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July 14, 2003

 
Around Campus

Isermann Department Renamed

The Howard P. Isermann Department of Chemical Engineering has been renamed the “Howard P. Isermann Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering,” as a result of a unanimous vote by department faculty members and approval of the provost. According to a memo issued by the Dean Bud Baeslack ’78, “During the past two decades, rapid advances in the biological and life sciences, and in the ‘engineering’ of biological systems, have markedly impacted and forever changed the strongly systems-oriented discipline of Chemical Engineering. During this period, the biological sciences have increasingly joined chemistry as the enabling sciences that underpin this evolving field. The proposed name broadly reflects this fundamental change in the field of Chemical Engineering, and the current and anticipated future teaching and research activities within the department."

The name change is meant to reflect the focus of the students and faculty within the department; it does not mean that new undergraduate or graduate academic programs in “biological engineering” will be established, the memo states.

“The Department of Chemical Engineering at Rensselaer is well positioned to move aggressively forward nationally among Chemical Engineering departments,” said Baeslack. “Rensselaer’s current and rapidly growing strengths in biotechnology, at a time when the reputation of chemical engineering departments and programs nationally are being redefined by their strength and impact in biotechnology, positions us extremely well for the future.” 7/14/03

“Berlin” Video To Air Locally July 22

An informative and engaging documentary about the ever-changing architectural and cultural landscape of Germany's capital, titled Berlin's Hidden History, will air locally on WMHT Channel 17 on Tuesday, July 22, at 9 p.m. The film was made by Brian Ladd and Rensselaer Professor John Woods.

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Woods, a professor of electrical, computer, and systems engineering at Rensselaer, produced and edited the 53-minute piece. Ladd, a historian who taught at Rensselaer from 1992 through 1998, did the writing and narration. Both shared shooting and directing.

The filmmakers explore the public face of Berlin as it has been repeatedly transformed from the time of the Prussian empire through two world wars and walled partitioning to the city's present glory. For more, go to http://www.rpi.edu/web/Campus.News/jan_03/jan_13/berlin.html. 7/14/03

Distributed Education Workshops Presented for Hartford EWP Faculty/Staff

A series of five workshops was recently held at Rensselaer at Hartford to present the evolution and current state of distributed Education for Working Professionals (EWP) at Rensselaer. Attendees included Hartford faculty currently teaching or considering teaching distance courses, and distance education staff whose job it is to deliver distance courses effectively.

The workshops were designed to provide an overview of distance education, what’s different about distance teaching, Rensselaer’s Course Development Model, a hands-on demonstration of WebCT, course evaluations, as well as intellectual property issues.

Presenting the workshops was a team from both the Troy and Hartford campuses, including: Kim Scalzo, Nadeen Thompson, Evelyn Smith, Kevin Foster, John Hughes, Marie-Pierre Huguet, and John Klucina from Troy; Brian Clement, Karen Silva, and Guido Slangen from Hartford; and Charles Carletta, Institute general counsel. 7/14/03

On the Move

The Office of the First-Year Experience has moved from the Troy Building to the fourth floor of Academy Hall (Suite 4100, ext. 6864). It joins the other recently relocated offices of the Dean of Students and Student Health Services. The Dean of Students Office (Office of Minority Affairs, Greek Life, International Services for Students and Scholars, Judicial Affairs, and Disabled Student Services) is located in Suite 4600, ext. 6266. The Student Health Center is now located on the third floor Suite 3000, ext. 6287. 6/30/03

Sidewalk Replacement on 15th Street

On Monday, June 16, McCarthy Builders will begin removal of existing sidewalks and resetting of curbs on the west side (Quad Dorm side) of 15th Street. This work will start at Sage Avenue and continue to the Biotech site over the next 4-6 weeks. New wider sidewalks with underground conduit for new streetlights will be constructed following the removal of the existing surfaces.

The existing sidewalks will be closed as of 6 a.m. Monday morning. There will be no parking allowed on that side of the street for the duration of the sidewalk replacement. When the work is completed on the Quad Dorm side, the contractors will begin installation of conduit for new streetlights on the Rensselaer Union side of 15th Street. 6/16/03

Campus Summer Traffic Restrictions
McCarthy Builders, in coordination with the city and public utilities, is currently reconstructing all public right-of-ways and installing new underground utility lines for the South Campus Development Projects on College Avenue and 15th Street.

In order to ensure pedestrian safety and minimize non-commercial vehicle traffic within the area bordered by 15th Street and College Avenue, the following restrictions will be in effect throughout the summer (June-August)

Summer Pedestrian Pathway Restrictions:

Due to construction and safety concerns, there is no pedestrian access to campus from College Avenue or from the Academy Hall parking lot. These routes will be closed throughout the summer.

Pedestrians may continue to enter campus from the footbridge, 15th Street (east sidewalk), Sage Avenue, and 8th Street (The Approach).

Pedestrians are urged to use the east sidewalk of 15th Street and the pedestrian overpass near the Visitor’s Center to access the core campus. Work is progressing with reinstallation of new curbs and sidewalks, and widening the street to allow for the delivery of structural precast for the Parking Garage. 15th Street and College Avenue will be subject to heavier volume of truck traffic June through August due to these deliveries. Construction at the intersection of 15th Street and College Avenue will continue through the summer and will impact pedestrians trying to cross in that area. A temporary crosswalk will be installed across 15th Street to provide access to Academy Hall. Installation of new sidewalks and curbs on the west side of 15th Street will eliminate that sidewalk for about two months starting in mid–June. Again, all pedestrians are urged to use the suggested route into the core campus – it’s safer. Heavy equipment operators and truck drivers have a difficult time seeing pedestrians near their equipment.

• The Academy Hall Parking Lot will be reduced in capacity. Only Academy Hall Permit Holders will be allowed to park. The project will be phasing in the installation of new storm sewers, lighting, paving and striping. This work will require phased closure of most of the lot except for the designated permitted spots. This lot and the 15th Street front lot, scheduled to start reconstruction June 19, will reopen at full capacity prior to the fall semester.

• There will be no car or pedestrian access allowed through the Service Gate B off College Avenue (near 13th Street). Only trucks and emergency vehicles will be allowed into the core campus at that point. New underground utility work will involve deep excavation across the Service Drive. There will be no provisions for pedestrian crossing in this area. All permitted non-commercial vehicles that need access to the Research Quad (Folsom Library, VCC, MRC, Cogswell) area or JEC circle will need to enter through the 8th Street and Sage Avenue Gates throughout the summer. Contact Public Safety (276-6616) for best path to accessible parking near those buildings.
• The pedestrian pathway from the Academy Hall Parking Lot that leads to the Jonsson Rowland Science Center will be closed. A temporary path will be provided once the Academy Hall Lot fully reopens and all construction sitework is completed in the area. All pedestrians should access the Research Quad area from the JEC or the north campus walkways.
 
• As a safety precaution, temporary fencing will be installed alongside the curb on the southside of College Avenue, between 13th and 8th Street, to prevent pedestrians from walking into truck and construction traffic enroute or working on the Parking Garage site. There will be some designated openings for residents to access their driveways. The “No Parking” restrictions will continue on the street from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, Monday through Friday, until the work is completed in the fall.
 
• There will be limited pedestrian and vehicular access in the Research Quad area throughout the summer and early fall. McCarthy and its subcontractors will be excavating and installing new steam and condensate piping and IT conduit ductbank in the area west of Jonsson Rowland Science Center. The handicapped parking area will be open but access to it will be from the north. All excavated areas will be fenced off but all pedestrians are urged to keep alert to truck or construction vehicles.

For up-to-date information, go to www.rpi.edu/dept/gov/construct/index.html. If you have questions, contact the construction hotline at ext. 8490 or at Build@rpi.edu, or call Public Safety at ext. 6616 or the Special Projects Group at ext. 6566. 6/16/03

 
 

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