OUSA should run the Gardies PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 31 March 2010 10:19
The Otago Daily Times reported today that the Gardens Tavern, a popular student pub at the Botanic Garden end of Castle St, has been sold to the University of Otago. It is unlikely to continue operating as a pub.

After a decade or so of marketing itself as the "party university" and turning a blind eye to aggressive alcoholic recruitment campaigns by the beer companies, Otago has rediscovered its Calvinist roots.

Last year, it bought another popular student pub, the 'Bowler' for research and teaching space. The same is likely to happen to the Gardies, and with it, yet another recreational space will be lost to students.

We don't glorify the unhealthy drinking culture of many students but we do put them in the context of a culture that is framed by the University, the DCC, landlords and we, unlike the university have a plan to fix it.

The commercialisation of the university has degraded educational quality, and ramped up financial and time pressure on them. Students have no sense of obligation to uni management, the slumlords, or the DCC

To reverse the destructive drinking culture it is necessary for students to regain a sense of ownership and control of their university experience. The sale of Gardies is an excellent opportunity for OUSA to intervene directly into this culture. Gardies would provide a base in the heart of the student area to provide a safe venue for bands, meetings, as well as drinking. It would be a hub that great street parties could be built around. It would give students ownership of the campus area.

Given the growth in the student roll since the Clubs and Societies Building was made, it is past time for OUSA to reinvest in student recreation. The University should pass ownership of the Gardies to the student association as soon as possible.
 

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