“It’s not about the location, it’s about the legacy. the story behind the Amex will follow it wherever it goes.”
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The following years witnessed a frenzy of parties as the AUP heartland defined the pulse of student life in the septième. 1993 welcomed beer baptisms for new café staff members and condom dispensers. The next three years completed the transformation, with foosball, pool, and chess matches that enjoyed a campus-wide following. In 1999, the AMEX threw a bash for every major holiday and every occasion in between. AUP yearbooks are a testament to the wild energy of Reggae nights, Valentine’s Day, New Year’s Eve and countless other events. This Decade and The Next: The AMEX
The 2000s saw a change in the organization of the AMEX. Financial mismanagement and out of control parties caused the AUP administration to end the studentrun system and opt to hire external management. Raul Hernandez took over the AMEX management in early 2008, offering the space for student events, speech nights, and fundraisers. With a large variety of food and drinks added to the menu, visitors found the AMEX’s burgers to be some of the best in Paris. In April 2012, a devastating fire in the basement kitchen of the AMEX caused the café to close through
Raul Hernandez, current manager of the AmeX
the summer and beginning of the fall semester. During this time, Hernandez completely revamped the space – rebuilding, redecorating and reconfiguring the menu to make it better than ever. Later that same year, AUP’s Board of Trustees voted to sell the Bosquet building in an effort to secure funds towards the purchase of a new Student Life and Learning Center. As Chair of the Board of Trustee’s Real Estate Committee, Andrew Batinovich ’80 (part of the original AMEX staff and major donor towards the initial purchase of Bosquet) helped to guide the sale and two-year lease back, while the administration sought a new place for the students to call home. The decision continues to be disputed by alumni, students and faculty members, as Bosquet has been an integral part of AUP since 1969. Will the move to a new building be as seamless a transition as walking from one room to the next? President Schenck, Andrew Batinovich ’80, and Raul Hernandez are optimistic. In the meantime, Hernandez hopes to fortify the AMEX’s reputation as a destination for eclectic food, music and art.
AUP MAGAZINE
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