Troy, N.Y. — Today, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute community joined in celebrating the dedication of the newly renovated Academy Hall. The building will serve as “one-stop shopping” for Rensselaer students by integrating student services in a centralized location on campus.

“As a place devoted exclusively to student-related business and support, Academy Hall will represent an entirely new model for student services and the embodiment – both physical and symbolic – of Rensselaer’s core philosophical commitment to provide a rich, satisfying student experience,” said President Shirley Ann Jackson at today’s dedication. “Academy Hall is also becoming an anchor for the entire new 15th Street corridor, where projects large and small are creating a new campus “main street,” especially for student-centered activities.”

A range of student services have been consolidated under one roof in Academy Hall including: the offices of the Vice President for Student Life and the Dean of Students Office, which includes the Offices of Minority Student Affairs, International Services for Students and Scholars, Disability Services for Students and Greek Life. Also included are the Office of the First-Year Experience, the Gallagher Student Health Center, the Archer Center for Student Leadership Development, and the entire Student Records and Financial Services offices.

“The Academy Hall renovation highlights the commitment of faculty and staff of RPI to its students,” Rensselaer’s Grand Marshal, Michael Dillon said during remarks at today’s ceremony.

The $6.2 million, two year renovation of Academy Hall, is an adaptive reuse of space to provide administrative offices and restoration and refinishing of the auditorium.  It also includes improvements in air conditioning and heating, new furniture and equipment, and the addition of an elevator, stairways, and accessible restrooms.  These renovations, part of the overall Rensselaer Plan, signify Rensselaer’s commitment to support students in managing the logistics of their education by increasing accessibility and connectivity to student-centered services, according to Rensselaer’s Vice President for Student Life Eddie Ade Knowles. 

The structure known today as Academy Hall was built in 1923 and served as Public School 14 for Troy elementary school students for nearly 70 years.  Rensselaer purchased the building in 1990, and it was renamed Academy Hall in 1998 in recognition of its legacy as a school. 

The renovation of Academy Hall is one of the many projects Rensselaer has recently undertaken to improve campus facilities. In addition to the newly opened Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies and the EMPAC building under construction, Rensselaer is also completing major renovations of its residence halls, multi-million dollar streetscape improvements, renovation of classrooms, and expansion of athletic facilities.

Members of the Board of Trustees, students, administration, faculty and staff participated in the today’s dedication of Academy Hall, which included a tour of the new offices. 

Contact: Jessica Otitigbe
Phone: (518) 276-6050
E-mail: otitij@rpi.edu