University of Virginia Library

Improvements Sought

Union Plans Rathskeller

By HOLLY SMITH

Newcomb Hall, that place
where no one wants to go but
usually at some time is forced
to go, will have some of its
austerity removed with the
addition of a Rathskeller, to be
completed by January, 1972.

Plans for renovating all of
Newcomb Hall have been ready
since last fall but did not gain
administration approval until this
summer. The University Union was
granted a sizable building fund to
begin converting the basement of
Newcomb Hall into an area that
will house a delicatessen, a coffee
bar, a "Magic Theater," a dance
floor, a sophisticated sound system,
and a movable stage, as well as the
pool tables that are presently
located there.

The Union plans included
renovation proposals for all four
floors of the building, however only
the basement plans were approved.
The financing will be raised by
increasing the student activities fee
from $7.50 to $10 per semester.

Kip Thompson, Union
Tri-Chairman, plans to have several
kinds of beer and, as he describes it,
"good" coffee served in the
Rathskeller, which he hopes will be
able to stay open 24 hours a day.
Movable partitions between the
pillars in the basement will enable
groups to construct their own
rooms to carry out their individual
activities.

Highlighting the Union speakers
program, author Tom Wolfe will
present an "illustrated talk" on
Sept. 29. Kurt Vonnegut has
accepted an invitation to speak here
in December. The San Francisco
Mime Troupe will also be at the
University this semester.

Further changes over the
summer include the addition of two
new committees to the Union
structure: The Black Students'
Committee and the Dormitory
Social Committee. The Black
Students' Committee is for the
most part an advisory committee
formed "to include students who
were away from Charlottesville
during the summer."

During Orientation Week the
University Union will sponsor an 8
p.m. Movie Party on Wednesday,
Sept. 15 in the area between Lile
and Maupin. On Saturday, Sept. 18,
it will cohost a picnic in the Dell at
4 p.m.