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Policy C16.0, left untouched for decades, has resurfaced in order to add some changes. C16.0 details the procedures for how smoking is handled on campus. The current version restricts smoking in any indoor area and prohibits smoking within 25 feet of any residential building. The committee overlooking the policy aims to make stricter changes for a potentially healthier RIT.
The Most Expensive Olympics Comes to a Close Overall Russia’s expenditure into the Olympics cost the nation $51 billion dollars in investments, according to CBS news. This is largely due to the reconstruction of Sochi in preparation for the games. However Russia managed to drastically improve its city within seven years’ time by transforming the city into a bustling resort town. "Now we can see our country is very friendly," said Boris Kozikov of St.
At the February 28 Student Government (SG) meeting, the general manager of the Grace Watson dining hall gave a presentation on its current and future suitability efforts. Various senators also presented their mid-year reports and progress updates.
On February 9, five of RIT’s photography professors hosted the twenty-ninth annual Big Shot, an organized photo shoot where volunteers bring flashlights to illuminate High Falls in downtown Rochester. The goal was for students and community members to bring flashlights, light them simultaneously and light up High Falls. Above the Falls was the CSX railroad, who participated in the photo shoot by bringing a train from their world headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla.
Recent RIT alumnus Steve Bodnar presented in the Xerox auditorium on February 12. He received his undergraduate degree in English/Journalism from the University of New Hampshire and came to RIT after working for a few years in his field to gain a master’s degree in Communication & Media Technologies in 2012. The purpose of his presentation was to talk about his experience doing public relations for non-profit or low-profit.
For 15 years Jennifer Hayes worked as a staff interpreter at RIT for the science/engineering team, spending her last few years as part of the liberal arts core team. She was known as a top interpreter and signed for important RIT figures, as well as for theater plays in the Panara Theatre and Ingle Auditorium. She was married with three children. Hayes was diagnosed with stage four cancer six years ago. She died on January 30, 2014 at the age of 43.
Various professors, sustainability directors and architects from colleges in the Northern New York region came together to discuss and learn about the sustainability efforts at this year’s sustainability conference, held January 29. Representatives from colleges including Cornell University, Monroe Community College (MCC) and RIT attended the event to answer questions and to talk about their goals to improve the quality of their campuses.
While most students were using their month off from school for rest and relaxation, a select few opted to take another available opportunity: intersession classes. Starting on January 2 and ending on January 22, students had the opportunity to take a single class in a short-yet-intense three week format consisting of five-days-a-week, three-hour classes. This style of teaching was not possible back in the quarter system and is the first time RIT is attempting it.
Illustration by Jordyn Carias
On February 9, five of RIT’s photography professors hosted the twenty-ninth annual Big Shot, an organized photo shoot where volunteers bring flashlights to illuminate High Falls in downtown Rochester. The goal was for students and community members to bring flashlights, light them simultaneously and light up High Falls. Above the Falls was the CSX railroad, who participated in the photo shoot by bringing a train from their world headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla.
US Abortion Rate at Lowest Level Since 1973 According to the Guttmacher Institute in New York, the abortion rate in the United States is the lowest it’s been in 40 years, when the operation was legalized. USA Today stated that there has been a 13 percent decline in the number of abortions from 2008 to 2011. These numbers not only show a dramatic decline in just three years, but it is also the lowest abortion rate the United States has had since 1973.
Illustration by Emily Gage On January 26, Gracie’s opened a new station called Solutions, which caters to students who have dietary restrictions.
At the January 31 Student Government (SG) meeting, there was a presentation on future smoking policy changes and elections were held for for GCCIS and CAST senators.
When Student Government (SG) President Paul Darragh, a third year Software Engineer and Vice President Nick Cifranic, a third year Information Security and Forensics major, ran for office they had a list of major goals they wanted to accomplish before the end of their term. The list included a bike sharing program, convincing more professors to use myCourses and other minor goals such as videotaping some classes.
Local Boy Receives Firefighter Funeral On January 20, eight year old Tyler Doohan gave his life to save his family in a house fire in East Rochester. When the fire broke out, Doohan ran to wake his family, saving six members. After noticing that his disabled grandfather had not made it out, he re-entered the burning house.
On December 16 President Bill Destler hosted the first open forum for the current round of strategic planning. Destler stated that there is typically a new strategic plan every ten years; the upcoming plan informing RIT’s efforts from January 2015 until January 2025. He emphasized that the plan needed to be a community plan approved by the Trustees, and not a Trustee plan thrust on the community.
Monday 12/9 Magic in the Making, Geva Theatre Center, 75 Woodbury Blvd 6 – 8 p.m. Come to the Geva Theatre’s annual open house event and learn about all the behind the scenes effort that goes into putting on a show. Explore the set of “A Christmas Carol” and the rehearsal space. Hear about how costumes, props, sound and lighting are designed and discover the spells behind the theater’s magic. Cost: free
Worlds AIDS Day is observed every December 1. The day is a way of raising awareness for the global AIDS pandemic and the steps many people are taking to stop it. According to AIDS.gov, more than 25 million people have died from the disease since cases were first reported in 1981. Currently 33.4 million individuals are living with HIV, the virus that has the potential to transform into AIDS.
At the December 6 Student Government (SG) meeting, the Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration presented on the organization’s status, the GCCIS, CAST and Greek Senators presented on their midyear progress and administrators shared information on recent and upcoming policy revisions.
Every year during the holiday season the United States experiences its greatest period of charitable giving. According to Charity Navigator, 50 percent of all charitable giving goes to religious, educational and arts organizations while the rest goes to charities for those in need. Americans, on average, give 4.7 percent of their income to charities. The average individual donates 24 percent of their annual donation between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.
Larry Rivers worked as a custodian on the residential side of campus for over 10 years, making sure the halls were clean, rooms were tidy and trash was disposed of properly. He sometimes assisted in repairs of equipment due to his background in carpentry and plumbing. He was recently promoted to career custodian and aimed to become a senior custodian. He passed away on November 20 at the age of 56 due to failing health.
Caffeine Energy Drinks Cause Heart Dysfunction Fatal heartbeat problems may eventually occur for even a healthy individual due to consumption of caffeine and taurine-filled energy drinks, according to a recent study. Even though these drinks have ingredients listed, manufacturers tend to refrain from informing the consumer of any chemicals within the beverage.
“‘What were you wearing?’ – Public Safety.” This was a sign seen at the 2013 slut walk, hosted by the Center for Women and Gender. The sign was made by students involved with the slut walk, including future members and founders of the feminist coalition Michelle Civil and Zakary Skinner.
Wednesday 12/4 Pi Kappa Phi Hot Chocolate Hand-Out, Tiger Statue 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. The weather is cooling, snow is falling and finals are coming, all of which set the perfect mood for hot chocolate. The only thing that could make it better is the fact that it’s free as well! Cost: Free