News


Executive Board

RPI League of Legends and Pickleball Club receive funding

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

Freshmen Elections

Class of 2028 elects its representatives

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.

Executive Board

E-Board reports on Mueller Center smoke and success of CMVP Program

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

Student Senate

Senate amends bylaws to add inquiry powers, passes new election policy

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.

Student Senate

Freshmen Elections Handbook receives major updates

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

Executive Board

RPI Cricket club becomes Union-recognized club

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

News

RPI silent over new drop deadline

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

Senate revisits indictment of former Grand Marshal

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.

Executive Board

E-Board establishes committee to determine feasibility of extended Union hours and 24-hour Union

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.

Student Senate

Senate pushes ongoing traffic safety initiative

In their Monday meeting, the Student Senate approved the confirmation of class of ’28 representative Gavin Finn and discussed various housekeeping motions, including the ongoing initiative for pedestrian safety on campus. During the Invitation to Speak period, a last-minute motion brought forward by Graduate Senator Ria Massoni to facilitate further discussion of last semester’s elections ignited extended debate.

Executive Board

ASA motion to change member dues fails

The African Student Association motion to reduce membership dues from $15 to $10 failed. The Medlife Movement became a Union-affiliated club and RPI Quadball, Alpha Phi Omega, and Chinese American Student Association received additional subsidies. A motion to keep the Union open for 24 hours was tabled for the second week in a row.

Executive Board

Union receives lighting subsidy, Jordan Krishnayah appointed

The Student Union building acquired a subsidy for new outdoor lighting. Moreover, Jordan Krishnayah ’28 was confirmed as the new chair of the Student Government Communications Committee.

Student Senate

Senate reinstates Title IX and Bystander Intervention Training Policy for RPI club leaders

In its first meeting of the semester, the Student Senate heard a motion to reinstate Title IX and Bystander Intervention Training for all RPI Student Union-affiliated clubs and organizations leaders, putting the Union back in accordance with New York State law. The Senate also confirmed nominations for three vacant positions.

Press Release

Former Grand Marshal investigated & Duties of office Clarified

In a press release, the Elections Commission announces the conclusion of its investigation into a former Grand Marshal concerning his public endorsement and attempted interference in the GM Week 2024 election.

Executive Board

E-Board overwhelming rejects motion to place Rensselaer Voices for Palestine on probation

The Executive Board on Thursday overwhelmingly rejected a motion to place Rensselaer Voices for Palestine on probation. RMA and UPAC came for reallocation requests and Ultimate Frisbee asked for a subsidy for a tournament, which all passed. Science Ambassador’s Union Recognition got tabled indefinitely. Four E-Board members were confirmed for chairperson positions.

Student Senate

Conflict among Senators puts Executive Board operations in jeopardy

The Student Senate approved only four members of the Executive Board out of a planned sixteen after Ria Massoni ’24G called for more transparent operations within student government. The remaining members still await confirmation before the end of the semester if the E-Board is to remain functional this summer.

Student Senate

55th Student Senate starts new term with uncertainty

The 55th Student Senate meets for the first time under Grand Marshal Vivian Rost-Nasshan '26. The Elections Commission reveals an ongoing investigation.

Executive Board

Executive Board approves reallocation for The Polytechnic

The Executive Board has approved a reallocation of funds for The Polytechnic to purchase a new camera.

Executive Board

Philipps hosts penultimate E-Board meeting of first term

President of the Union Catherine Philipps ’24, ’25G hosted the penultimate Executive Board meeting of her first term last Thursday. The RMA reallocated funds to purchase a Mac mini, Chess Club received a $500 subsidy to purchase chess sets, and RPI Dance Team and Women’s Club Volleyball both received subsidies to attend national competitions. Director of the Union Charlie Potts also gave a presentation on upcoming Union renovations.

GM Week 2024

Vivian Rost-Nasshan elected Grand Marshal in runoff election

Vivian Rost-Nasshan ’26 has been elected Grand Marshal, beating Ria Massoni ’25G in a historic runoff election.

Executive Board

E-Board denounces actions of Dr. Charlie Potts over Bennett hiring, plans to shut down Rathskeller over summer for renovations

The Executive Board gave a formal denouncement to the actions of the Union’s administrative staff regarding the unconstitutional hiring of Cait Bennett as an administrative specialist. Society of Plastics Engineers approved for club affiliation, RPI Club Field Hockey achieves Union recognition, and the Director of the Union Dr. Charlie Potts presents the Union’s upcoming construction and renovation projects to the Executive Board. Additionally, the E-Board approves the hiring of William Weinert for the position of Assistant Director of Outdoor Programs.

Student Senate

Elections Commission addresses GM Week election

After the first tie for Grand Marshal in GM Week history, the Elections Commission is eager to improve the voting process. Also, controversy surrounding the endorsement of GM candidate Vivian Rost-Nasshan ’26 by current Grand Marshal Ben Viner ’24 was discussed.

GM Week 2024

Massoni, Rost-Nasshan take the stage for Grand Marshal runoff

As a result of the recent historic tie for Grand Marshal, candidates Ria Massoni ’24, ’25G and Vivian Rost-Nasshan ’26 took the stage again for a second debate. The questioning built upon statements made in the previous debate and included more candidate-specific questions. The debate was moderated once again by Elections Commission Chairperson Timothy Miles ’24.

Executive Board

Union hires Cait Bennett ’23G without Executive Board approval

Previous Grand Marshal Cait Bennett ’23G was hired as an Administrative Specialist for the Rensselaer Union. However, she was hired under the discretion of the Director of the Union Dr. Charlie Potts without the knowledge and approval of the Union Executive Board. As per the Union Constitution, the E-Board “shall approve the hiring and continuance of all administrative personnel of the Union.”