Ranking improves
RPI was recently ranked 43rd overall in a U.S. News & World Report ranking of top U.S. universities, up from 46th last year. In the category of best values among universities, RPI was ranked 27th. The school of engineering in particular was ranked 18th. Additionally, materials, electrical, biomedical, mechanical, and computer systems engineering were also ranked within the top 20 nationally.
The rise in ranking was attributed by the Institute to a growing faculty which has reduced the student-teacher ratio, new facilities such as the Biotechnology Center and the upcoming EMPAC that are seen as widening the gamut of students on campus.
The Institute also identified the increase in research awards from $37 million to $90 million, as well as the rising academic demographic of incoming freshmen as reasons for the improved ranking.
Dunn Memorial
Due to structural problems, the first ramp of the Dunn Memorial Bridge, located on I-787 South at exit 3A, partially gave way by about two feet on July 27, almost injuring a motorist.
Since then, officials have taken precautionary measures, shutting down many nearby ramps and later reopening mostly all of them when deemed safe. The actual ramp in question is still closed.
Last Monday began a process of fabrication and installation of H-beams for the bridge’s superstructure. The Department of Transportation is also reinforcing the rocker bearings on the three parts of the bridge for fear that another collapse may result the next time the bridge’s surface expands.
The current H-beam measure is only meant as a stopgap measure, however, because engineers feel that other problems may develop if the bridge cannot expand and contract. The final and permanent stage of repair could take over 12 weeks once a plain is formulated.
Shuttle update
The Shuttle Tracking System is still being worked on and plans are that the system could be implemented as early as late September but by the end of October. Grand Marshal Max Yates originally researched different options and the administrative division then agreed to help out with the funding so that GPS technology could be used as opposed to cheaper RF technology. Mary Alice O’Brien is now leading the effort which currently calls for a one year pilot of the system.
Parking and Transportation also recently announced the route for the shuttle this year. Between 7 am-4 pm, the route will begin at Stackwyck and then stop at the E, D, C, and B Lots.
The next stops are the West Hall Parking Lot, CII Low Bay, the Student Union crosswalk, and Academy Hall. Then the shuttle will stop at Cogswell, Java++ Coffeehouse, and the Union. Finally, it will loop back to Stackwyck after stopping at the B and C lots.
The route will also include a stop at the Folsom Library between 4-11 pm. In addition, the CDTA 86 bus will stop at several on-campus locations and run seven days each week with varying schedules available on its website, http://www.cdta.org/.
