On Thursday, Oct. 23, Rensselaer is hosting a biotechnology symposium located in the Heffner Alumni House from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. As a result, parking in J Lot and behind the Heffner Alumni House will be affected — 20 parking spaces will be reserved for guests in the J Lot and all parking spaces will be reserved in the lot behind Heffner Alumni House. 10/20/03

Forum on Ethical Issues in Biotechnology Oct. 27

A forum on “Ethical Issues in Biotechnology,” sponsored by RPI-Sage Hillel, is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 27 at 7:30 pm in Room 3602 of the Rensselaer Union. Panelists include Professor Robert Palazzo, Rensselaer’s Department of Biology, who will discuss “Cloning and Stem Cells: Conflict Between Ideology and Science”; Professor John Kaplan, Albany Medical College, discussing “What Are the Ethical Issues in Biotechnology Research?”; and Dr. Carmen Mannella, Wadsworth Center, discussing “Proper Conduct of Research: How to Prevent Ethical Dilemmas in the Laboratory.” Professor Georges Belfort, Rensselaer’s Department of Chemical Engineering, will moderate the discussion. The public is invited. 10/20/03

Save the Date: Memorial for Coach Bill Cahill Nov. 21

A memorial service will be held Friday, Nov. 21 to honor Bill Cahill, Rensselaer’s women’s hockey coach who died Oct. 5. The memorial will begin at 9 a.m. in the Chapel + Cultural Center. The campus community is invited to attend. Cahill was entering his fourth season as Rensselaer's women's hockey coach. He also had served seven years as an assistant coach with the men's Division I program. 10/20/03

Save the Date: Annual Benefits Fair Nov. 7

The Division of Human Resources will host the 2003 Benefits Fair Friday, Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the Heffner Alumni House. The Benefits Fair gives faculty and staff the opportunity to meet and ask questions directly to the vendors who provide benefits.

The Benefits Fair marks the beginning of the Open Enrollment period, which is the only time during the year that employees can elect to enroll in or change benefits without a qualifying event. The Open Enrollment period is Nov. 7-21. 10/13/03

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