News

The Bangladesh Student Association was approved to receive their starter budget. The Executive Board confirms a new Vice President of Board Operations, leaving the position of Vice President for Rules and Special Projects vacant.

The Rensselaer Music Association was approved to begin fundraising for their upcoming Jazz Night. The African Student Association reallocated funds used to host their annual Africa Night. The Graduate Council has access to the McNeil room for an open conversation with RPI administration.

Senate had a Fireside Chat with the Provost, expressed concerns over anonymous reporting—ultimately passing a motion to clarify the Good Samaritan policy for greater transparency—and discussed the proposed Senate FY26 budget.

In a brief meeting, the Executive Board declared the RUGP effective immediately as of that meeting and approved UPAC Comedy’s request for special McNeil room use before closing the room for administrative budgeting purposes.

Student Senate referred motion to approve the Rensselaer Union Guidelines and Procedures sign policy back to the Student Life Committee to be reevaluated. The Common Organizational Terms Act of 2024 was approved.

In a press release, the Student Senate addresses recent communications to members of the Senate about significant safety concerns on campus.

A new act was put forward that could potentially standardize definitions of several terms used within the operation of the Student Union.

UPAC Cinema, Game Development, and Cycling clubs were granted reallocation requests. Admin budgeting also began.

Vice Provost for the Student Experience Robert Hradsky sat down with The Poly to discuss the drop deadline, Arch, the testing center, and more.

The Student Senate convened to address significant governance issues, referring amendments to the Rensselaer Union Guidelines and Procedures by the E-Board to the J-Board, appointing new members to the J-Board, and addressing communication issues and Title IX training.

The Chinese Students and Scholars Association, Game Development Club, and Women’s Club Basketball all requested additional subsidies.

At approximately 8 pm Monday, a red car allegedly stolen drove recklessly through 15th Street, hitting parked cars in front of the Rensselaer Union.

President Schmidt hosted his fifth town meeting where he discussed RPI’s bicentennial, enrollment, the state of higher education and more.

The Executive Board approved the October 2024 revision of the Rensselaer Union Guidelines and Procedures, upon approval of signage policy by the Student Senate. Changes include a concrete Union signage policy, a clear, public link for new form interest, an increased reimbursement for gas, and various small items. Additionally, Google Developer Groups on Campus at RPI became Union Affiliated, and a few other clubs’ motions passed.

A traffic report was presented by Dominick Celeste ’25 on needed civil improvements to the RPI campus, and a new committee was made to investigate the strangely small class size of the Class of ’28.

RPI League of Legends receives a significantly reduced subsidy. Funding is approved for additional equipment and winter practice space for Pickleball Club.

The Class of 2028 has elected its representatives. Alondra Correa Valderrain ’28 was elected class president and Lauren Antao ’28 was elected as class vice president.

Reports were presented about the Mueller Center smoke and the great success of the Course Materials Value Pack program for students.

The Student Senate amended its bylaws to allow for formal inquiries into areas concerning the Union membership or Union affairs. They also passed a new election policy to improve the creation of opportunities for Student Workers to poll sit and clarify how the technology used for elections should be used.

The Elections Commission had their latest amendments to the Freshmen Elections Handbook approved three weeks before campaigning was set to begin.

RPI Cricket club became a Union-recognized club. A motion to reserve the McNeil Room on Friday for a concert was approved.

Despite numerous requests for an explanation, RPI has remained silent on why the drop deadline was moved up from being eight weeks into the semester to only two. The change was meant with almost universal disdain.

Student Senate withdraws motion to take action on elections and revisits discussion on indictment of the formal Grand Marshal. Jacob Lorelli ’25 was elected for Elections Commission Chair. Senate confirmed Executive Board positions for Quinn Heskett ’28 as Member-at-Large Representative and James Baker ’28 as Club and Organization Representative.

The Executive Board has established a special committee to determine the feasibility of both extending the Union’s hours and implementing a 24-hour Union. RPI Model Aircraft Club received a starter budget. The Pakistani Students Association, Capoeira, and Red Zone clubs were sunset, the Students Veterans Association was set as Dormant, and Sole Survivors was placed on probation.