All Rensselaer students must understand and comply with the important policies, protocols, and requirements in the Handbook and all other related requirements set forth in Institute policies.

Rensselaer Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities

All transfer courses must be evaluated BEFORE you take them, regardless of their status in the Transfer Course Guide.

Transfer Evaluations for HASS Courses

Topics Courses are the opportunity to take a brand-new course with one of RPI’s esteemed faculty. This course is in the early stages of joining the requirements of one of our HASS Programs, or it could be a professor sharing their expertise and research areas. These courses could even be designed based on student requests and interests.

HASS Topics Courses

Recognize Signs of Distress

Faculty are often the first to notice when a student is struggling. Typical indicators include:

• Sudden declines in academic performance, frequent absences, or missed deadlines
• Noticeable changes in behavior, emotional state, or personal hygiene
• Verbal cues suggesting anxiety, overwhelming stress, hopelessness, or thoughts of self-harm 

Resources: [studenthea...th.rpi.edu], 

Respond with Care

• Stay calm & approachable: Use a calm tone and avoid rushing into a solution
• Express concern: Gently let them know you’ve noticed changes, and you care about their well-being
• Listen actively: Allow space for them to share without judgment
• Check for immediate danger: If they express suicidal thoughts or behaviors, or there’s concern of imminent risk—act quickly and escalate

Refer to Campus Resources

RPI encourages faculty to connect students with key support services:

• Counseling Center: Confidential support—faculty can call during business hours for consultations or to initiate referrals. (518‑276‑6479) 
• Dean of Students Office / Student Support Deans: Guides students through personal, academic, or conduct-related issues
• Student Health Center: For physical or behavioral health concerns (518‑276‑6287), including after-hours nurse line & on-call counselor 

For emergencies: 
Call 911 or RPI Public Safety (518‑276‑6611)

Seek Consultation

Faculty can always consult with professionals, even without a student present. Reach out to:

• Counseling Center staff for guidance on next steps or assessing risk 
• Dean of Students or Student Support Deans to coordinate ongoing support

Step-by-Step Faculty Protocol

1. Notice concerning changes
2. Check in with empathy and offer to help
3. Assess the level of risk
4. Refer the student to the appropriate campus resource
5. Document your observations and actions
6. Follow up afterward to show ongoing care and support

Additional Best Practices

• Be familiar with the Student Handbook for policies on academic and behavioral concerns.
• Understand your role in mandated reporting, especially around sexual misconduct, Title IX, or harm to self or others.

Emergency & Support Contacts

• RPI Public Safety: 518‑276‑6611 (24/7)
• Counseling Center: 518‑276‑6479 (business hours; on-call counselor after hours)
• Student Health Center: 518‑276‑6287
• Dean of Students Office: 518‑276‑6266
• Title IX Coordinator: titleix@rpi.edu
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 (24/7)

For immediate danger, call 911 or Public Safety.

As a student, it is your responsibility to know your graduation requirements. the Academic Advising team that is here to support you with all things Academic, such as curriculum planning and academic coaching.

Undergraduate Advising

HASS Curriculum Templates

There is much to consider when considering law school - academic preparation, cost, admissions, and more. With so many options to review, the best place to begin with this webpage and Handbook developed by the HASS Hub Advising Team and reviewed by our esteemed Faculty and Dean.

Preparation for Law School

This information is for current RPI students. For prospective RPI students interested in becoming a HASS Major, please see RPI's Admission page. This page will guide you through declaring a HASS Dual or switching your major to a HASS Degree.

HASS Majors & Dual Majors

The HASS Academic Advising Hub will guide and support you through important academic decisions, ensuring you have the resources and information you need to be successful. You can reach out to us for academic support as you navigate your transition into our community. 

Welcome!

At RPI, students have a 12-credit depth concentration (usually three 4-credit courses) in a chosen area of focus called the Integrative Pathway. Once you’ve satisfied your Pathway requirements, a minor can be the next step! Most minors at RPI comprise four courses, and many align with the Pathways.

HASS Minors

As part of their B.S. degree program, all RPI undergraduates take a selection of HASS courses called the HASS Core. The Core Curriculum is outlined within the College Catalog.

The HASS Core

The HASS Core - Transfer Students

Substituting a course within a Major must be approved by the Degree Clearance Officer (DCO) for each department. Only with the DCO approval, can a course be substituted for another course within a student's requirements. 

In the case a substitution is needed:

1. Connect with the student's Hub Advisor.
2. The Hub Advisor will reach out to the DCO to seek approval.
3. If approved, the DCO will make a note in DegreeWorks and the Hub will inform the student. 

Verbal approval or confirmation is not enough for degree clearance. 

Substituting a course within a Minor must be approved by the Department Head for each department. Only with DH approval, can a course be substituted for another course within a minor's requirements. 

In the case a substitution is needed:

1. Request the student follow the process outlined on our website.
2. Upon receiving the form, the Hub Advisor will connect with the DH for approval. 

Verbal approval or confirmation is not enough for degree clearance. 

Note: There are no exceptions permitted for the Economics Minor(s). 

Substituting a course within a Pathway must be approved by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Only with the Associate Dean's approval, can a course be substituted for another course within the Pathway requirements. 

In the case a substitution is needed:

1. Ask the student to work with their Advisor to send a substitution request to hassinfo@rpi.edu
2. Upon receiving the email, the request will go through the review process for approval. 

Verbal approval or confirmation is not enough for degree clearance. 

Note: If a request will impact a large amount of students, it is recommended for the UPD of the department to reach out to the Associate Dean regarding a "mass approval" through the Registrar's Office. 

This section contains information on who the different Graduate Program Directors (GPD) are, the current advising model, and academic and funding support. 

Graduate Advising

It can be found under "For Faculty"

PDF Resource Includes:

• Descriptive information for each Graduate Form
• Breakdown of required documents and workflows
• Links to all forms
• "When Required" details
• "Signatures Required" details
• "Additional Information" 

More information can be found on the OGE website.

Plan of Study (PoS) Workflow:

1. Student / Advisor initiates conversation regarding Plan of Study development.
2. Students must fill out the OGE Plan of Study Document. it is recommended that the first Plan of Study is completed within the student's first semester in an advising meeting with their assigned Faculty Advisor.
3. Advisor will review the submitted PoS from the Student.
   1. If needed, the advisor provides feedback/corrections.
   2. If the PoS is correct, the Advisor must sign and submit the PoS to GPD for final approval.
   3. Note: Both the student and Faculty Advisor should keep a copy of the approved PoS to easily make changes in the future.
4. The approved PoS must be submitted to OGE via the department's GPA. 

Updating the PoS:

• Each time the student deviates from their Plan of Study, the document must be updated and approved by the Faculty Advisor, and GPD.
  • This may include: taking a different course than previously planned, or updating an "Independent Study" with the course's final title. 

Graduate Students

Please share this link with your students to support them in submitting a new Spotlight: https://webforms.rpi.edu/graduate-student-spotlight

Undergraduate Students

Please share this link with your students to support them in submitting a new Spotlight: 
coming soon!

Email hassinfo@rpi.edu 

Archer Center Workshops
Customizable sessions for faculty, staff, and students—ranging from team communication to experiential challenges. Offered in various lengths (90 mins–3 hrs), formats, and group sizes; bookable via request form at least two weeks in advance.

A curated list of offices to guide student referrals:

• Academic Advising Hubs: Hub-based advising for all disciplines; faculty advising support for Engineering, Architecture, and graduate programs. 
• Tutoring & Academic Help: Math, writing, communications, peer tutoring, and skills coaching are available through the Student Success Center and the Writing Lab.
• Accommodations & Accessibility: Disability support and Access & Neurodiverse Student Success Academy in Academy Hall, Suite 4600.
• Career & Experiential Opportunities: CCPD handles career services, internships, the Arch, and undergraduate research.
• Health & Wellness: Counseling Center, Student Health Center, nutrition counseling, and wellness initiatives
• Basic Needs & Safety: Dean of Students (DOSO) assists with food/housing insecurity, bias or bias-related reports, Title IX, and conduct issues. Also; Emergency Support, Excused Absences, Leaves & Returns, No Examination Grades, Responsible RPI, Student Conduct.

Student Bill of Rights & Conduct: Encourages respectful behaviors and educational response for policy concerns.

Bias Response & Title IX: Resources for reporting bias or misconduct and ensuring inclusive, safe spaces.

RecWell at the Mueller Center:

• Multipurpose spaces for fitness, clubs, classes, and nutrition workshops.
• Signature programs like "Ladies’ Lift & Learn" with dietitian resources and free snacks.
• Open to faculty and staff, as well as students 

The Communications page keeps the community informed through regular updates from leadership—covering academic schedule changes, wellness initiatives, safety reminders, and inclusion efforts.

Student Experience Directory

• Vice Provost for Student Experience: Dr. Rob Hradsky
• Associate Vice Provost for Student Success: Lisa Trahan
• Dean of Students: Ryan Keytack