By Вen Li
Due to recent violence, the Den will immediately reduce operating hours, increase beer prices, and require students to sign in off-campus guests.
According to Students’ Union President Matt Stambaugh, the changes are due to university demands. University of Calgary Vice-President Finance and Services Phyllis Heaphy notified the SU in a letter dated Oct. 8 that last call would be made earlier immediately.
“I am not prepared to live with violence on this campus that can be averted,” said Heaphy. “It is my responsibility to ensure no one gets hurt. I am very, very concerned when people are injured, when people have to be hospitalized.”
In response to violent incidents on September 27 where Den staff and patrons were hospitalized, the Den has removed glass beer bottles and will use plastic glasses. They will also increase alcohol pricing in an effort to slow the consumption of alcohol. Highballs and shots will increase by $1 each while jugs will increase by $2.
“The price changes are part of a concerted effort to stop incidents,” said Stambaugh. “If anything else happens, they’re going to force us to be a student-only bar with no off-campus patrons.”
The current off-campus cover charge will be increased from $2 to $5, and students will only be able to sign in two guests.
“We think that measures such as these will help solve problems more than limiting bar patrons or removing the license,” Stambaugh continued.
Prior incidents in 2002 resulted in the installation of the SecureClub ID scanning system at the Den and a reduction in operating hours. The hours were extended on September 24, 2002, according to Heaphy, on condition that “Should there be any violent incidents between now and January 2003, the hours of the Den would be reconsidered immediately.”
Effective immediately, last call at the Den will be rolled back to midnight on Thursdays and to 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
“In September, the Alcohol Policy Committee proposed to extend Den hours because no incidents had occurred because of the added security measures,” said Heaphy. “On the 27th of September, there were two violent incidents. We are simply reverting [hours] back to what it was for the majority of the year.”
Stambaugh sees the potential for more dire consequences affecting both the campus watering hole and students. He is concerned that the Den liquor licence, held by the U of C because the Den is located on university land, may be in jeopardy.
“What was startling is that this is not an empty threat,” said Stambaugh. “The university could withhold its liquor license.”
“I have no comment on that statement,” said Heaphy. “The purpose of the letter was to tighten security.”
According to Stambaugh, students would face negative financial consequences should the SU lose its ability to serve alcohol. MacEwan Hall concerts would go dry, drinking at Snow Pants Day and Bermuda Shorts Day could not occur, and student clubs could no longer operate alcoholic events.
“Students want to drink,” said Stambaugh. “It’s a service we want to provide because students want it. By the valid threat of removing all alcohol on campus, it does not remove the demand for it.”
According to Heaphy, her approach is targeted at the Den because it has generated incidents of violence.
“There have not been incidents in the other [university] operations to my knowledge,” she said.
To heighten security, Stambaugh said the SU may be required to hire Calgary Police officers at $1,000 per night, but he hopes the increased security and alcohol prices are temporary. A joint session of the Students’ Legislative Council and Students’ Academic Assembly will convene next Tue., Oct. 15 to discuss the matter.