Reporter Volume 26, No.20 March 9, 1995

By STEVE COX
Reporter Staff
It was well before dawn and area roads were a sheet of ice. But that didn't deter a dozen UB alums from embarking on an 16-hour mission to the state capitol in Albany, to defend their alma mater.
	The alumni-advocates boarded a chartered bus before six o'clock in the morning in the Center for Tomorrow parking lot to make the 300-mile trek. They were joined by Alumni Association Executive Director William Evitts and Assistant Director Jude Schwendler.
	For many, this was their third trip in three years to the statehouse. But, clearly the stakes were much higher this year.
	Handing out information packets and appointment schedules, Schwendler and Evitts explained that the message of the day was Time, TAP and Tools. "Our talking points are that we need time to phase in any reduction over several years, or find other means of financing a transition to a smaller SUNY, that we need TAP and EOP restored and that we need more flexibility and independence to manage a much more tuition-driven budget," said Schwendler.
	Molly McKeown, UB assistant vice president for governmental relations, met the bus at the capitol and accompanied the group to the eighth floor of the Legislative Office Building (LOB), where they borrowed the conference room of Kenmore Assemblyman Robin Schimminger to confer.
	"You are not going to get a lot of sympathy out there today. You are playing to a tough audience," warned McKeown, as she briefed the group before sending them out on 22 appointments, most with members of the Western New York legislative delegation. 
	"Be to the point when you are speaking, and don't be discouraged if you meet with a staff aide; they are very important parts of the process here as well. Please note any questions the legislator or staffer may have. We will be sure to get back to them."
	Tuesday is usually the busiest day for lobbying in Albany. It's the only day most legislators are in town for the full day without session duties. Many organizations from all over the state were out in force, airing their grievances. And, just the day before, more than 250 busloads of SUNY students had traipsed through the crowded LOB.
Between appointments, the advocates dropped by the conference room of Sen. Mary Lou Rath for lunch.
Most of the UB group had taken a day off from work, or away from their professional practices, to make
the trip. Among those making the UB case to legislators: Dr. James Phillips, a Buffalo internist who serves on the UB Council; Donald Roberts, an insurance agent with Potter, Harris and Scherrer in Clarence; Buffalo Public Schools Athletic Director Willie Evans; Attorneys William Hamilton, a hearing examiner; Jean Powers of Jaeckle, Fleischmann and Mugel and Jeannette Ogden, of Damon and Morey.
	Alumni Association President Sarah Anderson, retired educator Leon Henderson Sr. and Yvonne Ware from the UB Office of Preparatory Programs, as well as several students, also made the trip.