[Erik P Conard]

I live near Colo School of Mines and have seen what they have done in support of their small system. It is excellent, and who
would not give their left arm to have a chapter at Mines?
Do you suppose that we may be moving toward the 'lodge'
type of fraternity meeting place and abandoning the housing we
had for a hundred years? As a Realtor-mortgage guy for many
years, I have seen lots go for as much as a million dollars and
housing upwards to ten million. I have noted not only the risk
management costs but meeting codes...in cases, prohibitive.
I have seen the unwillingness of some members to live in the old
cramped quarters we did in days gone by. It is getting to become
a cost-prohibitive luxury in some places. And, some of the campi
we have placed charters have existed fifty years and still living in
rented quarters, not having planned or saved for a future time or
building a designed-for-greek living facility.
The major universities or well-funded private schools may choose
to support the greeks and their housing, but it certainly is hard to
get $ from alumni for building. Sororities are often more likely to
have the $ for housing, but on many campus they have no more
than a room or meeting place and no house as we know it...at all. What do the present greeks think about this? Have you a fund for future housing? Often times an active Board and prudent use
of proceeds go hand-in-hand, but without that, the future is dim
for privately-funded greek housing. Costs are skyrocketing and
a concern is often expressed about a much-different future.