friends. While I was in North Carolina en masse, from people who graduated five of times I heard the words “single most the career fair and is looking forward to visiting family friends, they introduced months ago or 50 years ago. As the center and important part of my time at RPI” in that Alumni Weekend! The long weekend me to the Ducostes, a couple who had both focal point of aspects of the student experi- meeting. I think this echoes across the will certainly be a well—earned and graduated from RPI. They welcomed me, ence, the Union—physically as a place and experience of any student who has been welcome break from rhythm of the told me a lot of different stories about their metaphorically as a symbol—represents a big involved in the Union or one of its many school year. I’m also looking forward time at the ‘Tute, and some of what I could part of our time here. clubs during their time here. While you to connecting with alumni and recon- expect when I got here. And of course, I got So I guess what I’m trying to say here is learn to be a scholar and an innovator necting with friends who are in town the trademark RPI equation hoodie, which you should try starting a conversation with the in the classroom, here in the Union you for the event. I still have as a gift from them a few weeks alumni who will be around over the upcoming learn how to be a leader, a citizen, and As always, if you have any questions or later after they got my mailing address from weekend. Though you may think you don’t how to give back something meaningful comments for me, my email is [email protected]. my mom. Being a student who had never met know them, in a lot of ways you already do. to your community. It’s these essential Feel free to reach out at any time. someone before who’d attended RPI, it made tools that will make you successful in
You’ve worked hard. Take a break this long weekend, but maybe not the whole weekend!
Serving the Rensselaer community since 1885 6 • Comics Wednesday, October 5, 2016 poly.rpi.edu
DILBERT by Scott Adams TOP TEN LIST Campus Attractions 10. Snow pile behind the Field House 9. The ’86 Field 8. Quad Laundry Room 7. Commons 6. The Mini Approach 5. Randi Mogul 4. Secret Steam Tunnels 3. Postering Locations 2. Me 1. Squirrels MONDAY PUNDAY by Matthew Broussard
x x x
Serving the Rensselaer community since 1885 poly.rpi.edu Wednesday, October 5, 2016 Comics • 7
WORDFIND by Tyler Carney XKCD by Randall Munroe Words can be found forwards, backwards, up, down, and in both diagonals. Exotic Fruits & Vegetables E R C H H Q O C M S A L A K B E A T E M O Y A K Z V S S I N C Z C R M R U N I E M G N A Y H R F N U O Z I U M O I R L I E J M B R W U S Y Q Z M Q M D R J C V Z M E T O Y A H C U V I D U L S E V E K N H F R R E M O C R K L L L G E U I I L S O K A F P Y U O V Z A Z C O P Y H M C B D S K K N F M J Q P A D E P I T A Y A Q C I K U N Q C L M E Q G N L E E Y I A A W H O E Z R E Z A F C S K T T E R N O U W E V M Z Y T Q R U R K N J D R W T A U Q M U K B T H P O J G C Z N Y J C N S M A L L I D O P A S L K E R A A J I C A M A C N I J K U S C R V J B M A N A B A N A U G E Q Atemoya Dulse Kalamansi Rambutan Canistel Durian Kumquat Salak Chayote Feijos Loquat Sapodilla Cherimoya Guanabana Mangosteen Yangmei Cucamelon Jicama Pitaya Yuzu
GET TWICE AS MANY EGGS IN YOUR BASKET.1 Low fees can mean higher returns for you. Start now at TIAA.org/results
INVESTING ADVICE BANKING RETIREMENT
BUILT TO PERFORM. CREATED TO SERVE.
1Our assumption of: $100K, with a 6% rate of return, over a 30-year time period, with fees at a constant (.52%), saves an investor $92,523.91 — versus paying fees at the mutual fund industry average (1.25%). This is a hypothetical illustration. These returns are for illustrative purposes only and do not refl ect actual (product) performance, which will fl uctuate. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC. TIAA-CREF products are subject to market and other risk factors. C32769
Serving the Rensselaer community since 1885 News Wednesday, October 5, 2016 STUDENT SENATE RPI shuttle service to get cameras, bike racks David Raab Senior Reporter
THIS WEEK’S STUDENT SENATE MEETING started off with School of Management As- sociate Professor Jeff Durgee and Director of Auxiliary, Parking, and Transportation Services Alexandre da Silva giving updates. Durgee explained that he wanted to attend the meeting as a representative from the Faculty Senate in order to facilitate com- munication between the two bodies and was “just here to see what is going on.” Da Silva updated the Senate on the status of Transportation, Laundry, and Hospitality Services. He mentioned that the East Campus shuttle route had been redesigned to stop on Tibbets Avenue on its way to campus. In the future, new shuttles will have bike racks and security cameras added to them. A big up- coming project regarding the shuttle system is the possibility of Friday and Saturday late night shuttle services being added. Accord- ing to da Silva, President Jackson asked him to really take a good look into expanding transportation offerings for students. He stressed that while a proposal might be coming in the next several months, no final plans had been made at that point.Initial dis- Jonathan Caicedo/The Polytechnic See SENATE, Page 9 THE STUDENT SENATE MEETS to discuss an upcoming proposal to include a late night shuttle service to stimulate business in Troy. Executive Board funds RPI Boxing Club
Brookelyn Parslow/The Polytechnic VICE PRESIDENT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD SHANNON GILLESPIE MCCOMB ’17 DISCUSSES the proposal brought to the Board regarding Destination Imagination. The group became Union funded in September of last year, and came to the Executive Board in hopes of getting a trip to their Global Finals funded.
Elisabeth Ryan majority of the finances going pleased with this result, the pur- that the E-Board was torn on identify with a certain protected Senior Reporter towards this goal, they are left pose of DI’s visit was to discuss whether or not to fund their trip to group to exclude individuals who with little to cover the cost of the club’s budget. “Globals,” cover a percentage of do not identify themselves as PRESIDENT OF THE BOXING CLUB necessary equipment. Following DI became a Union-recognized their travel fees, encourage DI to members of that group. This con- Liam McEneaney ’17 present- a 15-2-1 vote, the E-Board offi- club last September, and re- raise their dues, or a combination troversial idea of excluding other ed in the Rensselaer Union cially recognized the RPI Boxing mained budget-less during that thereof. The motion to fund the students from Union-recognized Executive Board meeting to Club as Union funded, and ap- time. Through their club dues, club a full $2618 failed 7-10-1, clubs resulted in a lengthy debate request a budget for club equip- proved a starter budget of $200. fundraising, and paying from and the topic of further budgeting by the E-Board, and suggestions ment and a larger practice space. Representing Destination pocket, they were able to send for Destination Imagination was that the Policies committee make The Boxing Club was made a Imagination, President Noam themselves to the regional com- tabled until next week. revisions to the policy. Union-recognized organization Eshed ’18 and Treasurer Shamus petitions and, subsequently, the Due to the lengthy discussion For those interested in learning on December 11, 2015, and has Cardon ’18 presented their first global competition. They were on DI’s club finances, the discus- more or getting involved, E-Board since gained a large member- place trophy which they ob- looking to become funded for sion on the protected class policy meetings are Thursday nights at ship. They are currently looking tained at Global Finals 2016 this upcoming year. was also tabled for next week. 8 pm in the Shelnutt Gallery and at a consistent 30 members who in Knoxville, Tennessee. While The E-Board excused Eshed For new readers, the protected are open to the public. each pay 20 dollars in club dues the members of the E-Board and Cardon during their discus- class policy is a proposed pol- to their coach’s salary. With the were thoroughly impressed and sion on budgeting. It was here icy that would allow clubs who poly.rpi.edu Wednesday, October 5, 2016 News • 9 Senate: Preferred names coming to campus From Page 8 order to accommodate more people using it. across campus. This includes the Union’s Club his committee’s efforts to do research into If the numbers of freshmen stay at the current Management System, class lists provided by Rensselaer’s Physician-Scientist Program cussions had led him to believe the best way rate, da Silva said that major renovations and the Registrar, and the Center for Career and and advise people on which concentration of doing this would be to add an additional further expansion of the space of Commons Professional Development. The CCPD will they should focus on within their majors. route that would traverse and “penetrate into Dining Hall would have to be considered; give students a choice of whether they want Hannah Rabinowitz ’18 from the Rules Downtown Troy” in order to serve students however, any such plans were only in their their legal or preferred names to be submitted and Elections Committee reminded the who patronize Troy’s late night businesses. He infancy as it would take many years to get the with job applications to employers. Senate that freshman elections were on said that this could potentially be close to a major sources of funding required for such a As of right now, your Rensselaer ID Tuesday, October 4. 24-hour operation on Fridays and Saturdays, project. Finally, he acknowledged Terra Café, card will still have your legal name and the Tommy Alappat ’17 from the Union but stressed that no final decisions had been run out of Evelyn’s Café on Wednesdays, and makeup of your RCS ID would not change Annual Report committee said his group made yet. He did say specifically he planned specifically said Evelyn’s heaviest day by far to accommodate your preferred name. A had been looking into the wording of the on going to the Ruck during the next couple is Wednesday because of Terra Café. reporter from The Polytechnic asked whether Union Annual Report and adding informa- of weekends to see how many RPI students Chairman of the Student Life Committee or not the personal information updater on tion about how the Union would handle the go there on a typical weekend night. Justin Etzine ’18 updated the Senate on the RPInfo would allow a student to submit a Summer Arch initiative. Sidney Kochman According to da Silva, Sodexo has made resolution of the Preferred Names Petition preferred name, and Etzine explained that ’19 from the Web Technologies Group changes in order to deal with the large fresh- last year. Before the Student Life Committee updates made there only affect the RPInfo gave updates on his efforts to restore files man class this year. He said that 48 percent worked on this petition, only certain depart- app. Furthermore, it was explained that all from Flagship Documents and on the prog- of meal plan holders are freshmen, 32 per- ments on campus such as the Union and systems on campus only have a one-way ress of efforts to make a shuttle sign-up cent are sophomores, and the remaining 20 Health Center recognized a student’s preferred sync from Banner, and that changes made to site as well as a counseling center survey percent are voluntary (upperclassmen and name and each had their own process of being any individual systems will be overwritten site. The Facilities and Services Committee graduate students). Commons and Burdett added to it. The Registrar’s Office will now the next time they sync with Banner. is planning on sponsoring a dinner for Avenue Residence Hall’s dining halls both allow students to fill out a paper form that, The meeting ended with brief reports students to connect with Public Safety at got additional tables and chairs. Russell Sage once processed, will update their preferred from the Senate committees. Academic Commons Dining Hall. Dining Hall has changed its to-go program in name in many different information systems Affairs Chairman Varun Rao ’18 described CAMPUS EVENT Students face off with jobs at RPI Career Fair Maria Espinosa task was to check that all stu- Staff Reporter dents attending showed an RPI ID and followed the “business THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK casual” dress code. Some of the Engineers/Society of Hispanic volunteers asked to see an RPI Professional Engineers Career ID, while others did not. Some Fair took place on Friday, volunteers were very strict about September 30 and Saturday, the dress code to be followed, October 1. Companies includ- while others were not. ing Amazon, Deloitte, Exxon Approximately 4,000 students Mobil, GE, Microsoft, Johnson attend the NSBE/SHPE Career & Johnson, Google, IBM, and fair each year. This year, the Stryker, among others, set up in career fair had great attendance; the Armory in hopes of finding the Armory was very crowded. capable Rensselaer students they Because of the large number of would like to work with. Because companies and the vast number of an opportunity like this does not students present, it was very dif- come every day, RPI students ficult to find specific companies. prepared to the best of their abili- Students had to wait in lines to ties. There were many informa- speak to company representa- tion sessions, mock interviews, tives. Many of the companies’ and resume building workshops representatives were RPI alumni. to help students prepare for the A representative from Stryker career fair. Students felt the pres- explained why Stryker, along sure to have the perfect resume, with the rest of the companies to give the perfect pitch, and give there, pays to come to RPI for the perfect first impression. the career fair each semester. Because of the vague instruc- The representative from Stryker tions given to students about the said that RPI students are like no career fair, some students had others. In any field of study, RPI Brookelyn Parslow/The Polytechnic A CAMPUS RECRUITER DISCUSSES available positions with RPI students at the NSBE/SHPE Career Fair. problems entering the Armory. students have stronger basic skills After waiting in line, several and stronger backgrounds in is the only school in New York sessions and presentations is sent spring. Students are encouraged people were denied entry and technology. In today’s constantly that Stryker recruits at. to students’ RPI emails. The next to attend to gain experience even were sent back. There were in- advancing society, the skills pos- Companies are still holding career fair will be hosted by the if they are not looking for jobs or consistencies in the actions of sessed by RPI students are in information sessions and presen- Center for Career and Professional internships. the volunteers at the door, whose great demand by employers. RPI tations. Information about these Development this upcoming
Freshman Election Results
President Vice President Joshua Drinkhouse 44.2% Josephine Lyons 53.7% Adam Circle 32.3% Chris Duffy 36.7% Ayush Goel 12.6% Representatives Senators Ariana Gerdis Lily Wang Clarisse Baes Joshua Thomas Sruja Machani Evan Abreu Tejas Narayan Ha’ani-Belle Quichocho Nathan Mascari Adam Primak Sarah Haslam
Serving the Rensselaer community since 1885 Events Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Lapalux FanFest WEDNESDAY EMPAC Studio 1; 8–9 pm ECAV; 11 am–3 pm October 5 London-based producer Lapalux is a A carnival midway featuring games, student Center for Financial Studies Research rising star of electronic music. Mixing performances, The Auto Show presented Seminar Series R&B, IDM, and a penchant for sci-fi with by Rensselaer Motorsport, and free carnival CII 3051; 2–3 pm woozy, glitched-out beats and taking movie snacks. Food truck food court for $10 cash only. The Lally School of Management will host soundtracks and visual ideas as inspiration, a Center for Financial Studies Industry Lapalux creates dance music for both the Psycho Speaker Series/Finance and Accounting body and the imagination. The cost of DCC 308; 7 pm, 9:30 pm, and midnight Event “Evolving Career Paths on Wall Street,” attendance is $6. A Phoenix secretary steals $40,000 from by Michael Weinz. her employer’s client, goes on the run, and checks into a remote motel run by a young Physics Colloquium FRIDAY man under the domination of his mother. DCC 337; 4–5 pm October 7 The Department of Physics, Applied Physics Entrepreneur of the Year Celebration and Astronomy hosts Vinod Menon, City CBIS Auditorium; 2:30–4 pm SUNDAY College of New York. The lecture is titled This award salutes successful entrepreneurs October 8 “Control of light-matter interaction in 2D who, in turn, are important role models Second Presidential Debate atomic crystals.” for the students of Rensselaer. Those DCC 337; 9–10:30 pm honored with the award bring the world Join the Rensselaer Community in of entrepreneurship into Rensselaer’s watching the second presidential debate THURSDAY classrooms and laboratories, sharing their televised live. Pizza will be provided. October 6 experience and wisdom with all students. Seasonal Flu Shot Clinics DCC Great Hall; 9 am–4 pm Historic Walking Ghost Tours MONDAY The cost is $15 for faculty and free for students. Rensselaer Union; 7–11 pm October 10 Join the Original Albany Ghost Tour at Columbus Day — No classes CBE Van Ness Lecture Series Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy for a CBIS Auditorium; 9:15–10:15 am 90-minute walking tour of the legends and T h e I s e r m a n n D e p a r t m e n t o f C h e m i c a l a n d lore of the nearly 200-year-old institution. TUESDAY Biological Engineering presents Dr. Jodie October 11 Lutkenhaus. She will present a lecture titled Finding Dory Classes resume — Monday schedule “An Introduction to Electroactive Polymer- DCC 308; 7 pm, 9:30 pm, and midnight Based Batteries and Capacitors.” The friendly but forgetful blue tang fish Curling Team Informational Meeting begins a search for her long-lost parents, Mother’s; 8–9 pm Reunion & Homecoming 2016 - and everyone learns a few things about Join the Curling Team to learn about George M. Low ’48 the real meaning of family along the way. the sport of curling. This informational CII; 2–3 pm meeting is for anyone interested in trying George M. Low successfully fostered the curling. Learn about bonspiels (curling collaboration of government, industry, SATURDAY tournaments) and the rules of the game. and academia to “achieve the impossible” October 8 at NASA, and then brought this model to President’s State of the Institute Address Rensselaer as its 14th president. Learn EMPAC Theater; 9:30–11 am WEDNESDAY about this extraordinary man, and tour the Celebrate the progress and October 12 unique Low Gallery. accomplishments of the past year, and Materials Science and Engineering learn about the plans for the future. Seminar Wine & Dine Night Following the president’s address, Dr. CII 3051; 11 am–noon Clubhouse Pub; 7–9 pm Jackson, a recipient of the National Medal Dr. Mehran Arbab, global director of This month the pub will be celebrating Latin of Science, will lead a panel discussion aerospace coatings and sealants at PPG Heritage Month. The three-course meal with National Medal of Technology & Industries, will present “Energy-Efficient designed specifically for Latin Heritage Month Innovation Winners. Glass for Architectural Applications.” will be paired with wines that complement the delicious foods. Patrons pay $10 for the cost of their wine. The food is free.
Preparing for the Behavioral Interview Russell Sage Dining Hall; 7–9 pm In the Features section of the Senior recruiters from Regeneron will lead September 28 issue of The a one-hour active learning workshop about the behavioral interviewing approach. Polytechnic, Shannon Gillespie Working in small groups, students will gain insight into what interviewers are looking for McComb’s name was misspelled. a n d w i l l p r a c t i c e t e c h n i q u e s t o b e s u c c e s s f u l during the interview process. The second hour will be a question and answer session. poly.rpi.edu Wednesday, October 5, 2016 Features • 11 Panel: Alumni Sáenz: Author’s story follows bring new ideas two polar opposite families From Page 12 From Page 12 was an American Society of Mechanical Engineers Congressional the reader has direct access to Ari’s complex in different ways, leading their evolution to be Fellow. While at Rensselaer, Cohen co-founded and co-chaired the theories on life’s secrets. It becomes clear that his just as vital and captivating as Dante and Ari’s. Student Sustainability Task Force. philosophical name was no accident on Sáenz’s Sáenz has a unique style of presenting thought- Jay has a Bachelor of Science from RPI in addition to an MBA part, as some of Ari’s most private thoughts and ful observations on life—he’ll use simple, concise from the Kellogg School at Northwestern and a DMD from the emotions come to light. His brother, who is im- sentence structure for the majority of a paragraph, University of Pennsylvania. He is now the head of the HealthCare prisoned, is perhaps the largest contributor to his and then sneak in a lyrical sentence that packs Fund at Siemens Venture Capital, which invests globally in imaging sadness. He doesn’t know much about his sibling such a punch it makes the reader turn the book and diagnostic technologies. Among other accomplishments, Jay other than his name, Bernardo, and where he is— over and reflect. These moments are the bread and has been instrumental in raising over $2 billion in equity capital, prison. His parents treat the idea of his brother butter of Aristotle and Dante—Sáenz is masterful bringing over 20 companies public, and has been frequently inter- as something to not be acknowledged, which in at juxtaposing Ari’s direct language with his com- viewed in the financial press. Jay also founded the Massachusetts turn contributes to Ari’s reserved personality. plex ideas. This only makes him more endearing, Oyster Project, a non-profit that has re-introduced water cleansing It’s these kinds of personal dynamics that drive the reader feeling Ari’s every wholehearted laugh oysters into Boston Harbor after an absence of 50 years. the story forward, making personal connection and cracked bone. Mallia received her Ph.D from RPI in Ecological Economics and is to characters easily achievable. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of now the Director of Sustainability at the University at Albany. Mallia Another aspect that sets this story apart from the Universe is a uniquely thought-provoking oversees the coordination and advancement of the sustainability efforts other young adult novels is, interestingly enough, coming-of-age story that transcends its genre at UAlbany by working with a multitude of academic departments, the parents. Whereas most other novels in the stereotypes. It uses simple structures to delve into student groups and community organizations. Highlights of their genre are focused in wildly dystopian futures complex ideas, and bravely touches on subjects success include six LEED certified buildings: a campus dining hall with no emphasis on parents, Aristotle and Dante that demand to be discussed. Above all else, it is composting program; a wide array of alternative transportation offer- sees the two boys’ guardians deeply involved with done beautifully—the author weaves the lives of ings including car share, bike share, and universal bus access; a robust their lives. They often shift plot points and have two friends together so naturally and poetically local food procurement initiative; and an energy conservation pro- plenty of dialogue. Like their sons, however, they it makes the reader’s heart ache with emotion. gram that was recognized with the NY Department of Environmental are different from one another. While Dante’s It has the ability to empower and encourage its Conservation’s Environmental Excellence Award in 2011. studious father shows love and affection easily, audience to unashamedly find their best self. This set of panelists, with diverse degrees and fields, will be Ari’s father holds a war-torn past and is much Rarely has there been a set of bound pages I certain to provide an interesting discussion on Saturday! The panel harder to read. Dante’s parents are open with want to read more than once. Aristotle and Dante’s and reception is open to current students, alumni, faculty, staff, and everything, while Ari’s hide away secrets. Each story is that rarity. their guests. decision they make is shown to affect their sons ALBUM REVIEW Music: Chance Album seeks remembrance Nathan Dorer their way into the lives and bedrooms of the patrons gathering creates Senior Reviewer of the hotel. In many ways, Spektor juxtaposes the sexually-charged actions inside the hotel with the somber RELEASED ON SEPTEMBER 30, REGINA SPEKTOR’S lullaby of her piano, and uses the duality of the song emotional journey new album Remember Us To Life has caught critical to acknowledge the poetry of the fiery, lustful hookup attention for its careful and eccentric take on modern culture that takes place within her narrative. “Grand Three old friends make modern art pop music. While Spektor is widely known for her Hotel” serves as Spektor’s romanticized interpretation of indie hits “Samson” and “Fidelity,” this new album hookup culture; people embracing the dangerous sides serves as her first release since “What We Saw From in the hallowed halls of an elegant hotel. The Cheap Seats” in 2011. Within the 11 songs on Arguably the most political song on the album, Remember Us To Life, Spektor manages to explore within “The Trapper and The Furrier” Spektor themes in the realm of corporate America and hookup consciously writes about the system of American culture with an acute eye and almost painfully well- capitalism in which “those who don’t have lose, those constructed songwriting. Rolling Stone Magazine who got get given.” Within “The Trapper and the described the release as “a balancing act of the Furrier,” Spektor doesn’t skirt around her problems familiar and far-out,” and credits Spektor for her with a market that enables the rich to profit from the originality after nearly 20 years in the music industry. poor. She forms the piece into a battle of the haves Remember Us To Life begins with the spirited, upbeat and have-nots: “the good are damned, and the wicked anthem “Bleeding Heart.” In this first song, Spektor forgiven.” As a backdrop to her pointed commentary, begins by encouraging her listeners to abandon their Spektor writes a somber, blues-y piano track that insecurities, only to acknowledge her own over the points the listener in the direction of a grim dystopia. course of the bridge. Through this dichotomy, the As her seventh studio album, Spektor manages artist manages to make the piece almost dangerously to keep her eye keen and her writing precise in intimate; she expresses not only her desire to be stronger Remember Us To Life. Spektor creates her music than the demands of everyone else, but also directly with a sense of relatability and careful introspection; acknowledges the chinks in her armor. “Bleeding Heart” in turn, the songs she creates allow her to reimagine enters the album into the sort of light-hearted honesty things her listeners already know. The album that has made Spektor’s previous albums so popular. integrates itself well into Spektor’s line of charming, Later in the album, Spektor’s “Grand Hotel” is a intimate, critical, and self-aware albums that have more polite, kindhearted piano ballad that contains the formed her 20-year career. In the end, Remember Us narrative of an ornate hotel with a portal to hell in the To Life evokes the same sound and character that we basement. Within the story, the demons in the hotel make have come to expect of Regina Spektor.
Courtesy of Polydor COMMUNION ACHIEVES a sense of solidity within its short runtime. From Page 12 Olly’s voice coupled with hovering synths, and the lyrics lead to a soaring crescendo that ends seamlessly. The most impressive feat that Years & Years managed to accomplish is the strength of their debut—there is no clear weak track. The trio exhibits versatility and depth throughout the 48 minutes. Sometimes the compositions are flamboyant and joyous, other times somber and reflective. No two tracks are the same, yet the album is still a singular cohesive effort. This is largely due to its overlying themes of love, fame, and discrimination coupled with complimentary instrumentals and repeating symbolical references. Years & Years is appealing not only for their talent, but for their unabashed uniqueness. In a world of predetermined cookie-cutter performers, the trio’s honesty is refreshing. They don’t take anything too seriously. They aim to Courtesy of Gregory Goldstien be as open and authentic as possible. As a result, their music is memorable SPEKTOR EXPLORES a varaiety of themes in her seventh album, among them fragility and capitalism. and masterful all at once. Keep an eye out for Years & Years.
Serving the Rensselaer community since 1885 Features Wednesday, October 5, 2016 ALBUM REVIEW Communion continues dazzling listeners Tanner Vargas it has a massive following, but it Although the inventive hooks If you’ve ever heard of Years glittering beats. From the chorus’ A Special To The Poly has found global success and is and backbone beats are instantly & Years, you’ve likely heard “I was a king” to the final shouting slowly beginning to cross over recognizable Y&Y, it’s Olly’s their smash hit “King.” The track pleas of “let go of everything,” the onto playlists and stages in the US. magnetic voice that inevitably asserted its royal dominance in song is pure gold. IMAGINE FALLING INTO AN OCEAN Five years prior to the release of leaves the deepest impression. the UK in March of Communion’s Another highlight is the track of synths. Out of nowhere, a their first album, Mikey happened Fans of Sam Smith and The release year. The track was Y&Y’s “1977.” The standout opens with crooning voice comes through to hear Olly singing in the Weeknd may see glints of first #1, crowning the UK Singles a somber “you dye your hands the the dilapidated fog. In kicks a shower. After conversation and similarity, but Alexander paves Chart with a whopping combined color blue/you wash your mouth; slinking alt-pop beat, complete collaboration, Years & Years was his own road when it comes to sales-streaming figure of 101,000 you pray for truth.” This is pretty with raw, unfiltered lyrics. born. The group had five members dialect and lyricism. Songs such copies in its debut week. It was also good stuff—Olly is singing of That’s the essence of Years in the early months, but three as the opener “Foundation,” a critical success—Time Magazine an ended relationship, but hints & Years’ first studio effort: stayed together until their signing which is reminiscent of a named “King” the 10th-best song at it rather than directly saying Communion. Released in July with Interscope/Polydor. Y&Y forlorn battle cry, and standout of 2015. Although the trio has it. The color blue universally of 2015, Communion sees the is comprised of an architect- “Without,” which soars to yet to crossover in the States, one represents sadness, and the trio of Olly Alexander, Mikey turned-synth-mastermind emotional highs, showcase the listen of “King” should make you washing alludes to someone Goldsworthy, and Emre Türkmen (Türkmen), Australian bassist range of Alexander’s remarkable scratch your head. The song opens trying to heal themselves. It’s experimenting in synth pop. The (Goldsworthy), and curly-haired talent. He has a dynamic voice, with an ascending voice loop easy to feel the emotion through group originated in London, where vocalist (Alexander). with the pipes to prove it. before Olly’s voice jumps in amid See MUSIC, Page 11
Courtesy of Unrecorded YEARS & YEARS EVOKE comparisons to The Weedknd and Sam Smith, but are able to enthral listeners with their own style as they speak about triumphs and failures. CAMPUS EVENT BOOK REVIEW Conference draws Book ponders teen friendship
Tanner Vargas enviromentalists A Special To The Poly Elizabeth Anderson pose to connect sustainability- A Special To The Poly oriented current RPI students “WORDS WERE DIFFERENT WHEN THEY LIVED INSIDE YOU.” and RPI alumni. The goal of the The best kind of books are the ones with charac- O N SATURDAY, OCTOBER group is three-fold: to provide ters so vivid and themes so impactful they refuse to 8, FROM 3–5 pm, the Second a network to help RPI students be forgotten. Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s Aristotle and Annual SustainAffinity Panel and alumni interested in sustain- Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is a narra- and Reception will take place in ability careers learn their op- tive filled with introspective, quotable moments that Russell Sage Laboratory 3303 tions; to create a sustainability live long after the last page is turned. At its core, the with three panelists who are community that reaches beyond Michael L. Printz Award-winning young adult novel leaders in diverse environmen- RPI; and to mentor current stu- is a story of friendship, growth and self-realization. tal fields: Dr. Benjamin Cohen dents, particularly environmen- It’s a story that begins with the new friendship of ’11, Dr. Andrew T. Jay ’84, and tal club leaders, to reach their two outsider teenagers, Aristotle Mendoza and Dante Dr. Mary Ellen Mallia ’06. The goals at RPI and beyond. Quintana, and spans over two summers. panelists will talk about their ex- Cohen received his Ph.D de- The two first meet at a swimming pool, where an periences working on sustainable gree from RPI in Mechanical outgoing Dante offers to teach a reserved Aristotle to solutions and give advice about Engineering and is now a swim. Aristotle, often called Ari, begins to come out of paths current students and fellow Planning Environmental his self-constructed shell and enjoy Dante’s personal- alumni might take in environmen- Engineer at the New York ity. Neither of the two have had many friends, so the tal fields. Audience questions will Independent System Operator origin of their friendship is instantly raw and unique. be accepted, and, after the panel, (NYISO) in Rensselaer, NY It is clear from the start that the two are very differ- there will be opportunities for net- where he monitors several fed- ent. While Dante is unapologetically honest with his working as well as refreshments. eral and state environmental emotions, Ari holds back and likes to be alone with
SustainAffinity is an affinity initiatives. Cohen previously Courtesy of Simon and Schuester Books for Young Readers his thoughts. Since it’s written in Ari’s point of view, group that I started with the pur- See PANEL, Page 11 ARISTOTLE AND DANTE WON hearts and prizes. See SÁENZ, Page 11