Friday, September 11, 1981-Sec. B-14 Pages

SECTION B

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SECTION B


'U' research officials
seek defense contracts

By MARK GINDIN
Hoping to take advantage . of in-
creased federal defense spending'
University officials say this year they
plan to make the University a leading
contender for basic research contracts
sponsored by the defense department.
"The money is coming in the window.
and we can benefit from it," said
George Gamota, director of the Univer-
sity's Institute of Science and
Technology.
THE MILITARY will spend almost
$320 million for basic research next
fiscal year-an increase of 17 percent
from this year's amount, according to
Pentagon officials.
The new push for defense contracts
reverses the trend of declining defense-
sponsored research at the University,
Gamota said. Since 1975 defense-spon-
sored research at otherdschools has
tripled while University defense
research declined slightly, he said.
The percentage of University resear-
ch funded by the defense department
should increase substantially this year,
said James Lesch, the University's
director of research and development.
Last year only three percent 'of the
University's $128 million research bill
was picked up by the defense depar-
tment, he said.
THE INCREASE in defense funds
will mean more solicited and un-

solicited research grants for the
University, Lesch said.
Disciplines most likely to benefit
from this increase in federal defense
grants are those related to science and
technology. "Manufacturing, science,
and engineering will benefit from more
federal funds," Gamota said. The
defense department is seeking research
on assembly line manufacturing and
materials, he said.

"re-establishing ties with universities."
"All research has fared well during
the budget cutting procedure," said
Lesch, and the University would be one
of the last to feel the results of any fur-
ther cuts in research. Federal officials
have recently proposed reducing defen-
se spending in an attempt to balance
the federal budget.
HOWEVER, A reduced increase in
defense spending would have only a

Daily Photo by PAUL ENGSTROM-
DRUM MAJOR STEVE Roberts waves a baton as he leads the marching band through one of its rigorous drills. The
band's first performance is September 19 at the Notre Dame football game.
.'M'Marching Band set to go
By PAM FICKINGER band's financial situation, Boylan said. performances are already scheduled
Bys Am , FC Ger Funds in travel and equipment accoun- this year. The band will play at the
Chris Simmons, a four-year member ts will be available, Boylan noted, ad- dedication of the Gerald Ford Presiden-
of the Michigan Marching Band, says ding that the exact appropriations tial Museum in Grand Rapids next
the hardest part of being in the band is aren't known yet. week and also during half-time at the
" standing and waiting.'-' But from the .He said he expects an allocation of at Detroit Lions-Chicago Bears football
looks of the enthusiasm and sound of least $30,000. About half of that will game Oct. 19. Expenses for those even-
is year's band, all that standing and come from the athletic department. ts will be picked up by the sponsoring
waiting will pay off. Two additional non-college football organizations.
"It's going to be a helluva band," said
former member Gail Stout, listening to
the band rehearse Wednesday.
DIRECTOR ERIC Becher and his
assistants have been working this past
week to whip the 225-member band into
shape before its first performance at Ann Arbc
next Saturday's football game against -l M l
Notre Dame. W Selec
The atmosphere at Revelli Hall and -,
the band practice field oozes with ex-
 tement and anticipation-and sweat.
ractices this week, Band Week, last
roughly from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Members
are exhausted, but spirits are high.
Of the 225 band members, only 35 are ,
new recruits, according to Becher. D
"(There is) a lot of heat on people to
produce," he said, adding that this
year's Michigan Marching Band is Fine quaIity pac
"real tough."
JEFF WILKINS, a band assistant cordVr(
nd former drum major, said it's
"unusual" to have so many band mem- n a w i d
bers returning.
Aside from that bonus, the Marching of colors
Band's financial picture looks a little
rosier this year, too.
Current plans call for the band to par-
ticipate in the Oct. 10 Michigan State
football "game in East Lansing,
and-depending in part on the athleticS
department's wishes-the Marching
Band could play in the Nov. 14 game Wilderness Experien
against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind. A
*LAST YEAR, the group nearly
missed the Ohio State contest in
Columbus because funds were short.
Band and music school officials w-r-
ned Wednesday that while gifts nd R0g_ 22.50N
University and athletic depar sent
support for the band have inr ised,
the budget is neither lavish nor fit al. Wilderness
"It's adequate to put on a good - By Experle
program," School of Music Dean Paul N and Granit
3oylan said. "I'm certainly pleased."
SUPPORT FROM both within and
without the University has helped the

'The money is coming in the window and we can
benefit from it.'
-George Gamota,
director of the University.'s
Institute of Science and Technology
Microelectronics, computer science, minimal impact on the University,
polymer and new material creation are Lesch said. Research funding has fared
also expanding fields in, which the well during the first round of cuts, he
defense department has an interest, said and the University is a top-ranked
Gamota said, research institution.
THE UNIVERSITY is also looking "We suffer less under budget cuts
for support from industry, said because we have the best people,"
Gamota. "The potential for the in- Lesch said. If research grants are
volvement of industry is relatively un- reduced, the remaining grants will go
tapped," he said, and industry is now to the best candidates, he said.]

PUBLIC
SKATING
STARTING SEPT. 14
Monday-Friday
12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
STARTING OCT. 3
Saturday & Sunday
12:30 to 2:15 p.m.
(no skating home football Sat.)

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