Dr. Francis Kendziorski (interview)
(Oral History)

Dr. Francis Kendziorski (interview)

Blevin, Galliehue

Constantine, Anthony

32 min

(side A): Student Center; mess w/ the contractor; Construction distractions in classroom; while he was there, the Higgins Annex; one time had to evacuate Higgins during the building of the annex because of cracks in building might make it collapse; Memories of first year; office in basement of Higgins Hall, which was shared by 20 people; office reminded him of a bullpen; one phone line that was only available for use 9 AM; 5 PM weekdays; Why WestConn; liked the area (originally from Michigan); great opportunity; Background; undergrad work at University of Detroit; grad at Cornell; professor in Physics; Technological changes at WestConn; computers were hard to get in the beginning; had to get first computer in parts; Money at WestConn; up and down periods; usually not good; state isn't great for higher education; Parking problems; more students and faculty and new buildings means problems; WestConn then and now; library was on 2nd floor of Old Main before the "White Cube"; builder of library was experienced in building warehouses, explains the heating problems there; Classroom size; about the same; Westside campus; spent hours making plans on moving entire campus there, but stayed; O'Neil Center; swimming pool is not Olympic size; Memories of WestConn; University/Danbury relationship; feels the university's lack of promoting is to blame; Dr. Janick has done a lot for city, community, and university; Changes in Danbury; Dr. Haas; Chairman of the physics department; Demonstrations at WestConn; streakers; Two campuses; should be one (side B): Parking; problem at many colleges and universities; limitations at Westside because of wetlands

1996-04-24

0-10 min: work background of Dr. Kendziorski, construction changes to WestConn, change in infrastructure since ’67, educational background of Kendziorski, how technology changed teaching styles, budget changes
10-20 min: campus changes, curriculum changes, opinions on Westside, O’Neil Center, opinion on professors, interaction between locals and university
20-30 min: hatter union, fire service, opinions on Ruth Haas, comparing WestConn to high school, community outreach, 60’s demonstrations, two campuses split the faculty