3 GLOs seeking SAE-Maryland house

[hoosier]

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Nov 15, 2004
Greeks vie for empty SAE house
Delta Chi, Sigma Nu apply for residency
By Hadass Kogan
Staff writer


Three chapters in the university's Greek community are vying to move into the former Sigma Alpha Epsilon house on Fraternity Row, which tenants vacated earlier this semester after the fraternity's charter was revoked.

Delta Chi and Sigma Nu fraternities both confirmed that they applied for residency. The third chapter could not be confirmed.

According to Assistant Director of Greek Facilities Bob Nichols, both sororities and fraternities were eligible to submit applications, which were due last Friday, though he could not elaborate Friday on the applicants' identities. The chosen tenants will be able to move into the house by next August for the 2005-2006 school year.

The house was vacated by Sigma Alpha Epsilon late last month after it was evicted for violating the university's hazing and alcohol policies.

Applications were made available to interested university-recognized fraternities and sororities Oct. 26. The application stipulated a yearly $103,000 leasing cost in addition to a $50,000 non refundable buy-in fee.

"It's a pretty detailed review process," Nichols said. "We really want to bring a top-notch group onto the row."

In recent years, Greek housing turnover rates have become increasingly high. In 2003, Sigma Phi Epsilon replaced ousted Pi Kappa Phi in No. 8 Fraternity Drive. Also that year, Phi Sigma Kappa was booted from No. 7 Fraternity Drive after an alcohol-related student death, allowing Lambda Chi Alpha to move in. In 2000, Pi Kappa Alpha moved into No. 2 Fraternity Drive after former residents Sigma Alpha Mu were evicted because of behavioral problems and damages to the house.

Nichols said the quality of the chapter, its history on the campus and the level and strength of alumni involvement will be of top importance when evaluating applicants.

"It's a financial commitment on the part of the alumni to manage the house and rent the rooms out to the members," he said.

Applicants had to supply in detail their chapter's accomplishments and contributions to the university in addition to statistics on chapter growth and its ability to fully occupy the house.

"We will look at commitment of chapter to fill the house and give the numbers to support having a 33-person house," Nichols said.

He said the house will be restored during the interim before occupancy, but said it had not experienced any major damages during Sigma Alpha Epsilon's occupancy.

"It's been occupied by one chapter since the early '90s," he said. "It needs some painting, the floors need to be resurfaced. Just a good old refurbishing." ÿÿ