By Chris Blatch
Effective last week, last call has been pushed back from 12:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. on Thursdays at the Den. Rejoice! Last call was originally changed on Jan. 10, 2002 from 2 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, and until 1 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The 2002 change was made due to the multitude of security incidences occurring at the newly renovated Den, including an altercation involving a bottle. Last call was reduced with the intent of being temporary on the condition that the SU was able to return patron incidents back to previous levels.
Since the reduction of hours the SU implemented the ID scanning system, a policy which allowed only two non-student guests per student, and bringing in uniformed police officers on overtime paid for by the SU.
At a recent Alcohol Policy Committee meeting, the SU was able to convince U of C Vice-President Finance and Services Mike McAdam that through better management of security, and cooperation between authorities and the SU the Den deserves to have its hours extended. “If you look at campus security reports, there have been equal or less incidents involving alcohol compared to two years ago, and we have more people coming,” said SU VP Events Alex Vyskocil.
The lengthening of hours of service were proposed on the basis that students were leaving at the 12:30 a.m. last call and heading out to other bars, which still have last call at 2 a.m. The new hours will hopefully encourage students to stay on campus during school nights and discourage drinking and driving from students driving to more booze.