Grand Marshal

Grand Marshal of the Rensselaer Union

Insignia of the office of the Grand Marshal, depicting a top hat
Member of	Student Senate (Presiding Officer) Officers of the Union Senate Cabinet Joint Cabinet All Senate committees
Constituted by	Rensselaer Union Constitution
Position Established	1866
Incumbent	Jordan Krishnayah

The Grand Marshal (GM) is the highest elected student position at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and chief spokesperson for the entire student body. They are the most well-known official within the Rensselaer Union, and serve as presiding officer of the Student Senate.

History

The first Grand Marshal was elected in 1866, when Albert M. Harper was chosen to serve in the position. The position originally existed independently of any student governance structure, as none existed at the time, and served to represent the entirety of the student body. Little is known about the office of the Grand Marshal during this time, other than the fact that the elections served as a key event in the school calendar and were known for their lavish celebrations and parades, a set of traditions that would later evolve into Grand Marshal Week. In 1876, during a parade, a top hat was presented to the then-Grand Marshal elect. The top hat would be worn by Grand Marshals into the present day.

In 1890, the RPI Union was founded (not to be confused with the modern Rensselaer Union). It is unclear whether or not the office of Grand Marshal existed in the earliest years of the RPI Union, and some speculate that the office of President of the Union replaced it. By 1894, however, the position had been reestablished, and was considered the paramount leader of the Union, above even the President.

In 1908, the RPI Union merged with the Rensselaer Students' Association to form the Rensselaer Union. Under the first Rensselaer Union Constitution, the Grand Marshal was one of the officers of the Executive Committee, although again made lower in stature to the President. Records indicate that the Grand Marshal was required to be a senior at this time, but it is not entirely clear. In 1910, the Student Council was formed, with the Grand Marshal as its presiding officer, although it was not an organ of the Union at this time.

The Student Council dissolved prior to the 1936 Union Constitution, which elevated the Grand Marshal to be equal to the President. 12 years later, the 1948 Union Constitution re-established the Student Council (now a full branch of the Union), with the Grand Marshal once again presiding, although they kept their seat on the Executive Committee (this was later reversed in the 1961 Constitution, where the Executive Commiteee became the Executive Board).

In 1970, a new Union Constitution was approved, establishing the Student Senate as the replacement to the Student Council. The Grand Marshal retained its presiding position over the new legislature, which they maintain to the present day.

Role and Responsibilities

According to Article V, Section II of the Rensselaer Union Constitution, the Grand Marshal:

• Serves as the presiding officer of the Student Senate
• Acts as an ex officio member of all committees
• Functions as the leader and chief spokesperson for the entire Rensselaer Union
• Is normally a nonvoting member of the Student Senate, but may cast a tie-breaking vote
• Appoints student representatives (subject to Senate approval)
• Serves on Institute committees as representative of the student body
• Meets with the President and Board of Trustees to represent student interests
• Wears a hat