Student Government discussed the RIT Global Consortium and PawPrints petitions and was given a brief presentation from the RIT Model Railroad Club during their Oct. 24 meeting. The group also pranked Student Government President, Rafael Gilboa, by dressing up in his everyday gear while telling him that the theme that day was “fall.”
Gilboa and ALANA Collegiate Association (ACA) Vice President Kifekachukwu Nwosu returned from their trip to RIT Kosovo for the 2025 Global Consortium. This annual RIT program unites Student Government leaders across international RIT campuses to discuss common issues and solutions. During their trip, Gilboa and Nwosu met with leaders from RIT Kosovo, Croatia and Dubai. They also explored the cities of Prizren and Pristina and visited historical sites in Kosovo. Their stay made them aware of the struggles faced by smaller campuses, such as limited resources, fewer academic majors and fewer facilities.
PawPrints
A PawPrint about alleged transphobic behavior by SLC recreation staff and another PawPrint to save the RIT Model Railroad Club were both assigned to Student Affairs. A petition about maintaining the natural trails and creating an RIT trail crew was given to the Facilities, Parking, Transportation and Sustainability committee. Another petition asked for spaces where Muslim students can pray, and this petition was also assigned to Student Affairs. Each PawPrint was responded to with a brief message stating that the petition was charged and that students are welcome to attend the weekly Student Government committee meeting, which is held every Thursday from 10-11 a.m. in the Kathy Hall Conference Room (CPC 1740), attached to the Student Government office.
At the end of the meeting, RIT Model Railroad Club President Miles Davenport, Vice President Drew LaTerza, Treasurer Eleanor Fan and Secretary Nolan Kovalik gave a presentation about their club and their situation. According to their website, the club’s mission is “to promote the hobby of model railroading, to preserve railroad history, make new friends and have fun” by building models and participating in railroad community events.
Davenport explained that the RITMC was founded in 1996, with its first advisor being associate professor James Scudder, who passed away in 2006. Scudder secured the room for the club in 1997, and the room there is now dedicated to his legacy. The club attends train shows and other model railroading events across New York state, along with volunteering at local museums. The organization serves as a crossroads for students of diverse majors, including art and design, mechanical engineering, mechatronics and robotics. RITMC is entirely self-sufficient, with the RIT Tiger Tracks Train Show and Sale being their major fundraiser. The group explained that if their room is removed, they’ll lose Tiger Tracks, community outreach and their club activities, and that no room has been offered up for an alternate space. The RITMC club can be found in room 04-A420 of the SAU.
The meeting was adjourned at an hour and 42 minutes, after Student Government Vice President Ana Paolini Carrano discussed that next week, RIT President Bill Sanders will be joining the Student Government meeting for 30 minutes to hear the group’s questions, thoughts and concerns.
