New staff member is ISSS Office

Suzanne Hoffmann-Hull is our new assistant in the ISSS Office. She replaces Willie Cobbs. Suzanne started on Monday, August 30, 2004 and begins the long process of learning immigration regulations. Be sure to introduce yourself the next time you come to the office.

Orientation for International Spouses

When: Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Where: Rensselaer Union in Mother’s
Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm
Who is Invited: All Spouses of RPI students and scholars

This is a great opportunity for spouses to learn about the Rensselaer campus and what is available to them and their children. Speakers will include: Public Safety, Health Center, Parking/Transportation, Student Union, Advising & Learning Assistance Center, International Office, First Year Experience, ID desk. Refreshments will be served.
Please bring your children if you don’t have anyone to leave them with. We will have students available to entertain them while you listen to the speakers. But don't worry, they will be in the same room with you.
Please don’t stay home because you feel your English is not good. We are here to help.
At the end of the evening, spouses will be able to obtain their Rensselaer ID card.
If you have questions, feel free to call the International Office at 276-6561.

Labor Day September 6, 2004 – No Classes

Monday, September 6, 2004 is Labor Day, there will be no classes and most offices will be closed on campus. This is a National Holiday in the U.S. Banks and post offices will be closed, but most stores will be open. Below is an explanation of “Labor Day”

The History of Labor Day

Labor Day: How it Came About; What it Means

"Labor Day differs in every essential way from the other holidays of the year in any country," said Samuel Gompers, founder and longtime president of the American Federation of Labor. "All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man's prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day...is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation."
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

The First Labor Day

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.
In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

The above explanation was taken for the United States Department of Labor website.

American Slang

“My bad”. Means I made a mistake.

Driving Tips

Do not park in front of a fire hydrant. Fire hydrants are located on city street. They are there in the event of a fire. Firemen attach hoses to the hydrant to get water.

If you park in front of a fire hydrant, your car will be towed and you will receive a ticket.