To Keep Steve's "Hello My Friend Cafe"

I have mixed feelings about this petition. On the one hand, coffee is great. On the other hand, sexual harassment is bad. Could a condition of the renewal be that Steve commit to mending his ways?

If thousands of peoples lives being bettered by one person isn't enough of a reason to keep them around, I'm at a loss for words. Somebody somewhere needs to break out of the bureaucracy and do what is right...

Steve is so pers

Steve was extremely friendly and gave off an extremely warm and welcoming vibe during the admitted students day that made me want to attend U of A for law school in the coming September. Hearing that they are considering not renewing his lease is really disappointing. And while I can't say I won't attend because of this, it certainly gives pause. I sincerely hope Steve will be a part of my law school experience.

Steve is a wonderful man. The service he provides goes over and above anything a big chain could ever do. He sets up a coffee container for overnight if any student needs some during exams, which they pay for using the honour system. The fact that he believes in the honour system is wonderful. He'll come in on Saturdays, Sundays during exam so those students can get caffeinated. Extraordinary service. Not tu turn a profit, but because he's a gentleman and nice character.

Steve is a good guy. He is great to chat with. He is always in a good mood. He trusts people. There is a nice relaxed vibe in that space right now. Law school can be a frenzied, stressful experience. "Hello My Friends Cafe" is exactly as its name implies and with Steve running it, It is exactly what is needed in the law school.

Steve McDiarmid's "Hello My Freiend, Cafe" has not only provided a much needed service to those who take advantage of it, but it has provided a great humanitarian niche for countless students, faculty and staff in the law and fine arts buildings. Rather than limiting his days of service to this multitude of clientele, the university services should be sending young entrepreneurs to work as assistants to Steve, and learn what real service and humanitarianism is all about. He is an extremely rare resource in these days of "let's move unthinkingly fast and see if we can make more money" not paying any attention to the actual good Steve does in his humble Cafe. The intent, then, of the university building and/or resources management, is clearly to serve their own purpose with little or no regard for the true nature of honest and exceptional service provided by this extraordinary human being, one from which we could all learn so much. There is certainly time to turn this very self-serving decision around and restore this position to its rightful servant, Steveand his "Hello My Friend Cafe"!

As the former Director of Academic and Cultural Support at the Faculty, I can assure you that Steve's place was one of the bright spots for students when the stress was on!!!!!

Steve is a solace to all the law students. Please don't make him go. Please move him to another part of the law school if you really need to repurpose his current space.

please do not close this cafe. Steve and his cafe are irreplaceable parts of the law school community. Hello my friend cafe is one of the few things that make the university of alberta unique and he should not be replaced

The lack of transparency surrounding this decision is chilling. How is "repurposed" defined by administrators, exactly? What specific, open consultations with the campus community were held prior to this decision about repurposing space? If administrators are truly accountable to their campus community, as is so often stated publicly, now is the correct time to act openly and with some integrity by repealing this hasty, secretive decision.

Please please please don't shut this coffe shop

there seems to be no reason to discontinue this lease.

i knew Steve from back when he was at Java Jive. Please do not allow another independent coffee place to die on campus.

I met Steve when I dropped off my application for law school, and he remembered me several months later! I was amazed, and he made my transition into law school that much better that first month. Our great conversations have continued ever since. He is truly one of those rare and special souls, and the law school would be an empty place without him. He brings elements to this place that can never be truly measured! We treasure his presence here.

I'm a U of A law alumnus (2010). Some of my warmest memories of law school involve hanging out with friends at Hello My Friend Cafe in Steve's benign presence. He always had a big smile and a friendly word, and even when he wasn't there (late nights and odd weekends), he made his presence felt by leaving out a plate of pastries or hot coffee for anyone working off hours. I return to the law fac on occasion (e.g., as a volunteer judge or mock interviewer), and always drop in to see if I can find Steve. I hope the administration changes its mind, and Steve decides to stay. The loss of HMF Cafe would greatly diminish the law school and alumnus experience.

I only meet Steve once, but I immediately felt welcomed, and he made an immediate impression on me in a positive light. I know from several people how important Steve and the cafe are, and I support this petition.

Steve spreads genuine kindness like no one I have ever met. Back more than two decades ago he made me smile every time I went to Java Jive. When I last saw him I was so happy to hear about how he opened his own little cafe in the Law School after Java Jive closed. Hoping we can save his cafe so he can keep spreading his positive vibes for decades to come!

Steve is an incredibly generous and kind man. The service he provides is second to none, and I believe that we should support him as opposed to big business!

I may not have known Steve, but he is far too integral within the U of A to simply let him go.