Issue date: 3/4/10 Section: News

Media Credit: Derrick Hawkins

Some sororities and fraternities may have a place to call home starting fall 2012, according to Steve Sperotto, director of the Kimmel Leadership Center, as a contract has been set up with an architectural firm and planning has begun.

Sperotto, the co-chair of the Greek housing task force, a committee created by Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Narbeth Emmanuel to look at the possibilities of Greek housing, said the university has a contract with the architectural firm Treanor Architects Inc.

With the process being in the early stages, Sperotto said Treanor Architects are putting together a report about the various possibilities for Greek housing.

"Treanor Architects will be finalizing a report to present to the Task Force next week, [which] includes their recommendations that discuss [the] number of houses and chapters that will be able to be accommodated. After this part there will still be cost figures and project drawings to be finalized," Sperotto said. 

While the location is not set in stone for Greek housing, Sperotto said there are three things he would like to see factor into location.

"We are looking at a location that would enhance campus life, provide an opportunity that would help the Greeks build a strong identity and also a location that would be easily accessible for students who are on a meal plan to walk to the Morris University Center," Sperotto said. 

Greek Life Coordinator John Davenport said there will be similarities and differences between Greek housing and typical campus housing.

"Right now its too early to tell what the guidelines might be, but it will probably be comparable to standard university housing guidelines, with the exception of no freshmen living in Greek housing, and each organization will more than likely enforce some of their own guidelines," Davenport said. ? 

Davenport said SIUE's Greek housing isn't going to be the stereotypical Greek housing.

"It's not going to be similar to 'Animal House.' There is going to be oversight and staff in that complex," Davenport said. ? 

Sperotto said there are benefits to having housing specific to Greeks on campus.

"It would provide more opportunities for more students to become engaged in campus life and enhance the role of the Greeks on the SIUE campus," Sperotto said. 

Davenport said giving Greeks their own space will free up other areas on campus for non-Greek organizations.

Continued...

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