Spring Break
Univ. and fraternities yet to make desicions
KRISTEN COULTER
Issue date: 4/4/07 Section: News
Uncertainty remains over the University's final offer to move the Lumpkin Street fraternities to River Road after the most recent meeting between administrators and fraternity advisers.
In a meeting Thursday, which included Vice President for Student Affairs Rodney Bennett and advisers to the Pi Kappa Alpha, Tau Epsilon Pi and Phi Delta Theta fraternities, the administration amended earlier proposals. In the new proposals, administrators laid out new plans, offering to pay for construction costs without up-front investments from the fraternities and a 30-year lease with an optional 30-year renewal, according to a report released by the University.
In the proposal, administrators said residents of the River Road facilities would have to pay rental rates similar to those paid by East Campus Village residents. The fraternities also will pay monthly utility fees and an annual $300 parlor fee per member.
The meeting adjourned without the attendees reaching an agreement to allow the fraternities to assess the financial implications of the new proposal.
Phi Delta Theta adviser John McGoogan said in an e-mail on Wednesday his fraternity is determining whether acceptance of the proposal is financially responsible.
McGoogan said Phi Delta Theta is willing to cooperate with the University as long as moving to River Road is a positive decision for the fraternity as a whole.
"It has always been our position to cooperate with the University in its desire to relocate our house to River Road," McGoogan said. "But that the move should place us in a no less competitive or financial position than exists today where we reside on Lumpkin Street [sic]."
McGoogan expressed concerns that members of the Sigma Chi and Chi Phi fraternities were not included in the Thursday meeting. He said Phi Delta Theta will make its decision on the proposal after hearing what the University's policy for Sigma Chi and Chi Phi will be.
"We do not want to find out in two or three years that the University has changed its mind on what it proposes to build on Lumpkin Street and will allow the Sigma Chis and Chi Phis to remain there," he said.
McGoogan was the only representative of the three Lumpkin Street fraternities considering a move to River Road who responded to The Red & Black as of Tuesday evening.
The fraternities must respond to the new proposals within 60 days, according to a report released by the University on Friday.
Along with the three Lumpkin Street organizations, the Sigma Nu and Alpha Tau Omega fraternities also are considering a move to River Road.
Sigma Nu President Joel Stern said his fraternity is excited about the proposed location due to its proximity to the football stadium and its historical value to Sigma Nu. The fraternity was housed on River Road for 60 years, Stern said.
Although Sigma Nu has expressed interest in the location, the University has not offered anything to the fraternity officially.
"Specific details are yet to come," Stern said.
In a meeting Thursday, which included Vice President for Student Affairs Rodney Bennett and advisers to the Pi Kappa Alpha, Tau Epsilon Pi and Phi Delta Theta fraternities, the administration amended earlier proposals. In the new proposals, administrators laid out new plans, offering to pay for construction costs without up-front investments from the fraternities and a 30-year lease with an optional 30-year renewal, according to a report released by the University.
In the proposal, administrators said residents of the River Road facilities would have to pay rental rates similar to those paid by East Campus Village residents. The fraternities also will pay monthly utility fees and an annual $300 parlor fee per member.
The meeting adjourned without the attendees reaching an agreement to allow the fraternities to assess the financial implications of the new proposal.
Phi Delta Theta adviser John McGoogan said in an e-mail on Wednesday his fraternity is determining whether acceptance of the proposal is financially responsible.
McGoogan said Phi Delta Theta is willing to cooperate with the University as long as moving to River Road is a positive decision for the fraternity as a whole.
"It has always been our position to cooperate with the University in its desire to relocate our house to River Road," McGoogan said. "But that the move should place us in a no less competitive or financial position than exists today where we reside on Lumpkin Street [sic]."
McGoogan expressed concerns that members of the Sigma Chi and Chi Phi fraternities were not included in the Thursday meeting. He said Phi Delta Theta will make its decision on the proposal after hearing what the University's policy for Sigma Chi and Chi Phi will be.
"We do not want to find out in two or three years that the University has changed its mind on what it proposes to build on Lumpkin Street and will allow the Sigma Chis and Chi Phis to remain there," he said.
McGoogan was the only representative of the three Lumpkin Street fraternities considering a move to River Road who responded to The Red & Black as of Tuesday evening.
The fraternities must respond to the new proposals within 60 days, according to a report released by the University on Friday.
Along with the three Lumpkin Street organizations, the Sigma Nu and Alpha Tau Omega fraternities also are considering a move to River Road.
Sigma Nu President Joel Stern said his fraternity is excited about the proposed location due to its proximity to the football stadium and its historical value to Sigma Nu. The fraternity was housed on River Road for 60 years, Stern said.
Although Sigma Nu has expressed interest in the location, the University has not offered anything to the fraternity officially.
"Specific details are yet to come," Stern said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Robert Morrison
posted 4/04/07 @ 7:25 AM EST
Why should Mr. McGoogan even be concerned with Sigma Chi? Their situation is different from all the other fraternities. My understading is that they are the only group in a legally binding 40 year renewable lease. (Continued…)
Bill
posted 4/04/07 @ 9:11 AM EST
Sigma Chi would consider moving because they are going to soon find themselves as the only fraternity in the area and completely surrounded by academic buildings or dormitories. (Continued…)
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