In-depth research and careful planning could result in the construction of new Greek housing as well as create a stronger focus of greek life at the University.
The University is home to over 40 fraternities and sororities, which makes up 12 percent of the total undergraduate population, according to the fraternity and sorority life web page on the University’s website.
The first and largest step of this process is the construction of new Greek housing in an attempt to bring a more encompassing feeling to the University.
Karri Moore, coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life, is excited about the potential change in Greek housing.
“It brings an excitement to the air and the community,” Moore said. “I think it will bring a stronger school spirit to not only campus and our community, but also our alums, and [it] can help provide a more personalized college experience.”
In order to approve the necessary funding and support needed to begin construction, fraternity and sorority life staff members created a three-phase process in which to guide their research. Phase one included visiting other universities around Ohio and neighboring states in order to observe how their Greek affairs were established as well as how housing and living conditions were organized.
A total of 25 to 30 schools were visited and assessed, including Miami University, Ohio University and Kent State University.
Along with University staff members, external consultants helped determine what qualities were important and how to present material to the University school board. Associate Dean of Students Chris H. Bullins is one of the staff members overseeing the project.
“It’s our goal to determine what the appropriate approach to constructing new housing is going to be. After visiting many of our sister schools, as well as many others, we were able to determine how their Greek life operated as well as how their housing created a more in-depth Greek experience,” Bullins said.
The same in-depth Greek experience is something that students want to see in the coming years. Larry Serfozo, a member of the Inter-Fraternity Council and senior at the University thinks it’s a step in the right direction.
“Creating and constructing new housing can really improve how we handle things in our Greek affairs,” Serfozo said. “It’ll create a central flow for all aspects of Greek life, as well as improve recruitment, community ties, leadership and friendship, In many ways it can become the focal point for Greek life in general.”
Phase one was approved by the Board of Trustees in the beginning of June Phase two involves looking at the University internally to assess what the proper direction of housing should incorporate.
Factors like style, staff and cost are going to be researched and estimated within the next couple of years, giving the organization solid work to present to the board.
“Phase one was crucial in figuring out how other universities handled and practiced their Greek life, which allowed us to brainstorm and create our own ideas,” Bullins said. “Phase two is important in determining what we need to do internally in order for this construction to become a reality. The current phase will allow us to come up with actual cost estimates as well as plans to present to the board.”
Phase three is securing the proper funding in order to begin and complete construction. There may be some time however, until this final phase comes into fruition.
“We’re looking at 18 to 24 months before we begin any kind of actual construction,” Bullins said. “But this is the type of future we’ve been working toward for a long time. These are concrete steps to our future and I couldn’t be more excited for what that future holds.”
