By KERI FOX
Associate Online Editor
 

Last year, students came back to a storage snafu ($25 to retrieve a "mislabeled" box), a totally revamped computer lab in Ladd Library, and a housing crunch.

This year even more is happening. There is a gaping pit where the Physical Plant used to be, new ID scanners in Commons, a new access ramp between Milliken and Whittier Houses, a coffeehouse in the works, and a new alcohol policy that is redefining many students' definitions of "fun." But that's not all.

There is one more campus innovation - one that brings Bates on par with similar colleges in the campus entertainment/dining services area. This improvement is meant to both add a needed and wanted social element to campus life and to combat the negative image of the new alcohol policy.

It is the newly revamped Bates Bobcat Den, affectionately known as "The Den."

The renovations were the result of student, faculty, and staff suggestions, as well as numerous trips by Dining Services employees to check out how other institutions run their departments.

"I visited Tufts, Harvard, B.C. [Boston College], B.U. [Boston University], and Bowdoin, and it's working fine [for them]. They've given us a lot of help. [And the result is] a workable, manageable service," said Pablo Colón, newly promoted Manager of the Den.

During summer hours, people knew something was going on when the popular lunch spot shut down for a few weeks. When it reopened in early August, the first customers "oohhed" and "aahhed" at the site of the prominently displayed dessert case.

"Who needs lunch? Look at those cannolis!" said one unidentified staff member.

The idea for the dessert case came from Bob Volpi, director of dining services. On one of his many trips to Boston, he came across "Michael's," a bake shop which was famous for having long lines of people waiting to get a taste of freshly made pastries.

"That's the idea, fresh pastries every day," Colón said.

But the crowning glory is the new antique-style beer tap which will be serving Beck's and Amstel Light on Friday and Saturday nights between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.

The new tap is a success for both Bates students and those who have spent time and effort arguing and lobbying to turn the Den into an operational pub.

As a matter of fact, this is the first pub activity at Bates since 1855, said Colón.

While students and staff eagerly anticipate the opening of the pub, everyone is antsy about the very vocal and very visible presence of the state Liquor Enforcement Agency.

"It's going to be sensibly regulated but not a police state. The State of Maine liquor laws are very stringent," said Colón. "The focus here is not imbibing to the point of intoxication, but to be responsible."

Without the responsibility that Colón believes this campus can put forward, the pub could be closed with the first infraction of its new operating license.

The responsibility will come from two camps: the students who have waited so long for the pub, and from the Den staff, some of whom have mixed feelings about the new liquor license.

"A lot of us don't want to be responsible if something happens, like if an underage student gets caught cheating the system, or if the state enforcers come in and find a student visibly intoxicated with half a beer in front of him that we served him," said one employee. "Some of us think this isn't a very good idea and want nothing to do with it."

While the pub aspect of the Den will be open this Friday, it is "the unofficial opening," Colón said. "We're going through a whole lot of growing pains. Down the road we're having the real grand opening."

The excitement for the new Den extends beyond its staff. "I think its a great idea! It's already more personable," said Cali Mortenson '98. "It'll be a nice place to be relaxed without a stressy, party atmosphere."

"I'm excited about how enthusiastic Pablo is," said Evette Rios '99. Also, she said, "Students will have more of a say in it -- in the art which has been up for years, in the day-to-day running."

"It's a sit-down place. When you go to a party, you're always standing around," Associate Dean of Students James Reese added.

"You know where Dean Reese is going to be every Friday night," said Mortenson and Rios, laughing.

"My immediate hope is that this really works," said Colón. "My hope for the future is that someday our students, as alumni, will reflect back on their college days in the Den Pub and we will be warmly remembered, not just recalled."