Excellence has simply become the standard at Rensselaer within the past several years. It is no longer acceptable to be pretty good at the programs we offer or the facilities in which we offer them. The Union certainly is no exception, and as the year progresses, the Executive Board has taken a deep look into what our core competencies are, and how we can improve with them to keep pace with an Institute forging ahead into the 21st Century. We have been working on a strategic plan that, when finished, will be implemented throughout the year, ultimately leaving the Union poised to remain the premier location for students to come together.
From a facilities standpoint, the Union does an exceptional job of providing students with the means to complete academic work as well as house meetings and provide venues for the various programs Union organizations offer. The majority of these activities take place on both the McNeil and third floor level, with heavy usage throughout the week.
With that said, the one area in which we have the biggest opportunity to improve upon is the Rathskellar Level. Outside consultants have studied traffic patterns and usage statistics, and identified this area, as one of the most underutilized areas considering the potential usage we could be getting out of the Rathskellar. It has been marked as one of the highest priorities by Sodexho and the Institute for facilities upgrades and renovation. It currently stands as the highest priority, and after several months of planning and student feedback, a design is now being considered for implementation. The proposed design is essentially an ambiance upgrade which would involve the addition of a variety of seating, improved lighting, and a general atmospheric improvement. All of this is simply making our best effort to make the area a destination for students to simply be. A place for students to grab a bite to eat, gather with friends, and enjoy their time at Rensselaer.
The proposed design offers booth seating, soft seating, and tables—all with ethernet and power connections. Existing televisions sets will be replaced with mounted flat screens, and the kitchen area will be upgraded to handle new offerings, but with the same concept of subs, pizza, and grill offerings.
At this point in the process, we are looking for student feedback. Conceptual floor plans are located on both the Rathskellar and McNeil levels, offering students the chance to give their opinion on the concept. The proposed project is relatively small in scope compared to other renovations made campus-wide and could potentially fit within the window of winter break if it is found to be feasible from a cost perspective. At this point, the renovation is undergoing a cost study, after which a timeline and final design can be assembled and presented.
