Dear Editor,

Price Center opens its new expansion later this year to much
fanfare from students, faculty and staff. While there are points of contention
that are worthy of coverage (cost, design, potential vendors), the opinion
article on Dec. 6 titled, “Despite Lofty Ambitions, Upcoming Campus Nightclub
Misses Mark” did not add much value to the discussion. The writer details
several negative points including size of venue and style choice without
providing any alternatives.

How can one create an intimate venue and accommodate a
university with over 25,000 students, staff and faculty? Existing venues such
as RIMAC Arena handle large events and its size does not automatically suggest
that community building is taking place. Students could experience more social
bonding watching soccer games on TV in their International House apartments
than attending a sporting event at RIMAC. Therefore, planning events that
attract students, faculty and staff to the Loft is of much more importance than
room size.

The writer also talks about how the Loft will be a chic
place that will be overly artistic and mature for the UCSD audience. Not having
seen the final product, I cannot comment on the planner’s choices. However,
trying to find a style to appease the masses is easier said than done.

The author mentions doing a comprehensive survey to measure
students’ tastes. Unfortunately, tastes and likes are fickle, but in having a
venue in place, you can make changes as time goes by. In regards to maturity,
this venue will be serving alcohol so a substantial portion of the clientele
will be adults. Lastly, what is so bad about a more sophisticated environment?
It does not seem to be hurting local downtown businesses such as Stingaree,
Side Bar and Altitude.

Finally, the article does not mention any alternatives to
what is being built. He talks about modeling the Loft after other popular
venues. Which ones? PB Bar and Grill? Canes? On Broadway? The suggestions
above? All of these are fine places, but would they appeal to a more diverse
student population than what is currently being built? Hard to say.

I did not write this letter to slam the author. After all,
it is an opinion piece. Nevertheless, it is important to give the Loft a
chance. Some of its ideas will succeed and some will fail. In the end, the UCSD
community should take advantage of all the new amenities at the new and
improved Price Center.

— Greg Mallinger

Events/Programs Coordinator

Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies