Computer conference marks the University’s ‘leading edge’ By Diana Elliott Of the Emerald More than 2,000 people, in cluding 500 University students, are expected to attend the third annual Pacific Nor thwest Computer Graphics Con ference at the Eugene Hilton Monday and Tuesday, accor ding to Paul Katz, conference manager. The conference, hosted by the University Continuation Center, is the largest of its kind in the region. And hosting such an exten sive seminar in Eugene is good for the University, Katz says. “First of all, the information disseminated is valuable to students, professors and profes sionals within the community,” Katz says. Ten University departments, from architecture to biology, are currently using computer graphics programs, according to Katz. And he believes that computer graphics soon will be infiltrating into other depart ments as wel|. Aside from the educational aspects of the conference, Katz says that the seminar is good for University public relations. “It lets the region know that the University of Oregon is on the leading edge, of the com puter graphics industry,” Katz says. “It shows that we’re ready to be involved, ready to do research, ' and ready to. work computers into our system.” But the conference is by. no means just for members of the University. Last year it attracted 950 people from around (he world representing fields such as landscape architecture, graphic design, medicine, the sciences, land planning, computer-aided manufacturing, cartography, business and communications. The purpose of the con ference is to provide oppor tunities to exchange informa tion, discuss applications and ‘It lets the region know that the University of Oregon is on the leading edge of the computer graphics industry.' —Paul Katz identify potentials for sharing resources, says Gene Bressler, University landscape architec tpre professor and conference chair. • "The University of Oregon is •committed to the support and enhancement of scholarly and • applied work in the develop ment of computer graphics," Bressler says. "This year’s con ference is one of many programs intended to encourage advance ment of high technologies in various fields in Oregon.’’. The conference will include, presentations by six leaders in computer graphics applica tions, as well as several 90-minute workshops each afternoon. Among the workshop speakers will be Art Paradis, president of Dynamic Graphics, Inc., Berkeley, Calif., who will discuss interactive surface modeling. James Alexander, who is a software engineer at the Tektronix Computer Research Lab in Portland, will explore the development of “Small Talk” language systems. And Kenneth O’Connell, head of the University’s fine arts depart ment, will demonstrate and discuss opportunities for graphic arts in microcomputing. In addition to the presenta tions and workshops, there will be an exhibition of non commercial computer graphics works, including drawings, photographs, slides -arid video/idisc shows, at the, con vention center. Also, graphics manufac turers, designers and con sultants will demonstrate the. latest computer graphics hard ware and software at an exten sive trade exposition in the con vention center. Non-registrants are invited to tour the non-commercial ex hibit at no cost. There will, however, be a $3 admission fee to the trade exposition and a $5 admission fee to Monday even ing’s film and video show. For information call the Continua tion Center at 686-4231. Foreign friends just next door By Julie Freeman Of the Kmerald Students at the University can have an ’‘international experience” without ever leaving the country, or even Eugene for that matter. The American English Institute is sponsoring an International Friendship Program, which mat ches a University student and a foreign student in the AE1, for the term. “The goal of the whole program is to let each person have aft international experience at home." says Kim Bott. student coordinator. The program has been in existence for less than a year, but has provided an excellent oppor tunity for foreign as well as American students to learn about different cultures, says |ackie IJhler, faculty adviser for the AEI. The AEI is an intensive English language training program for foreign students who come to learn English or simply improve their English skills, and possibly go on to the University or other academic institutions in this country. "The Friendship Program is a great oppor tunity for all kinds of students, especially those involved in any kind of international studies,” Bott says. This term Bott hopes to match 25 to 30 American students with AEI students who come primarily from Asia, Latin America and the Mid dle East. Orientation meetings were held earlier this week to allow students to indicate any specific in terests they have or what country they would like to learn about to help in the matching process. "After the match-up. vye encourage the new friends to spend time together once or twice a week just doing things like visiting the art museum, going for a walk on campus or talking,” Bott says. There are also plans for AEI-sponsored ac tivities such as dances and trips during the term. "Our foreign students really want to meet American students, but don't always know how to,” says Uhler, who points out that AEI students are somewhat isolated because they don’t have classes with other University students. But. Uhler says, everyone involved in this type of program benefits from it. "There seems to be an increasing awareness of the importance of cross-cultural communica tion and understanding in society today,” she says. Although the orientation meetings have already taken place, student volunteers are need ed throughout the year. Interested students should contact the AEI at 686-3945. BRIAN FAHERTY GET YOUR_ BACK TO PORTLAND AND FINISH PAINTING THAT GUTTER OR THAT’S WHERE YOUR REPUTATION WILL BE. oupced, Tfo Bm. The Pad West celebrates H«A*L*L*0*W«E*E*N „ «es' with a Costume Party Featuring The Element Top 40 - Rock Roll Saturday, Oct 27, 9p.m. Only $ 1.00 cover tT*7 Dl/r STRINGED