Bucking the Bronco

By Nicole Resz

Attendance at The Bronco has dwindled to almost nothing since its mid-year grand opening. How an on-campus bar could be suffering so badly has caused many to speculate the reasons for its disappointing turnouts.

Students say that The Bronco is a total failure. Since nobody else goes, neither do they. On the other hand, some administrators, who are responsible for bringing The Bronco to life say that their goals for the newest on-campus venue have been realized: giving students a place to socialize and SC bands a stage to play on.

Ask most students what they think is wrong with The Bronco and the answer is chronically the same: nobody goes, there's no hard liquor, and it feels like a junior high rec. center. Ask Matt Cameron, the director of Benson Memorial Center and an overseer of The Bronco, his opinion, and he'll give you quite a different answer.

In his mind, the goal of The Bronco was to provide students with a place to come together on campus, and that goal has been met.

"The point of the space is not a bar," said Cameron. "It's a place to meet and socialize. And in that respect it's been an overwhelming success."

Former Asscoiated Students President, David Thompson ('01) was largely responsible for developing the concept of The Bronco and says that his original vision for The Bronco was to create a space for all students to hangout.

"I wanted to have a House of Blues like feel where students could relax somewhere low key," Thompson said.

But most students have apparently misinterpreted The Bronco as an on-campus bar and are extremely dissatisfied with the venue.

"Something's not working," said junior Chelsea McFadden. "Its like Chuck-E-Cheese for college students, minus the plastic balls and games."

What McFadden is referring to is the recreation center-like atmosphere of The Bronco, which many say is one of most noticeable flaws. Non-student staffers geared with walky-talkies pace the floor, making some students feel they are under supervision.

"It feels like I'm at a chaperoned event," said junior Jess Green. "So we just go other places and do other things."

Still others say that it's the lack of hard alcohol that wards off students. The Bronco features a slim selection of alcoholic beverages, all of which fall within the constraints of SC's beer and wine liquor license. Currently five types of beer are served, along with a small wine menu and a variety of Island Oasis smoothies.

"There's just not enough of an alcohol selection," said junior Chris Morrill. "Why go to the Bronco when I can go to a real bar?"

Though Cameron explains that there is neither the resources nor the inclination to obtain a hard liquor license, he reiterates the fact that the concept behind The Bronco is communal gathering, not intoxicated socializing.

"The point is not to come the Bronco and get drunk. There are other outlets to do that," said Cameron.

Students such as junior Kate Grantham are among those perplexed by the Bronco's intent.

"If it wasn't intended to be a bar, then why didn't they just start serving beer and wine in the library?," said Grantham. "You'd basically get the same effect."

Cameron recognizes the concerns of students but insists that the Bronco has been successful in many ways.

"It's an outlet for students and garage bands," he said. "There have been events in the Bronco that Santa Clara hasn't seen in a long time, if ever."

Student musician Brian Smith of the local band Nigeltown, says he and his band are grateful for the opportunity to play on campus.

"We definitely appreciate the attempt to allow local musicians a chance to play here. The sound isn't that great, but we're really grateful," said Smith.

In addition to small scale concerts, the Bronco has been host to SC's first drag show, a Real World meet and greet, NBC's Must See TV nights and other forms of entertainment.

Currently there are plans to do some renovations on The Bronco this summer in order to address students concerns. Changes include bettering the acoustics for bands and potentially allowing dining points to be used for food.

"We want this to be a place that people want to come to," said Thompson. "Nobody's going to be happy until the students are happy."