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Sustainability Charrette April 17 – 18, 2009 Team: The Roots

Sustainability Charrette April 17 – 18, 2009 Team: The Roots. - Concepts and Takeaways -. Description and Objectives An organization on campus that provides: Leadership and Direction Communication Coordination Education on all things sustainable!.

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Sustainability Charrette April 17 – 18, 2009 Team: The Roots

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  1. Sustainability CharretteApril 17 – 18, 2009Team: The Roots - Concepts and Takeaways -

  2. Description and Objectives An organization on campus that provides: Leadership and Direction Communication Coordination Education on all things sustainable! Concept 1:Establish an Office of Sustainability 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

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

  4. 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.

  5. 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

  6. CONCEPT 2: Green Careers 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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 (?)

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

  11. 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.

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

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