No. 3 (September 15, 2016)

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University News

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Vol. XCVI No. 3

A student voice of Saint Louis University since 1921

Humphrey’s: SLU’s 40-year-old watering hole gets new look By PARKER PENCE Contributor

Russian Division appoints new leader odor Dostoevsky and the author of Dostoevsky and the Catholic Underground Following the retirement teaches several sections on of longtime Russian lanthe Russian language, Rusguage professor David Mursian literature, and Russian phy, PhD, the accomplished Orthodoxy. Elizabeth Blake, PhD has During the summer ascended to the position of of 2016, she spent several Coordinator of the Russian weeks giving lectures on Division. Dostoevsky and touring the Established in 1968, The various ornate Russian monRussian and East European asteries. When asked about Area Studies Program at what draws most students Saint Louis University flourinto the Russian program, ishes thanks to dedicated Dr. Blake spoke of the great faculty and students from a curiosity many students wide array of backgrounds. have about a country so ofRecent graduates work in ten portrayed in a negative several diverse fields ranglight by western media. ing from In her researching opinion, most Vladimir Putin, the intricate students who is the life forms have little to found in president of no previous Russia’s Lake knowledge of Russia, is quite Baikal to the rich culunpredictable. working for ture of histhe National tory, language Dr. Ellen Carnaghan Geospatialand the arts Intelligence that is, and Agency, among other excithas been, so vibrant in Rusing professions. With such sia for centuries. success in the department, Dr. Blake went on to say the program has kept posithat students should study tive favor with the University Russian because, “as the and remains the only Ruslargest country in the world, sian program in the St. Louis Russia is a major military region. and economic power enjoyWith the exception of ing good trade relations with St. Louis University High China, and our Russian maSchool, there are no Russian jors are well prepared to enprograms in St. Louis area ter successful graduate prohigh schools either. With grams or to find attractive so few Russian programs in career opportunities.” existence, the importance The nation’s culture has of the field of study is quesaccumulated through its histioned. tory. Dr. Schlafly, a beloved Daniel Schlafly, Phd, professor of history with a spoke very highly of Dr. focus on Eastern Europe has Blake, saying “There’s absobeen a distinguished memlutely no other person more ber of the Russian division qualified for the job of coorfor decades. His classes on dinator of the Russian DiviRussian and Eastern Europesion than Betsy Blake.” Dr. Blake, a world-renowned scholar on the faSee “Leader” on Page 2 mous Russian writer FyBy WILLIAM KERNELL Associate News Editor

On June 18, Humphrey’s Restaurant and Tavern, the beloved SLU institution, celebrated the 40th anniversary of its founding. After four decades marked by remarkable consistency, however, the bar and restaurant at 3700 Laclede Ave. will look to turn the page on nostalgia and set in on establishing a new chapter in its storied history. As revealed by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, this coming spring, if plans hold, will see the demolition of the original building—part of which dates back to 1904— and its replacement with a more contemporary structure. While Humphrey’s will remain at the same location, the new plan calls for, amongst other things, Laclede- and Spring St.facing outdoor seating, a second-story outdoor terrace with its own bar, a designated banquet space and room for up to three retail stalls flanking the restaurant. These upgrades largely reflect broader trends in the bar and restaurant industry as a whole. Many college bars across the country have begun the shift from holein-the-wall, greasy-spoon type establishments to modern and open floor plans that accommodate more patrons and are especially well suited for dancing and mingling rather than the traditional seated gathering. If the design firm chosen to undertake the rebuilding is any indication—Oculus, whose calling card is sleek lines and a modern feel–it would seem to indicate that Humphrey’s figures to fall into this same

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Courtesy of Oculus Inc.

HUMPHREY’S: Since May, Humphrey’s has been under new management. Next spring, the current building will be demolished and then rebuilt with upgrades. general category. While Humphrey’s might be changing aesthetically, perhaps the biggest news to come from the announcement is the inclusion of the additional retail space on the property. The addition of independent retail space reflects the growing demand and value of property in the Cortex-Grand Center-Central West End region as well as a desire to serve and do business with the upwardtrending SLU population. Reaction to the recent news has been decidedly mixed as some have bemoaned a perceived lack of character that the renderings

seem to convey. Casey Roberts, a member of the class of 2016, echoed the feelings of many of the upperclassman and recent alumni in stating her displeasure. “It is so sad to think that next time I go visit SLU’s campus one of my favorite aspects of it will be completely different,” she stated when asked her reaction to the news. Current senior Brian Dugan built upon that sentiment and reflected that “As it stands pre-demolition, Humphrey’s charm is its transcendence of time at SLU. It knew the campus when cars could drive on West Pine, and it watched

the construction of Spring Hall. Ultimately, it’s a dive bar driven by nostalgia and tradition. Generations of Billikens have spent their Wednesday nights there. It still has Big Buck Hunter and Golden Tee, and the inflation rate of penny pitchers over the past forty years greatly lags behind that of tuition. “It doesn’t have the glamour of Ballpark Village, but it doesn’t need to.” Dugan went on to add his concern that, “Demoing the building for a new one runs of the risk of See “Hump’s” on Page 2

New sorority Phi Mu joins Greek community By MEGAN ANTHONY Contributor

Phi Mu may be new to Saint Louis University but it is actually the second-oldest secret society for women, coming second behind Alpha Delta Pi. SLU and Phi Mu share many core values. Both believe strongly in serving others, as SLU is a Jesuit institution and Phi Mu’s creed reflects their dedication to community service. Founded in 1852, less than 25 years after the University, some may be wondering why it took so long for the two to find each other. The process of establishing a new chapter at a uni-

versity takes time. Many may have noticed as early as April 2015 that consultants from Phi Mu headquarters were on campus, already gearing up for their first recruitment coming later this month. However, Phi Mu at SLU had been in the works for much longer than just since last spring. It is up to the university to decide if it can support another sorority, and when/if that decision is made, the appeal is sent out to the extension teams for organizations. New Chapter Specialist for Phi Mu, Whitney Wright shared a few words about the process. “When SLU opened for extension we sent in our

packet to be considered. From there, we were invited to present to the campus and eventually were chosen to be the group to join the Panhellenic community!” Once selected, the consultants for the new chapter went to work. Coming into a smaller Greek community compared to those at a public university, it is important to understand the dynamic. “The hopes when opening a new chapter is that we can join the Greek community and help to make it stronger, but also offer a different experience to students and See “Phi Mu” on Page 2

Courtesy of Phi Mu Sorority

PHI MU SORORITY: Phi Mu joins the Greek community this fall. It will be one of seven sororities on Saint Louis University’s campus. Recruitment will be held soon.

INSIDE SCOOP:

ARTS

Shreya Ghoshal performs at the Fox Theatre

Women’s soccer keeps on rolling

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Page 7

SPORTS

How SLU creates ‘Terrible Tuesday’ Page 10

OPINION


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No. 3 (September 15, 2016) by University News - Issuu