Pluck You!

By Fritz Schneider

Columbia University is not traditionally known for its administrative amiability or warmth. Indeed, New York City as a whole seems to assume a demeanor similar to its cold gray buildings and bleak winter sky. In saying this, I do not mean to indict our school or city on a count of Unfriendly Conduct; I merely wish to draw attention to the passing of one of the friendliest spots in our little corner of the world.

Except for the lunch ladies in FBH, Mark and Brian (the co-owners of The Pluck) were two of the greatest people on campus. They have been friends since elementary school, graduated college together, and finally decided to go into business two years ago. According to Brian, they had the perfect job -- they made a living doing what they loved around people whose company they enjoyed. Now that the FBH is gone, they're not sure what the future will bring. Although the ESC is looking into finding the Pluck a new roost, Mark and Brian are assuming the worst and selling off their assets. You'd think that with all the property Columbia owns, it wouldn't be too hard to find space for a favorite restaurant but I guess not. Perhaps this is just a part of Columbia's ongoing war on fun. From the days when orientation was sponsored by Budweiser (no myth!) this school has dealt tremendous blows to drinking on campus. No kegs, no drinking on the steps, no Furnald Pub, no bar in the Lodge, proctored parties, and with the demise of FBH, no single place to unwind or hang out.

Before I start to rant and rave, let me just state that like Mark and Brian, I am not bitter about the situation, merely disappointed. I had a chance to sit down and talk to them on the last day of the Pluck and their sentiments were basically as follows: Columbia must not really care about what its students want because with the support we've gotten, you'd think administration would be begging to help us out. But administration probably hasn't even set foot in the restaurant let alone asked the student body its opinion on the matter.

Agonizing about the past doesn't do much good, so I'll end my lamentations. The Pluck will not be forgotten; the autographed table-top, poster, and Bud Light tap that I was awarded for continuous patronage will always make me laugh. I think Mark and Brian will remember us, too. When I asked them that last night for a final token thought about their Columbia experience, they merely smiled and handed me yet another pitcher.

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