RPI Songs - All We've Learned at Rensselaer

"All We've Learned at Rensselaer" is a song traditionally sung by the Rensselyrics at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute commencement ceremonies. Although the Rensselyrics are an a cappella group, this song is accompanied by piano. Each verse or section has a different musical style, several of which are closely based on Billy Joel songs or other popular music.

As many facets of life at RPI have changed over the years, the lyrics have changed appropriately. For example, "F-Test" (once the bane of all freshmen who had regularly scheduled 8am exam periods) has been replaced with "Chem Test". Likewise, the "Hole in the Wall" (a former eatery in RPI's Student Union) has been replaced by a new addition in the same building (the fishtank) and an existing feature (the pub).

However, some of the classes still referred to in the song no longer exist:

• COLD (Computer Organization and Logic Design), succeeded in the 1997-1998 catalog by "Computer Components & Operations" (CoCO)
• Lumps (Lumped Parameter Systems), very similar to what is now Dynamic Systems

Additionally, the stanza listing several buildings by their acronyms is somewhat outdated, as the school administration made a concerted effort to eliminate the acronym form of building names in the late 1990s (though many students and faculty continue to refer to the acronyms):

• JEC - J. Erik Jonsson Engineering Center
• JRWL - Jonsson-Rowland Science Center
• CII - George M. Low Center for Industrial Innovation
• DCC - Darrin Communications Center
• VCC - Voorhes Computing Center
• C&CC - Chapel and Cultural Center
• CDC - Career Development Center

Other acronyms:

• AML (Advanced Machining Lab)
• CAD (Computer-Aided Drawing)
• CAM (Computer-Aided Machining)
• CANOS (Computer Architecture, Networks and Operating Systems)
• CHUD (Computer Hardware Design)
• Diff E-Q (Differential Equations)
• DSA (Data Structures and Algorithms)
• DMS (Design of Mechanical Systems)
• E-I (Electronic Instrumentation)
• EMAC (Electronic Media, Arts, and Communication)
• EMD (Elements of Machine Design)
• EPAL (Electric Power Analysis Lab)
• GMP (General Manufacturing Processes)
• IEA (Introduction to Engineering Analysis)
• IED (Introduction to Engineering Design)
• IPAC (Information and Personal Assistance Center)
• MAU (Modeling and Analysis of Uncertainty)
• MSL (Mechanical Systems Lab)
• O-Chem (Organic Chemistry)
• PDI (Programs in Design and Innovation)
• POMCA (Production Operations Management & Cost Accounting)
• S-O (Student Orientation)
• STS (Science and Technology Studies)
• TF1/2 (Thermal Fluids 1/2)
• UPAC (Union Programs and Activities Committee)

In more recent years, this entertaining song has been cut from the ceremony by administration at the last minute for unknown reasons. It was absent from the program for the 201st Commencement of the spring of 2007, though was present in earlier years.