Vermont Cynic

Issue date: 2/6/07 Section: Features

Media Credit: Vermont Cynic

Being labeled with the "party school" stigma, symbolized by UVM's inclusion on Princeton Review's top party school list, has always antag¬onized University officials in the past. Indeed there was love lost between the University and the Review until the school finally fell from the Princ¬eton Review pantheon of party-hardy schools.

As then-Provost John Bramley said, "I think the whole review is question¬able … nevertheless we are pleased not to be on that list."

But even when UVM's social scene fell from the national radar, student revelry was still gauged as inappro¬priate by school officials. Eventual¬ly, changes were enacted within the University in order to "… create a quality learning environment in an atmosphere that is safe, scholarly and respectful."

UVM's alcohol policy was revis¬ited, outlawing drinking in campus housing - effectively illegalizing booze across all the residence halls, even for of-age students.

"Before, people would be, like, drinking in the hallways," Resident Assistant Chantal Champaloux said. "There's just not the partying there was before."

The opposite side of the law says otherwise: "I know I haven't [been drinking less due to the new policy], because people drinking at my age is against the law any¬way", a sophomore who wished to remain nameless said. "Breaking two rules at once isn't going to stop me any more than breaking one."

Police presence is as strong as ever and quieter halls testify to UVM's apparently toned-down party culture. But, with the new Brennan's Pub and Bistro be¬ing built in the Davis center, it is uncertain how this monopoly on campus alcohol consumption will affect on-campus drinking trends next year.

According to Pat Brown, the director of Student Life, the pub's inception and the new al¬cohol policy were coincidental, not mutually exclusive. He said that after talking to students, the consensus was that "we need to have a place that people can have something to eat, have some beer, have some wine, watch some TV. So the whole idea came out of those conver¬sations."

Whatever the reasons for the pub, as the one legitimate place on campus where students can gather over spirits, it holds a unique position. Will it be a pre-game spot before hockey and basketball games? Or maybe a pre-game spot before class? According to Brown, the capacity will be about 185 people, but whether a party breaks out is up to the students.

Continued...

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