News

ISSS Director Mary Nellis spoke about recent changes to federal immigration polices and urged the Student Senate to invite Public Safety to the conversation.

Three candidates are running for GM and four candidates are running for PU, requiring a primary election for both positions. A virtual primary election will be held on March 17 with the two candidates for both positions that receive the most votes in their respective primary election facing off in the general election on March 20.

A motion to strip Greek life office space from the Student Government Suite passed after a lengthy debate. The Director of the Union presented an update on the Union’s first floor renovation plans.

Last Tuesday, President Schmidt sent out an email to the Rensselaer community in response to a petition by RPI’s chapter of the YDSA demanding the Institute be declared a sanctuary campus. Schmidt agreed to some of the demands, but YDSA says the president didn’t go far enough.

Rensselaer Endurance Motorsport and a NASA-based competition club both gained affiliation. Club Field Hockey, Code Red, and Dance Team also received funds. The Indian Students Association was granted access to the McNeil Room for an event.

After closing the meeting to the public to discuss the FY26 Union Annual Report, confusion erupted over whether the Vice President of the Class of 2026 had been removed from their role. The 2025 GM Week Elections Handbook was also presented.

The Senate hosted Vice Provost of Student Experience Rob Hradsky, who reflected on his first six months. Brandon Wachner ’27 was appointed Interfraternity Council Senator. The Senate also passed a bylaw amendment to limit discussion time.

The Poly sat down with Vice Provost for the Student Experience Rob Hradsky to discuss the Arch, summer housing, changes to punishments regarding alcohol, and more.

On Monday, the White House’s Office of Management and Budget issued a complete freeze on all federal aid. The freeze would have gone into effect on Tuesday at 5 pm; however, a federal judge stayed the order until February 3.

New Mueller Center vans, Dance Team fundraiser, Quantum Computing Club starter budget, W2SZ radio club flea market, Gajjde Sher Bhangra club budget reallocation, Humans vs. Zombies subsidy and loan, new UPAC Comedy program, RPI Ambulance subsidy, UPAC Concerts big show subsidy, and the removal of the Parliamentarian.

Out of the three proposed appointments to Executive Board positions, only one was confirmed. A motion to lower the Graduate Activity fee was brought forth but was tabled.

Director of Risk Management Monika Robertson and Associate Vice President of Finance Kelli Perry presented a new policy to ban e-mobility devices from campus. A formal inquiry was made by the Graduate Council into the ethics of some appointments made by the Executive Board.

Budgeting deadline, renovations, Black Students’ Association proposes their Fashion Thrift Store fundraiser, RPI Ambulance requests for the reallocation of funds, and roles are filled in the Committee of Ethical and Fair Appointments.

The Student Life Committee presented changes to the campus sign policy, and Alexander Lutsevich ’24G presented the “Grad Wiki,” a guide for graduate students. AAC and HSAC worked to communicate with the Provost and Sodexo to compromise on the add/drop deadline and meal plan pricing.

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.