Due to the recent success of student bartending nights at Hoyas restaurant and bar, proposals to increase student programming in the Leavey Center may be fulfilled.
Several proposals authored at the beginning of the semester recommended ways to make the Leavey Center more student-friendly. According to Ryan DuBose (CAS ‘02), president of the Georgetown University Student Association, implementation of the proposals was delayed due to safety concerns and the inauguration of University President John J. DeGioia.
A proposal written by DuBose and Brian Walsh (CAS ‘02), GUSA vice president, asked for at least three computer terminals and one printer to be installed in Sellinger Lounge. The proposal also asked for a permanent screen to be installed so students could watch the basketball teams’ away games as well as for money to be appropriated for sound and lighting equipment to accommodate a capella groups and other performing arts organizations.
Another proposal put forth by Junior Class GUSA Representative and Voice staff member Ted Bauer (CAS ‘03) and Roland Riebl (MSB ‘03) advocated keeping the coffee shop and food court open until 2 a.m. and for using Bulldog Alley, the room near the food court in the Leavey Center, as a nightclub.
At a meeting Wednesday between student leaders and University administrators, initiation of the most of the proposals’ recommendations was scheduled for the coming weeks.
“It’s called Leavey Student Center and we need to bring students back to it,” Bauer said (CAS ‘03).
According to DuBose, this semester’s Student Bartending Night has been very successful. DuBose said that more than 100 students attended Hoyas for the first two Thursdays of student bartending. This Thursday marks the third Student Bartending Night of the year.
“The goal is to make Hoyas a lot more student-friendly,” said GUSA Communications Director Ed Shelleby (CAS ‘04) .
Student Bartending Night is run by members of the Junior Class Committee. Members of the Senior Class Committee who are over 21 and who have completed a training course are allowed to serve alcohol. Regular Hoyas staff are also present to monitor the area.
“The overall student presence makes it more popular,” Bauer said.
GUSA Student Services Committee Chair Kaydee Bridges (SFS ‘03) said that Hoyas is one of the few places around Georgetown where underage students can be in a bar atmosphere. Hoyas is open to all individuals who are 18 years old and over.
“Nowhere else is like that,” said Bridges.
Bauer said that there are numerous benefits of a student-run bar on campus. These include the heightening of students’ safety because they stay on campus, Bauer said.
“Hoyas has the potential to be a good student hang-out and is a nice alternative to parties,” he said.
GUSA is tentatively planning a week of programming at Hoyas for later in the semester. GUSA members said they hope to gather different groups to the bar each night, with possible guests including Jesuit faculty members, GUTV staff, Hoya Blue members and staffers of WGTB, the University’s radio station, Bridges said.
GUSA has also proposed to improve the decor of Hoyas. Suggestions include the addition of more student-oriented objects in the restaurant, such as Georgetown banners and pictures of students and faculty.
GUSA proposals may conflict with the restaurant’s management, Shelleby said. Hoyas was recently renovated by Marriott, who owns and runs the restaurant. Mariott also rents out Hoyas for events such as alumni functions.
The manager of Hoyas has been very receptive to student involvement, Bauer said. Student Bartending Night brought in roughly $550 on its first night and $850 on the second night.
“If Hoyas keeps succeeding, it gives us more leverage with all of Leavey,” Bauer said.
“It’s all in an effort to re-center social life back on campus … to make it a social focal point,” DuBose said.
Discussion during the Wednesday meeting centered on aspects of the proposals that are achievable short-term goals.
In the near future, the sophomore class plans to host dance parties in Bulldog Alley after Hoyas shuts down on Thursday nights.
DuBose said suggestions such as the installation of print stations in Sellinger Lounge, as well as a permanent projector and screen are probable. GUSA also hopes to install vending machines in Sellinger, display more student artwork and show movies in Hoya Court on weekend nights.
Bauer said that administrators may be reluctant to renovate Leavey because of the other new student spaces opening up around campus in the near future.
The Village C Formal Lounge is scheduled to open the first weekend in December. New South cafeteria is set to become a student space upon the completion of the Southwest Quadrangle.
Administrators want to keep each space distinct and give them all different roles, Bauer said.
