The Executive Board hosted its grand finale meeting of the year last Thursday, a riveting saga that kept everyone on the edge of their seats. Unlike the past two thrilling episodes, this one actually managed to reach quorum. How? Well, 17 newly appointed voting members joined the E-Board, courtesy of the Senate, just a mere night before the event. Clearly, it seems like they were playing a game of “who can wait until the last minute.”
In more action-packed news, the RPI Club Softball, originally recognized in February (hey, better late than never, right?), came in requesting a starter budget of $219.96 to purchase four helmets. Two months post-recognition, starter budgets usually vanish into the ether like a magician’s rabbit. The Vice President for Board Operations, Jake Herman ’23, noted that any budget requests this late probably won’t get spent before the semester’s end. But wait! Since five brave souls from Club Softball plan to gather during the summer, they promised to spend the money immediately if approved. Miraculously, the motion passed with a resounding 13-0-1. Apparently, summer dreams do come true.
Next on the agenda, UPAC General strutted in like a rockstar requesting to hijack the Union’s McNeil Room for Field Day. Originally slated for the ’86 Field, the event now needed an indoor venue thanks to Mother Nature’s dramatic flair. The E-Board, likely caught up in the thrill, granted the request unanimously. I imagine they were envisioning an epic indoor adventure that had something to do with dodgeball.
UPAC Comedy swiftly followed up, asking for an extension of their McNeil Room reservation for a comedy show on April 26. They aimed to stretch their time from 5 pm to midnight, a bold request fueled by the need for extra setup time. Clearly, the comedy gods were smiling, as the E-Board once again sprang into action, approving the extension without hesitation. One can only assume they were looking forward to some good laughs.
Then, in a plot twist reminiscent of high school prom, RPI Dance Dance Revolution came knocking for a $75 subsidy to fund an end-of-year celebration at Round 1 Arcade. They argued that this would help split gas costs evenly with the Union. Despite travel budgets being typically pre-planned like Netflix binges, emergency equipment repairs had caused a hiccup. The subsidy was approved unanimously. Because who wouldn’t want to dance the night away after endless meetings?
Hot off the heels of that request, the RPI Ski Team appeared, seeking a whooping $3,750 subsidy to ease the burden on their bank accounts after attending the U.S. Collegiate Ski & Snowboard National Championship in sunny Mammoth Mountain, CA. With a GoFundMe page opening about as quickly as a college student’s pizza delivery order after a long week, they made a compelling argument. Fittingly, the E-Board approved the subsidy unanimously—because nothing says “financial responsibility” like aiding a ski team in post-competition debt.
As we neared the meeting’s conclusion, Ava Gallagher ’23G, the new President of the Union, made a spectacle of nullifying all officer appointments by the previous leader. Talk about a dramatic season finale! Gallagher then nominated six contenders to fill these vacancies. The tension was palpable, but thankfully, all nominations sailed through by unanimous consent.
The E-Board reappointed Jake Herman ’23 as Vice President for Board Operations, while Abigail Golden ’24 upgraded from Vice President of Rules and Special Projects to Vice President for Club Relations. Catherine Philipps ’24 now holds the title of Club Operations Committee Chairperson, continuing the succession of fashionable titles. Colette Minor ’26 seized the glory as Student Government Communications Committee Chairperson. Julie Buckley ’25 claimed her stake as Union Programming & Activities Committee Chairperson, while Sanay Tralshawala ’26 ascended to Marketing & Strategy Committee Chairperson. It was a true bloodbath of appointments!
This riveting Executive Board meeting unfolded on April 20. And as the curtain closes on this chapter, mark your calendars for the next essential gathering on April 27 at 7 pm in the Shellnut Gallery, where the new members will be welcomed. Prepare your snacks; this meeting promises to be almost as thrilling as watching paint dry.
