U of West Georgia considers Greek Housing

[aopirose]

Lynn, I know that Capstone built the house-style that you are describing at U. of South Alabama. All the houses are pretty much the same because the university wanted a unified look. "Just in case." At Southeastern Louisiana, they built the Greek Village along with the student apartments. These are more like townhouses and the sororities' all sleep about 24. They have goodsized chapter rooms.

[AGDLynn]

I had the pleasure of working on the UWG Greek Housing Steering Committee. This is a BRIEF snapshot of the proposed plan; the original is about 10 pages...the alcohol policy is about 8 pages.

The University of West Georgia has discussed the feasibility of building Greek housing for several years.

Two opportunities have emerged that now make this a meaningful possibility for UWG: First, the University of West Georgia Foundation acquired 30 acres of land adjacent to the campus, and began exploring options for development which could benefit both the Foundation and the University. The location of the land is ideal, as it is easily accessible, near the Campus Center and major academic buildings, but not near residential neighborhoods. ..These models involve universities or foundations financing and building Greek villages, and then renting the housing out to students and organizations to pay for the project.

Steering Committee Recommendation:
The Foundation should work with the University to construct a Greek Village, with the first phase to open in Fall of 2008, using the guidelines outlined in this document. The committee recognizes that the Foundation and University staff need to do a great deal of work to analyze these recommendations and determine if they are financially feasible, as well as to develop the details of design and policy.

1. Build the following to open Fall 2008 – 254 beds:
• 7 20-bed houses
• 3 16-bed houses
• 3 10-bed houses
• 6 6-bed apartments
• Community building

This assumes the addition of one Panhellenic sorority in 2007-2008. UWG is committed to that if the Village is approved.

Our working assumption is that, based on historic and current membership numbers, Panhellenic groups would reside in the 20-bed houses, IFC groups in the 16-bed houses, and IFC or NPHC groups reside in the 10-bed houses and 6-bed apartments. However, that is not a foregone conclusion, and may change in further development of this plan.

Further financial and land analysis may result in recommendations for slightly different numbers in houses. If necessary, the committee may be consulted with further in the Spring.


2. Possible construction in Phase II at a later date– up to 70 beds:
• 1 20-bed house (for new Panhellenic sorority)
• 1 16 or 20-bed house (for IFC fraternity)
• 3 10-bed houses (for IFC or NPHC groups)

Phase Two would depend on enrollment and market demands. Assumptions include: the addition of another Panhellenic sorority and another IFC fraternity, and 3 small groups increasing membership and moving from apartments to houses, thus freeing up 3 apartments for other small groups.

[AGDLynn]

This is the gist of a letter sent to UWG GLO HQs. I'm hitting the highlights.

.....After considerable research, we believe we will be able to open this Village for Fall 2009. .....

Overview of the Project:
• Village projected to open for occupancy at the beginning of Fall 2009
• Seven 20-bed houses, three 16-bed houses, three 10-bed houses, six 6-bed townhouses, and a community center in this phase in phase one (holding 254 students)
• Additional land is available for a second phase (4-5 houses) if Greek system expansion allows for that in the future.
• We anticipate renting the 20-bed houses to Panhellenic sororities (this will require the addition of one sorority for Fall 2009, the 16-bed and 10-bed houses to IFC fraternities, and the 6-bed townhouses to IFC and NPHC organizations.
• Each house will have a large living room/chapter room, a residential kitchen, washer-dryer, and both private and double bedrooms. Baths will be shared by 2-4 people.
• The community building will have a large community area, some smaller meeting/study rooms, an apartment for a Village Manager, and two hotel-type rooms which we can use for visiting chapter consultants and other university guests. The buildings will not have elevators, but first-floor rooms will be fully handicap accessible.
• There will be sufficient, convenient, gated parking for all residents of the Village; we are also adding parking lots across the street for regular student use.

.....
The Village will be managed by a resident manager employed by the University. ......

If a house should become vacant, the university must fill the beds, in order to keep this affordable for all students. We will give the first opportunity to other Greeks to move into the house; if we are unable to fill it that way, we will rent it to other students (most likely some sort of special interest group such as the Honors College or an academic theme house). .....

The University has a second meeting with USG Board staff in February to present a more formal proposal; if they approve at that time, and if our continuing financial due diligence is consistent with our projections, we will then be added to a Board of Regents agenda for approval later this semester, and can break ground this summer....