News

The Rensselaer Music Association was approved for funds towards new recording equipment and The Polytechnic was given funds to attend the College Media Association convention.

Shankar Veludandi ’24 and Hannah Tischler ’24 were removed from their positions as Greek senators. After reapproving the Handbook because of amendments to the amount of required nominations for Graduate Senators and Representatives, the Senate discussed a motion from the RA Union.

The Senate approved the GM Week Elections Handbook, appointed Aaryan Bhatt ’25 as E-Board Club and Organization Representative and Raven Levitt ’26 as Member-At-Large Representative, and impeached two senators.

A letter with approval from over 75% of RAs was given to an assistant of President Martin A. Schmidt ’81 for Schmidt to recognize an RA union.

RPI Playhouse and E-Complex were flooded over the weekend

RPI Club Softball gained Union recognition, RPI Ballroom received subsidies for extra private lessons, RPI Playhouse reallocated funds for lighting equipment, several clubs were “sunset”, and Raven Levitt ’26 was confirmed as the Business Operations Chair.

The Student Senate had an atypically short meeting last Wednesday as they failed to reach quorum. Four more Senate members were necessary to meet the required 12 members for approval of most Senate actions besides secondary motions.

Grand Marshal Cait Bennett ‘23G introduced potential upcoming changes to the Rensselaer Union Constitution. Moreover, four positions were appointed.

UPAC Cinema gained funding for movies and a film festival prize program. Jake Herman, Ava Gallagher, and Tomas Gonzales-Zugasti were appointed to new positions on the Executive Board.

The Center for Career Professional Development and Panhellenic Council were approved to use three rooms in the Union for company info sessions and a “Meet the Chapters” event, respectively. Also, Ramesis Munoz-Valverde ’24 was appointed Club Ops Chair.

The Student Senate requested a funding reallocation for new shuttle tracker technology, the Outing Club requested an additional subsidy as well as a funding reallocations, and the Union ShowTechs requested permission to fundraise for equipment repairs. Moreover, Director of Student Activities Cameron McLean reported that rules on cooking in the Union are being rewritten.

Grand Marshal Cait Bennett ‘23G opened the meeting with an update on the recent investigation into the Interfraternity Council. Shortly into the meeting, a motion to close the meeting was seconded.

Student Senate increased Class Council dues by one dollar. Treasurer Ibrahim Ali ’24 was also asked to step down after missing a budgeting deadline. Additionally, Philip Paterson ’25 presented the Resident Life Report on campus housing.

The Polytechnic interviewed Martin Schmidt ’81 to discuss goals for the future.

Vice President of Student Life Peter Konwerski presented a draft of the Student Life Performance Plan, outlining goals to improve student retention, make investments in housing, and “enhance the Arch.”

RPI Rounak was given approval to fundraise for costumes and props.

Women’s Club Basketball was approved for the start of their season, and clubs under the Rensselaer Music Association were consolidated into one.

The Student Senate conducted a Q&A session with President Schmidt, asking questions that ranged from mental health, Greek life, and Schmidt’s day-to-day.

The Student Senate held a discussion led by Philip Paterson ’25 on the recent flooding of Colonie B. Jacob Fuhr was appointed as Class of 2025 Representative, and the Senate approved a motion to urge the Campus Card Office and Student Life to allow students to use their preferred names on their IDs.

The Executive Board approved funding reallocations for the Senate’s annual survey, the Chinese Students and Scholars Association’s Lunar New Year Celebrations, the Dance Dance Revolution’s game pad repairs, and approved the starter budget for the Caribbean Student Association.

President Martin Schmidt ’81 held his first Town Hall where he discussed shuttles, the Arch, and his three-step plan for the future.

The Executive Board sought to create a new position called the assistant director of wellness. Administrators insisted on closing the meeting; however, which led to a standstill.

The Student Senate rejected a proposal to increase class dues by one dollar. Undergraduate President Ria Massoni ’24 submitted the proposal so that the class councils and Undergraduate Council could have more funds available for events and to send two students to the National Association for Campus Activities Conference. Also, Class of 2024 Senator Gabriel Tambalini was impeached.

The Executive Board unanimously passed a motion to remove the club mailboxes from the Student Government Suite club library.