On Oct. 13, the Tufts Daily printed an article by David Pomerantz summing up the previous night's "Community Conversation on Social Life." That night, the conversation focused on two topics as Pomerantz noted: "a perceived increase in aggressive tactics by the Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) [and] the recent Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate proposal of capitalizing on a planned renovation of Hotung Caf?© to convert the space into a pub."
I have no comment on the first issue. However, I believe I am in the majority when I say that, although the campus pub must have some legitimate issues, the positive benefits are much greater. In short: a great idea.
Recently, more than a few students have spoken up to voice their opposition to the pub. Some of these sentiments were heard at the Community Conversation. Leaving their concerns aside for now, what I understand is that not many students have contacted the administration in order to voice support for alcohol - more precisely, bottled beer and wine, as per logistics and the minutae of the license that the establishment retains from years past - being served at Hotung.
Many readers will not find this surprising. After all, one can almost assume that the average student would approve of such a move. Isn't it obvious? So there is no reason to come out and say, "I want an on-campus pub." Unfortunately, we cannot rely on such assumptions.
Why not, you ask? I'm so glad you're interested.
The decision has not been made yet regarding whether Hotung will serve alcohol after the renovation is complete! From what I understood, it was a done deal: Hotung will serve alcohol when it reopens. Apparently, I was wrong. Many other students may be under this false impression, and that probably plays a big part in the reason so few people have expressed their support to the administration.
With the renovation set to begin in mid- to late November, I am imploring whoever is "the decider" to please finalize the decision to convert Hotung into a pub.
Currently, a sub-committee of the Senate is working with others to come up with a design for the new Hotung. Preferably, it will have a nice social atmosphere, regardless of whether or not it serves alcohol. But how, I must ask, can you really design such a place with no idea of whether or not it will? As a matter of fact, the way I see it, there would be no reason to renovate the seating area if alcohol is not introduced. Maybe a few new couches, a television that you can actually figure out how to change the channels on, etc. But renovation? I don't think so.
Now, if you add beer and wine to the mix, it's a whole new ballgame. I would love to see it styled after Underbones. (That is the basement of Redbones, for you unfortunate souls who have yet to experience its awesomeness.) Another idea would be to model it after the Joshua Tree: a nice sports bar with high bar tables, counters and flat screens galore.
To be honest, as long as it looks nothing like Brown and Brew or Tower Caf?©, I don't really care. Add beer and wine. Add a fun, youthful atmosphere, and provide an on-campus option to have a beer or two with your lunch or dinner or to sip a glass of chardonnay while discussing politics with your professor. With alcohol available, you might even get a few more people out to Club Hotung or Salsa Night.
But keep in mind, everyone knows this will not become the place where students go to get wasted every weekend. I cannot imagine people being that excited to go spend their money at Hotung to get drunk, no matter how cool the design is.
That brings me to my next point. Apparently, most of those who oppose the pub idea argue that it will divide the campus. They think that if alcohol is served, only those over 21 will hang out there. I beg to differ. The real question is will students who either just don't drink or who are not 21 feel unwelcome?
I say no.
If it has more televisions, just as many people will want to go hang out and watch sports there whether or not other people are drinking. As a matter of fact, if I were a freshman and wanted to watch Monday Night Football, for example, what better place to go than a newly renovated sports bar right in the middle of campus where I can hang out with upperclassmen?
I mean, let's face it, we all looked up to the seniors when we were freshmen like they were gods or something, and for some reason, some of these new guys just might be looking at us that same way. Now that I think of it, especially since the number of freshmen who live in dorms with upperclassmen is either small or nonexistent at this point, I think a sports bar would be a great way to bring at least some freshmen (and sophomores) together with the upperclassmen to create an actual community of students, regardless of age.
I think I'm finished with my rant. I really want to end on a positive note. Everything the administration has been doing is greatly appreciated. I want them to know I am sincere as I thank them for being so open and helpful. They have listened to our concerns; they are asking for our input; they are willing to change and take on risky ideas, like adding a pub. Also, the same goes to the hard-working members of the Senate (not including me, of course): The way they continue to work with the administration in order to make positive changes to our campus is often overlooked.
I want it to be known that I have a lot of confidence in those who are helping to craft a design for the renovated Hotung. All I ask is that whoever in the administration has final say, please, I beg of you, please, please finalize the decision to serve alcohol at the new Hotung. It is a good idea that has had a lot of support, though it has been rather quiet. That way, as people are already thinking about what the atmosphere should be like, they can do so with some extremely pertinent information. One cannot possibly hope to effectively design a caf?©, pub or eatery if the decision hasn't been made on whether or not alcohol will be served. I'm sorry, but it totally changes the whole scene. When I think about what Hotung should look like, there are two very different pictures in my mind - one for each possible outcome of the alcohol discussion.
There you have it, Tufts: my official support for Pub Hotung. If you don't like the idea, I sincerely apologize. To those of you who do, please make your support known, and help make it happen.
Aaron Miller is a senior majoring in international relations.
