This story is one of two pieces of
RIT folklore explaning why
RIT is so freakin windy.
This story explains that when RIT was designed it was supposed to be located out west in New Mexico (I guess it wouldn't be RIT there, but NMIT or something... anyways....) Because it is so hot in New Mexico the campus was designed to pull wind into it, keeping it cool. Unfortunately, the people in charge ended up building the campus in Rochester but didn't take into account the different climate. As a result, RIT still pulls wind into it, making is so windy and damn cold in the winter.
I believe the Reporter published a story a few years ago denying this story. RIT was originally in downtown Rochester, why would they expand to New Mexico? This story makes no sense. It is undoubtedly untrue.