University of Tampa - Moroccan Yearbook (Tampa, FL)

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s T U D E N T L I F E 1988 MOROCCAN | STUDENT LIFE 19|

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118 STUDENT LIFE

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Last spring the Rathskeller was plagued with problems ranging from thirteen violations of the County Health Ordinance to lack of compli- ance with the drinking age. The Rat was reopened this fall with a new owner, a new alcohol proce- dure. new cleaning methods, and new equipment in an effort to alliviatc last years problems and to provide, as Jeff Klepfer, Dean of Students explained, “an opportunity for faculty, staff, and students to come together.” The Rat was operated by Papa Louis Pizza last year, and because problems that arose could not be re- solved through them, this year the university chose to run the Rat itself and hired former UT police sergeant. A1 Piotrowski, to manage it. Piotrows- ki was described as “firm but fair” by Harold Schmclzcr. Director of Admin- istrative Services, and full of tremendous enthusiasm and effort.” by Klepfer. Although the Rat continued to serve alcholic beverages to people of legal age with proper identification, the alcohol was not permitted to leave the bar area, which was separated by a latticework wall. A bouncer stood be- tween the dining area and the bar to check ID’s, and verified them against a computer printout of the dates of birth of all students. The bouncers were no longer student employees so there would be no peer pressure, said Schmelzer. and anyone with a phony ID was sent to UT's Judical Baord. We have to get across how im- portant it is. It’s not another sanction that we won’t enforce,” said Klepfer. Last summer Piotrowski led a crew that scrubbed, disinfected, and painted for three weeks • with the re- sult that not a single health violation was found in the subsequent inspec- tion. During the year, a custodian cleaned the Rat daily from 9 am to 5 pm. five days a week. Along with increased health stan- dards. the Rat also received new equipment behind the bar. new Pepsi dispensers, quality meat and produce, free popcorn, and a new menu with more variety and lower prices as part of its renovation. The Rat was given a $100,000 budget from the university and its only motive through the year was to break even, not gain a profit. Part of the money was also used to provide live entertainment and in conjunction with Student Government, resulted in DJ's at the Rat on Tuesday and Fri- day nights as regular events, as well as other special ones.