The Rensselaer Union faced intense governance struggles through 2015 to 2017 under Institute President Shirley Ann Jackson’s leadership, dismantling over 127 years of student self governance. During this period, the administration systematically removed constitutional powers from student government bodies including the Student Senate, Executive Board, and Judicial Board.

The crisis culminated in 2017 when the Board of Trustees passed a resolution effectively nullifying the Rensselaer Union Constitution.