Sustainability CharretteSustainability CharretteApril 17 – 18, 2009April 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.

CONCEPT 2: Green CareersGreen 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

CONCEPT 2: Green CareersGreen Careers

CONCEPT 2: Green CareersGreen 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

CONCEPT 3:Beta Testing on CampusBeta 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

CONCEPT 4:Re-purpose ’86 FieldRe-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”

CONCEPT 4:Re-purpose ’86 FieldRe-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.

CONCEPT 4:Re-purpose ’86 FieldRe-purpose ’86 Field

Concept 5:Local/Organic/CSA

Description: Provide alternative, sustainable food resources through:An on-campus Farmer’s marketExpand Terra-Cade to a RAD optionCommunity Supported Agriculture

Stakeholders:Rensselaer Students and Faculty

Impact:Environmental: more sustainable foods, less pollutants/carbon emissions, support local agricultureCultural/Social: community awareness/support, healthier atmosphereEconomic: stimulate local economy

Implementation:Who: Terra Café, Troy Farmer’s Market, Troy Food Co-OpHow: Allow space for market on campus, larger incorporation of local foods in dining halls/facilities

Cost: relatively lowPayback: 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 emissionsEconomic- Energy/Utility savings

Implementation: How: Construction of MachineryWho: Administration/FacultyCost: HighPayback: 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