News

The Union Executive Board revoked the Union membership of a student for violating the Rensselaer Union’s COVID-19 policies. The student, who is currently on their away semester, had been attending various in-person student government meetings and events in violation of the Union’s policy restricting entrance to Union facilities to Rensselaer Community members with campus access.

The Student Senate held a presentation to improve late-night dining. A motion was passed to make immediate changes, including collecting student feedback, creating a list of meals for dining staff to make, and investigating changes into U-Cook and Father's Marketplace.

On Thursday, the Union Executive Board approved the Positive Psychology Club as a Union-recognized club, effective immediately. The Caribbean Student Association will become Union-recognized upon approval of a starter constitution by the Club Operations Committee.

The Union Executive Board unanimously approved RPI Chess Club as a Union-funded club. The approval happened over a year after the group initially gained Union recognition.

Riaz Rao was appointed to serve as Union Annual Report chairperson and Executive Board liaison, adding on to his current role as Senate parliamentarian.

This week, the Executive Board approved a reallocation of funds for the Rensselaer Music Association to purchase new instrument covers, approved Club Volleyball’s outdoor games, and elected Faizah Rabbye ’23 secretary of the Board for the Fall semester.

Appointments for the Hospitality and Services Committee, member-at-large, and representative positions were approved within the Student Senate and Executive Board on Tuesday.

The Union Executive Board unanimously approved the appointment of Minh Nguyen ’22 as Marketing and Strategy Committee Chair. The position focuses on branding, marketing, and promoting events for the Rensselaer Union.

New multi-factor authentication rules are set to go into effect for all Rensselaer employees beginning November 1. Anyone who has payroll and W2 information in the Self-Service Information System will be counted as an employee. This includes students employed by the Institute. The new protocols will apply to all Institute websites that use the Rensselaer Self Service login.

The Student Senate approved new Judicial Board appointments on October 19. The J-Board oversees “a huge variety” of cases, ranging from reckless driving to suspending fraternities. The members appointed at this meeting will eventually make the decisions for future cases.

On Thursday, the Union Executive Board passed RPI Red Army’s proposal for a new podcast, but motioned to postpone a budget reallocation that would cover the cost of a new microphone for the program.

RPI TV's proposal suggesting that certain RPI TV members be paid $15 an hour to cover home hockey games during the 2022-23 season was unanimously denied.

Today, the Class of 2025 will choose their student government officers. Voting will be open from 8 am to 8 pm at the Rensselaer Union and the Commons Dining Hall.

The 52nd Student Senate approved changes to the Executive Board’s bylaws on October 5 in order to bring back the Marketing and Strategy Committee, which had been dissolved in 2019.

The Union Executive Board approved an emergency subsidy for UPAC's Cinema division via an electronic vote on October 14.

President Shirley Ann Jackson appeared without a mask in Washington, D.C. on September 28 for the Amazon Web Services Summit, while Rensselaer continues to enforce mask mandates and travel restrictions for students.

The Union Executive Board unanimously voted to designate the Lavender Alliance as inactive due to budgetary issues and low membership on September 23.

Assistant Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Travis Apgar presented rules in place for unvaccinated students on campus in front of the Student Senate. Restrictions include more frequent testing, wearing a mask at outdoor events, and following special dining hours.

The Student Senate voted to create the position of Multicultural Sorority and Fraternity Council Liaison, allowing the appointed liaison, Karina Sandoval ’22, to give her report during Senate meetings.

The Rensselaer Union Executive Board passed a motion September 23 approving club leadership and food subsidy related changes to the Rensselaer Union Guidelines and Procedures.

The Student Senate approved changes to the Undergraduate Council’s bylaws.

The Student Senate approved changes to the Class of 2025 Freshman Elections Handbook, adding new nomination eligibility clauses and reverting to in-person campaigning and election procedures.

The hours of operation for the Union, Mueller Center, Clubhouse Pub, Playhouse, J Building, and Auto Shop have been finalized and will return to full capacity for the Fall semester.