Beyond Blocks are designed to engage you in a variety of opportunities and to meet peers with similar interests. These programs are drop-by style, Registration is not required. We encourage you to visit as many as you can that interest you.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28
Classes Begin
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. | Mueller Center
*Mueller Center Campus Recreation and Wellness Open House
Tour the facility to learn about our recreation and wellness offerings. Tours depart every 30 minutes.
6:00 - 8:00 p.m. | RPI Chabad House
Chabad ChaBBQ
We are firing up our grill for a grand ChaBBQ! It’s bring your own cheese since you’ll only find hamburgers with this kosher cooking!
6:00-8:00 PM | Academy Hall auditorium
Rensselaer Cybersecurity Collaboratory / ISC2 Capital District NY Chapter meeting
Learn cybersecurity with the RCC! We have a guest speaker from CISA.gov coming to talk to us, and you can network with fellow cybersecurity-interested students and professionals from around the Capital District.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29
4:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Academy Hall 4600
First Gen/BIPOC Ice Cream Social
Learn more about our services, resources, and study space. Ice cream will be served.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 30
6:00 p.m. | Bumstead Garage
Rensselaer Motorsport Shop BBQ
A BBQ to enjoy good food, meet the members of the team, tour the shop, and see the racecar. The event will be at Bumstead Garage, 2368 Burdett Ave, right next to Colonie Apartments. Members of the team will meet freshman at 86 Field or the Union and walk with them up to the shop.
6:00 -7:00 p.m. | Union Shelnutt
What in the World is SWE?
What even is SWE? Learn all about what the Society of Women Engineers does and how to get involved! All are welcome!
7:00 – 11:00 p.m. | Student Union and EMPAC
*Union after Dark
Join the Union Programming and Activities Committee (UPAC) for a night of games, snacks, and entertainment. Performances will take place at EMPAC.
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. | RPI Chabad House
Chabad Shabbat Dinner
Come this week to meet the upper classes Chabad members! Feel free to arrive late if you don’t want participate or observe prayers.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Downtown Troy
*Troy Waterfront Farmer’s Market
Visit one of the regions largest farmer and vendor market! Market is outdoors May-October and inside the Troy Atrium on 4th St. November – April.
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Schuyler Flatts Cultural Park
Fly Planes with RPI DBF!
Students will have the chance to fly and watch others fly the foamboard trainer planes they build during NRB. Travel to/from the park provided.
7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Union Horseshoe
Habitat For Humanity- Developing New Homes
We volunteer to help with house building and maintenance in the greater NY, MA, and VA area. We do anything from wall-building to pouring foundation, painting, and landscaping. Every volunteer helps make sure low-income deserving families get homes at affordable rates. Come help support the Habitat for Humanity Club at RPI as we go to Pittsfield, MA to help with their newest housing projects!
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. | Union (Mother's)
HackRPI x ACM-W Ice Cream Social
Stop by and get some free Ice Cream from HackRPI and ACM-W! You can meet other new and returning students; get free stickers, shirts, and other swag; and learn about what we and other Computer Science clubs do on campus and what activities are coming up!
3:00 - 5:00 p.m. | JEC 3207
Spaceflight Society Meet & Greet
Come meet the crew and learn about the different engineering projects, social activities, and professional events Rensselaer Spaceflight Society runs!
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | J Building
Pep Band Opening Rehearsal
Come meet America’s Pep Band, and get a feel for what we’re all about! Bring your instruments; we’ll play some of the music we play at hockey and football games. Sousaphones and percussion will be provided, and, if needed, we may be able to provide woodwind and brass instruments. All instruments and skill levels are welcome!!! The current board members will be available before and after rehearsal if you'd like to meet us or ask questions. Go Red!
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | J Building
World Jazz Orchestra Jam session
Just a casual jam session reading a piece that we will play over the semester and scoping out interest for the World Jazz Orchestra.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
11:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. | Mueller Center Studios 1-2
RPI Dance Team - Open Practice
Come see what a practice is like on the RPI Dance Team! We perform Pom, Hip Hop and Jazz routines at RPI home football and basketball games and compete at NDA Nationals. Whether you have previous experience in dance, cheer, gymnastics or something similar, this is a great opportunity for students to be able to get a taste of what the RPI Dance Team does. We will be working on skills and technique and learning dance team choreography, followed by an info session at the end. Be sure to wear athletic clothes and bring water. We cannot wait to see you there!
1:00 p.m. | ECAV
Field Hockey vs. Hartwick College
1:00 p.m. | ECAV
Women’s Soccer vs. University of Mount Saint Vincent
12:00 2:00 p.m. | Commons Dining Hall
Jazz Jam in Commons
Bring your instrument and have fun making noise!
6:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Chapel & Cultural Center
Welcome Picnic for International Students
Stop by for food, fellowship, and games.
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. | DCC 308
Time Management Workshop
Learn to balance your new slate of academic responsibilities, social life, and day-to-day functions. It’s all doable, we promise.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. | Ellsworth (Union)
Big Band Bonanza
Get together with the other jazz musicians on campus as you sight read a few new big band charts. This event is similar to an RMA jazz charter group rehearsal.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
4:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Lally 102
Introductory Cybersecurity CTF tournament
Come play in a Cybersecurity CTF tournament hosted by Rensselaer Cybersecurity Collaboratory and ITWS Student Leadership, RPI's premier team, recently ranked the #1 collegiate CTF team in the country. Free food!
No experience needed, just an interest in trying something new and exploring the vast and incredibly interesting world of cybersecurity. Learn new skills and make new friends as you try to hack your first machines!
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. | J Building
Studio Orchestra Soundtrack Jam
Come jam with the Rensselaer Music Association’s Studio Orchestra! Music will be played from popular movies, video games, and other forms of media, provided during the block. All instruments and skill levels are welcome, from strings, to brass, to percussion, to winds. If you don't have an instrument, please contact wongm8@rpi.edu and/or villad4@rpi.edu (discord: mmm_king and/or _dandragon) in advance so we can arrange something for you.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | RPI Chabad House
Chabad Sip and Paint
Join us for a paint and sip with delicious drinks and mocktails! It’s your first week, you want to take things easel-y!
6:00 - 10:00 p.m. | DCC 113 - WRPI Troy Lounge
Exploring College Radio with WRPI Troy
Take a deep dive into our station! Get cleared to be a DJ or use our live band equipment, tinker with some old tech, and the return of Radio Sandbox! Talk, play music, and hang out LIVE ON AIR!
4:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Union 3202
Women in Business: Board Game Social
Join the Women in Business club for some fun! Play some board games, grab a snack, and win some merch. The E-Board is excited to meet you all!
4:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Lally 102
Introductory Cybersecurity CTF tournament
Come play in a Cybersecurity CTF tournament hosted by Rensselaer Cybersecurity Collaboratory and ITWS Student Leadership, RPI's premier team, recently ranked the #1 collegiate CTF team in the country. Free food!
No experience needed, just an interest in trying something new and exploring the vast and incredibly interesting world of cybersecurity. Learn new skills and make new friends as you try to hack your first machines!
6:00 - 8:00 p.m. | '86 Field
*Activities Fair
Visit 200+ tables featuring information on clubs and organizations including club sports, hobbies, professional, multicultural, performing arts, and fraternity and sororities.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
5:00 p.m. | ECAV Stadium
*Football Home Opener and BBQ
Cheer on the Engineers in the football home opener against The University of Wisconsin – La Crosse! Dining halls will be closed. Come up and enjoy your dinner outside the stadium on the concourse.
5:00 - 7:00 p.m. | 86 field
Mobile Radio Station Demo
In partnership with members from W2WCR, we will be setting up their mobile station in the 86 field to demonstrate all the different things you can do with ham radio. Want to talk with people halfway around the world? Or send and receive digital data to computers across the country? Want to just hang out in an air conditioned trailer? Then come down and join us, no experience necessary!
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. | J Building
Symphonic Band Open Rehearsal
Join in on a rehearsal with the RMA Symphonic Band, where we'll have conductor/manager introductions and pass out some fun music!
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
4:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Union Pavillion
A Bunch of Saxophones in One Place
Sax ensemble will lead a typical sax ensemble rehearsal with a lot of people from sax ensemble who play saxophones, music and saxophones will be provided upon request (it is encouraged that all who are interested bring their own reeds).
6:00 - 9:00 p.m. | Sage Classroom
RPI Humans vs. Zombies Blaster Build Night
Join RPI Humans vs. Zombies in learning how to build your own foam dart blaster, which you will get to keep for yourself to be used in a game.
6:00 - 11:00 p.m. | 09 Lounge in Union Games Room
RPI Super Smash Bros. Club
Join the RPI Super Smash Bros. Club and meet new friends in a welcoming environment while playing as characters from your favorite video game franchises.
5:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Anderson Field
Pick-Up Frisbee: Get to Know the Team
Come get to know the frisbee team, learn how to throw, play some games, and have some fun!
8:00 - 10:00 p.m. | DCC 308
A Night of A Cappella
Interested in joining a cappella at Rensselaer? Mark your calendars for the Night of A Cappella mixer hosted by the Rensselyrics! Come get to known members from RPI's five a cappella groups, learn about the audition process, participate in engaging icebreakers, musical activities, and hear a live performance from each! We look forward to meeting you!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
12:00 - 3:00 p.m. | Low 3112, Low 3130, Low 3119
RPI Poker Club
Laid-back friendly environment where people can learn and play Poker! All skill levels are welcome and our officers will help you learn the basics or enhance your skills, primarily via Texas Hold 'Em.
1:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Heffner Alumni House
Ice Cream and Outdoor Games with Red & White
Join RPI's Red & White Student Organization for an ice cream social and outdoor games at the Heffner Alumni house. You can make your own ice cream sundae, play cornhole, meet your classmates, and more!
Red & White is an organization that connects RPI students with alumni, and organizes events on campus throughout the year.
2:00 PM | ECAV Stadium
Men’s Soccer vs. WPI
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Mueller 2216- 3rd Room on 2nd Floor of Mueller
Afro Fever Outbreak: We Dey Move Dance Workshop
Catch the Afro fever with ASA’s We Dey Move Dance Team. Everyone is welcome to come indulge in the rich African culture that we embrace. Come join us and get a feel of the We Dey Move Dance Team!
5:00 p.m. | ECAV Stadium
Women’s Soccer vs. Plattsburgh State
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | J Building
RMA Group Fair
RMA is home to over 30 ensembles and small groups. Jazz, classical, metal and more, we have a group for you. Hear from group managers, get audition info, or learn how to start your own band!
12:00 - 2:00 p.m. | Mother's in Union
Pizza & Projects: A Slice of EWB
Come join EWB for some pizza and games! Get to know more about our local and international projects, mission, and speak with some of our current club members in a relaxed social setting.
1:00 p.m. | Bumstead Garage
Rensselaer Motorsport Grafton Lake Trip
Rensselaer Motorsport is going to Grafton Lake! Join us for a fun time hanging out at the lake, enjoying the sunshine, playing games, and taking a little break from school.
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | 86 Field
Welcome Back BBQ
Join the diversity organizations on campus for food, field games, raffles, and more!
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
5:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Mueller Center Classroom
RPI Club Softball Social and Info Session
Come visit the Club Softball Info Session to learn more about our team and the league we compete in! We will also have a coloring activity and snacks for everyone to have some fun while meeting some our current players. No experience playing softball is necessary to join the team. We'd love to see you there!
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
3:00 p.m. | ECAV Stadium
Men’s Soccer vs. Keene State
4:00 p.m. | ECAV Harkness
Field Hockey vs. Vermont State University Castleton
6:00 - 7:30 p.m. | South 208 Voorhees (VCC)
Quantum Computing Unveiled: A Journey through Qiskit and Beyond!
We will start our session with a guided tour of the IBM Quantum Computer housed in the VCC, during which we'll discuss fundamental concepts of quantum computing and answer any related questions. Following the tour, we will deliver a Google Slides presentation that introduces Qiskit, the Python library for quantum computing. This presentation will help attendees understand the basics of quantum circuits and show them how to execute code on a quantum computer. We expect the entire session to last between 40 minutes and an hour.
Students can also join both of the club’s respective discords:
RPI ACM-W: https://discord.gg/BxdfNA4AbY
RPI Quantum Computing Club: https://discord.gg/AXCMXAuHbC
6:00 - 10:00 p.m.| DCC 113 - WRPI Troy Lounge
Exploring College Radio with WRPI Troy
Come explore our station, get cleared, play music on air, or jam out in our live studio!
7:00 p.m. | ECAV Stadium
Women's Soccer vs. Vermont State University Castleton
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
4:00 - 7:00 p.m. | 145 Sunset Terrace
Cooking with Acacia brothers!
A cooking workshop targeted towards freshman or any years interested in cooking or cooking help!
4:00 - 6:00 p.m. | RPI athletic fields
RPI Quadball
As an all-gender, full contact sport, RPI Quadball is a mix of basketball, rugby, and soccer all in one! No experience is needed to play this division one club sport, and we would love to see you on the pitch!
7p.m.- 8 p.m. | DCC
Study Habits Workshop
How do students best prepare for exams? hint: it's not a quick review the night before. Learn how to study in a way that incorporates your preferences, too
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
6:00 - 10:00 p.m. | Rensselaer Union Game Room
Active Minds: Lego Workshop
Stop by for some Lego building fun and to learn more about Active Minds, RPI's mental health club! There will be multiple kits to choose from, a bin of random assorted bricks to build your own creation, and a certified Legoland Master Builder.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
6:00 - 7:00 p.m. | JEC3232 - Design Lab
Engineering Ambassadors Information Session!
Come learn more about what we do through hearing from current Engineering Ambassadors and E-Board members, and even try out a few of our hands-on demos! The RPI Engineering Ambassadors (EAs), are a group of engineering students devoted to inspiring a younger audience to explore the role of engineers in society, educating them on the latest technological breakthroughs and real-world challenges. We visit K-12 classrooms and after-school programs. On visits, EAs share presentations and engaging hands-on activities highlighting the many applications of STEM. All members go through a competitive interview process and extensive communication training.
SEPTEMBER 26-27
NSBE-SHPE Career Fair
Learn more at rpicareerfair.org
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
2:00 - 3:00 p.m | Mother's in the Union
Sheer Idiocy Comedy Improv
Practice Improv with RPI's best and only improv troupe. You will learn skills such as characterization, content generation, dramatic storytelling, and comedic timing while building on everyday things like self-confidence and public speaking skills.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Meet at the Union Horseshoe
RPI Service Day
The 5th RPI Service Day is a student-led event that provides lunch and transportation to local community organizations to complete community service. The event is a great way to connect with the local community and make a positive lasting impact with just a few hours of your time.
OCTOBER 18-20
*Family Weekend
Registration will open in mid-September.
