"This project began as a student-backed initiative two years ago, and with tens of thousands of water bottles saved in a little over a year of their installation, it is clear that the student body is using these stations and desires more. By putting them in the Freshman Five, we hope to inspire the newest members of RPI to continue the push for a greener, more environmentally-conscious campus. As a world leader in research and technology, it is our duty to create green-minded individuals." — Nancy Bush '19, facilities and services committee chairwoman

Impact of Your Gift

A gift will go toward funding more water bottle refilling stations around campus. Our goal is to install filling stations in the Freshman Five dorms. This is phase two of the water bottle filling station initiative, with five already installed throughout campus in the DCC, Armory, Sage Hall, the Library, and the McNeil Room, and two more water bottle filling stations set to be installed in the Union as well. By having filling stations installed throughout campus, more students will be inclined to use reusable water bottles, and by moving this project to the freshman dorms, we hope to inspire the newest minds on campus to continue effort for a greener campus, while reducing the waste that our campus creates.

These refilling stations will not only appeal to students who have reusable water bottles, but will also encourage more students to switch to using reusable bottles. The more stations placed around campus, the more likely students are to make the switch, and the more waste is reduced at Rensselaer.

Why Support Us

Our project’s goal is to both improve student life on campus while also promoting awareness of the threat that bottled water poses to the environment. This project is unique in that it serves multiple purposes in serving the students, as well as guiding the Institute to develop a larger sustainability mindset, and having a positive impact on the environment.

About the Facilities and Services Committee

The Facilies and Services Committee (FSC) of the Rensselaer Student Senate’s mission is to enable student input and concerns as they pertain to the campus facilities, food services, transportation services, and safety around Rensselaer’s campus through student-driven projects and initiatives. Our previous projects have included picnic table installations, the car sharing initiative, and the Annual Light Walk.