I don't know what their requirements are, so you'd have to discuss it with the individual chapter. Do you have a lease that goes into the next school year? Usually, the do not expect NM's to move in immediately.

That said, if you are totally unwilling to ever live in a chapter house, and they require you to live in the chapter house at some point, then I strongly recommend not pledging that house, as it will be unfair to them if you later refuse to live in, and unfair to you because there will likely be negative consequences.

I signed a 12 month lease august being the first month. I'm not unwilling but I understand as it would be unfair to another girl who was willing to live in the house and say I was not willing.

If I'm reading this correctly, you'd be able to move in September of 2012? I'd be surprised if they expected you to move in sooner than that, though, as I've said, I don't know their policies. I doubt, however, they'd be willing to let your dogs move in as well.

Odd, I didn't realize PSS had an actual house at UIC (not just rented apartments in the same 2/3-flat).

Regardless, you wouldn't be expected to move into the House until the next year. Greek groups in Chicago are not like the ones at schools in college towns, so I really wouldn't worry about that unless they require you to live in and you don't want to to.

"Urban chapters" or "commuter school GLOs" could be a subset of Greek life -- not only Chicago but other cities as well.