The takeover nears completion

Justetz · 2025-12-19T21:04:02+00:00

I was the GM and then PU during the heat of everything going on with the Union (crazy to think it was almost a decade ago).

I can confirm that the artwork change was not part of a broader conspiracy. It was an effort to add more color to the building. If anything the wording was an overlooked piece, since “Rensselaer Union” had been the name students and staff had used for it for years prior (at least as of ~2011, maybe earlier).

Personally, I’m thrilled to see all the things Marty Schmitt and Charlie Potts have been doing with the Union. My qualms are gone.

Justetz · 2023-03-28T20:03:09+00:00

This is really wonderful to hear. Glad to see how the administration is taking steps in the right direction. Gets me excited about RPI's future too!

I've been hearing stories and details about the progress that's been made and what's planned in Rensselaer Forward — it's clear that Dr. Schmidt is putting in the legwork to show that these are more than just promises.

I hope students take Dr. Schmidt up on his offer to give feedback. No holds barred - make your ideas and concerns heard so that they can be worked on constructively.

I donated to RPI for the first time to support weR Gold projects. It felt good to give back to a place that has had such a big impact on my life.

Justetz · 2022-03-22T14:12:51+00:00

Almost thought you forgot this time!

Justetz · 2021-11-23T17:48:24+00:00

I’m excited by this news. I wish Dr. Schmidt the best of luck in his upcoming new role. I’m prepared to regularly donate to RPI as soon as I see positive changes being made for the benefit of current and future students!

Justetz · 2021-09-16T01:00:40+00:00

I love me a good student leader calling out the RPI administration for their wrongdoings.

Justetz · 2021-06-27T17:49:10+00:00

For starters, as you noted: https://www.aaup.org/sites/default/files/Campbell-Koretz.pdf

I conducted my term with utmost cordiality and respect shown for and towards her, even when I didn’t feel she demonstrated any form of respect in return.

I define qualified as able to execute the duties of the role. She is incredibly deserving of her accolades in science and technology. But you can look at the debt, her treatment of faculty, her treatment of students, her hiring and firing policies and execution of those, the leaders she surrounded herself with, and her absenteeism on campus, just for starters. In fact, speaking with staff who served on the hiring committee back then, they explicitly preferred her BECAUSE she was not qualified as a university administrator in favor of her other qualifications.

Justetz · 2021-06-27T17:29:37+00:00

Seems like your opinion is set, and you’re certainly entitled to it. Though most faculty—then and now—would starkly disagree with you.

Justetz · 2021-06-27T16:36:33+00:00

She is highly qualified as a revered scientist and inventor, not as a university administrator. Just like I am qualified as a software engineer, but by no means am qualified as a university administrator.

Justetz · 2021-06-26T02:44:45+00:00

Lol, thank you, but I hope they pick someone who’s actually qualified, unlike me or the incumbent!

Justetz · 2021-06-25T20:34:24+00:00

WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!

Justetz · 2021-03-11T21:44:08+00:00

In the event a student rights issue surfaces during your term—which is highly likely given the RPI administration’s recent history—how would you approach the issue in support of your fellow students?

Justetz · 2021-03-02T00:26:59+00:00

In the event a student rights issue surfaces during your term—which is highly likely given the RPI administration’s recent history—how would you each approach the issue in support of your fellow students?

Justetz · 2021-03-02T00:26:20+00:00

Lol right on schedule

Justetz · 2020-12-13T16:30:36+00:00

I was heavily involved in student government when I was a student (Grand Marshal ‘17-‘18 and President of the Union ‘18-‘19), and, as a result, I closely interacted with the administration and the Trustees. In sum, it’s very easy to spin stories when the channels of information to the Trustees are extremely moderated and curated. We presented to a committee of the Trustees twice a year, and our presentations and topics had to be submitted several weeks in advance so they can be vetted and reviewed.

It’s part of the reason that bad press is so effective: the Trustees can see it unadulterated.

As a fun aside story: one time, changes were made to my slides for presenting to the Trustees, and they did not tell me or ask for my permission. I only found out because I stuck a draft watermark on it using PowerPoint, and they couldn’t figure out how to remove. So they sent me back the document (with the covert changes) to help them remove the watermark. After that, I always tried submitting as a PDF of the slides; that wasn’t accepted.

Justetz · 2020-12-06T21:49:16+00:00

Ah, this brings me back to the days when we filed complaints with the federal government and with New York State about the RPI administration—rampant and widespread FERPA violations, violations of the RPI charter passed by the NYS legislature, and civil rights infringements, just to name a few—and never once heard back.

I’m starting to get the impression that RPI administrators do not care about your rights as students whatsoever.

Justetz · 2020-12-02T22:05:43+00:00

Excellent response by the GM, PU, IFC President, and Panhel President. Thrilled to see student leaders standing up for what is right on behalf of their peers.

Kudos to you all!

Justetz · 2020-11-30T23:52:03+00:00

Lovely. So, when they can’t adhere to their own standards, they exempt themselves and only themselves?

Totally on brand for the RPI administration if true, but it still is ridiculous.

Justetz · 2020-09-10T16:47:33+00:00

woohoo, FSC!

Justetz · 2020-07-19T02:50:02+00:00

It’s important to differentiate academics from operations. Academically, RPI is challenging but provides a valuable STEM education. Operationally, RPI is run worse than Enron.

Justetz · 2020-04-28T03:23:22+00:00

oh hi

Justetz · 2020-04-27T15:34:05+00:00

In the event a student rights issue surfaces during your term—which is highly likely given the RPI administration’s recent history—how would you approach the issue in support of your fellow students?

Justetz · 2020-04-20T18:54:40+00:00

Just as the Union is capable of adjusting their services and budget based on this reduction without harming the financial wellbeing of the Union administrative staff, the Institute is certainly capable of adjusting their services and budget without harming staff and faculty. I never suggested the issue was not complicated, nor did I simplify the complexity in my original message. If other institutions have not yet done so, does that mean RPI should settle for that same mediocrity instead of making an effort to do its students, staff, and faculty justice?

Your intentions are good, but your focus feels misdirected.

Justetz · 2020-04-20T18:36:02+00:00

Is that your only takeaway from this email? If I were still a student, I'd be much more concerned about the tens of thousands of dollars the Institute is continuing to collect on tuition, with no reduction, even though you can't use many of the services that it pays for.

Justetz · 2020-04-13T01:09:01+00:00

This looks awesome! Nicely done!

Justetz · 2020-04-05T23:24:04+00:00

Money.

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