Sharing a drink

Even for those who love Princeton's eating clubs, nights with cheap beer and Beirut can grow tiresome. For students who shy away from the cheap alcohol and boisterous environment of the Street, the need for an alternative is even more pressing. To alleviate these problems, Princeton should establish an alternate social option: a University-managed pub. A bar of this sort would provide a valuable social space and would promote a healthier attitude toward drinking on campus.

A campus pub would be an ideal setting for students who wish to meet with friends over a glass of beer or wine. Not only would it offer an alternative to the Street, but it would also help break down divisions among upperclassmen. A campus pub would allow members of different eating clubs, along with independent students, to mingle in a common social space.

Understandably, the University may be reluctant to serve alcohol directly to its students, especially when the administration is committed to emphasizing nonalcoholic social options. But it goes without saying that binge drinking, underage drinking and other unsafe behavior would be infrequent problems in a University-managed bar. Instead, a campus pub would afford a safe place for students to drink responsibly — exactly the kind of behavior the University should encourage among its students who are of age.

A University bar could be established easily in a number of existing campus venues. The Chancellor Green Cafe, for example, could be used as a pub in the late afternoons and evenings. Using the space currently occupied by the Healthy Eating Lab in Frist is another option which would take advantage of Frist's central location. While Campus Club has also been suggested, its proximity to the "Street scene" makes it a less attractive option.

Measuring the demand for a campus pub is a crucial first step. While it would be ideal for the University to sponsor a study or survey to measure demand, it may be up to the USG to play a leadership role. A USG-sponsored survey of students over 21 could be used to determine the viability of a University bar. If, as we expect, there is strong student support for the idea, those who support establishing a campus pub will have much more credibility in the eyes of the University.

Alcohol, for better or worse, will always be part of the Princeton social scene. But by offering students a space where they can drink responsibly, the University can promote safer drinking habits while providing a healthy alternative to the Street.