With the Queen’s Pub (QP) set to reopen this fall in the revitalized JDUC, the AMS is increasing the total number of permanent staff from 12 to 15.
Jordan East s the AMS as the new QP Restaurant Manager, bringing experience from his previous role as Manager of Guest Experience at Montana’s BBQ & Bar in Kingston. Rick Doucett is coming on as QP’s Head Chef, previously serving as the Executive Chef at All Seniors Care Living Centres. Both started their positions on June 3.
READ MORE: Number of permanent staff employed by the AMS climbing
East and Doucett will work alongside QP Head Manager Samantha Barton, ConEd ’26, who steps into the role on Aug. 1. Barton will oversee a team of approximately 80 student staff.
Despite inquiries from The Journal regarding who will have the final say in operations and who is fully in charge of the QP under the new management model, the AMS declined to comment.
Additionally, it remains unclear whether the cost of the two permanent staff will come out of the QP’s budget or if they will be paid from the AMS central budget. Student input remains central to organizational decision-making, AMS executives team OAR emphasized.
“Their [permanent staff’s] role is to provide mentorship, guidance, and develop standard practices, to students who are getting hands-on experience working in either offices, commissions, or services,” OAR said in a statement to The Journal.
The QP’s reopening marks a significant shift as it becomes the only AMS service to have fully dedicated permanent staff , departing from the AMS’s traditional model of entirely student-run operations.
READ MORE: The Queen’s Pub coming back revitalized
Prior to COVID-19, The AMS Pub Services (TAPS)—consisting of The Underground nightclub and the QP—was entirely student run with one student Head Manager. Other AMS services such as Common Ground Coffeehouse and Tricolour Outlet are entirely student-run with permanent staff serving as .
“Permanent Staff have the work experience and professional qualifications to develop and maintain the financial and operating systems infrastructure the AMS requires to execute upon its [SIC] Mission and corporate and statutory responsibilities,” OAR said.
Funding for the permanent staff’s salaries is derived from undergraduate students’ $65 mandatory AMS hip fee in addition to revenue generated by AMS corporate services. All permanent staff positions are approved by the AMS Board of Directors, compromised of the AMS executive, student, and non-student directors.
The AMS didn’t respond to The Journal’s request to disclose any information with respect to permanent staff ’ salaries.
“Students will always remain at the heart and forefront of all decisions made in the organization,” OAR said.
The QP, a longstanding social hub for students, faculty, and community closed in 2020 due to COVID-19. It’s reopening promises exciting changes. The Queen’s community can expect an expansive outdoor patio capable of seating up to 110 patrons, complemented by a state-of-the-art kitchen outfitted with professional-grade appliances.
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