Conveniently leaves out projected costs of the project and no student consultation.
Following an article on November 20th, 2021, with pictures of The Breezeway student bar in bare-bones condition and questioning why it has been closed for months, on November 22nd, 2021, the student union finally released information on the situation.
They posted a letter to the membership of the student union on their Facebook page. They state that “We have some very exciting and long-awaited news for you!” implying that it had to be kept secret until a point that they could surprise the student body. They state that the bar has been closed for almost two years.
According to the letter, the team at MUNSU has been working for months to implement a vision of the space. Starting in Winter 2021, the student union entered the process of renovating The Breezeway. Referring to renovations to The Breezeway by former MUNSU members, they state, “we will be doing way more than rearranging the furniture or throwing on some new paint.”
The student union contracted the design firm, Carvell & Helm, for the project with the goal “to brighten the space, modernize it, make it more welcoming and accessible, and, best of all, they have designed a space for your favorite pop-up vendors to serve food as well as a small coffee shop where you’ll be able to get fairly traded, ethical coffee here on campus.” The student union’s auditors and financial advisors recommended the union start development during the pandemic.
There will be a new mixer room available for clubs are societies to book out and new comfy seating for students who cannot find a place to study or meet with their group for a course project.
The construction phase of the project is expected to run until the end of the Winter Semester. Additionally, the student union planned to finish the renovations and reopen the bar to coincide with the September 2021 semester. However, there were many construction delays.
The student union conveniently left out the project’s projected costs, and consultation with the broader student body was at no point a part of their plan. A request has been submitted to the student union for the financial information of the project.
See MUNSU Breezeway update document below:
Matt Barter is a fourth-year student in the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.
Matt Barter 