Achilles is where the hockey game yesterday was held. It can actually be seen now that
its daytime, though in typical Schenectady grey.
Just outside of the rink is the Idol. Union is known for its engineering program, not
its art program.
A recent controversial decision by Union was to eliminate the Civil Engineering department
(note that my father was a CE, class of '61) in favor of a "converging technologies"
initiative where students are apparently given a superficial education in areas such as
nanotechnology and a host of other things. CE, it was reasoned, was not a discipline (such as Computer Science)
which converged very well with the new plan. Someone obviously disagrees on this
sign from Butterfield, the CE building.
The argument ran that funds were not available to pursue both the converging technolgies
initiative as well as support CE. Of course, they were able to build these new bleachers
for the football field, now with an enclosed press box and bathrooms.
Just past Butterfield is the Stanley G. Peschel computing center, a place where I spent
much time when at Union.
Apparently its side door is where old technology goes to die. These look like the
monitors from the IBM PS/2 50Zs that they had when I was there, and that was 10 years ago.
After entering Science and Engineering, the complex adjacent to Peschel, I passed this
electric car. Considering Bitrode makes equipment to charge batteries for vehicles such
as this, a several minute long examination of the vehicle turned my vacation into a
tax writeoff.
I first wished to stop by the CS Lab, another place that I spent much of my time.
As with any respectable CS laboratory, its in a windowless basement.
Its also across from this.
Unfortunately it was dark and locked, so I went upstairs to Steinmetz Hall to find the
CS faculty. Found this one - Prof. Hannay, who had been the chair of the department when
I was there. Salima, the department secretary, also was on hand.
Found this one too, the same Prof. Spallholz of the hockey game last night.
He sits at Scoter, the CS dept web server. If anyone asks, the IBM monitor is plugged
into the IBM computer.
Faculty abound. Also located Prof. Williams, who will be retiring at the end of this
school year after more than 30 years in the department. Things just won't be the same.
Heavy sigh.
His office is also to be admired, including, but not limited to, the rubber chickens.
Still found more faculty. Prof. Almstead, who incidentally is the aunt of the Steve of
yesterday.
After chatting for a while, I wandered around the campus. A recent addition is the Olin
science building. Its a very welcoming place. In the words of a certain professor of a few
years ago, "Welcome to Cell Block B."
Its had problems from the start, above and beyond aesthetics. This one was a new one on
me. Note the strain gauge.
Union architecture is New England-ish. The library is an example.
So is Memorial Chapel.
Union's symbol is the Nott Memorial, the only 16 sided building in this galaxy.
Inside has been renovated to its original state - open, and with colored glass
"illuminators" in the roof that let light in, dim though the light outside may be.
The floors have also been redone.
The Nott is a national historic landmark.
I lived in West College my freshman year.
South College is undergoing renovation right now.
