Community Council update

Author: Hilary Hall

On April 7, the Community Council discussed 51 Main, which - while boasting stronger profits - is still far from reaching the point where it is a viable auxiliary operation for the College in difficult economic times. The stalled Community Principles program was also discussed.

Barbara Doyle-Wilch maintained that 51 Main continues to make economic progress; profits have grown significantly and the performance space is booked through the summer. It is still, however, well shy of the earnings that it would need to break even. And the gift that currently supports 51 Main will eventually run out, so its eventual sustainability is important.

"But most campus establishments, like the Grille, operate at a deficit," reminded Doyle-Wilch, and added that she believes 51 Main has met its goal of merging a social community for the town with that of the College, as 50 percent of its customer base is non-student.

51 Main also has recently begun an advertising campaign to draw more customers and features a monthly blues concert.

Molly Dwyer '10 suggested that 51 Main serve culinary options not offered around the town of Middlebury, such as sushi and healthy snacks like hummus, and also brought up the idea of late-night snacks for the many students who go to the bar at Two Brothers on Thursday nights. Other Council members agreed that these ideas could bring in more revenue.

Doyle-Wilch concluded by encouraging anyone with more suggestions for the betterment of 51 Main to e-mail her.

The Council heard from members Raymond Queliz '11 and Tahirah Foy '10, who had met with the Faculty Council to, once again, try to make progress with Community Principles.

The Faculty Council remains unwilling to approve Community Principles, saying that they have deemed it unnecessary to sign anything else.

"We shouldn't wait anymore for the faculty," said Acting Dean of the College Gus Jordan.

"We just have to start it," agreed SGA President Hiba Fakhoury '09.