Executive Board

Executive Board of the Rensselaer Union

The Executive Board serves as the chief financial and operational body of the Rensselaer Union at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. This student-led organization manages an annual budget exceeding $8.9 million and oversees the financial affairs, club funding, and facility operations that form the backbone of student life at RPI.

Overview

The Executive Board consists of between 15 and 20 voting representatives appointed by the President of the Union and approved by the Student Senate. The board meets weekly during the academic year to review funding requests, approve policy changes, and make decisions affecting the broader student community. The President of the Union chairs all Executive Board meetings and coordinates its activities with Union administrative staff, the Mueller Center, the Athletics Department, and other campus organizations.

History and Formation

Early Union Development (1890-1906)

Students formed the R.P.I. Union in fall 1890 out of a desire to be taken more seriously for their athletic endeavors, compete with rival colleges, and create social ties with Troy citizens. The first President of the Union was W.C.H. Slagle. During its initial years from 1890 to 1894, the Union operated with only a President of the Union position and no Grand Marshal. Starting with the 1894-1895 school year, both positions ran side by side.

In 1906, a committee of Rensselaer graduates organized the Rensselaer Student's Association to create a central on-campus meeting place for all students. The Student's Association later combined with the RPI Union to form the modern Rensselaer Union.

Constitutional Development

The original Rensselaer Union constitution passed in November 1890 to unite students in a commitment to Rensselaer ideals, expand extracurricular life, coordinate student organizations, support athletics, and provide a medium for student expression.

1966 Constitution

In 1966, students voted on and passed a Union Constitution by a margin of 1076 to 79 during Grand Marshal Week. The Executive Board composition at this time included the President of the Union, two members from communications groups like radio and publications clubs, one member from musical groups such as band, orchestra, and glee club, three members selected from other authorized organizations, and one member from the Student Council.

1970 Constitution

The Union Constitution underwent major restructuring in 1970. The Executive Board expanded to include a representative of the Graduate Council, a representative of the Undergraduate Council, three members chosen from among officers of recognized activities on campus, and four members chosen from among Union members (one each from the sophomore, junior, senior, and graduate classes). Graduate students gained recognition as full members of the Rensselaer Union and received Student Senate representation.

The student body voted on the 1970 Constitution on October 9, 1970, passing it by a count of 623 to 530. Opposition groups criticized the power granted to the President of the Union and the self-appointed Executive Board, the displacement of the Independent Council in the Student Government hierarchy, amendment procedures, and the perceived lack of checks and balances.

The Board of Trustees adopted this 1970 Constitution as official Trustee Policy, giving it the force of institutional governance. This Constitution governed the Union until 2017.

Changes and Proposed Revisions

In 2014, a Constitution committee led by Nathan James '15 began revising the Union Constitution for a planned vote during Grand Marshal Week 2015. Proposed changes included eliminating references to the defunct Independent Council and solidifying the position of Class Councils. The Executive Board sought to expand from 15 to 20 representatives, and the Judicial Board requested changes to its selection process.

A document claiming to be the Rensselaer Union Constitution passed during GM Week 1987 exists under Union Documents, but the RPI Library Archives could not locate a copy of the Union Constitution more recent than 1970, raising questions about the document's authenticity.

Structure and Composition

Current Membership

The current Executive Board includes the following positions:

  • Class representatives for each cohort, including undergraduate and graduate students

  • Club and organization representatives

  • Member-at-large representatives

  • One representative from the Student Senate

  • One representative from the Undergraduate Council

  • One representative from the Graduate Council

The board composition aims to represent diverse student constituencies and ensure broad input on financial and operational decisions.

Appointment Process

The President of the Union appoints all Executive Board members, who must then receive confirmation from the Student Senate. This dual approval process balances executive authority with legislative oversight. The appointment process typically occurs after spring elections when the incoming President of the Union takes office.

Powers and Responsibilities

Budget Management

The Executive Board performs its most critical function during the annual budgeting process each winter. Board members review and evaluate budget proposals from student clubs, Union facilities, and Union operations according to Rensselaer Union Budget Policies and Guidelines. These decisions shape the Activity Fee for the following fiscal year, which all undergraduate and graduate students pay to support student life activities and club development.

The board manages an annual budget of over $8.9 million. From 1890 until 2016, this budget included funding for intercollegiate athletics, representing approximately 36% of total Union expenditures. The administration removed athletics from Union oversight in February 2016.

Club Operations

The Executive Board holds authority to classify and approve student clubs and organizations. Once a club receives Union classification, the board provides resources and support based on the club's status:

Funded Clubs receive direct financial support from the Union budget and are each assigned an Executive Board Representative who works closely with club leadership to ensure adequate funding and resources.

Recognized Clubs do not receive direct Union funding but can access Union facilities and services through the Club Operations Committee.

Affiliated Clubs maintain a relationship with the Union while operating with more independence.

During the academic year beyond the budgeting season, the Executive Board meets weekly to hear requests for additional fund allocations, approve expenditures, and consider policy proposals affecting student organizations.

Facilities and Operations

The Executive Board determines operating policies for Rensselaer Union facilities across campus. These facilities include:

  • Rensselaer Student Union building at the corner of Sage Avenue and 15th Street

  • Mueller Center fitness and wellness facilities

  • RPI Playhouse performance spaces

  • J-Building music practice suites

  • Academy Hall dance studio and auditorium

  • 87 Gym

  • Armory basement storage and rifle range

  • Various other campus spaces

The board coordinates with Union administrative staff to maintain and improve these facilities for student use.

Personnel Authority

Under the original Union Constitution, Article VII, Section 2(f) granted the Executive Board exclusive authority to approve the hiring and continuance of all administrative personnel of the Union. This included the Director of the Union position, a key administrative role responsible for day-to-day Union operations.

This personnel authority became a major point of controversy starting in 2016 when the administration began making hiring decisions without Executive Board approval.


Constitutional Governance

Constitutional Framework

The Rensselaer Union Constitution, adopted by the Board of Trustees in 1970, established the Executive Board's powers and defined its role within the Union structure. The Constitution served as binding Trustee Policy and outlined the relationship between the Union and the Institute administration.

Key constitutional provisions included:

  • Article V defining the position of Director of the Union and organizational structure under the Division of Student Life

  • Article VII, Section 2(f) granting hiring authority for Union personnel to the Executive Board

  • Article X, Section 10, paragraph (h) giving the Student Senate authority to approve handbook changes

  • Article VII, Section 13 addressing eligibility requirements for Grand Marshal and President of Union candidates

Amendment Process

Constitutional amendments required passage by the Student Senate and approval through referendum by the student body. This process ensured direct student input on fundamental governance changes. Club constitutions similarly required Executive Board approval for amendments.

Current Operations

Despite constitutional challenges, the Executive Board continues to function as the primary student body managing Union financial affairs. The board still reviews budget proposals, approves club funding, and makes recommendations on Union policies. However, its authority now exists at the discretion of the administration rather than as constitutionally protected student governance.

Weekly Meetings

The Executive Board meets on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM in the Shelnutt Gallery of the Rensselaer Student Union. These meetings are open to the student body and provide a forum for clubs seeking funding, students proposing policy changes, and community members raising concerns about Union operations.

Budget Cycle

The budgeting process for the Rensselaer Union occurs annually each fall for the next fiscal year. Club treasurers and business managers submit detailed budget proposals outlining anticipated expenses for events, equipment, travel, and operations. Executive Board representatives review these proposals, often requesting additional information or suggesting modifications before bringing them to a vote.

The cumulative budget decisions determine the Activity Fee that students pay the following year. This fee originated in 1912 as a self-imposed tax by students to support student organizations, activities, events, and athletics.

Club Support

Funded clubs receive assigned Executive Board Representatives who serve as liaisons between the clubs and the broader Union structure. These representatives attend club meetings, help navigate Union policies and procedures, assist with reimbursement processes, and advocate for club needs during budget discussions.

Clubs seeking initial Union recognition submit proposals to the Club Operations Committee, which evaluates them based on guidelines in the Rensselaer Union Guidelines and Procedures (RUGP). The Executive Board makes final classification decisions.

Recent Activities

In October 2024, the Executive Board approved revisions to the Rensselaer Union Guidelines and Procedures following Student Senate approval of a signage policy. Changes included a concrete Union signage policy, a clear public link for new club interest forms, increased gas reimbursement rates, and various administrative updates.

The board granted Union Affiliated status to Google Developer Groups on Campus at RPI and processed various other club motions and funding requests.

The Executive Board overwhelmingly rejected a motion to place Rensselaer Voices for Palestine on probation, demonstrating its role in protecting club rights and making judgment calls on organizational status.

The board approved reallocation requests from RMA and UPAC and subsidies for Ultimate Frisbee tournament participation while tabling Science Ambassador's Union Recognition indefinitely.


References

  1. Rensselaer Union Official Website. "Executive Board." https://union.rpi.edu/club-directory/executive-board/

  2. RPI Student Government. "Executive Board." https://sites.google.com/view/rpistugov/executive-board/

  3. The Polytechnic. "Union Constitution History in Review." October 22, 2014.

  4. RPI Institute Archives. "125 Years of the Rensselaer Union." October 16, 2015.

  5. Every Day Matters. "125 Years of Student Leadership." November 2015.

  6. Save the Union. "The Situation." https://savetheunion.xyz/situation/

  7. Renew Rensselaer. "The Untold Story." https://renewrensselaer.org/findings/

  8. The Polytechnic. "The Union: Epicenter of Administrative Overreach." October 2021.

  9. Ad-Hoc Committee of the Student Senate. "Rensselaer Union Report." January 2017.

  10. RPI Institute Archives. "Continuing Up the Hill: The Rensselaer Student's Association Clubhouse." December 3, 2018.