Dennis Black, UB's vice president for student affairs, praised the university's new president, John B. Simpson, as he addressed a meeting of the Student Association Assembly Tuesday night in the Student Union.
Black also expressed hope for Simpson's support of the Lee Road project, disclosed the results of a recent evaluation of the university and reminisced about drinking at UB's on-campus bars 30 years ago.
Black said he has met Simpson and is anxious to start working with him on everything from expansion to snow management when he takes office in January.
"One of the first things we're going to have to teach Dr. Simpson is how to cancel school because of snow," said Black with a smile.
Black said he has been impressed with the new president so far.
"Everyone who comes in contact with him will find him helpful, accessible and will enjoy working with him," said Black.
Black said he hopes Simpson will support the Lee Road project, which calls for an urban-style neighborhood to be built between the Student Union and the Ellicott Complex filled with shops, restaurants and apartments.
"I'd love to be breaking ground on that project by September next year," said Black.
Black also said housing projects are in the works to combat what, according to Black, will be a messy housing situation next year, with students in hotel rooms because there is no room on campus.
During the question and answer period, Black fielded a few questions about the sale of alcohol on campus.
"There is alcohol for sale on campus in limited quantities," said Black referring to Campus Pizza in the Commons. "We haven't said no to anything. It will develop as it develops."
Black said he remembered his days as a UB student 30 years ago when beer and wine were served at his freshman orientation, due to the lower drinking age.
"I graduated from a UB with two bars in the residence halls," said Black. "Wilkeson was quite a place many years ago."
According to Black, it is possible that Wilkeson Coffee House may one day transform back to Wilkeson Pub, or other bars may pop up on campus, but for now it is unlikely.
"Could it happen? Sure. The campus is looking for a full-service main street environment and that could be part of it," said Black.
Students at the meeting were vocal about their support for wider distribution of alcohol on campus.
"It just makes sense," said Ciccarelli. "There's a lot of money to be made that the college could take advantage of."
Anthony D'Auria, an undecided sophomore, also thinks that making alcohol more widespread on campus would increase the quality of life for students on campus.
"If they had beer at football games I'd probably go to some," said D'Auria. "It's just nice to have a beer sometimes."
Speaking on UB football, Black said that despite its poor showing on the field, it is important to keep things in perspective. He said the football team is another reason to take pride in UB.
"We are only one of 117 universities competing at the (Division) I-A level in the country," said Black. "We are a top institution and we're going to compete at the top level."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
