Anna Zuniga

Important Rensselaer and Troy officials bury a time capsule to be opened at RPI’s tricentennial in 2124.

Student Senate referred motion to approve the Rensselaer Union Guidelines and Procedures sign policy back to the Student Life Committee to be reevaluated. The Common Organizational Terms Act of 2024 was approved.

UPAC Cinema, Game Development, and Cycling clubs were granted reallocation requests. Admin budgeting also began.

HackRPI’s 2024 Hackathon was a success with over 450 hackers working on projects with the theme of “Urban Upgrades.”

The 2024 Troy Glow festival lights up the downtown with ten art installations. Free tours are available daily until November 10.

At approximately 8 pm Monday, a red car allegedly stolen drove recklessly through 15th Street, hitting parked cars in front of the Rensselaer Union.

The Executive Board approved the October 2024 revision of the Rensselaer Union Guidelines and Procedures, upon approval of signage policy by the Student Senate. Changes include a concrete Union signage policy, a clear, public link for new form interest, an increased reimbursement for gas, and various small items. Additionally, Google Developer Groups on Campus at RPI became Union Affiliated, and a few other clubs’ motions passed.

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.

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.

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.

This year, Rensselaer has become the first university to hold an IBM Quantum System One. On April 5th, the ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the new system, which is located in the Voorhees Computing Center. After the official ceremony, attendees were able to go on tours led by the members of the Quantum Computing Club. The night before the unveiling ceremony, CBS News Correspondent David Pogue arrived at EMPAC to deliver a piece on the quick and frightening progress of AI.

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.

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.”

Grand Marshal Week 2024 was full of fun campus-wide events and activities. This year’s festivities included the Mxmtoon concert, Provost Picnic, and Formal.

Five candidates took the stage for the Grand Marshal Week debate moderated by Elections Committee Chairperson Timothy Miles ’24. The debate offered one last chance for the candidates to present themselves to the student body and share their opinions on various topics and issues.

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.

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.

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.

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

A new Gong cha location opens in Troy.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

The first Executive Board meeting of the Fiscal Year 2024 started with an additional subsidy approval for RPI Rugby. The Board also approved the installation of new security cameras in the Union which will be funded by the Institute.

Editor-in-Chief Soma Patra ’26 and Contributing Editor Anna Zuniga ’26 watched the Rusty Pipes’ Spring Show this past Friday in EMPAC.

Engineers swept the Union Dutchwomen in a doubleheader on April 23.

Features Editor Anna Zuniga ’26 reveals students’ troubles with dining on campus for those with dietary restrictions.

The Engineers swept the Purchase College Panthers in a doubleheader on Saturday, winning 12–4 and 6–2.

RPI Rugby gains funding for upcoming Beast of the East tournament, while Dance Team’s additional subsidy for National competition gets tabled for next meeting. The board discusses marketing and solidifying one shade of red for the Union.

Features Editor Anna Zuniga ’26 shares the many events during Grand Marshal Week, including Union After Dark, the Provost Picnic, and the Hatting Ceremony.

UPAC Grand Marshal Week is allowed to use the McNeil room for Grand Marshal Week, the Rensselyrics received a funding reallocation for microphones, the Cognitive Science Graduate Students Association becomes Union-affiliated, and the badminton club gained funding for tournaments while RPI TV was rejected for funding for a news show.

Editorial/Opinion Editor Soma Patra ’26 and Features Editor Anna Zuniga ’26 attended BSA’s Fashion Show last Saturday night, featuring a variety of modern, vibrant, and chic pieces.

Pickleball becomes affiliated with the Union while the Young Democratic Socialists of America Club fails affiliation for the second time. The Humans Vs. Zombies club gets approved reallocation of funds.

The Elections Commission received $1,000 to change their voting website so that Juniors on Arch Away can vote during Grand Marshal week. Dr. Charlie Potts received 45,000 dollars of funding for a new low ropes course near ECAV. The Executive Board discussed possible Union hour changes for the Show Techs.

Rensselaer’s annual Winter Carnival was a day full of fun festivities. Features Editor Anna Zuniga ’26 shares about the activities of the carnival.

Features Editor Anna Zuniga ’26 reflects on EMPAC, encouraging more students to use the space and attend events.

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.

Features Editor Anna Zuniga ’26 shares her experience at Cuando las nubes eran las olas (When the clouds were the waves) at EMPAC.

Features Editor Anna Zuniga ’26 shares her experience at the Campus Seasonal Celebration.

Associate Features Editor Anna Zuniga ’26 shares her experience going to The Indian Student Association’s undergraduate Diwali Show.

Associate Features Editor Anna Zuniga ’26 and Justin Chassin ’22G attended the dress rehearsal and the 8 pm performance of Adam Weinert’s ANTHEM in EMPAC’s concert hall on November 4. The event employed layered symbolism, choreography, and film to criticize the American national anthem.

Anna Zuniga ’26 and Justin Chassin ’22 G demonstrate that Taylor Swift’s broad discography covers any mood or situation.

Need your computer fixed? Go to the Voorhees Computing Center for free computer help and repair!

On Saturday October 15th, we attended the Latinx Heritage Month Closing Ceremony held in the McNeill room. The celebration—packed with music, dinner and dancing—was coordinated by the LHM Eboard and clubs such as Alianza Latina, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Phi Iota Alpha, and Omega Phi Beta.

As a bike mechanic and cyclist, Anna Zuniga ’26 explains the pros and cons of electric bikes, noting problems of accessibility, mobility, safety, and sustainability.