TROY — Rensselear Polytechnic Institute’s student union has a new director, but not everyone is happy about that. Students have nothing against the new director, Charlie Potts, but instead are protesting what they say is his unilateral appointment by RPI President Shirley Jackson, which they believe violates the school’s own rules and traditions.

Because of that, students are drafting a formal complaint to the state Board of Regents, which oversees education in New York.

It’s the latest episode in a conflict that began almost a year ago when Jackson’s administration moved to take control over the student union, which has historically been governed by the students. That moved sparked a protest during a fundraising gala at the school in October.

“I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Dr. Charlie Potts as Director of the Rensselaer Student Union for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,” Jackson announced in a mass email Wednesday.

Potts previously oversaw student life at Indiana State University, where he carried out several projects and initiatives.

That’s fine, but members of the student union’s executive board are supposed to be consulted on hirings according to the union's constitution, said Justin Etzine, president of the student union.

“I believe it violates policy,” said Etzine, who added that the board only learned about the appointment on Tuesday. “It blindsided us,” he said.

The school could potentially get around that, however, by paying the director from funds that don’t come from the student union. But the school indicated the personnel director will be funded from the student union.

Etzine added that the RPI trustees approved a resolution last year that could enable the hiring.

The upset about the hiring relates to the unusual nature of RPI’s student union, which has a $4.5 million budget and operates some 150 clubs that span a range of activities including TV sportscasts, a volunteer ambulance service, computer game development and anti-cancer fundraising.

Unlike most schools, the union is operated and governed by students. “We are unique among student unions,” Etzine said.

More for you News RPI eases Greek crackdown, will allow rush in October

RPI spokeswoman Richie Hunter said administrators plan to explain the hiring process in an upcoming message. She added that the hiring "included significant student involvement."

The dispute over the student union comes as members of the school’s Greek housing system and alumni members continue to battle the school’s crackdown on fraternities and sororities.

Jackson earlier in the year said the school was putting a hold on the sorority and fraternity fall rush period – in which new members are recruited at the start of the year. That provoked an outcry by Greek life supporters including alumni. The school has since eased that stance, saying that rush is on hold until Oct. 18.

Additionally, the school created a panel to examine the ins and outs of Greek life. That includes an exploration of the problems, including sex assaults as well as alcohol abuse, that Jackson cited in her initial crackdown.

The panel has recently started to post some of those findings online. But Greek supporters are growing nervous as the school year – and the crucial rush period – approaches.

“What’s happening here is that things are getting compressed. The school year is going to start,” said Brian Leitten, an alumni and Greek life supporter. “They really kind of fired with this thing before they aimed.”

rkarlin@timesunion.com 518 454 5758 @RickKarlinTU