Greek house moms, dads go beyond duty, take on personal problems

[TSteven]

Greek house moms, dads go beyond duty, take on personal problems
By: Elicia Dover
Issue date: 9/1/06 Section: News
The Daily Nebraskan

Whether it's taking them fishing, talking about dating problems or helping with a paper, Andrew Faltin can usually be found with the boys.

Having 60 or so sons or daughters is a very involved job, but according to Greek house "moms" and "dads," it is one that is very rewarding.

"While teaching political science and going back to school to get my masters, I knew I was going to need a place to live. Being a former Sig Ep, I knew I would like being the house dad," Faltin said.

Faltin said that as the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house dad, he enjoys working with students.

"You'll go insane if you don't," he said. "I do it because these students are full of potential."

Bobby Dudzinski, a junior finance major and president of Sigma Phi Epsilon, said his house dad takes on the brother's personal problems.

"He's always there for us for family troubles, personal problems or with a girlfriend," he said.

While house dads and moms' jobs are to simply direct house orders and be involved with programming and education, others go above and beyond the call of duty to counsel the young men and women.

"I'm there more as a friend to the girls," Susie Maser, Delta Gamma house mom, said. "I enjoy listening to the girls. Having those relationships makes being a house mom the most enjoyable job ever."

Click on link above to read more of the article.

[DeltAlum]

Our "Mom" was an absolute gem. The the house parent system has died at many campuses is a shame.

I still remember which fork to use for salad.

Thanks, Mom.

[AchtungBaby80]

Our house mom was awesome. Strict, but she was very effective at keeping us in line! She tried giving us "etiquette lessons" at dinner once, but people started skipping so that kind of flopped. She took good care of us, though.

[Kevin]

House dad?

Who has those?

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by ktsnake

House dad?

Who has those?

I've never heard of it. It would be a lawsuit waiting to happen at a sorority house...and no grown man in his right mind would volunteer to live in as a supervisor for 100 college men....live in for mid-life crisis' sake, yes, but to be responsible, no.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I've never heard of it. It would be a lawsuit waiting to happen at a sorority house...and no grown man in his right mind would volunteer to live in as a supervisor for 100 college men....live in for mid-life crisis' sake, yes, but to be responsible, no.

I've known a few "house dads" over the years. They were graduate students (mid to late twenties) returning to campus to complete masters or doctoral studies. The free room and board, along with a nice monetary stipend, made it a very attractive prospect. And from what I observed and was told by them, they were treated with respect. Not all fraternities are animal houses.

[Marie]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I've never heard of it. It would be a lawsuit waiting to happen at a sorority house...and no grown man in his right mind would volunteer to live in as a supervisor for 100 college men....live in for mid-life crisis' sake, yes, but to be responsible, no.

"While teaching political science and going back to school to get my masters, I knew I was going to need a place to live. Being a former Sig Ep, I knew I would like being the house dad," Faltin said.

Faltin said that as the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house dad, he enjoys working with students.

"You'll go insane if you don't," he said. "I do it because these students are full of potential."