Kodak's Historic Demise Looming Large at UR
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C AMPUS TIMES VOLUME 139, NUMBER 1 Serving the University of Rochester community since 1873 THURSDAY , JA N UARY 26, 2012 Kodak’s historic demise looming large at UR Camera pioneer, company with ties to UR, faces an uncertain future after Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing BY KARLI COZEN $650 million dollars borrowed Research Labs, said. “We’ll The bankruptcy announce- and Kodak put us into the — including the University CO N TRIBUTI N G WRITER from Citigroup Inc., an action all learn more in the next ment comes as no shock to frontier research universities of Rochester and RIT — as On Thursday, Jan. 19, approved by a judge earlier months.” the nation. The signs were of the world.” well as an increasing number Eastman Kodak, the 131-year- this week. The Chapter 11 bankrupt- there — revenue was falling, Zupan described how of vibrant start-up firms that old pioneer camera company “Kodak’s future is pretty cy filing will allow Kodak to layoffs had been occurring Eastman gave one the larg- directly or indirectly have been with strong ties to UR, filed for unclear,” Andrew Gallagher, borrow money to restructure, for years previously and the est endowment gifts to UR in aided by Kodak.” bankruptcy. As a result of this computer science adjunct with the hope of coming out company showed an inability the history of any university. Zupan explained how, filing, Kodak will continue to professor and computer vision of the bankruptcy as a more to keep up with the technology Eastman helped put UR on the economically, the city of operate for the time being with research scientist at Kodak profitable company. of current times. map and gave the University Rochester and UR have According to Gallagher, the the means to become a strong already weathered most of announcement even came as a research institution. the impact. A majority of relief to some employees. Many who have been edu- the layoffs at the company “Employees had a lot of cated at and graduated from have already occurred. At its questions about what would UR go on to do great en- prime, Kodak fostered over happen in Chapter 11,” Gal- trepreneurial and scientific 60,000 employees; today it is lagher said. “And after the feats because of the strong home to just under 7,000. filing was public, the company education they received at UR, In addition to this, UR began to communicate with Zupan said. should also feel a minimal the employees again.” Kodak and George Eastman economic impact financially, Nonetheless, the news also greatly altered the city of besides the grief of witness- of this announcement was Rochester. ing the demise of such an deeply saddening for many “Rochester will very likely influential company to the people both at UR and in the never know another Eastman school’s history, Zupan Rochester community as a Kodak,” UR President Joel believes. whole. Seligman said in a statement. Gallagher also described “We were a small Baptist “But it benefits from the eco- how the company downsizing julia sklar • PRESE N TATIO N EDITOR school,” Dean of the Simon nomic, scientific and cultural has been occurring for years, Eastman kodak filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Thursday, jan. 19, School of Business Mark Zu- contributions of several insti- with the first layoff he leaving UR and the city of Rochester questioning what may be a bleak future. pan said. “George Eastman tutions of higher education SEE BANKRUPT, PA GE 4 D-Day drinking Class of 2012 launches campaign BY LEAH BULETTI that tuition more than covers “There are people who have Council and SA President focus debated NEWS EDITOR all of UR’s expenses. In reality, made it possible for us to be and senior Bradley Halpern The 2012 Class Council student tuition only covers up here, so we should give back,” kicked off the fundraising BY LEAH BULETTI Nonetheless, no one seems kicked off their Senior Class to mid-March in the academic he explained. with a symbolic contribution NEWS EDITOR quite certain as to how D-Day Gift Campaign with a happy year, rendering donations At the ceremony on Friday of $20 each and presented Discussion has been ongo- should be changed or when hour for the senior class on imperative, he said. all nine members of the SEE 2012, PA GE 3 ing between students and these changes would go into Friday, Jan. 20 in Hirst Lounge administrators since October to effect; it could be as early as in Wilson Commons. Rather reform what is seen by some as this year’s event. than soliciting money for a out of control behavior on the “We hope to go back to lump sum donation, the Class highly anticipated Dandelion what was a good tradition,” Council has taken a different Day. This annual festival is held Algier said. This could be ac- route this year and is asking the last Saturday before reading complished by “going back seniors to donate to any aspect period and is both steeped in to the roots of the day” and of campus that they are pas- University history and replete trying to make the event more sionate about, such as sports, with administrative angst in festival-like. academic programs or clubs. regards to drinking policies. Students and the admin- The Council believes allow- D-Day, as the day is col- istration, however, are con- ing students to choose where loquially known, features a sidering all options, including their money will go will increase headlining band for an after- doing something completely participation, which, more noon concert and a number different like hold a picnic or than a specific monetary goal, of other festivities, but has in have a formal dance in the is the focus of the campaign, recent years descended into a library. They are also looking according to Administrative day focused around drinking. at what other schools have Chair of the Council and senior This year’s D-Day will be held done for similar celebratory Trevor Baisden. on April 28. occasions. “It’s meant to encourage “I think everyone is in agree- Algier said that she believes the class to come together and ment that we want to make most students will understand make their first donations as this day a safer, more enjoy- the need for change, but ac- alumni,” he said, adding that able day,” Associate Dean of knowledged that many will not many students are cynical robin wang • STAFF PHOTOGRA P HER Students Anne-Marie Algier be happy unless everything is about making donations be- The 2012 Class Council launched their annual donation campaign at a cocktail party on Friday, said. “It’s really been going exactly how it was. cause they erroneously believe Jan. 20 in Hirst Lounge with a $200 symbolic donation from the Council members. in the wrong direction and it “If we can create something needs to change.” unique and fun hopefully stu- Algier said that the culture dents would buy into it without UR building new housing in PLEX surrounding D-Day contrib- the abuse,” she said, comparing utes to the idea held by many this vision to something similar BY LEAH BULETTI which borders the 19th ward, bridge Hotel to house at least part of the project.” students that it is a day where to WinterFest Weekend, dur- NEWS EDITOR are moving forward to keep 144 students and possibly as Paprocki said that UR was administrators relax the rules, ing which drinking plays less As UR continues to expand pace with the growth. many as 170. not deterred by the prospect when it is really supposed to of a role. at its frenetic pace — growing As part of the Brooks Land- A restaurant that will be of building close to a neigh- be about coming together in a SA Senator and senior Harry both in terms of employees ing development — a mixed open to the public will occupy borhood that is notoriously community-wide celebration. Brookstein, who serves as a and students despite the re- use public/private project the first floor of the build- high in crime, emphasizing “Unfortunately, it does seem representative on the Stand- cession that has curtailed the that has been ongoing for ing. According to UR Chief that the University has been to be a day that people go to ing Committee on Alcohol and financial vitality of other edu- more than a decade — UR is Financial Officer Ronald committed to the develop- excess and do not take care of Policy Education (SCAPE) said cational institutions — the working with development Paprocki, the restaurant has ment project since it was first themselves,” she said. “We’ve discussions about changing D- University’s plans to build company Christenson Cor- not yet been decided on, but proposed. had too many people have to be Day have been brought up housing in the Plymouth poration to build an 11-story the developer has indicated “We have no reservations carted off to the hospital.” SEE D-DAY, PA GE 4 Exchange neighborhood, building adjacent to the Stay- that “a group is eager to be SEE HOUSING, PA GE 4 INS I DE TH I S I SSUE : LI FE AFTER ABROAD PAY I NG TR I BUTE TO JAMES NEWS : UR students win study abroad scholarships PAGE 3 OPI N I on S : Merits of Republican candidates debated PAGE 6 What it’s like to be a foreigner in your own Iconic woman of jazz, soul, gospel, blues, R&B country after returning from overseas. and rock & roll is memorialized.