Alcuin provist Tony Ward has slammed Uni Administrators following news that the college’s bar will shut down at the end of next term. In documents leaked exclusively to Vision, Ward condemns the closure and accuses Commercial Services of exaggerating the bar’s losses.
B. Henry’s , Alcuin’s cocktail bar, was recently named the third victim in the university’s ongoing spate of bar closures. The college’s provost was unexpectedly informed that the bar would shut down at the end of term, following a loss of £7,000 last year.
But the figures don’t add up. Ward was told that the bar lost £10k last year, when in fact, he claims it was nearer to £7k. “Why is this level of exaggeration necessary?” he quizzed.
Furthermore, he questions the accuracy of the accounts. The phone and fax bill came to a whopping £759, which is around 20% of the entire phone and fax bill for the Department of Electronics. “Surely this cannot be accurate?” says Ward.
Over £13k was spent on management which is more than enough to buy a full year’s provost time – figures that do “not seem to be commensurate.”
This has led the provost to question the purpose of Commercial Services, saying “are Bars and Catering in existence to provide a service to the University Community, or is the University community in existence to provide a service to Bars and Catering? It is clear to me which way round things are at the moment.”
This sentiment was echoed by Alcuin JCRC Chair Erik O’Connor who reminded students: “Commercial Services aren’t just a company, they’re a service.”
Tony Ward’s remarks will provide ammunition for the hundreds of students campaigning to save B. Henry’s. Postering and negotiations have been taking place throughout the last couple of weeks after a staggering 109 votes to zero mandated Alcuin JCRC to campaign. Erik O’Connor told Vision: “we have the arguments on our side, as well as the support of staff and students in all colleges.”
YUSU have also joined the fight, following a vote at a Union General Meeting. Talking to Vision, YUSU’s Services and Finance Officer Matt Burton said he feels confident about the campaign: “a lot of students care about B. Henry’s and feel passionately that the provisions shouldn’t be reduced on campus.”
It has also been pointed out that, although B. Henry’s bar makes a loss, the catering makes profit. In response, the JCRC has argued it would “be more natural to treat B. Henry’s as one account.”
The proposed closure could lead to major social and welfare issues for Alcuin students. A damning report by members of the JCRC warns that “the welfare of new students is at risk as induction activities are more likely to take place off campus.” O’Connor has added that “the bar has always been central in Alcuin. We need somewhere to meet… we need a social venue as well.”
The JCRC further criticise Commercial Services over the lack of consultation before the decision was announced. “The decision has by-passed both the consultative arrangement of the Bars Review and the regular Committees of the University.”
The actions of Commercial Services will come as a blow to surviving college bars fighting for survival. It has been predicted that Wentworth bar Edge could be the next casualty in the university’s war on York’s collegiate system.