The Student Sustainability Task Force (SSTF) recently released the “Sustainability at Rensselaer” report. This report was researched, compiled and written by members of the SSTF and includes inputs from numerous members of the Rensselaer community, including vice presidents, deans, directors, faculty and staff. The main sections of the report are baselining, benchmarking and suggestions, which are broken down into topics including education, research, leadership, operations and culture.

The next steps for Rensslaer include the student sustainability design charrette contest and the development of the Institute-wide Sustainability Task Force. If you have interest in participating in the planning of this charrette, or have interest in being a part of the Institute-wide Sustainability Task Force, please email Sarah Parks,  parkss at rpi.edu.

Are you prepared to face the challenge of environmental sustainability? Today’s environmental problems—global warming, loss of biodiversity, food insecurity, toxic waste—require a new generation of creative solutions. The minor in Sustainability Studies will help you develop those solutions.

The minor in Sustainability Studies is open to students pursuing degrees across campus, including those in engineering, the sciences, arts and humanities, architecture, and management. The minor is offered through the Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS). The STS approach to sustainability connects social, scientific, and technological fields of study. Courses to be applied toward the Sustainability Studies minor focus on the human dimensions of environmental problems and emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary expertise and collaboration.

No matter what your major or career goals, you can help to build a sustainable future!

Sustainability Studies Minor = 4 courses

One 1000-level course
• Science, Technology and Society
• Environment and Politics
• Politics of the Global Environment
• Nature/Society

One 2000-level course
• Environment and Society

Two 4000-level courses
• 21st Century Risks
• Environmental Philosophy
• Environmental Politics and Policy
• Environment and International Policy
• Environment and Development
• Public Service Internship
• Topics Courses in Sustainability

For more information or to enroll in the minor, stop by the STS Department office, Sage 5508, or contact Sara Feathers via phone at 276-6413 or email at feaths (at) rpi (dot) edu.

Fall Lecture Series of the Center for Environmental Legal Studies at Pace Law School, 78 North Broadway, White Plains, NY

“Current Issues in New York State Energy Policy and Planning”

John Williams, Director, Energy Analysis, New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA), Albany, NY

September 24, 12:30-1:30 pm, Preston Hall 401

Annual Distinguished Kerlin Lecture: “Environment, Law & Non-Profits: How NGOs Shape Our Laws, Health, and Communities” 

Peter Lehner, Executive Director, Natural Resources Defense Council, NY, NY
October 1, 5:00-6:00 pm, Moot Court Room

“Energy Policy in an Election Year”
Kinnan Golemon, KG Strategies, LLC, Austin, Texas
November 3, 12:30-1:30 pm, Preston Hall 401

Ann Klee, Esq., Vice President, Corporate Environmental Programs, General Electric Company, Fairfield, CTNovember 19, 5:00-6:00 pm, Classroom Building 01

For parking and public transportation options see: http://www.pace.edu/page.cfm?doc_id=23100

• Erosion and sedimentation control (REQ)
• Site Selection (1)
• Development density and community connectivity (1)
• Alternative transportation
  • Public transportation access (1)
  • Bicycle storage and changing rooms (1)
  • Low emission and fuel efficient vehicles (1)
  • Parking capacity (1)
• Stormwater design- quantity control (1)
• Stormwater design- quality control (1)

Water Efficiency

• Water efficient landscaping
  • reduce by 50% (1)
  • No potable water use or irrigation system (1)
• Waste water reduction 30% (2)

Energy and Atmosphere

• Fundamental commissioning of the building energy systems (REQ)
• Minimum energy performance (REQ)
• Fundamental refrigerant management (REQ)
• Optimize energy performance by 17.5% (3)
• Enhanced commissioning (1)
• Enhanced refrigerant management (1)

Materials and Resources

• Storage and Collection of Recyclables (REQ)
• Regional materials-20% extracted, processed, and manufactured regionally (2)

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)

• Minimum IAQ performance (1)
• Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) control (1)
• Outdoor air delivery monitorin (1)
• Increased venilation (1)
• Construction IAQ management plan
  • during construction (1)
  • before occupancy (1)
• Low-emitting materials
  • Adhesives and sealants (1)
  • Paints and coating (1)
  • Carpet system (1)
  • Composite wood and agrifiber products (1)
• Indoor chemical and pollutant source control (1)
• controllability of systems- thermal comfort (1)
• Thermal comfort
  • design (1)
  • verification (1)

Innovative Design

• 40% H2O

• Construction activity pollution prevention (REQ)
• Site selection (1)
• Within 1/2 mile of public transportation (1)
• Bicycle racks and showers (1)
• Alternative fueling station (1)
• Minimal parking lot and designated carpool spaces (1)
• Site development: protect or restore habitat (1)
• Site development: maximize open space (1)
• Stormwater design: quality control (1)
• Stormwater design: quantity control (1)
• Heat island effect: non-roof (1)

Water Efficiency

• Water efficient landscaping (2)
• water use 30% below baseline (2)

Energy and Atmosphere

• Fundamental systems building commissioning (REQ)
• Minimum energy performance (REQ)
• CFC reduction in HVAC and ref. equiptment (REQ)
• Energy Performance 20% below baseline (2)
• Additional commissioning (1)

Materials and Resources

• Storage & collection of recyclables (REQ)
• Construction waste management: divert 50% from disposal (1)
• Material reuse 5% (1)
• Use of Recycled Materials (1)
• Regional materials: 20% materials obtained within 500 mile radius of the site (1)

Indoor Environmental Quality

• Minimum indoor air quality performance (REQ)
• Environmental tobacco smoke control (REQ)
• Outdoor air delivery monitoring (1)
• Construction IAQ management plan (1)
• Indoor chemical and pollutant source (1)
• Increased ventilation (1)
• Thermal comfort design and verificatio (1)
• Low Emitting Material
  • adhesives and sealants (1)
  • paints and coatings (1)
  • carpet systems (1)
  • composite wood and agrifiber products (1)

Innovative design

• LEED accredited professional (1)

• LEED certification
• Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC)
• East Campus Athletic Villiage (ECAV)