Archives

November 2021


football

Engineers soar over Gulls into NCAA second round

By Andrew Days November 23, 2021

The Engineers continue their playoff journey as they defeated Endicott College 20‒14. They are set to take on the Cortland Red Dragons in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Administration

Martin A. Schmidt named next president of the Institute

By John Stotz and Medhini Mankale November 23, 2021

Martin A. Schmidt ’81 has been named the 19th president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Schmidt will assume his position as president from July 1, 2022, succeeding President Shirley Ann Jackson after her 23-year tenure at RPI. Schmidt currently serves as the provost at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Men'S Hockey

Blood in the water: Engineers fillet Sharks

By Andrew Days November 23, 2021

The predatory Engineers' power play drew blood as they netted three goals in a 7‒2 victory over the Long Island University Sharks, with ECAC Rookie of the Week John Beaton ’24 scoring the first two goals of his collegiate career. The Engineers’ record now stands at 6‒5‒2.

Executive Board

Executive Board revokes Union membership of policy-violating student

By William Hawkins November 17, 2021

The Union Executive Board revoked the Union membership of a student for violating the Rensselaer Union’s COVID-19 policies. The student, who is currently on their away semester, had been attending various in-person student government meetings and events in violation of the Union’s policy restricting entrance to Union facilities to Rensselaer Community members with campus access.

Student Senate

Cooking up solutions for late-night dining

By Alexander Orr November 17, 2021

The Student Senate held a presentation to improve late-night dining. A motion was passed to make immediate changes, including collecting student feedback, creating a list of meals for dining staff to make, and investigating changes into U-Cook and Father's Marketplace.

Cross Country

Men's team, Goddard Nationals-bound

By Theo Olinkiewicz November 17, 2021

John Reed (Gr) and Nia Goddard '23 earned Liberty League Performer of the Week as a result of their performance during the NCAA Division III Mideast Cross Country Regional meet. Six Engineers on the Men's team, including Reed, received All-Region honors.

FOOTBALL

Engineers crowned Liberty League champions in Shoes victory

By Andrew Days November 17, 2021

The Liberty League title and Dutchman Shoes trophy returned to Troy after Rensselaer defeated Union 19‒17 following a nerve-wracking final minute, capped off by a game-winning field goal from Trevor Bisson ’22. The Engineers will travel to Endicott College to face the Gulls in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Executive Board

Union recognizes Positive Psychology Club and Caribbean Students Association

By David Liu November 17, 2021

On Thursday, the Union Executive Board approved the Positive Psychology Club as a Union-recognized club, effective immediately. The Caribbean Student Association will become Union-recognized upon approval of a starter constitution by the Club Operations Committee.

Executive Board

RPI Chess Club becomes Union-funded

By David Liu November 17, 2021

The Union Executive Board unanimously approved RPI Chess Club as a Union-funded club. The approval happened over a year after the group initially gained Union recognition.

Black Students Alliance

BSA "Busts it Down" and talks identity in October

By Jeda Coward ’24, Makenna Noel ’24, Jasmine Filawo ’23, and Tiffany Filawo ’23 November 14, 2021

Rensselaer’s Black Student Alliance had a busy October, from organizing general body meetings, to creating a new event called the Bust It Down Battle. This month so far, BSA celebrated Black Solidarity Day and held a Black-Owned Success Series event.

On-Campus Event

RPI Players returns to captivate audiences with Clue

By Namish Gali November 13, 2021

Despite the hiatus caused by the pandemic, the RPI Players still deliver with Clue—an infamous mystery story that’s been adapted into countless movies, shows, plays, and a myriad of board games since its inception.

Editorial Notebook

Kraft, Mac and Cheese: a new era for the Patriots

By Shardul Joshi November 12, 2021

The last few New England Patriots seasons have been tough to watch for their fans, especially since they got used to the 20-year dynasty with quarterback Tom Brady at the helm. Contributing Editor and Patriots fan Shardul Joshi ’23 recounts the last few seasons for the team and discusses what this season’s performance indicates for the future.

Student Senate

Riaz Rao appointed Union Annual Report chairperson, Executive Board liaison

By Alexander Orr November 10, 2021

Riaz Rao was appointed to serve as Union Annual Report chairperson and Executive Board liaison, adding on to his current role as Senate parliamentarian.

Men'S Hockey

Engineers vanquish Golden Knights in home duel

By Andrew Days November 10, 2021

The Engineers scored two goals in the third period to defeat the Clarkson Golden Knights 3‒1. The Engineers are now 5‒3‒1 in the regular season and 3‒1‒0 in the ECAC.

Men's Soccer

Semifinal struggle with Saints

By Katherine Barney November 10, 2021

This weekend the Engineers faced off against the Saint Lawrence Saints in the Liberty League semifinals, losing 2‒0. Both Raphael Zoccolaro and Robert Reynolds scored for the Saints in the second half, winning the game. The Saints would go on to win the championship game against Ithaca College.

Executive Board

Music masks and outdoor volleyball approved

By David Liu November 10, 2021

This week, the Executive Board approved a reallocation of funds for the Rensselaer Music Association to purchase new instrument covers, approved Club Volleyball’s outdoor games, and elected Faizah Rabbye ’23 secretary of the Board for the Fall semester.

Student Senate

HSAC, MAL, Representative appointments approved

By Alexander Orr November 6, 2021

Appointments for the Hospitality and Services Committee, member-at-large, and representative positions were approved within the Student Senate and Executive Board on Tuesday.

FOOTBALL

Bombers grounded by field goal gaffe

By Andrew Days November 3, 2021

The Ithaca Bombers missed a game-tying field goal with 34.1 seconds remaining to give the Engineers a 14‒11 victory. The win increased Rensselaer’s season record to 7‒1 and their league record to 3‒1, setting up a close race for the Liberty League championship title.

Men's Soccer

Engineers to host championship clash for second consecutive season

By Andrew Days November 3, 2021

The Engineers finished top of the Liberty League and are set to host the semifinal and championship games. Rensselaer will play St. Lawrence University on Saturday at 11 am at the East Campus Athletic Village Stadium.

Men'S Hockey

Dutchmen blackout at the Field House

By Andrew Days November 3, 2021

The Engineers defeated rival Union College 3‒0 in the annual “blackout” game at the Houston Field House. The win completes the season-long sweep over Union and brings RPI’s season record to 4‒2‒1.

RCOS

A chat with QuACS

By Dylan Sheils November 3, 2021

With Spring semester course registration right around the corner, many RPI students are trying to put together their course schedules. A popular scheduling tool among RPI students is QuACS, the Questionably Accurate Course Scheduler. To get a better understanding of QuACS, The Polytechnic interviewed the QuACS team.

Editorial Notebook

The wonderful world of SAT solvers

By Dylan Sheils November 3, 2021

Imagine a circuit designer wants to verify the accuracy of a specific computation before it goes into production. Then, suppose a college is trying to find the best way to schedule all their exams. On the surface, the problems seem pretty different, but the two are both instances of the same problem: SAT, or Boolean satisfiability. Copy Editor Dylan Sheils ’24 explores the algorithmic development of SAT solvers.

Executive Board

Nguyen appointed Marketing and Strategy Committee chair

By David Liu November 3, 2021

The Union Executive Board unanimously approved the appointment of Minh Nguyen ’22 as Marketing and Strategy Committee Chair. The position focuses on branding, marketing, and promoting events for the Rensselaer Union.

The Poly's Recommendations

What's The Poly listening to?

By The Polytechnic Editorial Staff November 2, 2021

Are you looking to spice up your playlist? Don't worry, The Poly's got you covered. Check out our Fall 2021 recommendations below, featuring music from Adele to Modest Mouse.