Sorority Houses

AUDeltaGam · #1 03-13-2003, 06:03 PM

Does anyone know why Auburn does not have any sorority houses?

Tom Earp · #2 03-13-2003, 06:14 PM

It may be very well of the old Hooker laws! Is also strong in other parts of the country! More than 3-4 woman aboding in a house is considered a House Of Ill Repute! Loose Women!

Da some of the laws in citys, countrys and countrys a da, never been taken off of the books!!

But, if God had wanted to make Beth and Eve, instead of Adam and Eve, things might have been differernt

Basically, the Southern Women cannot be trusted to be in a house alone with so many women as might get into trouble!!!!

Plus not knowing Auburns affiliation, State schools Have to offer equal housing while many religious and private schools do not have to live by the same standards unless they get state funds.

They do not want a bunch of Soiled Ladies out there upon Graduation! Get My Drift! Hello real world, the Preachers Kids werer the worst of the lot!

MereMere21 · #3 03-13-2003, 07:26 PM

at my school more than 3 people of no relation living together is considered a cult......riiiiight

we are currently petitioning for a house. We were going to get one a few years ago when I was there but the stipulation was that ALL of the sororities had to get houses too (AOPi and Tri Sig). We couldn't do it because Tri Sig only had 15 members and didn't have the finances - was on the verge of folding actually.

Lisa Fishman · #4 03-13-2003, 07:29 PM

PSP- I think the reason why Auburn does not have sorority houses is that some alum(s) left the school money not to have houses for sororities. Maybe carnation knows for sure.

mu_agd · #5 03-13-2003, 08:36 PM

At the school I went to, sororities don't have houses because of an alum leaving money to the school for them not to have them... That whole a group of women living together was just like a brothel feeling...

BSUPhiSig'92 · #6 03-13-2003, 09:41 PM

On some campuses their are Panhellenic agreements where one chapter can't get a house unless all chapters can get a house. Some of these agreements date back a while and property around campus can get developed, zoning restrictions are put in place, and then it just is no longer possible to even develop a new house.

PinkRose1098 · #7 03-13-2003, 11:56 PM

It's not brothel laws . . .

It's not that some rich old woman donated money to the university with the provision that sororities could never have houses . . .

The major reason that we don't have houses is that we (sororities) have always been in the dorms. When KD came here in 1922 they were in the dorms in the Quad and every other organization has followed suite. We eventually migrated up the the Hill after it was finished but . . . You know Auburn and tradition - it would be like Toomer's without lemonade. It's just easier, more affordable, and more equitable. Plus, one of Panhellenic's major stipulations on houses right now is that if one sorority has/ is able to build a house, we all have to be able to do the same thing. Sure it might be easy for some of the larger chapters but imagine the smallest chapter trying to build a house that is on the same level with a larger chapter's. It might be kinda tough if you don't have as large of an alumna base too. Plus, where would we build? Could you imagine living behind New Row in the cow pasture?

One thing I absolutely love about living in the dorms with everybody else is that you get to see more of your other friends who may not have pledged the same sorority you did. It's fun to see the cute banners that everyone puts all over their buildings congratulating sisters, advertising philanthropy events, and just randomly saying "War Eagle!"

It's just one of the many things about Auburn that can make you wonder but you just live with and go on.

OUKate · #8 03-14-2003, 01:51 AM

I don't know why they don't have houses, but I do know that the "brothel law" thing is not true, according to snopes. (They're generally considered an authority on urban legends and lore..)

The1calledTKE · #9 03-14-2003, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BSUPhiSig'92
On some campuses their are Panhellenic agreements where one chapter can't get a house unless all chapters can get a house.

I know that is the reason Valdosta State sororities don't have a houses. I know ZTA tried to get out of it one year and had a house for near a year but all the other sororites complained to ZTA hq's and they were forced to sell it. It was a pretty decent house too and they actually got to display their awards and compsites for a little while at least now it is all back in storage again.

TPASteph · #10 03-14-2003, 05:33 AM

It's like that at Penn State too. No Panhellenic sororities can get a house unless two other sororities get them also. This is because it is an unfair rush advantage. Plus it's cheaper to live in the dorms because all of the fraternity houses here are millions of dollars a piece. Plus sororities have to have house mothers living with them and there are a lot more rules.

Texas-Gal · #11 03-14-2003, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tom Earp
It may be very well of the old Hooker laws! Is also strong in other parts of the country! More than 3-4 woman aboding in a house is considered a House Of Ill Repute! Loose Women!

Da some of the laws in citys, countrys and countrys a da, never been taken off of the books!!

That old legend is nothing but pure urban myth. I personally looked at the laws of TX, PA, CA, and OH (all reputed to have laws like this) - and none of them did. In fact, no state in the United States has a law like this on the books.

I know it's a fun urban legend to repeat... but it's just that - an urban legend.

The only thing I could find to explain why Auburn has no sorority houses was this:

Quote:

Although a Plainsman columnist occasionally questioned why Auburn had no sorority houses, members and national organizations were generally happy without the expense and responsibility of house ownership, and the Auburn administration was content with sorority rooms in the dorms, which they believed resulted in a less exclusive atmosphere.

BSUPhiSig'92 · #12 03-14-2003, 12:20 PM

Some municipalities have local zoning restrictions that may restrict the number of unrelated people living in a residence (usually three or four), but it isn't legal to base this on gender. Typically this is done to reduce the negative impact of college student housing on residential neighborhoods and property values. Edwardsville has one of these rules in place to help keep property values up. Our only chapter house in town was grandfathered in and has no other residences nearby.

carnation · #13 03-14-2003, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PinkRose1098
It's not brothel laws . . .

It's not that some rich old woman donated money to the university with the provision that sororities could never have houses . . .

The major reason that we don't have houses is that we (sororities) have always been in the dorms. When KD came here in 1922 they were in the dorms in the Quad and every other organization has followed suite. We eventually migrated up the the Hill after it was finished but . . . You know Auburn and tradition - it would be like Toomer's without lemonade. It's just easier, more affordable, and more equitable. Plus, one of Panhellenic's major stipulations on houses right now is that if one sorority has/ is able to build a house, we all have to be able to do the same thing. Sure it might be easy for some of the larger chapters but imagine the smallest chapter trying to build a house that is on the same level with a larger chapter's. It might be kinda tough if you don't have as large of an alumna base too. Plus, where would we build? Could you imagine living behind New Row in the cow pasture?

One thing I absolutely love about living in the dorms with everybody else is that you get to see more of your other friends who may not have pledged the same sorority you did. It's fun to see the cute banners that everyone puts all over their buildings congratulating sisters, advertising philanthropy events, and just randomly saying "War Eagle!"

It's just one of the many things about Auburn that can make you wonder but you just live with and go on.

Yep, Pink Rose is right! When I was an active, I used to wonder what it would be like to live in a house and have total privacy and be able to decorate but I realized that not having one freed us from a bunch of irritating things too. Also--dues are much smaller without houses!

Texas-Gal · #14 03-14-2003, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BSUPhiSig'92
Some municipalities have local zoning restrictions that may restrict the number of unrelated people living in a residence (usually three or four), but it isn't legal to base this on gender. Typically this is done to reduce the negative impact of college student housing on residential neighborhoods and property values. Edwardsville has one of these rules in place to help keep property values up. Our only chapter house in town was grandfathered in and has no other residences nearby.

Right - but that isn't the case in Auburn.

Many (most?) zoning authorities make express exemptions for sorority/fraternity houses anyway - so even the unrelated-person restrictions don't often apply.

That is the case in Auburn - their zoning regulations define a fraternity/sorority house as a "single dwelling unit" - and so are regulated like a normal "house."

And there are fraternity houses at Auburn - which gives a tip-off there are no such restrictions there.

AUDeltaGam · #15 03-14-2003, 02:01 PM

Pink Rose and Carnation, thanks for the answer! I'm glad I know the truth now!

And a big WAR EAGLE! to both of you!