Spring Break
Morton's vision for UMKC - the 'Decision Theater'
Interim chancellor envisions UMKC's future in 3-D
Derek Simons
Issue date: 8/25/08 Section: News
Hackett, asked after the meeting if there had been a price tag placed on the project, said it was too early for such considerations. On the ASU Web site, the primary donors for its structure are thanked for having given an initial contribution of $3 million.
Financing of the UMKC project would be from private contributions, according to Hackett and Morton, with the possibility of charging usage fees from off-campus patrons. Costs would be further contained by constructing the Decision Theater as an annex to an existing building. Hackett suggested the planned library expansion or the new Student Union as possible solutions to be studied.
"What is really important about the Decision Theater is that you bring policy makers and [3-D programmers] modelers and all kinds of people together," Hackett said. "You can use the tool to help public officials and decision makers by presenting information in numerical form, in graphical form, in max 3-D visualization. You can do all kinds of things."
Additional costs would be flexible depending on the number of personnel required.
The promotional video shown last Tuesday promised, "Our staff of scientists and programmers provides the interface between policy makers and our visualization technology. You provide the problem and some of the data and we'll create alternative scenarios in an interactive and adversity-free environment."
Hackett said she talked to several deans about the project and they were excited. She said School of Law Dean Ellen Suni wants to visit ASU and has ideas about studying how decisions are made and how evidence is interpreted.
The provost wants faculty to add their input toward formulating a vision statement on the use of the Decision Theater.
"We need the intellectual and scholarly legs to put on this while Leo [Morton] is out raising the money if we decide to do this," Hackett said.
dsimons@unews.com
Financing of the UMKC project would be from private contributions, according to Hackett and Morton, with the possibility of charging usage fees from off-campus patrons. Costs would be further contained by constructing the Decision Theater as an annex to an existing building. Hackett suggested the planned library expansion or the new Student Union as possible solutions to be studied.
"What is really important about the Decision Theater is that you bring policy makers and [3-D programmers] modelers and all kinds of people together," Hackett said. "You can use the tool to help public officials and decision makers by presenting information in numerical form, in graphical form, in max 3-D visualization. You can do all kinds of things."
Additional costs would be flexible depending on the number of personnel required.
The promotional video shown last Tuesday promised, "Our staff of scientists and programmers provides the interface between policy makers and our visualization technology. You provide the problem and some of the data and we'll create alternative scenarios in an interactive and adversity-free environment."
Hackett said she talked to several deans about the project and they were excited. She said School of Law Dean Ellen Suni wants to visit ASU and has ideas about studying how decisions are made and how evidence is interpreted.
The provost wants faculty to add their input toward formulating a vision statement on the use of the Decision Theater.
"We need the intellectual and scholarly legs to put on this while Leo [Morton] is out raising the money if we decide to do this," Hackett said.
dsimons@unews.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Mortonwashesafriendshand
posted 8/26/08 @ 12:04 AM CST
I think most members of the UMKC community have a crazy idea that UMKC should devote their resources toward their primary mission of educating students. (Continued…)
Jill DeWitt
posted 8/26/08 @ 4:46 PM CST
Special gifts can catalyze both interest and previously untapped community support. This campus is unique in the dedication of a growing number of faculty and schools to programs that benefit the city and region through education, architecture, urban planning and design, policy and professional programs. (Continued…)
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