BNC barman pulls his last
An air of mystery hangs over the former Bar Manager at Brasenose College. His sudden exit on Wednesday of First Week has started a wave of rumours, and even his surname seems to be a mystery among students - identifying him only as 'Chad'.
The departure of the Bar Manager (without tendering his resignation) has coincided with allegations against the Bursary and, more suspiciously, the installation of a new till system in the college bar.
It is no secret in Brasenose that the long standing Bar Manager was not impressed by the new system, partly because it meant the staff could no longer drink whilst working, but more importantly because the Bursary had been seen to seize control of the bar.
The disagreement between Bar and Bursary intensified when the College realised that the Bar Manager's daughter had been working in the bar in contravention of employment law. When the college intervened this was taken by some as a personal attack.
Dave Watson, Brasenose JCR President, puts the disagreement down to "an out of touch Bursary and an intransigent Barman".
Whilst the Bar Manager was unwilling to co-operate - to the extent of refusing to receive adequate training on the new system - the Bursary has not handled the bar situation well, even down to paying the staff.
Watson observed: "If you're offered £5 an hour at All Bar One you're not going to take £3.70 an hour in the College Bar". Furthermore, there has been a feeling for some time that the College wanted to change the atmosphere in the bar - of which the students are characteristically protective.
JCR members, who took over the running of the bar, used word of mouth to find out what students wanted. They have since found that, with the right approach, they have been able to achieve much that the former Bar Manager was unable to - such as obtaining college agreement to the installation of a 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' machine!
Watson has been pleased with the even-handedness of the students during the conflict, "It's been refreshing that people have been willing to listen" he added.
Although a new Bar Manager has been temporarily appointed, Brasenose JCR awaits Chad's next move. Neither he nor the Bursar were available for comment.
17th May 2001