As Tufts slowly makes acquisitions in neighborhoods adjacent to campus, it is time to make decisions on how the University should grow.
Both the former Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Winthrop Street and Jay's Deli on Boston Avenue have come under the possession of the University in recent months. Instead of making these locations satellite offices or distant classrooms, Tufts should turn these into campus elements that would benefit from their location and unique installation.
A campus bar, in the church or the former Jay's Deli, would provide a perfect solution that would appeal to students and allow the University to maintain control over the rapidly degenerating campus party life.
Jay's Deli is already set up to provide food service and presents an ideal location. The alternative of having a bar in a deconsecrated church is also appealing, for those that enjoy getting naughty in a former place of worship - plus it would be closer to the Medford campus than any other bar.
On-campus bars and food vendors which sell alcohol are not new to Tufts. Not only did MacPhie Pub exist through the 1990s but Hotung Caf?© ?lso sold alcohol until it proved not to be profitable.
Tufts Dining Services already has cash bar liquor licenses for three locations on campus: Dewick-MacPhie, the Cabot Center in the Fletcher School and the campus center. Expanding this license to another location would seemingly be a minor hurdle.
One of the purposes of serving alcohol in Hotung was to provide an environment where professors and students could relax over a beer or glass of wine. In an age where students are consistently treating professors merely as classroom-based educators, a simple element of camaraderie could be introduced with the grease of alcohol.
The key is to develop a location where students and faculty will frequent. Hotung does not have an inviting ambiance that would make someone want to stay for longer than the duration of a meal. With a little thought and research, the University could create a campus draw that would bring holed-up students out of their dorm rooms and into a safe environment.
Once the plan has been well executed, it is a natural progression for the bar to develop into a hot spot. Not only would this create stronger school spirit among students - who are concentrated in one place - but it also would concentrate the problems.
As we have seen with past alcohol violations, it is not simply underage students who are the catalysts, but those of legal drinking age as well. If there was a location on campus where students could drink safely and cheaply, it would likely be a success.
A campus bar would not only make the jobs of the police and administration easier, but it would put a more endearing spin on their duties. When a bouncer is maintaining order in a bar, it is his job and patrons rarely question it. But as soon as an officer is patrolling the same activity off campus, the perpetrator is more likely to be intimidated and uncomfortable.
One of the major risks involved with setting up a Tufts bar would be the responsibility element. But as organizers have demonstrated at Senior Cocktails, it is possible to run an entertaining party while strictly upholding 21+ rules.
A professional, cognizant bar staff would prevent problems surrounding alcohol abuse and binge drinking. Tufts would run no more risk than any other establishment. Having the bar close to campus would also eliminate a dangerous drinking and driving element involved in bar scenes further away.
Homecoming is less than a week away, and the University is desperately in need of some spice. Any question phrased with the word alcohol immediately casts a suspicious shadow. But Tufts should shun this prejudice to not only make use of recent acquisitions, but to strengthen the glue that makes us Jumbos.
