News

An inquiry committee has been formed to investigate the increasingly strained relationship between the RPI Players and the Union Executive Board. Also, RPI is seeking re-accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

In her first E-Board meeting as President of the Union, Isabele Lieber ’25, ’26G presided over the unraveling of the RPI Players as they were put on probation for the second time this semester. RPI Cricket Club got a starter budget, the Club Operations Committee got their own constitution, and Katie Bates ’26 got appointed as UPAC Chairperson.

The runoff will be held via a virtual ballot sent by email to all Greek-affiliated students.

Tiburon Benavides has been elected Grand Marshal and Isabele Lieber has been elected President of the Union.

In the wake of Monday’s primary elections, the Elections Commission received a challenge to the results. The challenge pertained primarily to the “Donuts with Candidates” event held the day of the primary. Two other concerns were brought to the EC’s attention regarding the date of the primary and the lack of a sample ballot. The EC concluded that the concerns were valid but that there was insufficient evidence to suspend the election result.

President Schmidt hosted his sixth town meeting at EMPAC on Friday where he discussed the situation in Washington, D.C. and the Institute’s goals regarding the finances and enrollment.

GM candidates Tiburon Benavides '21, '27G and Vicky Guo '26 advance to the final election along with PU candidates Isabele Lieber '25, '26G and Toby McDonald '26. Also, McDonald was sanctioned for improperly gathering signatures.

The primary debates for both the Grand Marshal and President of the Union candidates happened on Friday in preparation for voting on Monday. Candidates got a chance to give their insight into pressing issues facing the student body and how they would address them.

After nine years, political parties have formally returned to GM Week.

An endorsement tracker for all candidates running for Grand Marshal and President of the Union from other student organizations.

ISSS Director Mary Nellis spoke about recent changes to federal immigration polices and urged the Student Senate to invite Public Safety to the conversation.

Three candidates are running for GM and four candidates are running for PU, requiring a primary election for both positions. A virtual primary election will be held on March 17 with the two candidates for both positions that receive the most votes in their respective primary election facing off in the general election on March 20.

A motion to strip Greek life office space from the Student Government Suite passed after a lengthy debate. The Director of the Union presented an update on the Union’s first floor renovation plans.

Last Tuesday, President Schmidt sent out an email to the Rensselaer community in response to a petition by RPI’s chapter of the YDSA demanding the Institute be declared a sanctuary campus. Schmidt agreed to some of the demands, but YDSA says the president didn’t go far enough.

Rensselaer Endurance Motorsport and a NASA-based competition club both gained affiliation. Club Field Hockey, Code Red, and Dance Team also received funds. The Indian Students Association was granted access to the McNeil Room for an event.

After closing the meeting to the public to discuss the FY26 Union Annual Report, confusion erupted over whether the Vice President of the Class of 2026 had been removed from their role. The 2025 GM Week Elections Handbook was also presented.