Vasudha, the “newest living and learning community focused on issues of energy, environment, and biodiversity,” is now offered to freshmen who can sign up for various environmental-related courses and “engage in co-curricular activities together” (according to the information in RPI Undergraduate Admissions website). As an overall goal of the program, students “focus on independent thought, critical thinking, and undergraduate research experience.”
The common course that the students take is entitled Nature/Society, which focuses on the social, biological, and ecological aspects of humans in the natural world. The course emphasizes critical thinking about land use in the past, present, and future, and is organized around a series of field trips and lectures. Thus far, Vasudha students have taken a walking tour of Troy and field trips to the Erie Canal and the New York State Museum. Some of the students will also be traveling for an overnight trip to Rensselaer’s Darrin Freshwater Institute on Lake George, where they will tour the lake, engage in laboratory activities, and listen to a lecture on the land use of the area. Recently, Pete Murdoch of the U.S. Geological Survey visited the class and discussed his research on global warming. At the end of the month, Taury Smith, a senior scientist at the New York State Museum, will also be visiting the class.
In the spring semester, Vasudha students will choose from a range of courses surrounding the topics of energy, environment, and biodiversity. They will also engage in undergraduate research, with the option of various levels of credit hours.
Outside of the classroom, students help to organize other activities. In September, some students went on an overnight trip to Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, and successfully managed to build a fire and cook dinner in the rain! Many of the students participate in the Vasudha Council, a group which helps to plan different activities. The Council has formed several subcommittees, including event planning, living space, garden, movie night, and website. Ideas have included community cooking with local and organic food, going to the farmer’s market, composting organic waste, making recycled notebooks, hosting guest lecturers, and having environmental film nights. Toward the end of October, Vasudha will be holding an open house, inviting those interested to join us for socializing and good food!
Visit the student-run website to find out more about Vasudha: http://rpivasudha.wetpaint.com/.
Editor’s Note: “Sustainability: Inside Scoop” and “Sustainability: Outside Scoop” are columns granted to the Student Sustainability Task Force by the Editorial Board to discuss issues of sustainability on the RPI campus and around the nation.
