The Middlebury Campus

Issue date: 3/7/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Ilhan Kim Director of Dining Services Matthew Biette said a new on-campus nightclub would accomodate 200 and serve alcoholic beverages on Friday and Saturday. [Click to enlarge]

Students and staff met Monday night to propose the establishment of a student-run, on-campus bar or nightclub. The proposed bar would be located in the Hamlin dining hall, which composes the unused half of the Freeman International Center.

The creation of a bar on College premises would be relatively easy, according to Ted Parker '08, president of the Middlebury Musicians Guild, which is responsible for spearheading the recent push.

"Freeman Dining Hall already has a liquor license, which means that the hardest part of creating an on campus bar is already done for us," Parker said. He also addressed fears that the new bar would supplant other existing social venues at the College.

"We're building it for mid-sized events that are too big for the Gamut room, and too small for McCullough," said Parker.

The facility would accommodate a maximum of 200 people, according to Director of Dining Services Matthew Biette, and would initially be open on Fridays and Saturdays so as not to conflict with the Middlebury College Activities Board's (MCAB) weekly Pub Night on Thursdays.

Doug Adams, the director of the Center for Campus Activities and Leadership (CCAL), pointed out that the Juice Bar, located in McCullough Student Center, was the College's initial attempt at a campus bar, but that students felt it "too institutional." Adams suggested, as a solution to the issue, that the new bar be mostly student-run. This would mean student bartenders, student wait staff and, possibly, student bouncers.

Biette presided over much of the meeting by discussing the various logistical and legal aspects of the proposal. According to Biette, alcohol consumption will be limited to people 21 years of age or older, and that those working will not be allowed to drink.

"This will require a verification process at the door," said Biette, "that will require patrons to present some sort of government-issued ID." Those under 21 will be allowed entrance, but they will not be served alcohol.

Continued...

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