U University News Thursday, September 20, 2012
the
Vol. XCIV No. 4
unewsonline.com
A student voice of SLU since 1919
The Shack offers new cuisine in familar spot By WOLF HOWARD Associate News Editor
Anyone looking for a fresh Midtown hangout need go no further than The Shack Pubgrub, the newest pub and grill in the Saint Louis University area. The Shack is the fourth restaurant of co-owners Brant Baldanza and Justin Haifley, and is located at 3818 Laclede Ave., the former home of Pierre Laclede’s Pub and Eatery. The new establishment’s main focus is their food, according to Joe Tomasi, one of The Shack’s managers. “There’s a lot of a pub and
grills around that [have] all their fries and their appetizers...frozen and dropped in a fryer,” said Tomasi. “We kind of wanted to do something different than that.” The aim was to “do more stuff in house,” said Tomasi. “We grind our own burger meat, cut our own fries. We don’t even really have a freezer.” The Shack has a unique menu with items like the “Green Eggs N Ham,” which is boardwalk fries covered with fried egg, diced ham, creamed spinach and green onion; or the “Cool Ranch,” which is chicken tacos made with cool ranch Doritos.
The varied menu is the result of a collaboration between Haifley and the chef at Corner Pub, one of the owners’ other restaurants. Their selection is meant to take the usual pub food and give it what the restaurant likes to call a “chef-driven twist.” Focuses of the menu include wedges, boardwalk fries, smash burgers and the Shack-Which—the customer has a choice of meat to put in a sandwich filled with fries, coleslaw, tomato and provolone. Most meals are available for $7 or less. That’s not to take away from the rather extensive drink menu. Many beers
are available on tap, including favorite local breweries such as Schlafly, Shock Top and Budweiser. There is also a house margarita, mixed drinks, glass wine and nightly specials available every week night. Of particular interest to the football crowd might be the “Sunday Fun-day,” offering every NFL game available and $15 buckets of the Budweiser canon. The concept of The Shack began around October of last year, when Baldanza and Haifley visited Chicago and were inspired See “Shack” on Page 3
By ANNALISE WILCOX Staff Writer
The six courts of SLU basketball Chaifetz Arena 2008-Present
INSIDE:
NEWS
>> Cousins ministers SLU
West Pine Gym 1926-45
By KRISTEN MIANO News Editor
A draft of the Faculty Evaluation Policy, which caused some concern among the faculty and the Faculty Senate, was withdrawn on Monday, Sept. 17. The decision to withdraw the proposed policies occurred after a meeting on Friday, Sept. 14 during which the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate, the Academic Deans, the Vice Presidents and Lawrence Biondi S.J., the president of Saint Louis University, discussed the aspects of the policy which were perceived to be problematic for the faculty. “The meeting was held in the spirit of shared governance, and there was an open and frank discussion that included Vice President for Academic Affairs Patankar’s suggestion that
Kiel Auditorium
2 OPINION
>> Crisis in indentity?
An improved facility to the campus of Saint Louis University was completed just in time for the start of the Fall 2012 semester, as the athletic field on the corner of Vandeventer Avenue and Laclede Street was revamped with brand new synthetic turf. This field is now available full-time for intramural and club teams, as well as open recreational hours for all students every day. “I had heard years of concern with the field. As an intramural player, it was obvious to me how this could increase usage, prevent injuries, and bring people together in a fun and recreational way,” said Matt Ryan, former president of the Student Government Association. When it became apparent to the SLU administration that the condition of the field was causing injuries to students, they responded to the feedback from SGA and the students and agreed to
work with them to help find a better solution. Ryan worked diligently with Kent Porterfield, Vice President of Student Development, President Lawrence Biondi S.J., the Simon Recreation Center staff and the Facilities Department to get the project approved and underway as quickly as possible. When current SGA president, Blake Exline, took over, he continued to meet with Porterfield throughout the summer to ensure the field would be ready for use by the beginning of the 20122013 academic year. Both club sports and the intramural program have benefited greatly from this remodel. “The Intramural program is thrilled with the new turf field, and we feel it is going to improve our program for students,” Sam Kellner, director of intramurals, said. “In the past, games had to be cancelled due to weather and field conditions. With See “Field” on Page 3
University rescinds tenure-review plan
1945-68, ‘73-78, ‘82-91
See “Arena” on Page 3
1st Regiment Armory 1920-25
Photos Courtesy of: John Waide/ University Archivist
In the March 24, 1926, issue of Varsity Breeze, this newspaper’s forbearer, a headline announced that work was beginning on a new superstructure on campus and reminded students to turn in their mandatory $10 donation to Fr. Theo. Schulte, who was charged with directing the fundraising campaign. Students had been clamoring for Saint Louis University to have a place on campus for its varsity basketball team to call home. The 2,200 seat building opened at the start of the 1926-27 school year; the renowned U.S. Navy Band attended the dedication. Fast forward 82 years. SLU is celebrating the dedication of their state-of-art, $81 million arena. The new home of the Billikens holds 10,600 fans, hosts concerts and graduations, and gave SLU a home 63 years after vacating their beloved University Auditorium. With Chaifetz Arena, the Bills again have a court to call their own. The host of courts begins in 1920 at the 1st Regiment Armory. While the program officially began in 1915, University records do not indicate where the basketball team played prior to the 1920 season. Billiken history tends to designate the Armory as 138th Infantry Armory located adjacent to the main campus. This is probably due to the building’s history of hosting sporting events following its shuttering. However, that building wasn’t opened until 1939, according to the Missouri Historical Society. More likely, SLU held its competitions at the Battery A Field Artillery building, previously located at 1221 South Grand, in a location occupied by a SLUCare health facility today. But this house was not a home. SLU students wanted an on-campus gymnasium and the basketball team needed a court, so the university agreed to build the University Gymnasium, now known as West Pine Gym. The building opened for use during the 1926-27 season. West Pine Gym served the purpose of hosting SLU basketball, intramural games and community high
The Shack, a new pub and grill on Laclede Ave., held their grand opening on Sept. 7.
Vandeventer field goes green, permanently
HOME SWEET HOME: By DERRICK NEUNER Enterprise Editor
John Schler/ Photo Editor
4 ARTS
9 SPORTS
the four draft policy proposals could be withdrawn,” the joint committee stated in a letter released to the faculty, “The assembled leadership voted in support of his suggestion. The four draft proposals have been withdrawn.” The letter also stated that the committee reaffirmed its support of the leadership for tenure and of the commitment to continue to improve SLU through collaborative faculty development. The committee met after a letter sent to Patankar by the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate deemed the policy in its draft form to be “irremediably flawed.” The Executive Committee requested that the policies be withdrawn from consideration. See “Policy” on Page 3
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>> Hot air in Forest Park >> Cross country runs strong