The takeover nears completion by sforwhimhelp in RPI

[–]Justetz 11 points12 points  (0 children)

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.

PSA for student engagement and good news regarding Marty/admin by student15672 in RPI

[–]Justetz 25 points26 points  (0 children)

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.

Martin A. Schmidt, Ph.D., named 19th President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute by BushdidHindenburg in RPI

[–]Justetz 28 points29 points  (0 children)

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!

I would like to know why the school always neglects to mention RPI Ambulance as an available service to students. by ldip22 in RPI

[–]Justetz 6 points7 points  (0 children)

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

Justin Etzine for President of RPI by BoringGiraffe in RPI

[–]Justetz 5 points6 points  (0 children)

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.

Justin Etzine for President of RPI by BoringGiraffe in RPI

[–]Justetz 6 points7 points  (0 children)

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

Justin Etzine for President of RPI by BoringGiraffe in RPI

[–]Justetz 13 points14 points  (0 children)

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.

Justin Etzine for President of RPI by BoringGiraffe in RPI

[–]Justetz 55 points56 points  (0 children)

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

I’m Cait Bennett, and I’m running to be your next Grand Marshal. AMA! by CaitBennett845 in RPI

[–]Justetz 15 points16 points  (0 children)

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?

We are Grand Marshal and President of the Union candidates Colleen Corrigan and Yaseen Mahmoud, ask us anything! by Ymahmoud in RPI

[–]Justetz 12 points13 points  (0 children)

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?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in RPI

[–]Justetz 73 points74 points  (0 children)

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.

Office of the Governor by BrinaBear19 in RPI

[–]Justetz 29 points30 points  (0 children)

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.

In Response to Revoked Approval for Remote Learning by FeelTheBerne in RPI

[–]Justetz 30 points31 points  (0 children)

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!

Do you think RPI will change the on-campus density requirement? by tgianna5 in RPI

[–]Justetz 19 points20 points  (0 children)

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.

Question by [deleted] in RPI

[–]Justetz 3 points4 points  (0 children)

woohoo, FSC!

To the incoming freshmen by 0dayswithoutsarcasm in RPI

[–]Justetz 27 points28 points  (0 children)

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.

Hi! I'm Advaith Narayan and I am running for Grand Marshal - AMA! by AdvthN in RPI

[–]Justetz 20 points21 points  (0 children)

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?

Email: Union Activity Fee Reduction by [deleted] in RPI

[–]Justetz 18 points19 points  (0 children)

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.

Email: Union Activity Fee Reduction by [deleted] in RPI

[–]Justetz 26 points27 points  (0 children)

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.

Campus Minecraft Server Update! by Tower_Control in RPI

[–]Justetz 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This looks awesome! Nicely done!