The Student Assembly revealed a plan to turn the former Hovey Grill space in the basement of Thayer Dining Hall into a bar and nightclub at last night's Assembly meeting.
Brian Salazar '99 presented the plan -- which includes two lounges, a bar and frosted glass covering the Grill's controversial murals -- using a multimedia presentation including an animated movie simulating a tour of the space.
The presentation included an idea board of pictures to portray the incorporation of the lighting, materials and the murals, Salazar said.
The multifunctional space would be created with a new atmosphere in mind, Salazar said.
"[The result will be] something urbane, which we don't have around here. Using metal and glass in certain ways with lighting gets the space to look more modern and hip ... not like you're in the basement of Thayer," he said.
The next presentation will be in front of representatives of the administration, Dartmouth Dining Services, the Hood Museum and the College Architect.
"This is something that [Dean of Student Life] Holly Sateia has advocated for a long time and [pertains] to principle number two working group. If we are to believe the Trustees social and residential plan, they will follow through with our advice and implement it," Tom Leatherbee '01 said.
Once the plan is granted approval, Salazar will work with a hired architect to turn the project into a reality. The projected deadline is to open the space by next fall.
"We're still developing and getting more ideas. We hope to have some material samples and get [administration] feedback and answer questions," Salazar said.
One obstacle is the location of the Student Employment Office, currently located in the basement of Thayer, which would have to move in order to make room for the bar and nightclub.
The Social Space Task Force, chaired by Leatherbee, was charged with converting the space. Leatherbee appointed Salazar to be the head designer given the latter's experience in architecture.
"It's a great opportunity for me to get hands on experience with a project that will happen," Salazar said.
The Hovey Grill's walls are covered with controversial paintings that depict the College's founder, Eleazar Wheelock, with intoxicated, naked Native Americans. They illustrate the song lyrics to "Eleazar Wheelock," composed by Richard Hovey of the Class of 1885 that mention "500 gallons of New England rum."
The walls have been covered with removable panels since 1983, and the Grill has remained vacant since 1994, when the Lone Pine Tavern was built to serve a similar function in a different location.
In recent years, several unsuccessful proposals have attempted to convert the large centrally located space.
In other affairs, the Assembly overwhelmingly passed a resolution for increased student control and usage of the Collis Student Center, calling for relocating administrative offices as well as granting students space allocation power.
It's unfortunate "that the third floor is closed all night [when it] can be used for social programming. I'm not saying we should toss everyone out on the street, but those offices need more space anyway and students should be deciding what offices are on a floor," resolution sponsor Leatherbee said.
Two nominations to the Executive Council were confirmed, including Dean Krishna '01 as the new Administration and Faculty Relations Chair and Sabeen Hassanali '02, who fills Krishna's former position as Student Organizations Chair.
