Actually free standing houses are usually owned by the fraternity/sorority housing corporation, which is a separate entity within the fraternity/sorority administration.
In those cases where the university owns the land, the fraternity or sorority either rents the land and house or rents the land and owns the house. I don't know of any housing, lodge or chapter room at a university where the university pays for the building/room in question. Universities do not fund GLO housing. If such housing or meeting space is provided, I can practically guarantee you that the university is making money off the rent they charge the GLO.
It is not a question of being a 'white' GLO vs. a 'black' GLO. It is a question of whether or not your fraternity can afford to provide competitive housing on your campus. Most of these grand houses you see are multi-million dollar investments on behalf of the fraternity or sorority in question. In addition, members contribute to the operation of the house as part of their dues. Members living in the house pay a housing and meals fee just like they would in the dorm. The difference is that the fees are usually less expensive, the food is better, and the house is cleaner and more secure than a dorm. In addition, most of these houses hold anywhere from 2 dozen to 5 dozen plus members. In my experience, most BGLOs don't have enough members on campus to financially secure a house, housekeepers, cooks and a live-in housemother/father. In addition, I do not believe any of the BGLO groups have a national housing corporation to assist with the purchase and maintenance of on-campus housing.
My fraternity, Zeta Tau Alpha, was the first NPC sorority to form a Housing Corporation and it is our model that most NPC and NIC groups use today. Most ZTA houses belong to our national housing corp. which provides monies for maintanence, upgrades, renovations and other amenities in addition to insurance. Some houses are owned by local housing corporations which administer their own monies and purchase local insurance or a policy from the national group.
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Fraternally,
Barbara
Zeta Tau Alpha Alumna
If you have to go around telling everyone you're in charge you're not much of a leader.
Tallahassee Area Alumnae of ZTA
Tallahassee Alumnae Panhellenic & Sorority Recruitment FAQ
[This message has been edited by PnguinTrax (edited December 05, 2000).]