The 2003 United Way Campaign kicks off at Rensselaer today (Oct. 6) and will run through Oct. 17. All employees will receive a pledge card and a brochure that lists local agencies supported by the Northeastern New York Division of United Way. The cards with donations are to be returned to the volunteer representing the donors’ respective departments.

The President’s Cabinet has selected a team of employees who represent each administrative and academic unit to manage the campaign. Volunteers from each campus unit will be contacting faculty and staff for contributions.

Last year, with a total of more than $125,000, Rensselaer was ranked fifth in the region for contributing the largest corporate and employees contributions to the United Way of Northeastern New York. In terms of per capita giving, Rensselaer was among the top 10 corporations in this region, with an average of $74 per employee.

Committee coordinators are Cynthia McIntyre, chief of staff; Bonnie Carson, School of Science; Tracey DiScanio, Institute Advancement; and Lori Winslow, Office of the Chief Information Officer.

Other committee members this year are: Anne Bilynsky (Human Resources); JoAnn Drost (Humanities & Social Sciences); Barbara Dzembo (Administration); Denise Elwell (Government and Community Relations); Phylis Federici (Engineering); Melissa Hogan (President’s Office); Ginette Kirkpatrick and Jessica Wentworth (Finance); Cindy Novak (Provost’s Office); Mavourneen Roy (Management); Cynthia Smith (Student Life); Barbara Stubblebine (Architecture); and Tanya Struzinsky (Research). 10/6/03

Sale of Quilt Squares To Support Habitat for Humanity Project

A fund raiser for Rensselaer’s Habitat for Humanity student chapter is now on display in the Rensselaer Union’s piano lounge: a handmade quilt put together by more than 90 students, staff, and members of the Rensselaer community. The quilt was created by the volunteers during several Community Service Day events held during the past year.

The 100 squares that make up the quilt are being sold for $100 each to raise $10,000 for the student club to use in building a house. The squares will be “personalized” with the names of individuals, departments, or other groups who wish show their support by purchasing a square.

If you or your group would like more information or would like to purchase a square, contact Beth Carlile at the Union, ext. 6505 or carlib@rpi.edu. 9/29/03

Streetscape Improvement Projects Begin on North Side of Campus: Temporary Parking, Traffic Restrictions in Effect

As part of the ongoing improvements to the campus, work has begun on Ninth Street between Peoples Avenue and Sage Avenue. The west side of Ninth street will be completely reconstructed with new curbs, pavement, sidewalks, and landscape. Parking is prohibited on the west side of the street while this work is under way; work is expected to take three to four weeks. When completed, there will be approximately 15 new parking spaces available on the street.

Commuters are asked to use the shuttle parking lots and not to park on neighborhood streets. Seven parking spaces in the Black Cultural Center lot will be made available to student residents of that block of Ninth Street. See the Parking Office for more information.

On Oct. 13, a complete reconstruction of the intersection of Sage Avenue and Fifteenth Street will begin. New curbs, crosswalks, sidewalks, and traffic signals will be installed. This work will require the closure of Sage Avenue in two phases. Phase One will close the west side of the intersection from Oct. 13 through Nov. 3. Fifteenth Street will remain open at all times. The Ricketts Gate off Sage Avenue will be open but will have to be approached from the west.

On Nov. 3 the west side will open up and work will switch over to the east side of the intersection, closing Sage Avenue access to the east. All surface work is planned to be completed by Nov. 24.
During Family Weekend, Oct. 24-26, work will be temporarily stopped and the intersection will be opened for access. Fifteenth Street will remain open to two lanes of traffic at all times during this work. Some parking on Fifteenth will be restricted during the work so that traffic lanes can be maintained open.

“These projects complement the extensive streetscape work happening on the east side of campus,” said Barb Nelson, project manager in campus planning & facilities design. “We appreciate your cooperation in obeying all restrictions and passing through these work zones with caution while work is under way.” 9/29/03

Save the Date: James Crowe ’72 to Deliver the William F. Glaser ’53 Rensselaer Entrepreneur of the Year Keynote Address Oct. 21

James Q. Crowe ’72, CEO of international communications and information services company Level 3 Communications and the 2003 recipient of the William F. Glaser ’53 Entrepreneur of the Year Award, will deliver a keynote address to the Rensselaer community following a breakfast reception on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 a.m. in the Heffner Alumni House. The program will begin with the month’s Venture B-Plan Series presentations, followed by Crowe’s talk. The events are free and open to the public.

Crowe has more than 30 years of leadership experience in business, and a long and successful record as a founder and builder of companies in the telecommunications industry. He also serves on the board of directors of RCN Corporation and Commonwealth Telephone. He holds a bachelor’s of science degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer and an MBA from Pepperdine University.

Established in 1990, the William F. Glaser ‘53 Rensselaer Entrepreneur of the Year Award brings the world of entrepreneurship into Rensselaer classrooms by recognizing successful entrepreneurs and role models who share their wisdom and experiences with students. Past winners include John J. McDonnell Jr.’61, founder, chairman, and CEO of Transaction Network Services; Paul Severino ’69, founder and chairman of Bay Networks; and William Mow ’59, founder of Bugle Boy Industries.

For more information, contact the Severino Center for Technological Entrepreneurship at ext. 2650. 9/22/03

Save the Date: Rensselaer Biotechnology Symposium Oct. 23

The School of Science and the Office of Alumni Relations are co-sponsoring a biotechnology symposium titled “Biotechnology: Innovation, Opportunity, and Commercialization” Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Heffner Alumni House. Rensselaer faculty will highlight cutting-edge research and explore commercialization opportunities, and students will have the opportunity to learn about careers in the field. The symposium also will offer opportunities for Rensselaer faculty, students, and alumni to network with each other and industry experts.

The program’s keynote speaker, Andrew Marshall, editor of Nature Biotechnology, will speak on "The Evolution and Future of Biotechnology." Marshall will discuss the scientific, technological, business, and commercialization aspects of biotechnology.

Registration fee is $25; free for students with ID. To register, go to https://www.alumni.rpi.edu/secure2/alumnievents/biotech1023.asp. For more about the program, go to http://www.alumni.rpi.edu/biotech.html. For more information, contact Raj Bawa ’90 at (703) 582-1745 or Kathy Kinsey, alumni relations, at ext. 2832. 9/22/03