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STUDENTS DECRYING CUTS PROTEST PATAKI VISIT TO UB
Published on October 26, 1999
Author: ROBERT J. McCARTHY and DALE ANDERSON
© The Buffalo News Inc.
About 75 students protested today against Gov. Pataki's funding policies for the State University of New York, just as the governor was scheduled to make his first appearance on the University at Buffalo North Campus in Amherst.
Members of the Alliance for Progressive Politics chanted anti-Pataki slogans as they gathered outside Norton Hall to protest what they describe as continued cuts in funding for the SUNY system. "Inviting Gov. Pataki to speak at UB is a slap in the face to the university in light of the recent hiring freeze for the English department and the book-buying freeze," said Michael Schade, a senior environmental studies major from Long Island. "Pataki has cut millions of dollars (from) SUNY over the last few years, and we are suffering because of this now." Schade pointed out that budget cutbacks have resulted in less funding for various programs and departments, including a faculty hiring freeze in the College of Arts and Sciences. "How can Pataki expect the university to remain an educational institution if the school can't buy new books for the libraries or hire new teachers?" asked Jana Vourgourakis, a member of the Graduate Student Association. "We are calling on Gov. Pataki to stop cutting SUNY funding." The governor also was met by state workers -- members of the Civil Service Employees Association -- protesting the lack of a contract. Pataki was scheduled to take a regular tour and virtual tour this afternoon at the grand opening of UB's Center for Computational Research. After speaking at the opening ceremonies in Norton Hall's Woldman Theater, he was to tour the computer facility in 9 Norton Hall. The governor also was scheduled to make a campaign appearance in Clarence with Buffalo Comptroller Joel A. Giambra, the Republican candidate for county executive; speak at the Genesee County Republicans' 43rd annual fall dinner at Batavia Downs; and make two stops in Rochester. His UB tour was to include a three-dimensional presentation that would allow him to put on special glasses, pick up an electronic wand and navigate a virtual environment devised by researchers at the center and a local computer animation company. "It'll be pretty breathtaking," said Ben Porcari of Innovative Business Communications, whose company devised the three-dimensional experience for the Pyramid Systems ImmersaDesk, the center's virtual reality machine. "I believe this is the first demonstration of this technology on this scale in this area." The machine, used by scientists to visualize and walk through everything from molecules to weather systems and construction projects, has been set up "to show off the capabilities of the center," Porcari said. Porcari, whose company also does computer animation for Home Box Office, uses a classical environment -- an atrium with Greek columns and the university seal -- that the viewer can navigate to discover different aspects of the work at the center. "As you click a button," he said, "a pillar rises from the floor, and a monitor appears and tells about that topic. There are five of them, each a minute long. When you're done with each one, you go back to the UB seal." Porcari worked with Thenkurussi "Kesh" Kesavadas, director of the Virtual Reality Laboratory and a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering. The research facility, established in January, has brought high-performance computer research to UB. It features more than $7 million in equipment, made possible by gifts of more than $1 million each from IBM and Silicon Graphics, $1 million from SUNY, a $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation and more than $400,000 in equipment from Sun Microsystems. The center offers three tours weekly, open to UB students, staff members and the public.<
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