Mug half full after months of renovations

Hayley Tsukayama News Editor

After several delays and changes to the renovation plans, students returned to the dance floor at Matthew’s Mug on Oct. 22. As part of the renovations, the College removed all of the interior walls in the Mug, making it a more open space. New furniture, an expanded bar, new lighting, a new mixing board for live artists and a new DJ booth were also installed.

“The primary goal of the renovation was to enhance and improve the space for activities and programs,” said Executive Director of Campus Activities Teresa Quinn.

Other major changes to the Mug were less readily noticeable. After the Town of Poughkeepsie Police caught a student bartender serving alcohol to an underage student, the College stopped employing students and turned over its liquor license to the Aramark Corporation. This was a new development, according to Senior Director of Campus Dining Maureen King, who said that there had previously been “no non-student presence” in the Mug. King and Director of Marketing and Sustainability Ken Oldehoff oversee Matthew's Mug.

With adult bartenders behind the bar, Mug patrons are now able to purchase hard liquor, not just beer and wine as in previous years. Director of Security Don Marsala said that to his knowledge, the decision to serve hard liquor would not change security procedures at the Mug.

The renovations were funded in part by the Class of 2006’s senior gift, and supplemented by a gift from the Vassar Club of Portland. In the gift committee’s letter to the Class of 2006 describing the project, they expressed hope that the renovations would “provide opportunity for greater and more varied social events that could take place during the day or night.” To aid in planning, the Class of 2006 created the Mug Committee, which was comprised of a group of students from the Class of 2006 and administrators including Quinn, King, Oldehoff, Director of Reunion and Class Giving Susan Sheehan and Project Manager for Facilities Arthur Fisher, to oversee the renovations process.

Quinn said that although all the original members of the Mug Committee have graduated, she is working with current students to form a similar committee to oversee Mug programming. One of the members of this committee is Vassar Entertainment Committee (ViCE) chairman Evan Altshuler ’09. Altshuler said that the Mug will “most likely retain its usual series programming,” with Monday Trivia Night, ViCE Jazz on Tuesdays, Wednesdays featuring ’80s or ’90s music, Thursdays alternating between No-ViCE and After Hours shows, and Friday and Saturday club nights. According to King, student activity groups will still be able to reserve certain “Mug nights” through the Campus Activities Office.

Attendance was low on the revamped Mug’s opening night, with only about 10 to 20 students in the club at any given time. Student reactions to the new renovations were lukewarm as well.

“I like it,” said Tiera Rainey ’08, “but it’s definitely anti-climactic.” Despite the wait, Rainey said she approved of the renovations, particularly the new tables, the extended bar area, and the location of the DJ booth. “It’s got kind of a Cheers vibe to it,” she said.

Many students had similar reactions of measured approval. “It’s unfortunate that the renovations took so long,” said Angela Terry ’08, “but we approve of their trying to update” the nightclub. Chole Gutelle ’08 said that her opinion may change when she sees the Mug at full capacity. “We really need to see renovations in action.”

Matt Wise ’08, the DJ for the night, also gave the new Mug a mixed review. “The setup’s pretty sweet,” said Wise, but added that the booth itself was too small. “I can hardly move.” he said.

Others expressed nostalgia for the old Mug. “Speaking on behalf of the Class of 2008,” said Meg Prossnitz ’08, “There aren’t enough elevated surfaces to dance on.”