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From: Mrs P Mitchell
Date: 13/05/98
Hallo James, Thank you for taking it onto yourself to write. My response follows: On Wed, 13 May 1998, Dr Mesmer wrote: > Dear Peggy, > Although I have resigned as senior treasurer of the Students' Union I have to write to you and > ask if it is true that the bar will not be open today and tomorrow and > also I have been told that with regards to the Postgraduate Common Room and journal launch party > tomorrow that the building has to be evacuated at 8.30. The proposal not to have the bar open this term came from the Students Union. The bar is a trading activity which must be run without subsidy from monies that come to the college for teaching/research purposes. We run it on a non-profit basis, but must be very careful not to make a loss. Staffing and stocking the bar are significant undertakings which can not easily be done on an adhoc basis. Last term it was agreed that there would be an end-of-year party and this would be held on Wednesday 20 May. Any time when the question of a postgraduate party was raised, I asked PLEASE for this to be arranged for the same date since it would be very difficult to make separate arrangements. I also said that we were too busy at this time of year to be able to devote time to making additional arrangements, but if someone-else took charge and I received proper confirmation of things well in advance (e.g at least one week) I would see if security cover could be organised. I heard nothing else until the past couple of days - too late to do anything. > If this is true I would hope that this could be changed. I do not think > it is in the college's interest to deprive graduate students of the only social > spot they have. Also I spoke to some post-grad students about the fact > that they pay high fees and then will not even have a bar in the last > term, let alone a proper party at the end of their exams. I deeply regret that the college is not in a position to generate sufficient profit on trading activities to maintain these faciltites open all the time. I also regret that the college can only afford to pay for security until 20.30. However, this is normal for a small institution. The tuition fees contribute to the cost of academic salaries, premises, library, and all other things that secure quality of teaching; we cannot divert them to subsidising a bar - the contribution to social activities takes the form of the 10K p.a. grant to the Students Union. I sincerely hope that the party for 20th May will go as long as I receive confirmation of the arrangements in sufficient time for me to book the extended security. The Bar will be open on that day again provided I can confirm this in time. I very much hope that the Postgraduate students will take advantage of these arrangements for their end-of-year celebration. Nothing makes me happier than to think that our students are having a good time. In the meantime, if the journal launch would benefit from going on beyond 8.00 p.m., one solution would be to transfer it to the foyer of the Administration Block and you can stay there as long as you like since this building has 24 hour security. PS Health and Safety act provision does not allow us to have students in the other building without there being a person contracted specifically to cover emergencies - this is the function of the Security Guard. Regards Peggy In fact with > regards to the bar not being open in the third term, as senior treasurer at > the time, I would have appreciated to be briefed on the reason for that > very unwise decision. > > However, I hope that some arrangements can be made at least for this week. > > yours sincerely > > James