Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
110 8th Street | Troy, NY 12180-3590 | Academy Hall
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DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE
March 9, 2008 RPI College Republicans Attn: Jill Bryan, Co-Chair Ken Girardin, Co-Chair Rensselaer Union
Dear Ms. Bryan & Mr. Girardin:
The Dean of Students Office has received information that the RPI College Republicans has allegedly violated Rensselaer Electronic Citizenship Policy, specifically Section 3.4 Freedom from harassment (pg. 3), Section 4.1 Common courtesy and respect for others (pg. 3), and Section 4.1.3 Harassment (pg. 4). In addition to alleged violations of the Electronic Citizenship Policy (GDA #17), other Grounds for Disciplinary Action may also prove relevant, specifically, GDA #2, 6 and 9 as stated in The Rensselaer Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities, 2006-2008 (pg. 8). As posted on the College Republicans blog, February 22, 2008, the College Republicans' statement that "The Arts Department – A Haven for Terrorists" is slanderous, blatantly untrue, and can be construed to endanger the health, safety and welfare of members of the Rensselaer community. Because these allegations are serious, egregious, and may pose an imminent threat to Rensselaer's educational mission, the College Republicans web site is hereby temporarily suspended on the Rensselaer Computer System, effective March 9, 2008, and remains suspended pending the outcome of a judicial inquiry. Refer to The Rensselaer Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities 2006-2008, Pg. 6, Section E, and Pg. 13, Group Disciplinary Action, for additional information on this course of action. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to discuss this matter in more detail. Thank you for your cooperation. Sincerely, Mark Smith Dean of Students
Controversial RPI exhibit finds new home
First published: Saturday, March 8, 2008
TROY — The Sanctuary for Independent Media on Monday will display an exhibition dropped by RPI over concerns it might be based on the work of terrorists.
The university suspended Wafaa Bilal’s “Virtual Jihadi.” In it, Bilal portrays himself as a suicide bomber sent on a mission to assassinate President Bush. Bilal hacked into an al-Qaida online game called “The Night of Bush Capturing” for his exhibit. The game was created as a reaction to a similar online game, called “Quest for Saddam,” where players targeted the late Iraqi dictator.
Bilal told the Times Union Thursday that his exhibit’s intent was to highlight how the Iraq war has increased the vulnerability of people to be recruited as suicide bombers.
The Sanctuary for Independent Media will hold an opening reception featuring Wafaa Bilal from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at 3361 6th Ave. in Troy.
— Staff reports