News

The Senate passed a motion urging the administration to reduce parking fees until May 26, 2024.

Senate discussed the motion to recognize the Undergraduate President as the spokesperson for the undergraduate population. Timothy Miles ’24 kicks off the election season with updates and approval of the handbook.

RPI Rounak secured a subsidy to attend a national competition. The Black Students' Alliance also had a subsidy approved for their annual Ebony Ball, while the Rensselaer Economics Club gained unanimous Union affiliation.

An interview with President Schmidt on his goals for the year, RPI at 200, campus safety, mental health, the Arch and more.

The RPI Film club approached the Executive Board for Union Recognition and was rejected, the Flying Pigs Society applied for a starter budget, and the RPI Men’s Lacrosse Club petitioned for Union funds to help cover practice space for their upcoming season. Additionally, Executive Board member Emryn Philogene ‘25 was confirmed to fill the empty Business Operations Committee seat.

The Student Senate approved new motion involving safety in an effort to urge the administration to make campus safer for students. Additionally, a new representative was confirmed and an amendment to the Union Constitution was discussed.

A new motion to alter the Constitution to use more gender inclusive language was added to the ballot for Grand Marshal Week. Also, discussion began for a new Student Senate project focusing on pedestrian safety on campus.

The RPI Warhammer and RPI Quantum Computing Clubs were approved for Union recognition while the RPI Pickleball Club was approved to receive a starter budget.

Construction on Rensselaer’s quantum computer is finishing up, with an unveiling set for April 5.

Senate approves Union constitution changes that will allow any member of the Union to run for Grand Marshal and President of the Union in the event of a vacancy. Additionally, two candidates can run together on the general ballot election if one knows they won’t be able to complete a full term. The board also discussed changing all pronouns in the constitution to be gender-neutral, but was tabled at the next meeting.

Several clubs including the Rensselyrics, UPAC Cinema and Chess Club all received reallocations. In addition, many Executive board members were confirmed to their chair positions.

Students with Families was approved to become a Union-funded club, and RPI TV was granted an additional subsidy for new headsets.

The Student Senate discussed a new amendment to the Union Constitution that would alter the election process for Student Government positions.

RPI is looking to invest $25 million in a new AI initiative, the Empire AI consortium. The $400 million initiative will be funded by several private institutions along with a $275 million grant from New York state.

The Undergraduate Council will now oversee bussing to the Mayor’s Cup Game. RPI Red Zone had traditionally overseen the program, but since the club has become inactive the UC will now be in charge of the $750 program.

The Student Senate met virtually this past Thursday to approve Catherine Philipps ’24 as the 135th President of the Union.

The Union will be left without a permanent president when Ava Gallagher ’23G steps down to graduate. The E-Board appointed Catherine Philipps ’24 to replace Gallagher but the Senate failed to confirm Philipps.

President of the Union Ava Gallagher '23 resigned from her position, leading current Club Operations Chair Catherine Philipps '24 to be appointed as the 135th President of the Union by a majority vote.

The Executive Board held their penultimate meeting of the semester last Thursday as they were approached by seven clubs, most of which were seeking union affiliation or union recognition. The Board also appointed Jake Herman ’23G and Abigail Golden ’24 as Advisor to the President and Archduchess to the President, respectively, approved a room reallocation and renamed a fund.

The Heffner Alumni House will be open for finals week studying on December 11. The Student Senate discusses morning mail improvements.

The Student Senate hosted Provost Dr. Rebecca Doerge for a discussion on the future of Rensselaer on Monday, November 6.

The Executive Board prepared for the release of Fiscal Year 2025 budgets.

The Executive Board discussed the couches, tables, and chairs they received from Jon Kessler ’79 ’82G and continued administrative budgeting.