Live-in requirements? - Page 2

ISUmatt · #1 12-03-2006, 04:06 PM

We have capacity for 32 in our house, and minus our 5 exec board, that leaves room for 27. Even though over the last 3 semesters we have rushed about 100 guys total, we had an issue with signing leases for next year. One of the problems was rushing a lot of older guys that already have signed leases for their junior year next year. We have a system in place to decide who has to live in first and we put it to use for the first time in a long time. Long story short, we're still down 5 leases but worked something out in order to put off filling the remaining leases until spring rush.

SkullandHeart · #2 04-07-2007, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ISUmatt

We have capacity for 32 in our house, and minus our 5 exec board, that leaves room for 27. Even though over the last 3 semesters we have rushed about 100 guys total, we had an issue with signing leases for next year. One of the problems was rushing a lot of older guys that already have signed leases for their junior year next year. We have a system in place to decide who has to live in first and we put it to use for the first time in a long time. Long story short, we're still down 5 leases but worked something out in order to put off filling the remaining leases until spring rush.

If you have a 100+ member house, you more than likely have pledge classes in the 20-30s (if not more). Also, with such a number of brothers, no one wants to live in?

Working out something with the owners of the place is a short term answer, unless other changes are made in regard to requiring new members to live in (and telling them this before they join) and making the house more attractive to live in. If all you use the house to is party in, and less of an actual home...it will be less attractive to live in. Start by making small house improvements and work from there. People will see the house improving and want to live in (i swear we had the same problem and now people are trying to get our of their leases).

Create a list of things that people want/need that goes w/ house improvments. Divide them into drinking related things (IE nicer party area, new stripper poll, bar, etc) and non drinking related things (common room, new fridges, study room, etc)

After that list them into the cost that they would take to get done, this summer talk to your alumni board and have a professional looking proposal with what you'd like to get done (one major, 2 minor things).

Send out a massive email to alumni w/ all your accomplishments and things the chapter is doing. Than explain how the house is substandard compared to other things your achieving. Possibly have alumni day earlier next year so that they donate funds earlier.

We had the exact same problems, and this is a long term solution and is so far working amazing for us. We started doing a major project once a year. We now have a brand new chapter room, and new common room (w/ flat screen), a study room (5 desks, table, and computer), and will have a kitchen w/ cook this summer.

I'm also part of and an ISU chapter and am familiar w/ your guy's situation....I think it's exactly the problem we were having about 4 years ago. We were broke as fuck, and got all of this accomplished...it just takes some time and organization. It will help w/ not only that, but will help w/ retention and getting people to live in.

texas*princess · #3 04-07-2007, 01:58 PM

I believe our old house had around 25 spots to fill. Some of the officers (president, rest of exec board, property manager, and some of the other ones that I don't remember) were required to live-in.

We had a live in requirement of 1 year, but there were some exceptions (owned house, lived with parents close by, RA, can't remember the other ones.)

The live-in requirement was only really enforced when there were spots to fill. Many times girls had already lived their 1-year requirement but chose to stay 2 or even 3 years just because they wanted to... so as long as the house was full, we didn't bust out our list of people who had not fulfilled their requirement. I remember only one time that we had to do that, but luckily we had some sisters step up to the plate and live in the house that prevented what could have become a crazy situation.

I think it is so much easier to get the newer girls to live in the house when they are younger and just joined the sorority because the older people have already done the sorority thing for a few years and want a place of their own. And as much fun as it can be live in the sorority house, its hard to move from having your own room & own apartment to moving in with 24 other girls.

Tom Earp · #4 04-07-2007, 02:26 PM

Unless a house is a shack much like our old house, members should live in the house but with the above exceptions. We even had Brothers who were townies who lived in the house as it was the life blood of any organization.

If as some schools have no houses, they are used to say dorm floors set aside as at FT in Melborne, Fl. it was accepted practice.

But a house needs to be full to pay for it, keep it up, and be comfortable for the members.

A one year requirement is not so bad is it?

Walking across campus, you run into a Brother/Sister, hey what are you doing and where are you going?

The House!

BigRedBeta · #5 04-08-2007, 10:54 AM

Most people wanted to live in the chapter house, so we usually had the opposite problem where some juniors were forced to live out simply because we didn't have the room.

Our executive officers are all required to live in the house during their term, but it's rare for anyone to move ever move out at semester, and so they get another year in. That's the only way seniors get to live in their fourth year unless there are some really weird circumstances.

khlkcca · #6 04-08-2007, 02:52 PM

All members were required to live in house unless they lived with parents. I could be wrong but my impression during rush was that most sororities at Purdue had the same rule. This was in the mid 90's.

banditone · #7 04-08-2007, 03:16 PM

From what I remember, heres how we filled the house (34 spots)

Brothers - got first choice on their room, and then it went by badge number if 2 wanted the same room, and didn't want to room with each other.
Candidates- that wanted to live in the house were just tossed in where needed. I lived with an active my first semester.
Still Not full - After the above, if the house was still not full, it would be by highest badge number. If you had a valid reason you couldn't live in, then it went to next highest badge number.

I don't recall us having much of a problem filling the house, mostly due to the guys that just DID NOT want to live in-house never had to worry due to candidates usually wanting to get in.

I lived in house all 4 yours and loved it. It wasn't the best thing for my grades, but ohh well, I'm out and have a good job so that's all that matters.