This is not a story about property rights; this is a story about caring for your neighbors.

If you’ve owned property or managed an infrastructure project, you’ve probably heard the term right of way. Right of way refers to the right to build and operate a railroad line, road, or utility on land belonging to another (as one definition).

This means that governments and private businesses building infrastructure can (and will) use rights of way at the edge of your property to build their assets. This may mean they stage equipment on your lawn or sidewalk. They may place a water meter in your yard. And they may destroy your beautifully manicured lawn and flower beds to build their roads, telephone poles, fire hydrants, or gas, sewage, water, and internet networks. Construction is messy.

“But it’s my property! Shouldn’t they at least ask my permission?” They probably won’t ask for your approval, because you and all your neighbors would say, “NIMBY,” and soon there would be no infrastructure anywhere. If there’s a right of way, they’ll use it.

“But it’s my property? Shouldn’t they at least tell me what’s happening?” Yes, yes, they should, even if there isn’t a legal requirement. At a minimum, they should make you aware that they are coming and that they will be working on your property. When they leave, they should restore your property to a condition reasonably similar to that which existed before the project began.

Infrastructure and construction represent progress and growth. Ultimately, the intent of infrastructure is to improve lives and provide for the common good. Construction projects are time-consuming and invasive. The people who live and work near this activity have their lives disrupted in some degree or another. But, when the dust settles, we have a new resource, system, or network. When the project is done well, the people who live and work near a construction project are kept informed before, during, and after the project.

The Rensselaer Union (as an organization) is a property. The Union is a coveted asset of RPI alumni, students, faculty, and staff. Her figurative lawn is carefully manicured, and her flowerbeds cared for, as has been the case for over a century.

The search for an Executive Director of the Student Union is an infrastructure project. To implement this new role, grass will be dug up, flowers will be trampled by a backhoe, and groggy neighbors will be awoken at noon by the sound of a jackhammer. It won’t be perfect, but it doesn’t have to be a painful battle.

What does it take to make an infrastructure project go well for the property owner and the asset owner? Communication.

If I own a piece of property and you’re going to perform work on my property, just let me know your high-level plans beforehand. You may not be legally obligated to notify me, but isn’t it the neighborly thing to do? It’s a much better alternative to me learning about your project as I watch a tractor on my sidewalk destroying the petunias so a new fire hydrant can be placed.

And maybe I don’t own the property. Maybe it’s a sidewalk in front of my house, and that sidewalk is actually owned by the city, but I have spent years taking care of the adjacent grass and gardens (also owned by the city). Okay… so what? Does that really make any difference? We can call out a property surveyor and then all go down to the courthouse and have a heated argument while we sift through deeds back to the 1800's… or you could just let me know that you’re coming and when you’re gone it will all be okay. And you could ask if I have any questions or concerns, and we could discuss these topics as adults. Wouldn’t that be the neighborly thing to do?

Whether or not the Rensselaer Student Union oversees the Director of the Student Union (or any staff position, at that) does not matter. What matters is how you communicate with fellow humans when you plan to change or improve something they hold near and dear.

The Board of Trustees can review the Union Constitution, but that’s a distracting response to a trivial problem. This is equivalent to reviewing the property lines at the courthouse. Regardless of who owns the property, the neighbors should have been made aware of the plans for change.

This is not about finances: RPI’s finances are actually quite sound given the financial investments of the last two decades, especially given the lack of leadership stability from 1984–1999. The financial discussion is a distraction.

This story isn’t written to Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson or Dr. Frank Ross. It isn’t written to Marcus Flowers ‘16 or Nick Dvorak ’16. It isn’t to Rick Hartt ’70, Joe Cassidy, Lisa Trahan, or Cary Dresher. It’s for all of you.

At the root, this story is about a group of humans who saw an opportunity for what they perceived to be a positive change. They pursued that change, but forgot to share the plans with all the right people. Were they obligated or required to share the plans? I suppose that depends on where exactly that imaginary property line is (or to be explicit: exactly what the Union Constitution says), but whether or not the Student Union owns this piece of land, proactive communication is the right thing to do. And it’s okay to step back and admit a mistake.

Communicate in a proactive way. Listen to what one another is saying, and understand where each is coming from. I don’t know much in the scheme of things, but I help to build infrastructure projects, and neighbors appreciate when you share your plans and listen to their concerns.

Oh, and by the way, our crews will be coming by next week to replace all of the streetlights in your neighborhood. They use less energy, but will look a bit different. Did you have any questions about our plans?

It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood, please won’t you be my neighbor?