He sits alone, with or without a table laden with papers. A poster board sign written in black magic marker proclaims his business: kung fu.
Thoughts, opinions and assumptions about this man are as varied and widespread as any novelty at UB.
"I guess it'd be kind of cool to do kung fu. If I remember to, I might check him out," said Robert Fuller, a freshman electrical engineering major.
Other students had other feelings, like Mike Lau, a senior majoring in international studies.
"I think he's a quack. He also looks pretty degenerate," said Lau.
The man is known only as Lee - he said he does not give his last name - and he is a kung fu instructor who teaches his lessons in Baldy Hall. Despite the opinions circulating, Lee said he has a message to send to the UB community.
"I would like those in the university community to feel comfortable in approaching me when they sincerely would like to make inquiries, and to also know that I am basically - under normal circumstances - peaceful and non-aggressive," he said.
"I initially got interested in it 'cause of the need for a person to be able to protect themselves and those he cares about, as well as those people who are unable to defend themselves if the need arises," said Lee.
Lee teaches three forms of martial arts: Tiger, Mantis and Wing Chun kung fu. He teaches different forms according to different body types.
"There are differences in technique and range of motion and direction according to body type and temperament," said Lee. "One style may not be as suitable as another for them."
Allen Dibsin, a junior economics major, studies with Lee.
"I saw a poster that was advertising the same style I was studying back home," said Dibsin. "So I called him up."
According to Dibsin, after an interview with Lee, a time and place was decided and more important details were established.
"He asked me to show him what I remembered, and I signed a waiver," said Dibsin.
Dibsin's training began, and it did not take long before he developed solid character evaluations of Lee.
"Clearly he's kind of hermit-like, both in appearance and in attitude. It didn't really throw me off. Some kung fu guys are kind of hermitish anyway," said Dibsin. "He said he went to China, much of his eccentricness is probably pretty standard. I'm not really sure though."
Some of Lee's other students have a different opinion of the lone kung fu instructor, however.
Justin Levine, a sophomore theater major, was unconvinced of Lee's ability as a teacher.
"I saw him with a sign for tai chi outside of the Union, and I was interested in taking a class," said Levine. "I knew there was something off about him. I started to realize it when I started taking classes."
Expecting a dojo or perhaps something similar, Levine said he was surprised to find where classes would actually be held.
"We met in a classroom in Baldy, which I thought was odd," he said. "I thought it was a little shady that he wouldn't watch me and would just count off repetitions. I got fed up."
Despite the opinions of his students, Lee is confidant about his views and teaching methods.
"We figure out where you learn," said Lee. "It varies according to circumstances with schedules."
Lee said his style is linear, with a nearly set curriculum.
"There's a definite structure and scientific mode of progression," said Lee.
Dipsin said he noticed this structure in his lessons.
"Ninety percent of the work done for the past year and a half has been form work. He won't go on until I have a form down," said Dibsin.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
