Counseling Center to Revamp This Semester
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Wednesday, September 13, 2017 Volume CXXXVIII, No. 2 • poly.rpi.edu FEATURES Page 4 SPORTS Page 8 EDITORIAL Page 6 Rex Mindfulness, balance, Hu and productivity NRB Protecting Rensselaer’s Superior Merchandise Company Women’s soccer continues streak Editorial DACA students offers hip vibes, great coffee against Sage Colleges RENSSELAER UNION STUDENT HEALTH Memo: RPI president Counseling can pick Union director Center to revamp this semester Peter Gramenides Senior Reporter AT THE END OF THE SPRING 2017 SEMESTER, THE STUDENT Senate released Counseling Center survey results and areas for recommendation. The survey results included both quantitative and qualitative data on the student experience summarizing the general findings of the year-long study. Due to the sensitive Elena Perez/The Polytechnic nature of the counseling and the feedback provided A RECENT MEMO STATES that the director of the Union is appointed by the president of by students, anonymity was guaranteed by the Senate Rensselaer, as per the bylaws of the Institute and the Union Constitution. (file photo) subcommittee, led by Nathan Dorer ’18, to all survey conditions of employment and salary policies respondents. The survey was shared with the Rensselaer Nathan Dorer for all staff, faculty, and administrators and community via social media from November 3 to Sidney Kochman other employees of the Institute.” However, November 15, 2016. Senior Reporters Article I of the Bylaws of Rensselaer Poly- According to the results from the survey, the vast technic Institute (poly.rpi.edu/s/rpibylaws) majority of respondents claimed to have gone to the THE RENSSELAER UNION HAS LACKED A DIRECTOR declares that “the Board shall carry out” that Counseling Center more than one time in a semes- since former Director of the Union Joe Cassidy’s function. Furthermore, the president is allowed ter, with nearly 50 percent of students claiming to departure in January 2016. In an effort to fill the to “exercise a general superintendence over all have gone 2–5 times throughout the semester and position, the Division for Human Resources the affairs of the institution” as per Article VIII. over a quarter having gone 6–10 times. Of those has been conducting a search for candidates. Powell continues by quoting the Rensselaer who use or have discontinued using the Counsel- On Wednesday, September 13, the on-campus Union Constitution, Article V, which states ing Center, 32.3 percent stated that they continue portion of the search for a director of the Union that the director must exercise her duties “in to use the center, 17.2 percent stated that their begins as two candidates will be coming to RPI. accordance with the policies of the Rensselaer condition has improved and they may go back as During their time here, each will be interviewed Board of Trustees.” Powell asserts that this frag- needed, and 31.2 percent said that they had a bad for an hour by a committee of 20 students. ment indicates that “the Rensselaer Union experience at the Counseling Center. Ultimately, according to the Rensselaer Union Constitution must fall within the bylaws of Of those who never used the service, 32.4 percent Constitution, the next director of the Union will Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.” chose not to use it since they heard about a bad ex- need to be approved by a vote of the Rensselaer Historically, the director of the Union has perience, 36.8 percent had never needed counseling Union Executive Board. reported to the Executive Board, and members services, and 7.4 percent had difficulty scheduling In a memorandum issued by Vice Presi- of the Board vote to approve anyone taking up an appointment. In terms of overall satisfaction with dent for Human Resources Curtis Powell the position. In 2011, however, the Executive the Counseling Center, with 10 being the highest and (poly.rpi.edu/s/dotumemo), the Division of Board did not vote before Cassidy was ap- zero being the lowest, survey recipients expressed an Human Resources states that the director of pointed director of the Union. In Spring 2016, average of 5.4. According to the report, 47 percent the Union position as outlined by the Union proposed changes to the Division of Student of all those who responded to the survey gave the Constitution will be appointed by the president Life (poly.rpi.edu/s/tgnei) sparked a protest Counseling Center a rating of 5 or below. Serving the of Rensselaer. Powell wrote that the president outside of the president’s Spring Town Meeting is entitled to “approve annually the terms and (poly.rpi.edu/s/sh2q7). See COUNSELING, Page 2 Rensselaer community STUDENT SENATE since 1885 Title IX coordinators visit senators Peter Gramenides and stalking. Senate members also in the complaint or investigation cases on sexual assault, 13 cases on Senior Reporter asked questions regarding social process will be subject to conduct sexual harassment, and 8 cases on Inside media stalking, in which the co- charges based on their admission stalking, totaling 65 cases. Of the ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2017, GRAND ordinators explained that social to alcohol or drug use. A person’s 33 cases involving sexual assault, Comics . 3 Marshal Justin Etzine ’18 opened media stalking is also a violation prior sexual activity with individu- 19 complaints, or over 57 percent the meeting with his weekly report, of RPI’s policies. The Senate als outside of the situation at hand of complaints involved the use of Editorial/Opinion . 6 stating that the hiring process for discussed the specific definitions will also not be considered and drugs or alcohol. “We are pretty Features . 4 the new director of the Union is and situations regarding consent cooperation by the victim is not sure the number is a little higher Sports . 8 ongoing. Etzine conceded that he in which the legal definition was required in an investigation. All than that,” stated Brown-Boyette. cannot share more about the pro- given as “words or actions that cre- victims are also entitled to bring At the time of the presentation, cess, except that interviews are cur- ate clear permission.” Consent does a confidential advisor and emo- 51 cases were closed out of 65 rently being conducted. Following not apply under the physical or tional support person with them total cases. Of the outcomes of the GM report, the Student Senate mental inability to make informed, to all meetings, interviews, and those cases, 43 percent had no Connect received a presentation from Title rational judgements and could be proceedings. These individuals policy violation. Of the remaining IX Coordinators Elizabeth Brown- revoked at any time. may include, but are not limited individuals, 6 were subject to ex- Visit us online at: Boyette and Larry Hardy. Senators also shared concerns to, a roommate, legal counsel, or pulsion, 3 were subject to suspen- poly.rpi.edu In a guided discussion, the Sen- that their constituents may not member of the Rensselaer staff. sion, 7 were subject to disciplinary Like us on Facebook: ate jointly conversed with the Title seek out help for sexual harass- The Title IX coordinators also probation, 3 were not applicable facebook.com/thepolytechnic IX coordinators about the provisions ment, out of fear of repercussions provided statistics on sexual as- since they were not RPI students, Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: of Rensselaer’s Student Sexual Mis- if they were under the influence sault allegations at Rensselaer from and 8 received other disciplinary @RPIPoly conduct Policy including strict rules of drugs or alcohol. In response, February 1, 2015 to May 31, 2017. actions including written warn- against sexual harassment, sexual the Title IX coordinators stated During that time, there were 11 cas- ings, educational programs, or no assault, intimate partner violence, that no individual participating es on intimate partner violence, 33 contact orders. 2 • News Wednesday, September 13, 2017 poly.rpi.edu EXECUTIVE BOARD E-Board approves pharmacy delivery service Sidney Kochman be used for other purposes outside of pharmacy hours. vote by their voting members to change their bylaws. Rand Senior Reporter Capo said that Marra’s hours could be flexible and ad- ruled the motion out of order due to confusion over how the justed to the demands of the students. For instance, they changes might affect bylaws ratification in the future. ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2017, THE RENSSELAER Union Execu- could initially start with a service that delivers to campus In the president’s report, Rand noted that the RPI tive Board held its first meeting of the Fall semester. The E-Board on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, due to each day Badminton Club’s operations have been suspended until discussed proposals related to an on-campus pharmacy, RPI usually having a different class schedule. If this proves to September 17 due to members of the club entering an RPI Ballroom Dance, UPAC Sound, and Rensselaer Outing Club. be inconvenient, Procurement Services would work with building without proper supervision. Specific officers are Associate Director of Procurement Services Rachael Marra’s to determine other times that prescriptions could suspended until October 2. Rand does not plan to bring the Capo and Executive Director of the Health Center Leslie be brought to campus. matter to the dean of students. Lawrence presented an update on bringing a pharmacy Representative David Raab ’19 asked why the plan is to Steve Allard, director of the Mueller Center, shared to Rensselaer’s campus. have Marra’s deliver to the Union rather than the Health that the search for an assistant director of the Mueller In response to student demand, the Student Sen- Center. President of the Union Matthew Rand ’19 said that Center is nearing its end.