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Give me a home where the beer drinkers roam
In my opinion
by Ossie Bladine |
PUBLISHED ON 2/1/07 IN Commentary
The ASUO has $800,000 of surplus to spend and I'm damn thirsty. Why not kill two birds with one stone and use the extended fees to establish a student-owned, student-run tavern on campus?
But wait, isn't serving alcohol on campus against the rules? Not quite. The consumption and/or furnishing of alcohol is "permissible only in such areas as the University may designate," in accordance to state law, according to the Student Conduct Code. In fact, there was a running pub on campus not long ago.
Clancy Thurber's Pub opened in the basement of the Collier House (the old building on the hill that is kitty-corner to the EMU amphitheater) in 1996 under the management of the University Club. The pub didn't last long, however, mostly due to money problems. University Housing took over operations of the pub - and the upstairs restaurant - in 2000, serving as a grab-and-go style café during the day and a pub at night. Once again, Thurber's Pub failed to succeed and closed in 2001.
Food Services Director for University Housing Tom Driscoll said location was most likely the main downfall of the pub, because campus is generally empty at night and students had fewer reasons to come on campus for a beer rather than go to a more social atmosphere, such as Taylor's, Rennie's or Max's. (Quick note: If a miracle happens and my following proposition becomes a reality, can the tavern be called "Ossie's"?)
Where Thurber's failed, however, a student-run tavern could flourish. The first rule of business is "know your target customers." In a 2000 article about the Collier House, the-University Club President John Schellman admitted "Faculty members are quite poor businessmen." So I say, let's see how students could do. After all, who knows University students better than University Students?
The ASUO should nut up and propose the idea of a student-owned, student-run tavern (aka Ossie's) to President Dave Frohnmayer for two reasons: for what it would serve and for what it would provide.
But wait, isn't serving alcohol on campus against the rules? Not quite. The consumption and/or furnishing of alcohol is "permissible only in such areas as the University may designate," in accordance to state law, according to the Student Conduct Code. In fact, there was a running pub on campus not long ago.
Clancy Thurber's Pub opened in the basement of the Collier House (the old building on the hill that is kitty-corner to the EMU amphitheater) in 1996 under the management of the University Club. The pub didn't last long, however, mostly due to money problems. University Housing took over operations of the pub - and the upstairs restaurant - in 2000, serving as a grab-and-go style café during the day and a pub at night. Once again, Thurber's Pub failed to succeed and closed in 2001.
Food Services Director for University Housing Tom Driscoll said location was most likely the main downfall of the pub, because campus is generally empty at night and students had fewer reasons to come on campus for a beer rather than go to a more social atmosphere, such as Taylor's, Rennie's or Max's. (Quick note: If a miracle happens and my following proposition becomes a reality, can the tavern be called "Ossie's"?)
Where Thurber's failed, however, a student-run tavern could flourish. The first rule of business is "know your target customers." In a 2000 article about the Collier House, the-University Club President John Schellman admitted "Faculty members are quite poor businessmen." So I say, let's see how students could do. After all, who knows University students better than University Students?
The ASUO should nut up and propose the idea of a student-owned, student-run tavern (aka Ossie's) to President Dave Frohnmayer for two reasons: for what it would serve and for what it would provide.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
niedermeyer
posted 2/01/07 @ 10:26 AM PST
This is, perhaps, the best idea ever to emerge from the Ol' Dirty Emerald. I might quibble with your location idea, but overall the concept is spot on. (Continued…)
Dorothy
dorothy
posted 2/01/07 @ 4:47 PM PST
Do any of you have any REAL experience in running a bar or restaurant?NO?Well,if you dont,or do not get someone who does,chances are this bar will go right down the toilet. (Continued…)
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