Student Life Committee

The Student Life Committee (SLC) is a standing committee of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Student Senate . The committee addresses student rights, well-being, and campus life issues through policy development and collaboration with university administration.

Overview

The Student Life Committee focuses on student rights and well-being, working to improve the student experience at RPI. The committee collaborates with Rensselaer administration and student organizations to address student life issues through policy initiatives and dialogue.

Regular meetings are held on Tuesdays at 5pm in the Student Government Suite. Like all other committees, it maintains an open-invite policy, allowing students to freely stop by and share their thoughts or get involved.

Leadership

Chairperson	Term	Notes
Bryan Johns '19	2018	Contributed to the creation of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, which worked with Public Safety, the Office of Multicultural Programming, and identity-based student groups.
Zachary Barringer	2022	First graduate student to chair the Student Life Committee
Ria Massoni ‘25G	2024-2025	Focused on Title IX policy, anonymous reporting procedures, and the Good Samaritan policy during her tenure.
Zachary Nobles ‘27	2025-Present	Sign policy,

Policy Areas and Initiatives

Title IX and Student Safety

The committee addresses Title IX policy and student safety issues through regular meetings with administrators from the Dean of Students Office and Title IX Office. In November 2025, the committee introduced a resolution to improve student navigation of Title IX processes and increase transparency in the system.

The committee has clarified the administrative structure for handling Title IX cases: RPI's Title IX Coordinators and Human Resources oversee investigations, while the Dean of Students Office provides support resources, counseling connections, and academic accommodations. The committee has also noted that incidents not meeting federal Title IX thresholds may still violate RPI Student Handbook policies, providing alternative reporting pathways.

Good Samaritan Policy and Reporting Procedures

In November 2024, the committee raised concerns about anonymous incident reporting and the Good Samaritan policy. Issues addressed included which reporting forms would be investigated, potential consequences of false reports, and the university's obligations under the Clery Act, which mandates investigation and reporting of certain incidents.

COVID-19 Response

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the committee addressed student concerns related to campus operations and living conditions.

The committee also advocated for improved quarantine conditions, particularly regarding food quality and nutritional standards for students in isolation.

Student Handbook

The committee collaborates with the Dean of Students Office on student conduct policies contained in the Student Handbook. Unlike Title IX policy, which is governed by federal regulations, the Student Handbook falls under RPI's jurisdiction, making it more accessible for student-initiated policy changes.

Administrative Relations

The committee serves as a communication channel between students and RPI administration. In March 2018, then-Interim Vice President LeNorman Strong proposed creating a Student Life advisory committee that would include representatives from the Grand Marshal, Executive Board, Student Life Committee, and Athlete Student Advisory Committee.

The committee engages with senior university leadership on student concerns. In November 2024, committee members, along with the rest of Senate, participated in a fireside chat with Provost Dr. Rebecca Doerge, discussing leadership transitions, mental health support, and academic policies including the add/drop policy.3

Scope

The Student Life Committee addresses issues affecting student well-being and campus culture. Areas of focus include:

Student safety and conduct policies (Title IX, Student Handbook)
Mental health resources and support services
Campus climate and inclusion initiatives
Student rights and protections (Good Samaritan policy)
Emergency response policies (such as during the COVID-19 pandemic)