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eporter Vol. CXXII Issue 10
Stetson University | DeLand, Fla.
On-Campus Pub May Return Inside this issue: Stetson Broadcast Productions Plans are going “full speed ahead” for new Stetson media outlet Page 7 Photo courtesy: duPont-Ball Library Archives
“Stetson students hang out in “Cellar Door,” an on-campus pub and hangout which existed from 1967 to 1975 in the basement of what is now the Office of Marketing, or what was then called “The Brick Palace.”
Caroline Williams Staff Writer If all goes well, Stetson may see a campus pub within the next year. In the 1960s-70s, students were able to socialize and drink at a pub, known as the Cellar Door, located in the basement of what is now the Office of University Marketing. Sadly, that area is no longer accessible to the public since it is now being used as university storage space. However, rumors have been circling around that there is a possibility Stetson will revive this tradition on campus in the near future. While this topic has resurfaced many times throughout the years, the Student Government Association (SGA) and the Campus Life and Student Success Department have been communicating about it consistently in the past year. Vice President of Student Affairs, Chris Kandus-Fisher,
Ed.D., expressed his enthusiasm for the possibility of such an establishment and has already been discussing it with members of the SGA. “I am willing to pile it in the coffee shop, transform that space into a pub-like setting, and see if students like it and if it’s something we can pull off,” said Fisher. After the CUB undergoes some renovations, the new pub would most likely be where the coffee shop is. By day, it would still act as a coffee shop, but by night it would serve as a pub. “People could transform the counter where the coffee is served into where beer and wine would be served,” Fisher said. “We wouldn’t have to worry about setting up another structure.” The center of campus seems like an odd place for a pub, but Fisher argues the opposite; as a primarily social establishment, he said it makes sense for a pub to be on
the center of campus. It would also be a safe location. “The thing I like about the coffee shop is that it’s contained,” said Fisher. “There are points of entry that we can control for safety reasons, and we can make sure there’s a check in place for people to be carded, just like you would be if you walked into any other establishment.” Public Safety would most likely do the carding, but their other duties regarding the pub are not yet solidified. “Whatever group wants to put this forward will have to work with Public Safety on it and figure out what their presence will be,” Fisher added. “Are they just going to have someone at the door helping with the carding? I think even Chief Matusick would say he doesn’t want to be going in and feeling like a policing agent.” Constructing a pub on campus certainly has its benefits. Many universities are
trying to normalize drinking and take away much of the red tape that causes students to pregame, binge drink, or “drink in hiding,” as Fisher put it. “The more and more restrictions you put on it for those who can drink, the more problems you have. If we can normalize drinking for those who are of age and those who are in a setting that is appropriate, I think we will actually have a better, more educated community around responsible drinking habits,” said Fisher. The pub could also create a closer knit community since students, faculty, and staff would all be free to use the space. All of the big voices have given their approval for the building of a pub: Public Safety, Dining Services, and the Campus Life & Student Success Center. It is up to the student body now to move forward and make it work.
At left: Students play guitar in Cellar Door in 1973. Top right: The stairway and entrance to Cellar Door, circa 1972. Bottom right: “Students drinking in Cellar Door, which had an atmosphere that reflected its basement location. Photos courtesy: duPont-Ball Library archives
Women’s Basketball Thrives A win for the team and Q&A with guard Jama Sharp Page 10