While new students are looking forward to the start of the school year, those in Fraternity and Sorority Life are preparing for the end.

Chris Bullins, associate dean of students in the department of Fraternity and Sorority Life, is planning for next summer when the University will begin the destruction of sorority and fraternity housing.

“When [fraternity and sorority members] move out summer of 2014, we will start the demolition,” Bullins said. “They should be finished in fall 2016.”

The destruction of the houses is a part of the Greek Housing Project, which is to relocate and rebuild the greek housing units.

“The new units will be connected like the Conklin building,” Bullins said. “The size of each unit will be either a four bed, 12 or 18 floor plan.”

Through the summer, Bullins has been reviewing interim housing.

“We are trying to find a place to put the students while the houses are being built,” Bullins said. “There is no place like what they have now, so we are trying to get priorities aligned.”

Jill Bortel, chapter adviser for Alpha Xi Delta, is concerned about storage.

“Our house is very large, and to move to an 18 bed unit … everything won’t fit,” Bortel said. “We have been trying to decide whether it would be more cost effective to sell or store our extra items.”

Bortel has also been communicating with the alumni of the chapter.

“I have been working on ways the alumni can help upgrade and personalize the new house,” Bortel said.

Bortel has been with Alpha Xi Delta for more than 40 years.

“Behind the scenes, I’ve been involved since day one of the project,” Bortel said. “It’s going to be bittersweet, we’ve been going on 70 years, but now it’s time to say goodbye. But I’m excited to have the house modern and up to date with 2016.”

Bullins has also been working during the summer to arrange ways alumni can help with the project and their houses.

“Alumni who want to support can give money that will go to the common area for each of the fraternities and sororities,” Bullins said. “They will get opportunities to upgrade the common area through these donations.”

Steven Krakoff, vice president of Capital Planning and Campus Operations, is involved with building of the Greek Housing Project.

“My department is responsible for the planning, design and constructions … of the University,” Krakoff said. “We have not had much activity over the summer.”

However, soon Krakoff will be reviewing different development teams that will potentially be working on the housing project.

“The development teams will include architects, engineers and construction companies,” Krakoff said. “This is a two step process: step one is a request of qualification where different companies will submit their qualifications. We will then develop a short list of four or five that are best suited for the project.”

Step two will be a request for a detailed list and presentation from the companies who will then be reviewed by a formal team.

It will “take us through mid to late fall to complete both of these steps,” Krakoff said.

Casey Swick, president of the Panhellenic Council, is excited about the project.

“It’s sad to see the houses go, they are full of memories,” Swick said. “But it’s a great time for the Greek community to move forward and start over.”

Swick believes the Greek Housing Project is a good change for the community.

“I think at this point the houses are no longer accommodating,” Swick said. “They are so worn and old, we need a fresh start.”

Dan Phillips, president of Interfraternity Council, agrees the new houses are needed.

“The ones we have now are run down,” Phillips said. “It needs to happen because the state of the houses are poor.”

Phillips also has concerns about the interim housing.

“It will be tough,” Phillips said. “It might affect recruitment but in the long run, it’s a good thing.”

Bullins is helping in several ways to keep the alumni involved with the project along with the University staff and faculty.

“There are two email blasts to everyone who is on our email list along with the individual chapters sending emails as well,” Bullins said. “There is a Facebook page about the project and a website with a detailed plan for the alumni to view as well.”

Alumni can learn more at the Fraternity and Sorority life’s website on the University’s home page.