As University officials prepare for the demolition of Rodgers Quadrangle and the Phi Kappa Tau and Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity houses, many are left content with the administration’s decision to build a new residence hall in place of the old buildings.
Pledges were informed of the reconstruction at the middle of November 2009 and had to be moved out of the fraternity houses by the end of finals week last semester. Currently, Phi Tau members are residing in Founders while Sig Ep pledges are staying in the Garden Unit of Harshman Bromfield. But Sig Ep will be moving to Global Village in Conklin next semester. The fraternities both received 50% off the standard residence hall rate and were also given the option of moving off campus without penalty.
Michael Griffel, director of Residence Life, said the short-term notice of the construction was unfortunate, but the University needed to make room for a growing on-campus population.
“The University has a tremendous need to upgrade the residence facilities,” Griffel said. “All for the purpose of attracting incoming students to come to BGSU and to promote a more attractive campus. Our facilities simply haven’t been up to pace.”
The demolition of the buildings has not yet been determined, but Griffel said environmental checks for lead and asbestos are due to take place sometime between mid February and March. While Sig Ep members will be moving to the Global Village next semester, the University has taken the initiative to hire a professional moving crew to assist with the moving.
The president of Sigma Phi Epsilon, junior Justin Kesler, is a two-year member and said the move was unexpected, but the pledges have been understanding of the construction.
“We definitely understand what’s going on, the University is growing which is good for everyone all around,” Kesler said. “The fact that we lost the house is one of those things we just have to understand. We’re looking forward to moving into Global Village next fall, but it’s unfortunate the people living there now will have to move.”
Griffel said Global Village is a residence facility which houses up to 33 people, but living arrangements for the international students for next semester have not yet been decided.
An anonymous source within Residence Life reported the residents in Global Village would be moved to the Kreischer Quadrangle in the 2010-2011 academic year.
The two fraternities both participated in a house closing ceremony organized and paid for by the University. The Sig Ep ceremony took place last Saturday and was held at the Victory Inn. The celebration welcomed 250 former alumni and provided food and drinks for the pledges.
Sophomore Sig Ep member Cole Schaaf said the move and the destruction of the houses is discouraging, but overall the recent events have brought the fraternity closer together.
“When the University told us about the demolition, it was a big shock,” Schaaf said. “Once we found out we had a place to live next fall we felt a little better. As a temporary move they should have planned it out with more consideration. But overall, the situation has been an experience that all the members are going through together. The move will build our brotherhood.”