RPI Dance Club requested an additional subsidy of $1,885 to help them fund the hiring of professional show technicians for their Spring performance. In normal circumstances, the Dance Club would hold their performances in the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center, however for the second year, they were unable to book the room. This resulted in them turning to Russell Sage College’s James L. Meader Little Theater, which comes with a host of complications compared to EMPAC. The total cost of required personnel amounts to $4100, with $1600 from club budget and $525 from ticket sales paying a portion, resulting in a $1885 deficit that needs to be covered via a subsidy. Business Operations Committee Chair Toby McDonald ’27 suggested that they try using West Hall, however that idea was quickly shot down with the reasoning that West Hall lacks essential features like suitably-sized wings, which would make it an impractical location for the show. After lengthy deliberation on how they could alternatively fund this using Dance Club’s reserve and gift fund, E-Board made an amendment to reduce the subsidy from $1885 to $1000. The motion passed 11-0-2.

A second subsidy was presented that evening, this time from the Union ShowTechs. UST requested $7,966.65 to purchase new equipment for modernizing their systems. They cited this as a long term plan to future proof their operations for the next 20 years. The motion to grant $7967 to UST was passed 12-0-1. Sew for Hope's starter budget motion request for $250 also passed 11-0-1.

During the second half of the meeting, a motion to reallocate club office spaces was passed 8-1-3 after lengthy debates, which included Photo Club and its affiliates. This motion rendered Photo Club, previously in RU 1412, without a room or any space to store their equipment. The Student Veterans Association is also without a room allocation. The Polytechnic will be moved from RU 3510/3511 to the former room of the SVA. The Union ShowTechs, RPI TV, Union Programs and Activities Committee, Alpha Phi Omega, and W2SZ remain without any changes. RU 3510/3511 and RU 1412 will be vacant, with tentative plans to become meeting rooms, although its use will be finalized in a future meeting. 

While this motion is set to be in effect by July 1, there are still major concerns on how to address the needs of Photo Club. E-Board assured that there would be meetings with the affected clubs, meant to further expand on the logistics of displacing clubs, including specific moving deadlines.

The Business Operations Committee supported new room allocations with data on club size and room usage, presented shortly before the motion. The president of Photo Club, Skylar Bender ’27, defended their need for the room, stating that their low numbers came from the fact that the club was restarted two years ago, and that only six members have keycard access to ensure security of their equipment. They also cited the value of their equipment at about ten thousand dollars, emphasizing the need for space to ensure the security and safe distribution of their equipment. 

Vice Chair of Business Operations Olivia Ocon ’26 proposed a storage closet or unit as an alternative. Photo Club agreed that it solves the storage issue, but that it is not a manageable or accessible space. Photo Club highlighted the need for a space to allow members to feel and test the cameras before borrowing them, which is not met with a storage closet. Photo Club emphasized that this would stunt their growth, and reaffirmed their stance of requiring a room. 

Vice President for Board Operations Joseph Bowers ’25, ’26G responded that the E-Board does everything with the numbers, largely citing square footage per club member. The clubs with the largest ratios, The Poly with 18.1, SVA with 72.6, and Photo Club with 19.2, are the ones being reallocated, and the two groups with the lowest number of members are having their allocation removed. He reiterated that it doesn't make sense to give Photo Club such a large space with a low number of members. 

Representatives from The Thread and the Black Students Association joined, explaining their relationship with Photo Club and how their operations and spaces are necessary for the other creative clubs to function. Photo Club provides photographers and equipment for their events and shows, as well as a collaborative space to plan or even host events.

The Poly also chimed in, asking why specifically Photo Club lost their room, and not another group like UST. Bowers responded again, citing that another significant factor being if the club provides a service. Clubs such as UST, RPI TV, UPAC, and The Poly provide an important service for the Union and campus, which justifies the use of their respective spaces. 

The Poly queued another question about the completeness of the statistics, citing that APO and W2SZ are missing numbers, and that The Poly had a smaller space allocated despite having the largest number of members and usages overall. McDonald justified that W2SZ doesn’t have a card reader, APO is a public space that only uses the card reader after-hours, and that some of the space within The Poly’s office is being used for archival storage, which could be fulfilled with a storage unit. McDonald further clarified that APO is a public space as it serves all students, while Photo Club is for those interested in photography and media.

In the end, The Poly was moved and Photo Club removed because the E-Board wanted to open up those rooms for club meeting spaces. RU 3324 is generally underutilized, prompting The Poly’s movement there. The utilization of RU 3510 and 1412 will be decided at the E-Board meeting on March 18.

This E-Board meeting was held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. The E-Board meets every Wednesday at 7:30 pm in the Student Union Room 3202.