Last week, the Student Senate passed a resolution that recognized Arch students as Activity Fee-paying members of the Union provided that they pay the activity fee over the summer and the semester opposing their Away semester. Grand Marshal Advaith Narayan ’21 provides more details in this Top Hat.

The Rensselaer Union Executive Board voted to reduce Union building hours to ease the burden on staff until student building managers are approved by the Institute.

The Student Senate confirmed the appointment of Rhea Banerjee ’22 as the new Undergraduate Council President on January 27. Banerjee is succeeding Evan Lazaro, who graduated last semester. This follows from Scott Schwartz ’23 stepping down from his position as the Undergraduate Council Vice President.

In preparation for the upcoming Spring semester, the Class of 2023 and Class of 2024 Class Councils share academic resources, what to expect during move-in, and an overview of residential life and remote learning in the Spring.

After an announcement moving the start of the semester to January 25, the new Academic Calendar has updated Spring finals dates, with no change to the start of the Summer semester or Commencement.

Former Photography Editor August Gehrman ’22 shares his silver lining in the midst of the pandemic: 3D modeling, an extension of his passion for photography.

A joint email from Grand Marshal Advaith Narayan ’21, President of the Union Anissa Choiniere ’21, President of the Interfraternity Council Chris Vanderloo ’21, and President of the Panhellenic Council Bryn Clarkson ’21 explains why they "condemn the actions of the Rensselaer administration to revoke previously granted remote learning approvals."

The Student Senate approved a motion to recommend the Institute to consider a tuition freeze for the fiscal year 2021-2022 and for the Rensselaer to make budget information regarding COVID-19 to become public during the Student Senate meeting held on October 27.

Grand Marshal Advaith Narayan ’21 and President of the Union ’21 Anissa Choiniere update the Rensselaer community with their goals and efforts to encourage some in-person activities during the Spring semester.

Current Undergraduate President Evan Lazaro ’20 explains the procedure to appoint a new Undergraduate President. The position will be vacant after he graduates this December, so a joint meeting of the four class councils will be held to elect a new Undergraduate President.

In an email to the Rensselaer community, President Shirley Ann Jackson announced plans for the Spring semester. Freshmen, sophomores, and seniors will return to campus, with freshmen and sophomores living in on-campus housing. According to Jackson, this will cause “some increase in on-campus housing density.” All seniors will live off-campus and still follow the Fall semester density standards which include having two people per bathroom. Students will also not be allowed to live in Greek houses. Additionally, all winter sports, including hockey, are cancelled.

The Union Programs and Activities Committee and Election Commission have outlined a plan for students to receive their mugs for voting in the Grand Marshal Week 2020 elections. On-campus students can pick up their mugs in the Union Admin Office whenever the Rensselaer Union is open. Students who can not physically pick up the mugs are planned to have their mugs shipped to them.

Spring semester plans—including housing for sophomores and spring sports—will be announced after the Institute transitions to remote operations over the Thanksgiving break. President Shirley Ann Jackson explained that Rensselaer plans to assess what needs to be done for the Spring semester in context of the Fall semester and “the overall public health situation.”

Advaith Narayan ’21 and Anissa Choiniere ’21 have been elected Grand Marshal and President of the Union, respectively. The announcement was made on a live stream through the Union’s Instagram account, and a rundown of the election results was sent out in an email shortly thereafter.