Bring back Postcrypt

Because of a simple mistake, the student-run Postcrypt Coffeehouse has been unjustly banned from campus for a month. The eclectic folk music club had planned on holding its long-standing weekend concerts in the basement of St. Paul’s Chapel on the nights of Dec. 17 and 18 of last semester. It turns out, however, that Postcrypt unknowingly overbooked the room, and upon finding it locked, called Public Safety and opened the doors. As a result, the University Chaplain’s office has suspended the group until March 4, a date which, for many Columbia students, cannot come quickly enough.

This is not the first time Postcrypt has encountered troubles with the campus administration. Last year concerns were raised about underage drinking problems and worked out a plan to hire a security guard and discontinue beer sales. But this more recent situation is much less serious, and the punishment in no way fits the crime. As part of the Student Governing Board, Postcrypt should not be treated more harshly than any other student group that who might mistakenly book a room during finals. The chaplain maintains that this sort of disciplinary action is customary for violations of this nature, but we have never heard reports of measures this extreme being taken.

Postcrypt is truly one of the few aspects of campus that we can proudly call a Columbia tradition. The New York Times has praised our quirky gathering of artists and coffee drinkers several times. The fact that Jeff Buckley played there long ago also says something about its meaningful, historic contribution to the music world. Perhaps even more important for Postcrypt’s legacy as a campus group is that, for first-years and other students who are tired of the usual raucous EC party, the cool, casual vibe in the depths of the chapel provides a welcome retreat.

Even though Postcrypt will soon return to our campus, suspending it for a trivial violation means bad public relations for our school, something we don’t need in light of recent campus events. Furthermore, hosting Postcrypt is one huge opportunity to live up to our name—Columbia University in the City of New York. We reside in this city, and that draws students to venues like this and enables these cultural traditions to exist. It’s a chance for us to participate in the culture of New York even on our somewhat isolated campus. If we drive away this group, we sacrifice a part of what makes our location so ideal.