Greektown offers lodging, convenience

Greektown might be a viable option for non-residence hall living.

By Campbell Massie

Published Feb. 2, 2009

When looking for a new living situation for the next year, a lot of recent sorority and fraternity members look toward Greektown.

Greek housing offers similar amenities to residence halls, such as a dining plan and a quick walk to campus. They also include tighter spaces with a higher concentration of those of the same sex. Depending on the tastes of a student, some find it distracting, but others thrive in the atmosphere.

Living in Greek housing with so many other members can be a double-edged sword, Interfraternity Council President William Jonas said.

Jonas is an advocate for living in Greek housing. He lived in the Pi Kappa Alpha house for three years but does not live in the house anymore because of construction. He found when members live in the house it made chapter programming of events and other concerns easier.

Greek housing, like residence halls, also offers a concentrated group of students to work and study with living down the hall.

"I think it's a huge advantage living with people who have the same classes as you," Jonas said.

Moving into the fraternity or sorority house might also offer a huge culture shock to some.

"For my entire first year I thought it was the biggest mistake I have ever made," Delta Sigma Phi fraternity President Nicholas Gerhardt said.

Since then, Gerhardt said he feels closer to the brothers in the house and finds living in the house to have been a positive experience in his development and did not negatively impact his grades.

He does understand living in the house is not the best option for some.

"It's loud," Gerhardt said. "It's a bunch of guys living together, it's exactly what you would expect it to be."

Some fraternities allow members to pledge while living in the house. Pledging while living in the dorms is more difficult, Gerhardt said.

He said pledging while in the house gives the new members the opportunity to get to know their new brothers, as well as be there for events.

"It feels more like a class," Gerhardt said.

Some Greek chapters have living requirements for their members. These requirements are for economic reasons, as well as becoming closer to the brothers and sisters. Depending on the capacity, some members move out of the house later, IFC spokesman Ryan Morimura said.

"A lot of chapters as they get new members prefer that the younger guys get a chance to move in," Jonas said.

Some sororities have stricter rules than residence halls or other apartment options. Most sororities prohibit males staying in the house after a certain hour or at all, depending on the chapter, Panhellenic Association spokeswoman Lindsey Hoffman said.

Sophomore Zeta Tau Alpha sorority member Christine Dillin said she enjoys living in her house for one year, but will be moving out in the next semester.

"I am just ready to be out in an apartment, to have my own place and not have these rules," Dillin said.

Security was a problem for senior Jacqueline Lampert, who quit a sorority. Living with three other girls and people coming in with them constantly, made her fear for her property. In some sororities the doors to the house have locks but the rooms might not.

"People steal things," Lampert said. "They are supposed to be your sisters, but that is only to a certain extent."