Financing Sprinklers and Other Fire Safety Upgrades

[exlurker]

An interesting development, although one that may be more feasible for well-endowed private universities / colleges than for state schools:

USC (in California) is offering fraternities and sororities “interest-free loans for the houses that need to add sprinklers to each bedroom and hall, improve access to fire exits or update fire alarms and smoke detectors.” These kinds of upgrades can cost around $300,000, according to the press release. Kappa Kappa Gamma was one of the first to take advantage of the offer. The USC press release is at

http://www.usc.edu/uscnews/stories/14202.html

[Tom Earp]

This is amazing and kuddos to USC.

But it goes back to the same old problem with state supported schools with lack of financial support from the Govt.

That is why supporting the Bills in Congress is so important to allow Alums to donate money and get tax breaks.

[LPIDelta]

Good for USC! I appreciate that they are looking for creative ways to help protect students.

[Titchou]

Absolutely! And kudos to the sisters of Kappa Alpha Theta who several years ago mandated spinklers in all Theta owned housing and floated a bond issue to provide loans to HCs who did not have the resources to finance it.

[Football Fan]

LPI Delta,
This is in the best interests of the university. Property near the university is astronomically expensive. Greek chapters house huge numbers of students. There is little room for dorms or the millions it would cost to house these sorority or fraternity members on campus. Keep in mind that necessary earthquake regulations raise the cost of buildings in Los Angeles.

[LPIDelta]

Well I think its great that they are offering interest-free loans--because they didn't need to do that. The university is putting student safety first, and that is commendable.