The 1998-99 New York state budget includes an appropriation for manufacturing outreach activities within RIT's Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies. The funding was sponsored by senators James Alesi, Michael Nozzolio and George Maziarz. Manufacturing outreach is the heart of the CIMS mission. The outreach program is designed to aid small- and medium-sized manufacturers facing critical technology, business and training issues on their production floors.

RIT's innovative remanufacturing program will get a major boost from the New York state budget approved this month. A budget proposal sponsored by Assembly member Joseph Morelle (D-Irondequoit) appropriates $1 million in funding for remanufacturing research across the state, with the majority of the money going to the National Center for Remanufacturing and Resource Recovery, within RIT's Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies.

Patty Spinelli has been named RIT's human resources director, effective May 1, announces James Watters, vice president, Finance and Administration. Spinelli comes to RIT from Eastman Kodak Company where she was a senior compensation specialist, human resources business partner and, most recently, director of compensation for US/C Services Human Resources. During the 1980s, Spinelli was compensation manager for RIT, responsible for the administration of wage and salary programs and policies.

In the late 1960s, Graham Nash made music history as part of the legendary folk-rock band Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. In the 1990s, he established himself as an innovator using advanced digital technology to introduce new kinds of photographic imaging. Now, he comes to RIT to share his insight. From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, Nash and partner Mac Holbert and a panel of renowned experts in digital technology, photography and printmaking discuss aesthetic as well as publishing concerns.

A long-awaited merger has been successfully completed coupling RIT's Counseling Center with National Technical Institute for the Deaf Psychological Services. As a result of the merger, the RIT Counseling Center is fully functioning as an integrated center, serving both deaf and hearing students. "With the recent merger, all RIT students now have one identified and visible place to come to with their personal concerns," says Laura Cann, director, RIT's Counseling Center.

To the RIT Community, As you know, we are here to educate students. That is our number one priority. Students, and their parents, should expect a campus environment that supports academic and personal growth. I have recently made two decisions I feel are important for the RIT community to know about. They are in response to growing concerns over student health and safety. I want you to know RIT is taking a proactive approach to increase the safety of students on campus.

A project designed to help students cultivate perspective concludes May 5 through 7 with an outdoor ritual installation that will include sand paintings, candles, masks, storytelling and music. Creative Problems in the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences, a two-quarter class, tries to stimulate students to think differently and look toward non-visual resources. "They look at different ways of driving visual information.