[PLUG] PLUG HAS A VENUE PROBLEM

[Michael Dexter]

Hello all,

Thank you everyone who pointed out a few odd elements about the last 
meeting, none of which were the fact that I was not there.

1. The room change was temporary. Whew!

2. Thanks to the homeless abusing PSU resources, the engineering 
building will be locking its doors at 5:30PM starting next month.

This is sounds minor but the "answer" is to have someone at the door who 
can identify PLUG attendees (not necessarily easy) and not allow in 
anyone who should not enter (also not easy). This door guard would also 
ideally hang around for 15 or so minutes to accommodate late arrivals.

I personally do not want PLUG members to be in the campus security 
business given that it could incur liability should they fail to comply 
with the school's security policies they are expected to enforce.

PLUG has been at PSU for over 20 years and venues of this quality do not 
come easily.

Please share your ideas on how we can work around this new restriction!

Please also share your ideas on venues should a solution not present 
itself. The ideal venue, like PSU:

* Is central with good public transportation access
* Is free of charge
* Is not dependent on a staff attendant unless they are guaranteed to be 
there for other reasons
* Has good lighting
* Has a good projector
* Has affordable, safe parking for those who cannot take public 
transportation
* Has good WiFI and optional Ethernet Internet access
* Has good food options on site or nearby

Free Geek is a highly-sympathetic venue but does not meet all of these 
criteria.

I will take a look at Calagator to see what other venues are popular.

Hopefully this issue will resolve itself quickly.

All the best,

Michael Dexter
PLUG Volunteer