Sustainability Charrette April 17 – 18, 2009 Sustainability Charrette April 17 – 18, 2009 Team: The Roots - Concepts and Takeaways -

Concept 1: Establish an Office of Sustainability Description and Objectives –An organization on campus that provides: Leadership and Direction Communication Coordination Education on all things sustainable! Functions –Management of Sustainability Funding –Maintain Website –Centralize Campus Sustainability Projects –Education/Resource Center Develop Workshops/Lecture Series SO/FYE Events –Assist Professors to incorporate sustainability in curriculum –Staff Training –Resource Center for Other Departments

Implementation –Physical Location: Repurposed ’86 Field –Staffing Director 1-2 Staff Support Work-Study Posts Grad Assistants? Student Organization Volunteers Concept 1: Stakeholders –The Community of Troy –The Entire Rensselaer Community Students Faculty Staff Alumni

Concept 1: Justification –Demonstrates Rensselaer’s commitment to sustainability to: Prospective and current students Companies and Corporations Alumni –Other universities demonstrate such initiatives generate much more revenue than cost Example: Harvard University, Cornell –Educates future leaders who are poised to change the world Impact: –Environmental—improve campus atmosphere –Economic—minimal –Cultural—Establish the importance of sustainability in students, staff, and faculty, and demonstrate Rensselaer’s commitment to sustainability.

Green Careers CONCEPT 2: Green Careers Description and Objectives: Develop resources on campus to support students seeking careers in “green” jobs, sustainability, and renewable energy in private industry, entrepreneurial endeavors, governmental organizations, and non-profit organizations Functions: –Work with Career Development Center (CDC) to bring in more “green” companies and/or develop links to green career resources – Develop “green” company sections in established on-campus career fairs – Collaborate with other schools to establish a green career fair – Develop seminar series that would highlight opportunities in the “green” marketplace –Implementation: – CDC, Schools, Alumni relations, SHPE/NSBE

Implementation –Existing Career Fairs –Utilization of CDC RedHawk JobLink Database –Possibility for growth in “Green” ranking system to sort, classify and manage “Green Jobs” and “Green Company” profiles Stakeholders –Undergraduate Students –Graduate Students –Career Development Center –Companies and Corporations which interview on campus Green Careers CONCEPT 2: Green Careers

Impact: –Environmental—improve campus atmosphere –Economic—minimal –Cultural—Establish the importance of sustainability in students, staff, and faculty, and demonstrate Rensselaer’s commitment to sustainability –Rensselaer students placed in “Green” positions

Beta Testing on Campus CONCEPT 3: Beta Testing on Campus Description: Establish framework to encourage/support the demonstration on campus of all new sustainable technologies, concepts, and ideas developed by Rensselaer faculty, students, and staff Functions:  Matching funds for research projects  Develop student projects  Website (hosted by OoS) to showcase concepts, results, etc. Implementation:  OoS, schools, research centers, faculty, students, facilities

Re-purpose ’86 Field CONCEPT 4: Re-purpose ’86 Field Description: Develop a green space/natural area that would demonstrate Rensselaer’s commitment to sustainability, enhance beauty of campus, and serve as the home for the Office of Sustainability Characteristics:  Office of Sustainability building (use Solar Decathlon house or similar)  Outdoor “classroom” or amphitheater  Natural area, park, trees, wildflowers, pond(?), open space, paths Implementation:  Senior architectural student design competition  Facilities, outside contractor (?)

Possible Location for “Office of Sustainability” Re-purpose ’86 Field CONCEPT 4: Re-purpose ’86 Field

Impact:  Environmental—improve campus atmosphere  Economic—bring in prospective students, companies, organizations seeking research support, encourage alumni to donate  Cultural—Establish the importance of sustainability in students, staff, and faculty, and demonstrate Rensselaer’s commitment to sustainability. Re-purpose ’86 Field CONCEPT 4: Re-purpose ’86 Field

Concept 5: Local/Organic/CSA Description: Provide alternative, sustainable food resources through: An on-campus Farmer’s market Expand Terra-Cade to a RAD option Community Supported Agriculture Stakeholders: Rensselaer Students and Faculty Impact: Environmental: more sustainable foods, less pollutants/carbon emissions, support local agriculture Cultural/Social: community awareness/support, healthier atmosphere Economic: stimulate local economy Implementation: Who: Terra Café, Troy Farmer’s Market, Troy Food Co-Op How: Allow space for market on campus, larger incorporation of local foods in dining halls/facilities Cost: relatively low Payback: N/A

Concept 6: Volunteer Abroad Description: Collaboration with REACH program to provide a study experience that would allow the students to work on sustainability projects/ develop global awareness of sustainability Stakeholders: Rensselaer Students and Faculty Impact: –Environmental: positive impact on global communities –Cultural: students gain a global cultural awareness –Economic: promotes global low income communities Implementation: –Who: REACH Program, ESW, design courses –How: Collaborate with established study abroad/global service organizations –Cost: student tuition, transportation/projects costs –Payback: N/A

Concept 7: Co-generation/Geothermal Description: Reuse of heat produced by Rensselaer power plant. Utilizing underground heat to heat buildings, dorms, etc. Stakeholders: Rensselaer Facilities, Faculty, Staff, Students Impact: Environmental- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions Economic- Energy/Utility savings Implementation: How: Construction of Machinery Who: Administration/Faculty Cost: High Payback: High

Concept 8: (Reach Goal) Carbon Neutral by 2025 Description: Develop a long term commitment of zero carbon emissions produced yearly by Rensselaer. Stakeholders: –Rensselaer Community as a whole Impact: –Environmental: eliminate contribution to global climate change –Economic: Savings in energy/utilities –Cultural: Institute pride in sustainable leadership and policies Implementation: Through the application of renewable energy sources, such as those suggested at the Sustainability Charrette, and potential use of carbon offsets Cost: High cost, high long term payback