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With the publication of the College Sustainability Report Card 2010, more than 1,100 school survey responses from over 300 institutions are now available online. In total, these surveys offer more than 10,000 pages of data collected from colleges and universities during the summer of 2009. To access surveys from other schools, go to the surveys section of the website. To see grades, or to access additional surveys submitted by this school, please click the "Back to Report Card" link at the beginning or end of the survey.
Name: Claude D. Rounds
Title: Vice President for Administration
Date survey submitted: August 10, 2009
ADMINISTRATION
SUSTAINABILITY POLICIES
1) Does your school have its own formal sustainability policy?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe and provide URL, if available:
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Rensselaer’s President Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D, who is recognized as a global leader in the area of Energy Security, Innovation and Sustainability has provided the Institute leadership needed to position Sustainability as one of Rensselaer’s most important strategic initiatives.
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Sustainability is now a priority in the Institute’s Strategic Planning and all annual Performance Plans developed and implemented by all portfolios on campus.
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Rensselaer has established a long term energy strategy that will economically and effectively reduce the Institute’s reliance on external sources of energy.
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To provide a metric to measure Rensselaer’s Sustainability the Institute has joined the Sightlines “GreenLine” Program to rigorously measure, monitor and benchmark its campus sustainability with a large number of other universities and colleges in the United States.
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Rensselaer has established research in Energy and the Environmental as one of the Institute’s signature thrust and strategic initiatives. This strategic commitment to energy and the environment research has significantly increased the allocation of resources including faculty actively engaged in this research. This research has also substantially increased the academic opportunities related to energy and the environment that are available to students.
2) Has the president of your institution signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC)?
[x] No
[ ] Yes. If completed, please provide the date the GHG Report was submitted to the ACUPCC:
3) Has your institution signed the Talloires Declaration?
[x] No
[ ] Yes
4) Is there a sustainability component in your institution's master plan and/or strategic plan (check all that apply)?
[ ] No
[ ] Yes, in the master plan. Please describe and provide URL, if available:
[ X] Yes, in the strategic plan. Please describe and provide URL, if available:
As indicated above Sustainability is now a priority in the Institute’s Strategic Planning and all annual Performance Plans developed and implemented by all portfolios on campus. In addition the Institute’s Master Plan for campus development has a significant focus on Sustainability.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
5) Does your school have a council or committee that advises on and/or implements policies and programs related to sustainability?
[ ] No
[x] Yes
If you answered "No" to question 5, please proceed directly to question 11.
6) Please provide the name of the committee and list the number of meetings held since August 2008.
Name: Student Sustainability Task Force (SSTF)
Number of meetings:
The Student Sustainability Task Force meets approximately 30 times for the Green Core, new this year. The SSTF has meet approximately 30 times also.
7) Please provide number of stakeholder representatives on the committee.
[# ] Administrators - 3
[# ] Faculty - 5
[# ] Staff 3-6
[# ] Students 10-20
[# ] Other. Please describe:
8) Please provide the name of the chair(s) of the committee for the 2009-2010 academic year, and indicate which stakeholder group the chair(s) represents.
If 2009-2010 academic year information is not yet available, please provide information for 2008-2009 instead.
Name of chair(s):
The Chair of the Sustainability Task Force is Mr. Laban Coblentz, The President’s Chief of Staff and the Institute’s Associate Vice President for Policy and Planning. Mr. Coblentz is a Direct Report to the President and a Member of the President’s Cabinet.
position(s) (e.g., administrator, faculty, staff, student): Faculty
9) To whom does the committee report (e.g., president, vice president)? The President
10) Please list key issues/programs that the committee has addressed or implemented since August 2008.
o All-Encompassing Sustainability Website
o Strengthen Education, including Student Orientation
o Tray-less dining
o Curriculum Integration
o Building Assessment Teams
o Green Roofs
o Composting
o Make Campus more Bicycle Frieundefinedndly
o 86’ Field Repurposing
o Green supply chain/procurement
o Resource usage feedback – visual displays
o Beta-testing of Institute research Projects
o New building design – Policy for Passive Conservation Design
o Strategic Plan to upgrade existing buildings
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The Institute’s Cabinet and others in the Administration are now reviewing the recommendations presented by the Charrette for the further development of key proposals.
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A Campus report Card will be developed in the Fall of 2009 and a second Planning Charrette will be scheduled for the Spring of 2010.
SUSTAINABILITY STAFF
11) Does your school employ sustainability staff (excluding student employees and interns)?
[ X ] No
[ ] Yes. Please provide titles and number of sustainability staff.
[# ] Number of full-time staff (in FTE). Titles: [ ]
[# ] Number of part-time staff (in FTE). Titles: [ ]
12) Does the head of the sustainability staff report directly to the president or another high-level administrator (e.g., vice president, vice chancellor)?
[ ] N/A
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe:
In addition to his leadership of the Sustainability Task Force Mr. Laban Coblentz, The President’s Chief of Staff and the Institute’s Associate Vice President for Policy and Planning has taken on the general coordination of the Institute’s Sustainability Activities and functions as the Chief Liaison Officer between the President and these activities campus wide.
OFFICE OR DEPARTMENT
13) Does your school have an office or department specifically dedicated to furthering sustainability on campus?
[X ] No - See comments below. .
[ ] Yes. Please describe (including name of office or department and year created):
Rensselaer has established Sustainability as a high priority strategic initiative campus wide and as a result requires that all campus portfolios and all campus divisions and department develop and implement strategies and initiatives supporting Sustainability. As a result there is a broad based distribution of responsibility and accountability with appropriate organizational structure and performance planning processes including performance monitoring and reporting to effectively plan, fund, develop and implement the Sustainability Program.
WEBSITE
14) Does your school have a website detailing its sustainability initiatives?
[ ] No
[x] Yes. Please provide URL: http://blogger.rpi.edu/sustainability
GREEN PURCHASING
15) Does your school have a formal green purchasing policy?
[ X ] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe policy and provide URL to full policy, if available:
16) Does your school purchase ENERGY STAR qualified products?
[ ] No
[ X ] Some. Please describe: Most products purchased are energy star, although a written policy has not been listed on the web site.
[ ] All
17) Does your school purchase environmentally preferable paper products (e.g., 100 percent post-consumer recycled content, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council)?
[ ] No
[ X ] Some. Please describe: We provide recycled paper towels and toilet paper.
[ ] All. Please describe:
18) Does your school purchase Green Seal, Environmental Choice certified, or biorenewable cleaning products?
[ ] No
[x] Some. Please describe:
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SC Johnson "Stride", a neutral cleaner for general cleaning and floor care. Stride is Green Seal certified.
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SC Johnson “Alpha HP”, multi-surface cleaner, Green Seal certified.
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SC Johnson “Crew”, bathroom disinfectant. There is currently no category for “green” disinfectants, as by nature they kill germs.
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SC Johnson “Spitfire”, a non-butyl based power cleaner. Currently this product is not green seal certified, but the company is working on that is this product meets the requirements for certification.
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SC Johnson “Glance”, an ammoniated glass cleaner. This product is not green certified because of the ammonia, and we are currently testing alternatives. Glance is virtually the same as household “Windex”.
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SC Johnson “Freedom” floor stripper, Green Seal certified.
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SC Johnson “Heavy Duty carpet pre-spray”, for carpet cleaning, Green Seal certified.
[ ] All. Please describe:
19) Are your school's computer/electronics purchase decisions made in accordance with standards such as the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)?
[ ] No
[ ] Some. Please describe:
[ ] All
20) Does your school use only pesticides that meet the standards for organic crop production set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or Canadian Organic Standards (excluding on-campus farms)?
[ ] No
[x] Some. Please describe: RPI uses Integrated Pest Management techniques.
[ ] All
CLIMATE CHANGE & ENERGY
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS INVENTORY
21) Has your school completed a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory?
Please check all that apply.
[ ] No.
[ ] In progress. Please describe status and provide estimated completion date:
[x] Yes. Please provide total annual GHG emissions (in metric tons of CO2e). Also, include the start date for each year as well as the URL to each inventory, if available online, or attach the document.
2008: 52,565 MTCO2e
2007:
2006:
2005:
Rensselaer has initiated a number of steps designed to collect data and information regarding its carbon footprint to determine what steps Rensselaer can tke to effectively reduce its greenhouse emissions. One of the steps taken by Rensselaer to provide a metric to measure Rensselaer’s Sustainability the Institute joined the Sightlines “GreenLine” Program to rigorously measure, monitor and benchmark its campus sustainability with a large number of other universities and colleges in the United States.
COMMITMENT TO GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION
The purchase of carbon offsets does not count toward greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions for this indicator. They are counted in a subsequent indicator.
22) Has your school made a commitment to reducing GHG emissions by a specific amount?
[ X ] No
[ ] Yes. Please list details.
Reduction level:
Baseline year:
Target date:
Rensselaer has
If you answered only "No" or "In progress" to question 21, please now skip to question 27.
REALIZED GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS
23) Has your school achieved a reduction in GHG emissions?
[ ] No
[ ] Yes. Please list details.
Percentage reduced:
Baseline year:
Date achieved:
24) Please provide the total heating and cooling degree days averaged over the past three years.
Data on total degree heating and cooling days is available at: http://www.degreedays.net/. This information will be used to help reduce bias between schools in different climates.
Cooling degree days average over the past three years: 878
Heating degree days average over the past three years: 6514
25) Please provide GHG emissions figures on a per-thousand-square-foot basis for the past three years.
Per-Thousand-Square-Foot Emissions = Total CO2e in metric tons / Total maintained building space in thousands of square feet.
2008: 13.3
2007: 13.1
2006: 13.7
26) Please provide GHG emissions figures on a per-full-time-student basis for the past three years.
Per-Student Emissions = Total CO2e in metric tons / Total number of full-time enrolled students.
2008: 8.10 MTCO2e
2007: 7.98
2006: 8.32
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
27) What programs or technologies has your school implemented to improve energy efficiency (e.g., cogeneration plant, retrocommissioning of HVAC systems, performing system tune-ups, temperature setbacks)?
ENERGY CONSERVATION
28) Do you facilitate programs that encourage members of the campus community to reduce energy use (e.g., cash incentives, signs reminding individuals to turn off lights and appliances)?
[ ] No
[ X] Yes. Please describe: Messages through campus publications and building coordinator meetings.
“The Rensselaer Guide to Campus Energy Conservation” has been and updated to provide the Rensselaer community with practical guidance regarding the Energy Conservation Policies and the role of each person on campus.
RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION
29) Does your school generate renewable electricity?
[ ] No
[x] Yes. Please specify percentage of overall electricity generated from each of the following sources and describe details below.
[ %] B100 biodiesel
[ %] Clean biomass
[ %] Concentrating solar power (CSP)
[ %] Geothermal
[ %] Low-impact hydropower
[ <1%] Solar photovoltaics — 50 KW total
[ <1%] Wind — 10 KW wind turbine
[ %] Other
Description:
30) Does your school have solar hot water systems?
[ X] No
[ ] Yes. Please specify number of systems and total BTUs generated annually, if available:
RENEWABLE ENERGY PURCHASE
31) Has your school purchased electric energy from renewable sources or renewable energy credits (RECs)?
RECs and electricity from renewable sources must be Green-e certified or meet the requirements of the Green-e standard.
[ ] No
[x] Yes. Please describe.
Date of most recent contract:
Quantity (kWh): 5,000,000 kWh of wind energy
Percentage of your total electric energy use that it represents: 7%
From a long-term perspective, Rensselaer has begun to focus on the use of renewable energy sources and the reduction of dependence on external sources as part of the energy the campus will need and use in the future.
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A 50-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) renewable energy system has been installed on the roof of the Houston Field House as part of the East Campus Athletic Village project. This system, which will be in operation in early September 2009 will supply energy to the Field House to be used to make ice for the hockey rink.
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A 10-kilowatt, three-blade wind turbine has been installed on the east side of campus, and power is transmitted to the campus power grid.
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The Institute purchases 5 million KWHs of Wind Generated Green Power annually as part of its electricity procurement strategy.
32) Has your school purchased non-electric energy from renewable sources?
[X] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe.
Date of most recent contract:
Quantity (BTUs):
Percentage of your total non-electric energy use that it represents:
ON-SITE COMBUSTION
33) Please provide total BTUs of energy for heating and cooling from on-site combustion:
396,726 MMBTU
34) Please list each fuel source (e.g., coal, natural gas, oil) and the percent of overall BTUs derived from that source: Natural Gas (90%) – Fuel Oil (10%)
35) Is any on-site combustion for heating and cooling derived from renewable sources?
[X] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe.
Percentage on-site combustion derived from renewable sources: [ %]
Total BTUs of energy generated from renewable sources: [# ]
Description of renewable energy sources used for on-site combustion for heating and cooling:
FOOD & RECYCLING
The food portion of this category is covered in a separate dining survey.
RECYCLING OF TRADITIONAL MATERIALS
36) Please indicate which traditional materials your institution recycles (check all that apply).
[ ] None
[x] Aluminum
[x] Cardboard
[x] Glass
[x] Paper
[ x] Plastics (all)
[x] Plastics (some) Might be “all plastics” — no more specific information found online.
[x] Other. Please list: Tires
37) Diversion rate: [ %]
RECYCLING OF ELECTRONIC WASTE
38) Does your institution have an electronics recycling program?
[ ] No
[x] Yes. If available, please indicate the total annual weight or volume of each material collected for recycling or reuse.
[x ] Batteries
[ x ] Cell phones
[x ] Computers and small electronics 35,112 lbs
[ x ] Lightbulbs
[ x ] Printer cartridges
[x ] Other E-waste. Please list: Monitors, other small electronic appliances.
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The Student Sustainability has developed and implemented a Program to educate the entire Rensselaer community on the overall need for and potential of recycling on campus. This student lead and driven Recycling Program has already increased the source separation and recycling in the Student Union by 35%.
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The Institute currently recycles approximately 40% of its waste.
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Recycling has increased—particularly in renovated and newly constructed buildings—and more than 25 tons of surplus electronics are recycled per year.
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Salvageable Institute resources—from paint to cement blocks to furniture—are saved or donated for future use.
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Renovations to the library generated three tons of lighting fixtures that have been reused, and cement blocks that were separated for reuse.
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Material from the health center that was demolished during preparation for the biotech building was removed and reused in the renovation of the service building.
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Leftover paint from campus and within the community was used in a City of Troy alley beautification project.
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Surplus furniture is reused on campus or donated to schools and nonprofits.
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A biodiesel processing facility that will convert the waste cooking oil from the dining halls into a useable fuel for campus vehicles is currently being designed and installed.
COMPOSTING (ASIDE FROM DINING FACILITIES)
39) What percentage of your campus's landscaping waste is composted or mulched?
[ <1%]
40) Do you provide composting receptacles around campus in locations other than dining halls (e.g., in residence halls, offices, academic buildings)?
[ X] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe:
SOURCE REDUCTION
41) Do you have any source-reduction initiatives (e.g., end-of-semester furniture or clothing swaps and collections)?
[ ] No
[X] Yes. Please describe: RPI’s “Dump and Run” program allows students to donate clothes, electronics, school suppliesetc as they leave campus. These items are donated to local charities.
GREEN BUILDING
GREEN BUILDING POLICY
42) Does your school have a formal green building policy?
[ ] No
[x] Yes. Please describe policy and provide URL to the full policy, if available:
o The Institute’s Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center opened in October 2008 and documentation of the building’s design and construction as a LEED Silver Building is currently in process..
o The Institute’s new East Campus Athletic Village now under construction and scheduled to open in September 2009 is designed and now being constructed to obtain a LEED Silver rating. At present the pre-completion assessment for LEED Points indicate that the Facility will achieve a Gold Rating.
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The Institute’s Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies opened in September 2004 is equipped with Energy Efficiency Equipment and a large atrium and Special Event Space which is designed and operated as a “naturally conditioned space” with no direct source of heating or cooling.
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All other Campus Renovation Projects are designed to incorporate energy efficiency measures applicable to the Project’s Scope of Work.
GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS
43) Please indicate LEED-certified buildings.
[# ] Total number of LEED-certified buildings.
[ sq ft] Certified-level (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
[ 220,000 sq ft] Silver-level (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
- Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center – 220,000 sf
[ 200,000+ sq ft] Gold-level (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
- East Campus Athletic Village - 200,000 sf Pre-completion LEED Assessment.
[ sq ft] Platinum-level (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
44) Please indicate buildings that meet LEED certification criteria but are not certified.
[# ] Total number of buildings that meet LEED criteria
[ sq ft] Certified-level criteria met, but not certified (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Silver-level criteria met, but not certified (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Gold-level criteria met, but not certified (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Platinum-level criteria met, but not certified (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
45) Please indicate buildings that are ENERGY STAR labeled.
[# 0 ] Total number of ENERGY STAR buildings. Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Combined gross square footage.
RENOVATIONS AND RETROFITS
46) Please indicate LEED-EB certified buildings.
[# 0 ] Total number of LEED-EB certified buildings. Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Combined gross square footage.
47) Please indicate buildings that meet LEED-EB certification criteria but are not certified.
[# ? ] Total number of buildings that meet LEED-EB criteria but are not certified. Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Combined gross square footage.
48) Please indicate renovated buildings that are ENERGY STAR labeled.
[# 0 ] Total number of renovated buildings that are ENERGY STAR labeled. Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Combined gross square footage.
49) What energy-efficiency technologies have you installed in existing buildings (e.g., HVAC systems, motion sensors, ambient light sensors, T5 lighting, LED lighting, timers, laundry technology)?
For each technology, please indicate the number and type of fixtures installed, and the number of buildings in which those fixtures are installed. If possible, include either the percentage of the overall campus fixtures each type represents or the percentage of overall maintained building space that has been renovated with the technology (e.g., 20 buildings representing 10 percent of maintained building space have been retrofitted with motion sensors; thus, 10 percent of the total maintained building space in square feet would be the desired data).
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Upgrade of 90% of campus lighting fixtures to T8 and electronic ballast or compact fluorescent.
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Motion sensors and lighting controls installed in the most recent building renovations and construction including Biotech, EMPAC, ECAV, Troy, Pittsburgh, Walker, - over 600,000 sq ft.
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100% of resident laundry equipment is energy star.
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Variable speed drives installed on 60% of existing motors, 80% of motors in new construction.
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Installed occupancy sensors in the Science Center and Watervliet Facility corridors, and the Folsom Library stairwells.
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Installed daylight sensing technology on 100 fixtures campus wide.
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Installed advanced lighting controls and decreased light fixtures in 5 campus classrooms.
50) What water-conservation technologies have you installed in existing buildings (e.g., low-flow faucets, low-flow showerheads, waterless urinals, dual-flush toilets, gray water systems, laundry technology)?
For each technology, please indicate the number and type of fixtures installed, and the number of buildings in which those fixtures are installed. If possible, include either the percentage of the overall campus fixtures each type represents or the percentage of overall maintained building space that has been renovated with the technology (e.g., 20 buildings representing 10 percent of the maintained building space have been retrofitted with low-flow faucets; thus, 10 percent of the total maintained building space in square feet would be the desired data).
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Installed a closed loop process cooling system in MRC, reduced water use by 30,000,000 gal per year
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Installed a closed loop cooling system at the Linac Facility and reduced water use by 2,000,000 per year.
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All resident laundry machines are energy star, front loading machines.
51) What percentage of your institution's non-hazardous construction and demolition waste is diverted from landfills?
[ 75%]
STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
Please refer to comments presented in #6 throught #10 above for information on the Student Sustainability Task force.
RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES
52) Are there any sustainability-themed residential communities or housing options at your school?
[ ] No
[x] Yes. Please provide details below.
Name of program: Vasudha—a living and learning community for freshmen that focuses on society and the environment.
Type of community (e.g., hall, building, house): Residence Hall
Number of students involved:
Additional details: http://undergrad.rpi.edu/update.do?artcenterkey=247
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
53) Does a portion of your new student orientation specifically cover sustainability?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe how sustainability is incorporated (e.g., information sessions, green tour):
Student Orientation and the Rensselaer First Year Experience provide student with an orientation to Sustainability at Rensselaer and an opportunity to work on sustainability issues.
INTERNSHIPS/OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
54) Does your school offer on-campus office-based sustainability internships or jobs for students?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please provide number of students and average number of hours worked weekly per student: 3-5
[# 2 ] Paid positions. Average hours worked weekly per student: 40 during the summer
[# ] Unpaid positions. Average hours worked weekly per student:
55) Does your school have residence hall Eco-Reps or other similar programs to promote behavioral change on campus?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. Please provide details below, and indicate URL if available:
[# ] Paid positions. Average hours worked weekly per student:
[# ] Positions that award academic credit. Average hours worked weekly per student:
[# ] Uncompensated positions. Average hours worked weekly per student:
The resident halls at Rensselaer are very active and engaged in Eco-Challenges and Competitions focused on energy conservation and waste management and recycling. These Competitions sponsored by the Institute’s Administration are led by Eco-Reps and resident hall leaders.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
56) Does your school have active student-run organizations devoted to sustainability efforts on campus?
[ ] No
[x] Yes. Please provide total number of active organizations, names of organizations, a brief description of each, and URLs, if available:
-
The Institute’s Administration and leadership has made a strong commitment to facilitate the work and success of the Student Sustainability Taskforce and its associated components.
-
The Student Senate at Rensselaer has taken a formal leadership and organizational role in the coordination and oversight of student involvement in the Institute’s sustainability efforts. The Student Senate has formally established a “Student Sustainability Task Force” with a clearly defined mission statement and by-laws. This Student Senate Task Force, which includes administrators, faculty and staff, receives financial support and other assistance from the President’s Office, Student Life and the Administration Division of Administration.
o Student Sustainability Task Force: More than 30 members of the Rensselaer campus community (including students, faculty, staff, and administrators) and several Rensselaer Union student organizations serve on the task force, which holds a series of open forum discussions to give updates on the planning process of various sustainability initiatives and to solicit additional ideas and feedback.
o Ecologic, the Institute’s student environmental club, which founded the Greening of Rensselaer Initiative, works to educate the campus on environmental issues and to create an improved environment on campus and in the community.
o Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW) is another student organization that pools the knowledge, skills, and experience of RPI and the surrounding community to discover and solve environmental, social, and economic problems, recognizing the importance of sustainability.
o Terra Café is a service provided by Rensselaer students to enhance the community while educating the Community on the benefits of local and organic foods.
SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS
57) Does your school organize any sustainability challenges/competitions for your campus and/or with other colleges?
[ ] No
[x] Yes. Please list details for all competitions.
Name of competition: EcoHall Competition and Face the Waste
Year initiated: Face the Waste
Frequency of competition: Once a Year
Participants: Entire campus
Incentives: Face the Waste –week long awareness program to inform the campus community how much waste is produced in a week.
Goal of competition: Reduce energy consumption in residence halls
Percent of energy/water/waste reduced:
Lasting effects of competition:
Website:
TRANSPORTATION
CAMPUS MOTOR FLEET
58) How many vehicles are in your institution's fleet?
[ 85 ]
59) Please list the number of alternative-fuel vehicles in each class.
[# ] Hybrid. Please list makes and models:
[ 4 ] Electric. Please describe type of vehicles: Golf carts
[# ] Biodiesel. Please describe type of vehicles and list biodiesel blend(s) used:
[# ] Other. Please describe:
60) What is the average GHG emission rate per passenger mile of your institution's motorized fleet?
[# ] pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per passenger mile traveled. (634 metric tons total, don’t know the milage)
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES
61) Does your school offer incentives for carpooling?
[ ] N/A. Please explain:
[] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe details of the program including the type of the incentive and eligible community members (e.g., faculty, staff, students):
Anyone with a Rensselaer ID card can ride the local public bus transportation for free.
62) Does your school offer public transportation subsidies?
[ ] N/A. Please explain:
[ ] No
[x] Yes. Please describe the program including the size of the discount (as a percent of full price) and eligible community members (e.g., faculty, staff, students):
All members of the Rensselaer Community are provided with Rensselaer ID Cards and as a result they are able to use local public transportation for free.
63) Does your school provide free transportation around campus?
[ ] N/A. Please explain:
[ ] No
[x] Yes. Please describe:
-
The Institute has implemented and expanded the Campus Shuttle Bus System to reduce the use of student and staff and faculty vehicles.
-
The Institute has funded additional Public Transportation Service to the Campus to increase the availability, use and ridership of Public Transportation.
64) Does your school operate a free transportation shuttle to local off-campus destinations?
[ ] N/A. Please explain:
[ ] No
[x] Yes. Please describe:
Our campus has a partnership with the local public transportation system (CDTA buses) to allow anyone one with an RPI ID to ride on the buses to any destination in the Capital District area.
BICYCLE PROGRAM
65) Does your school offer a bicycle-sharing/rental program or bicycle repair services?
[X] No
[ ] Yes. Please provide details below.
Year created:
Number of bikes available:
Fees for participation:
Repair services provided:
CAR-SHARING PROGRAM
66) Does your school partner with a car-sharing program?
[X] No
[ ] Yes. Please provide details below.
Year created:
Total number of vehicles:
Number of hybrid vehicles:
Fee for membership:
PLANNING
67) Does your school have policies that support a pedestrian-friendly or bike-friendly campus (e.g., in the school's master plan, a policy prohibiting vehicles from the center of campus)?
[ ] N/A. Please explain:
[ ] No
[X] Yes. Please describe:
Rensselaer has developed and implemented policies, procedures and physical improvements designed to make Rensselaer a pedestrian- friendly and bike-friendly campus. The Campus Master Plan for Campus Circulation and the associated policies and procedures significantly restrict traffic internal to the core campus to emergency vehicles, handicapped access and campus public safety and service vehicles. In addition the installation and use of bike racks is a campus planning and development standard.
In addition the Office of Campus Planning is now working with the Student Senate and the Sustainability task force to develop and implement an updated Campus Plan for installation of additional bike friendly campus features.
68) What percentage of individuals commute to campus via environmentally preferable transportation (e.g., walking, bicycling, carpooling, using public transit)?
[ %]
STATISTICS
69) Campus setting:
[ ] Rural
[ ] Suburban
[X] Urban
[ ] Other. Please describe:
70) Total number of buildings: [# 212]
71) Combined gross square footage of all buildings: [# 4.3M SF]
72) Full-time enrollment (undergraduate and graduate): [# 6,488]
73) Part-time enrollment (undergraduate and graduate): [# ]
74) Part-time enrollment as a proportion to a full-time course load: [# ]
75) Percent of full-time students that live on campus: [ %]
Questions 76-87 are for informational purposes only; responses will NOT be included in the Report Card evaluation process.
OTHER AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGAGEMENT
Please mark an "X" next to each item that applies to your institution.
76) Outdoors club: [X]
77) Disposable water bottle ban: [ ]
78) Participation in Recyclemania: [X]
79) Student trustee position: [ ]
80) Environmental science/studies major: [ ]
81) Environmental science/studies minor or concentration: [X ]
82) Graduate-level environmental program: [X ]Energy and the Environment Research Opportunities
83) Student green fee: [ ]
84) Alumni green fund: [ ]
85) Revolving loan fund for sustainability projects: [ ]
86) Campus garden or farm: [X]
87) Single-stream recycling: [X]
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