The rumors are true. Spam Jam kegs are back.
Bill McBain ’07, who is the photography editor of The Mirror, has taken on the responsibility of obtaining and signing the temporary liquor license for this year’s annual Spam Jam.
“I love Fairfield and it makes me sad to see so many of the social traditions students look forward to disappear. I was disappointed to see that no one wanted to take the responsibility or initiative of obtaining a temporary liquor permit,” he said.
Monday night, April 24, RASOR/UNITE members invited McBain to a meeting and asked him to join RASOR/UNITE and bring his plans of returning the tradition of having alcohol at Spam Jam.
“After I had completed the paperwork for the temporary liquor permit, I met with RASOR/UNITE to see how my vision of having kegs at Spam Jam fit into the months of work they’ve been doing,” said McBain.
According to Michael Dominello ’06, president of RASOR/UNITE, the policy starting this year is to put the responsibility of student run events into the hands of the students and as part of that policy, that involves a non-university staff member acting as a permittee of this event.
Dominello said that he was not informed of the policy change even after a meeting with Tom Pellegrino. He said that it was not until members of RASOR/UNITE were going to get the permit that they were informed of the policy change.
All RASOR/UNITE members agreed that they did not want to take on the responsibility of signing the temporary liquor license.
“I was informed of the level of risk and that level of risk was not something that I was willing to take as an undergraduate student,” said Dominello.
McBain said his responsibilities include alcohol distribution and monitoring for irresponsible behavior.
“It is for this reason I ask everyone to follow the rules that are laid down,” he said.
Some RASOR/UNITE members said that the event would have still been a success.
“It would have been a great event without alcohol,” said Maryellen Fitzpatrick ’06.
Mike Dominello, however, said that he would have liked to have alcohol at the event. But said, “I decided I was not going to commit as an individual.”
RASOR/UNITE students said they appreciate McBain’s efforts.
“We’re all very grateful to Bill. All of us wanted to do what Bill is doing now, but none of us were willing to accept the responsibility,” said Dominello.
Approximately 700 dollars has been donated by students living in the townhouses and apartments, according to McBain. They plan to raise 1500 dollars to provide the alcohol for the event.
“I really just hope that someone steps up next year and will do this so that I can enjoy Spam Jam as a senior,” said McBain.
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