History is rarely well written when its burning.
The best historical analysis comes with time and perspective. It's been three years since Dr. Jackson left RPI. We know what happened, but we aren't sure of the impact yet-- we're still living the impact of her term in many ways. I'll write about it in a few years.
Good, you're probably right. I did my best but this is the first ever history written about the Union. I was meticulous about citing my sources, but I'm only human. I am planning a second edition, where I can correct all of the mistakes I'm sure I'll make.
Here's what to do: Email me your evidence and I'll incorporate it in the next round of edits. Easy. Its allaboutrpi (at\) gmail (dot/) com (I wrote the email funny to get around the robots)
I will submit all evidence to the RPI Archives, so don't send me anything sensitive. I do that because I would like to be able to cite sources in such a way that others could be able to validate my work in the future. I don't believe history should be a secret.
I covered this in the "About Me" section a bit as well. The main reason this effort began is that I care that the Union's history is accurately documented, so student leaders can make historically informed decisions. When I was a student leader, people lied to me about history all the time. My historical knowledge became a tool. Plus, it would be nice if future student leaders didn't have to go insane reading over 600 issues of the Polytechnic like I did.
On a more personal note, its the bicentennial, and history is in the air. Also, I'm a writer, and I always have been. My parents both worked, so I was raised by two English teachers as grandmothers and a grandfather who wrote historical fiction screenplays. Even when I wasn't writing this book, I average at least 500 words a day. I've always wanted to write a book, and they say write what you know.
I do have a life, I promise.
It is free on the wiki as a pdf! Go to this link.
I don't know, send me hate mail?
No, the real answer is, write your own book. History is the study of choices people made that led to our current situation, and there is always going to be some level of interpretation. I have worked hard to cite my sources, so that readers can eliminate bias. Much like science, history is iterative; this is the first history of the Union, and it will naturally be limited. If you don't like the conclusions I've drawn, or the structure I've chosen, or you think I'm flat out wrong... write your own book.
Nope.
They probably would have hired an actual historian and not some random alumni with absolutely no experience... unless you count National History Day competitions in high school. I did work for RPI in the Union part-time for 4 months. I was helping engage Student Government groups, assisting with room reservations, helping transition the director for student activities, training staff on student government work, and advising on some other student affairs. That certainly does require historical literacy--- I learned a lot during that time. But I wasn't paid to write a book. That started after I left RPI.
Don't believe me? You can check out the last book RPI paid someone to write and spot the differences. I don't say "why not change the world" ONCE! Still don't believe me? Think my time working at RPI left me biased in some way? ... Ok. I can't help you with that.
We actually don't have a ton in the way of history of the Union sources. I have been able to access notes of Presidents and some alumni as well from the archives, and the Student Handbooks provide some great information. There' s inherent bias to the Poly, of course, but its kinda the best I could get.
If you have other primary sources, please let me know. I will happily submit them to the Archives for you and utilize them in the second edition. Know that I will be scouring through other sources to try and find additional material for the second edition, to diversify as much as possible.
I had a radio show/podcast for a while! Unfortunately my computer died so I don't have most of those recordings. I also wrote some Poly articles and a lot of long emails when I was GM. I have a lot of personal writing, but most of it is not RPI related unfortunately.
I'm working on a new project now that is still in the early planning stages, so this probably won't be my last book... hopefully.
I could make a really good detailed website. I did my fair share of software engineering. Its just not my passion, I would rather spend my time doing something else. Like researching and writing a history book, maybe.