Beer Trucks will live on—at least for another year.
At Duke Student Government’s meeting Wednesday, President Mike Lefevre, Chief of Staff Andrew Schreiber and Student Organization Finance Committee Chair Max Tabachnik, all seniors, presented a model to recreate “Beer Trucks,” a commencement week event traditionally organized by the Duke Alumni Association. The DAA canceled Beer Trucks because of financial restrictions.
“Apart from allowing the Class of 2011 to come together for one last time, there is one reason to pass this,” Schreiber said. “If [Beer Trucks] does not happen this year, it will be gone forever.”
The Senate approved $19,500 with a vote of 45-2 to reinstate Beer Trucks with a few modifications.
When the DAA organized Beer Trucks, both undergraduates and graduate students were invited to the event, which was held in the Blue Zone underneath a large tent. Lefevre said the new event will occur in either the Blue Zone or the Bryan Center Plaza and will be geared toward undergraduates.
In order to devise a potential budget projection, Lefevre estimated that 3,500 students and guests will attend Beer Trucks. The DAA usually spent between $60,000 and $75,000 to hold the event, Lefevre said. The student-sponsored budget will provide beer, snacks, nonalcoholic beverages, utensils and security. DSG will not rent a $35,000 tent, which was a key component of the DAA’s Beer Trucks.
Lefevre said the event will largely be DSG’s responsibility because Senior Class Council had not anticipated paying for Beer Trucks. Duke University Union will likely contribute funds, though Lefevre added that the amount DUU plans to give has not yet been determined. In an interview after the meeting, Lefevre said he believes DUU will pay for a DJ.
Although the event caters to seniors, Lefevre, Schreiber and Tabachnik stressed that it has long-term consequences for all undergraduates.
A group of seniors attended the meeting in support of renewing Beer Trucks. Senior Becki Feinglos described the universal nature of Beer Trucks, emphasizing that it is a unique opportunity to unite the graduating class one more time before commencement ceremonies.
Senior Joe Catapano, an academics affairs senator, said making the event student-run this year will set a precedent.
“This may seem like a lot of money, but we have a lot of money,” Catapano said. “It is open to everyone. Tradition is held over and over again so you guys can experience this, too.”
Freshman Andrew Hanna, a Durham and regional affairs senator, questioned whether Beer Trucks was the sole catalyst for uniting seniors before graduation.
In response, Lefevre said this event will be an important mechanism to connect students on one of the last possible nights to do so.
“I don’t know what attracts people, but beer seems to do the trick,” he said.
The new Beer Trucks will tentatively occur May 14 from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., Lefevre said in an interview after the meeting.
In other business:
Vice President for Student Affairs Larry Moneta addressed the Senate to discuss new challenges for Duke. He named planning for the West Union Building renovations and the transition to the house model as some of the most important issues facing the University in the next few years.
In addition, the Senate unanimously approved three new student groups—Duke Social, Duke Brazilian Association and Duke Students for Gender Neutrality.
The Senate also considered budget cuts to the Duke student yearbook, The Chanticleer, but ultimately decided to allow the publication to retain its projected budget for next year.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.