News

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.

The Senate passed a motion to begin work on several Facilities and Services Committee projects. In addition, Vivian Rost-Nasshan ’26 was appointed an Independent Senator.

Julie Barringer ‘23G discussed RPI’s recent decision to change their health insurance plan from CDPHP to MVP. She intends to increase transparency on healthcare decisions between the Student Health Center and the student body. The Senate passed a motion to solidify their ownership of the Supplemental Course Materials project.

Small subsidies were given to Women's Club Volleyball and Table Tennis Club. The board continued administrative budgeting for the next fiscal year.

During the Fall Town Meeting, Dr. Martin A. Schmidt '81 highlighted the unveiling of Rensselaer’s Quantum Computational Center, his plan to transform RPI into one of the nation’s leaders in semiconductor-related research, and gave his update on the planning process for RPI’s bicentennial.

The Executive Board approved an additional subsidy of $975 for the Humans vs Zombies club to travel to invitationals.

News10 ABC evening anchor Lydia Kulbida hosted the 2023 Troy Mayoral debate between Republican candidate Carmella Mantello and Democrat Nina Nichols. Debate questions covered various topics, primarily focusing on the current lead pipe issue, improving overall Troy economy and livability, plans for decreasing crime, and main priorities in candidates’ first budget.

The Executive Board discussed future construction projects, such as the renovation of the RPI Playhouse and the construction of two pavilions on campus. In addition, several clubs were granted additional funding.

Vice President for Student Life Peter Konwerski is stepping down at the end of this academic year. The Student Life office is moving into the Provost office and various changes are in motion to improve academic and student life.

In a jam-packed meeting, the Executive Board honored Union donor Jon Kessler ’79, ’82G, who pledged to donate $1 million to the Union over the next five years. Additionally, The E-Board granted a subsidy request to ACHA Hockey, approved fundraising and tabling motions for RPI Dance Team, and approved the affiliations for Young Democratic Socialists of America and the Rensselaer Philosophy Society. Four clubs were sunset, Conversation Corner and Mandarin Club, Isshinryu Karate, Juggling Club, and Kung Fu Club.

A new Freshman Elections Handbook was approved. The Mercer XLab finished renovations and is now open to the public upon request. Also, Timothy Miles ’24 and Adrian Alicea-Roman ’23G were appointed as Inter-Fraternity Council Senator and Community Relations Committee Chairperson, respectively.

Gabriel Jacoby-Cooper ’24 announced that the new Shuttle Tracker update is out. The new Shuttle Tracker makes locating the shuttles more accurate and more convenient. Adrian Alicea-Roman ’23G revived the Community Relations Committee by becoming its chairperson and Timothy Miles ’24 suggested some changes to the upcoming elections.

The Executive Board has approved a stopgap budget request for the Caribbean Students Association for $1,070.

RPI ambulance was approved to obtain quotes for a new ambulance, and RPI Club Softball was granted a stopgap request.

Web Technologies Group chairperson Gabriel Jacoby-Cooper ’24 has announced that Shuttle Tracker 2.0, a complete revamp of the service, will begin to hand out tracking devices to shuttles.

Grand Marshal Ben Viner ’24 proposed future Senate changes. Isabele Lieber ’25 and Michelle Li ’26 were appointed to Club and Organization Representative and Class of 2026 Representative, respectively, both of which are voting positions for the Executive Board.

RPI TV got $12,827.05 for a graphics and replay server, as well as general infrastructure to perform to ESPN+ standards for hockey broadcasting. RPI Brazilian Jiu Jitsu became Union affiliated.

The Executive Board approved the allocation of $27,268 to purchase new furniture for the Student Government Suite, two-thirds of which came from a donation by Jon Kessler ’79. The Board also approved a motion to fund four parking passes for members of RPI Ambulance.

Summer break renovations of Russell Sage Dining Hall were completed. Changes include a new entrance and updated Simple Zone.