The Whitworth-Ferguson Planetarium spaces out

An understaffing problem is hurtingthe Whitworth-Ferguson Planetarium, and making its future on the Buffalo State College campus uncertain. 

Planetarium Director Arthur Gielow said the facility needs more people to run the shows.  He said public shows are limited to sporadic observation nights.  Presently, it has three operators – two of whom are still in training – and himself.   

The racks are part of the USA Today Collegiate Readership Program that was piloted at Buffalo State College for fourweeks this fall.  Cami Nowe, the USA Today CollegiatePrograms’ national education manager said the programtook place at BSC from Sept. 26 to Oct. 21 with standsin the Campbell Student Union and in nine residencehalls including: Porter Hall Perry Hall Neumann Hall North WingTower I, II, III and IV Moore Complex

“We’re using just a section of campus to get an idea if this is something that students want,” Nowe said.

It’s a scenario most students go through at the end of every semester. In many ways, it’s an exhausting college experience:

• The feet are tired
• The backpacks are too heavy to carry so they kick it along the never ending path to the front of the line
• Time stands still as the minutes seem to drag into hours
• The holidays are coming and they want to scrounge up extra cash for presents