Student transforms frat-house room into mini bar

By Rachel Gorr

On the second floor of the Skulls (Phi Kappa Sigma) fraternity house resides Errol Janusz, who truly made a 15’ by 12’ space his own, infusing it with a sense of graphic color and classic taste.

The small but stylish space features a built-in bar, large leather sofa, cushy sofa bed and a 27-inch television among a large assortment of beer signs. Janusz, a senior public administration major, built both the bar and television stand.

“I built the bar at the beginning of the year,” Janusz said. “As for the entertainment center, I plead the fifth. It’s built out of cinderblocks and doors. I have to have something college-esque in here; it might as well be the entertainment center.”

The room came with wood floors and conveniently placed mirrors on the ceiling, which Janusz claims not to use for extracurricular activities.

Janusz painted his walls black with a white stripe. Janusz also had some help injecting some Skulls pride into his abode. Kristin Williams, a senior business management major, lent her artistic skills and painted “Skulls” on the wall and the Phi Kappa Sigma letters on the bar front.

Further jazzing up the bar area is Janusz’s collection of beer and liquor signs. Among the collection are Jack Daniels, Cabin Still, Smirnoff and 1968 Schlitz signs.

“The sign I probably take the most pride in is the Budweiser light-up sign,” he said. “It’s from my house, and I can remember it hanging up when I was a kid.”

Janusz’s personality shines through more than just bar signs; around the room hang some super-sized shrines to some of his favorite bands. Three giant KISS, The Doors and Led Zeppelin posters hang on the walls.

Propped in the corner of the room is a specter of Janusz’s past. At the foot of the bed is a goofy-looking light-up ghost with an interesting history.

“We bought that for our Halloween party this year,” Janusz said. “On Halloween itself, I took it out with me to all the bars – we had a few dances.”

Although Janusz’s room is a bit on the compact side, he also has all of the communal areas of the frat house to entertain his buddies with.

“We bowl in the hallways after hours,” junior economics major Mike Cox said. “It makes a really unique sound like a firework going off.”

Janusz and his fraternity brothers also amuse themselves in the swanky chapter room, basement party hall and VIP room. Janusz, pledge educator for the Skulls, likes to keep people entertained.

“This house is all about free time,” Janusz said.