By
Cadence McAfee
November 13, 2006
This Tuesday, a resolution in support of a pub in the HUB is to be read at the ASUW Senate.
The resolution is sponsored by senior Andrew Everett, and requests that the Washington administrative codes be changed to allow alcohol consumption on campus.
This is not the first time this idea has come up before the Senate. Several years ago Jonathan Lee, a UW alumnus, submitted a similar resolution. Lee sees a pub in the HUB as a means to bring the UW campus together.
"We need something to call our own," he said. "Something that can build community after 3 p.m. on campus and even on weekends."
Both Lee and Everett are prominent members of the Facebook group "Do you want a pub in the HUB? If yes, join," which to date has attracted 237 members.
An argument that comes up in the postings is the presence of drinking establishments at other universities. One member of the group, Kevin Farkas, cited the benefits the Wisconsin University Beer Hall dispenses to its campus.
"It's student-run and the funds support student activities," he said. "Overall it's just a cool place to be because you can get out of class and hang out. It makes the campus more centralized."
However, there are those who believe a closer community comes at too high a price. One student against the resolution is Bryce McKibben, student lobbyist for ASUW. McKibben considers a pub in the HUB a step backward in the fight against vandalism and sexual assault on campus.
"I'm sure it wouldn't be this huge widespread problem," he said. "But if just one person gets drunk and sexually assaults someone or trashes a classroom, it's a problem and it's a loss."
Reporter Cadence McAfee: dormlife@thedaily.washington.edu
4 Comments
#1 Jonathan Lee
on November 13, 2006 at 4:40 p.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
In response to Bryce's comments, an establishment in the HUB is one way to reduce the levels of unfortunate crimes that do occur because of alcohol instead of increasing the likelihood of them happening. One of the primary reasons to why students do get drunk so frequently is because of the fact that the owners on the AVE and elsewhere are irresponsible in the amount of alcohol they serve to students. The establishment that is being supported is in no way another cookie-cutter bar from the AVE. It is an establishment that offers students a venue where they may enjoy the relative safety and atmosphere of a university community restricted environment and where the responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages are promoted. If state laws are amended to allow such an establishment, then it will be a strictly regulated place where of age students, faculty and staff may build community, start new traditions and enjoy a small part of UW in a safe and responsible manner.
#2 Andrew P. D. G. Everett
on November 14, 2006 at 1:04 p.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
I would like to echo Mr. Lee's thoughts and share some of my own. Look, fact of the matter is that state law prohibits people who appear intoxicated from being served. Admittedly, this is somewhat inane, but it is a good idea. And if you have ever been on a 21 run on the Ave, you know that this is broken all the time. This is not a good thing, because if you are so drunk you are stumbling about, you are an inch away from alcohol poisoning, and that really isn't good. Point of fact that is potentially fatal. So the concept of greater control is a necessity, one that something under the UW's banner could provide.
Second, a lot of other schools provide this, and whilst I am not saying that mindless copying of someone else is a good thing (eg The "If someone were to jump off a bridge, would you jump off too?" thing), the UW has a bad track record of things that unite the student body, and this would certainly help.
Third, even if run at a mediocre level, it would help generate funds to fund student programmes, and with cuts in ASUW funding for things, plus the increasing restrictions that the SAF Committee is placing on things it is funding, this is a good thing as well.
#3 Danielle Schechter
on November 28, 2006 at 9:36 a.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
As a non-drinking student, even I would love to have a pub on campus. On the University of Miami campus (from which I transferred) "The Rat" is a great place for older students to hang out. One way it has made it safer is by requiring "membership" to enter the pub. Membership is made available to all students (over 21) who pay the student fee, plus faculty and staff of age. Each member may bring two guests into the pub. It's a great system, great food, great community. The Rat hosts events such as live bands, poetry slams, and is available for private parties. It would be great to see something like this at the U.
#4 RZA
on March 3, 2008 at 8:24 p.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
WU TANG FOREVER.
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