Sorority Houses a Possibility at U. of Tennessee?

[exlurker]

Station WBIR in Knoxville is reporting that U. of Tennessee officials "are meeting with sorority alumni [sic] clubs to review proposals for building houses on campus."

The report quickly touches on some concerns: suitable locations, cost, ability of all sororities to afford comparable housing, etc.

See

http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=33477

According to the station's story, a "final answer" is hoped for by the end of this year. Construction -- if any -- would be "at least two years away."

Incidentally, the report also mentions that Auburn is thinking about houses for sororities, too. (Tennessee and Auburn are apparently the only two SEC schools wihout sorority houses.)

I think there are some U. of Tennessee sorority members and alumnae who post on GC. Maybe they can help keep us updated about the discussions and decisions.

[AUDeltaGam]

Originally posted by exlurker

Incidentally, the report also mentions that Auburn is thinking about houses for sororities, too. (Tennessee and Auburn are apparently the only two SEC schools wihout sorority houses.)

Auburn is not looking to build "houses" for the sororities...more like suites/nicer "dorm" type things.

Just FYI

[LightBulb]

Whoa, I thought we still had the brothel law here in TN

[NutBrnHair]

Originally posted by LightBulb
Whoa, I thought we still had the brothel law here in TN

No -- that's an urban legend.

[ADSigMel]

Originally posted by NutBrnHair
No -- that's an urban legend.

Well, I don't know if it's an urban legend exactly or if there is just an exception to that rule with regard to sorority houses or other organizational living quarters.

I don't know how many women (if any) actually live in them, but I know that there are sorority houses at Vanderbilt, in Nashville.

[Tippiechick]

Originally posted by ADSigMel
Well, I don't know if it's an urban legend exactly or if there is just an exception to that rule with regard to sorority houses or other organizational living quarters.

I don't know how many women (if any) actually live in them, but I know that there are sorority houses at Vanderbilt, in Nashville.

There are also sorority houses at Austin Peay. However, they are essentially just large chapter rooms, as either no one or only a handful of girls live in them. MTSU is supposed to be getting "townhouses." (So they have been saying for umpteen years now...) But, only a few girls would be able to live in them. It would basically be just officers' quarters.

For some reason, Tennessee can't bear to bring itself out of the dark ages.

[Tom Earp]

Actually, I Love Tenn.

But coming from a School that All Greeks have Houses, Good, Bad, and Ugly, it still can be a drain on Chapters.

This is what is so funny, that Sororitys usually have More Members than Fraternitys and could afford it better.

But, still the cost of a House can overwhelm many Groups.

Just Beware of what You wish. As I understand that Many Fraternitys are having a hard time paying for their New Houses at Middle Tenn.

Having been on OUr House Corp. for over 10 Years, the Cost of Beds can be a breaking point.

Cost of Beds, what is Charged for Parlor Fees for Non Live-ins has to be compariable to Dorms and Rental Properties in the area.

Granted, it is a Place to Be at, meetings, Partys, Etc., it still cost Money to run and maintain.

[ASUADPi]

Originally posted by Tom Earp
Actually, I Love Tenn.

But coming from a School that All Greeks have Houses, Good, Bad, and Ugly, it still can be a drain on Chapters.

This is what is so funny, that Sororitys usually have More Members than Fraternitys and could afford it better.

But, still the cost of a House can overwhelm many Groups.

Just Beware of what You wish. As I understand that Many Fraternitys are having a hard time paying for their New Houses at Middle Tenn.

Having been on OUr House Corp. for over 10 Years, the Cost of Beds can be a breaking point.

Cost of Beds, what is Charged for Parlor Fees for Non Live-ins has to be compariable to Dorms and Rental Properties in the area.

Granted, it is a Place to Be at, meetings, Partys, Etc., it still cost Money to run and maintain.

So so true.

My fees at U of A were so much because of the house, while had I chosen to affiliate to ASU they would have been considerably less because they don't have houses.

Houses are nice but they are expensive. If you don't have the numbers then they are going to be impossible to keep (rent, etc...)

[ADSigMel]

That's definitely the case. The University of Alabama was nice enough to give my sorority a house when we were starting out, but we gave it back after just one semester, because we couldn't have kept it full...we were mostly upperclasswomen who didn't want to move back on campus. Houses are definitely expensive. I think they're soooo worth it though, if you can support one.

[FSUZeta]

interestingly enough, it often costs less to live in a sorority house vs. living in an apartment, when all the costs are compared, according to our national housing corporation president.

as for keeping the houses full, perhaps that is why houses built today are not built with the intention of housing all members of the chapter.

i know at fsu, enough girls want to live in the houses, that a point system (or some other criteria)is used to determine who can live in. the largest capacity house (delta zeta) houses 75, which would be about half the average chapter size on campus.

[ADSigMel]

That's interesting that the DZ house at FSU holds the most girls. If I'm not mistaken, they have they highest capacity at Alabama, too.

[volgirl]

the original plan at tennessee was to build townhouses but that is no longter happenning. some sororities, including mine are building 40-50 bedroom houses. it's only the top chapters though. unless i'm mistaken the only ones building houses are aopi, kd, chi o, adpi, and tri delta

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally posted by volgirl
the original plan at tennessee was to build townhouses but that is no longter happenning. some sororities, including mine are building 40-50 bedroom houses. it's only the top chapters though. unless i'm mistaken the only ones building houses are aopi, kd, chi o, adpi, and tri delta

40-50 bedrooms? Are you sure? Maybe you mean 40-50 beds, or 4-5 bedrooms (many townhoses have just a few bedrooms and house only officers). Wow, 40 or 50 bedrooms would make that a HUGE house!!!

[aopirose]

She means 40 - 50 beds.

[volgirl]

yeah i meant 40-50 beds, sorry for the confusion!