The official opening of Milk & Honey, the new on-campus staff and grad club, was held last month, with all staff and post-graduate students invited.
The brainchild of San Francisco Bathhouse owner Tim Ward, the new bar and restaurant sits opposite vicbooks underneath the Rankine Brown Library, and is restricted to staff and post-graduate students. It replaces the previous staff club, Premise, which was found on the third floor of the library.
At the opening event, Victoria University Vice-Chancellor Pat Walsh spoke about the history of the staff club, his own memories of Premise, and his hopes that Milk and Honey would play just as important a role in the lives of academics, staff and post-graduates in the future.
President of the Staff Club and Management Information Analyst Kevin Duggan also spoke, praising the finished result of the bar.
Students have raised concerns about the opening of Milk & Honey.
Several undergraduate students have expressed annoyance that a new bar, to which they are denied access, has been established in such a central part of campus.
“It’s pretty lame, being an undergrad and knowing straight away that you’re already kept out… I hope it doesn’t recieve any support from VUWSA or anything that my money goes to,” wrote Ben Deeble on Facebook.
Fellow undergrad Richard Gordon agreed that it was unfair.
“It’s not like we have an undergrad-only bar or bookstore. Why should there be a cafe discriminating on what level university student you are? Seems a bit stink.”
Post-graduates are equally concerned about the location, worrying that, since it is in such a central part of campus, it will be impossible to keep undergraduates out.
“I’ve been in there a few times and haven’t seen too many obvious undergraduates in there, but I think, especially with the lame little sign, now that they know it exists it’s going to get harder to keep it just for us,” said an Honours student.
Campus Services Director Jenny Bentley points out that a staff club is not a new concept.
“There has been a staff cafe and bar on Kelburn campus since 1965… There is a wide range of food options on campus for students and the Hunter Lounge offers a fantastic bar and music venue.”
Milk & Honey is currently open from 7am for breakfast and lunch, while an evening meal is on offer from Wednesday to Friday. In the near future, Milk & Honey hopes to open on the weekend for brunch and to be available as a function venue.
Louis’, a fast-food kiosk and convenience store next door to Milk & Honey, will be opening its doors soon and will be available to all students and staff.