Hey guys!

In my years here at Drew I've come to discover a piece of history that was a hallmark of alternative culture for the university in the late 80s onward-- The Other End. This space, which lives in the basement of Sitterly, served as a Greenwich-style jazz cafe for students, run by students. It was open on the weekends and created a space for live music, community engagement, and a fostering of the arts overall. Eventually the space was closed down to the public, and the cultural and community influence it provided was subjected to remain hidden in the archives.

But, here's the thing. It's still there, and in relatively great shape. There has been pushback from the university in regards to a small group of us attempting to bring it back to life in its historical space, despite our assurances that the project will be of no burden to administration. Though the recent land sale included the space, and we acknowledge that the historical location is on a timeline, we consider this all the more reason to take advantage of it while we have the chance. The space would provide student volunteer opportunities in order to clean it up, but overall the space is ready to be used. It has a stage, working lights and water, a sound system, and accessibility features. Since the space could be used in a rather short amount of time, this would allow us to begin cementing it as a crucial contemporary Drew space-- meaning when the land sale does happen, there is already a rich foundation set in stone. 

So, if you're interested in a night life at Drew that is something other than sticky suite floors, and is accessible to students over and under 21, please consider signing our petition. The space historically was home to a multitude of groups and activities, from artists to thespians, to students who simply wanted a place to go to study and socialize. We hope to bring this piece of history back to life, both for the appreciation of it's legacy, and for the betterment of our social life here on campus. As well, with the budget cuts causing an unexpected blow to the campus community, we hope this space will provide a heartening and collaborative safe space for all. Since it’s a low-budget project, and based on community participation, we hope it can serve that role in the hearts of all of you!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at ecookson@drew.edu. You can also reach out to clomanno@drew.edu, or both of us! This is something that I've been passionate about for quite some time, and I hope it sparks some interest in you all as well. As the land sale is imminent, the sooner we get permission to move forward, the better! 

We hope to see you at The Other End soon. 

With love,

Emily Cookson and Cecilia Lomanno