Cutting the Blue Tape

Rajat Roy is a senior majoring in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research minoring in Environmental Engineering. He enjoys techno music, arguing (especially when he is able to play Devil's advocate), bartending, and barbecuing on summer days. His library always has a copy of all the major works by Ayn Rand although he acknowledges that her philosophy needs to be tweaked to fit the real world. Right next to The Fountainhead you can usually find a copy of Ender's Game or Ender's Shadow. Rajat holds positions as the VP of Finance for Sigma Phi Epsilon and University Senator from SEAS. His focus on student government has been policy where he started Residence Hall tours for underclassmen unsure about the housing process and brought SEAS merchandise in the bookstore among other policy suggestions, especially those involving the alumni community. [Insert Name of Column] talks about what can be done to make Columbia a better place and identifies the reasons for changes in student life without the biassing influence of administration pressure.

Why your councils aren’t living up to your expectations

Student council leaders experience the same thing every year. I call it the “Blue Tape Trap.” Every branch of administration uses it.

Spreading the culture around

If a group does not contribute to the Columbia community, why should they excessively take from it?

A transparent proposal

The three new leaders have the power to fundamentally change this University and usher in this new Era of Transparency.