[19418] in APO-L
fraternity houses
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Michael D. Hartrick)
Tue Oct 20 21:20:38 1998
Date: Tue, 20 Oct 1998 21:10:17 -0400
Reply-To: "Michael D. Hartrick" <mdhartri@MTU.EDU>
From: "Michael D. Hartrick" <mdhartri@MTU.EDU>
To: APO-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
Brothers,
I believe that having actual fraternity houses (meaning bought/rented by
chapters, with letters or the like on them) is not a good idea.
Many chapters, mine included, have houses where all brothers live. Are we
fraternity houses? No. We host chapter parties, and other functions that
require a house, but by no means do we have meetings, use our houses as
the general storage area for fraternity property, or use our houses for
chapter meetings. That's perfectly fine.
Where we run into a problem is when the chapter itself starts paying out
money to rent or own a house. One of the first problems is legal
liability. Fraternities and sororities at my school normally pay
approximately $3000/ year in required house insurance. (I don't believe
that this includes insurance against fires, or other natural disaster. I
believe the insurance just covers lawsuits raised against the people who
live in such a residence.) Many chapters may not be able to afford this
cost. Even if the cost could be afforded, wouldn't the money be better
spent in a service related manner?
Secondly, a house with Greek letters on it will cause Alpha Phi Omega to
be looked on in a different light by members of the college (students,
faculty, and administrators,) and by members of the community. Often,
Greek organizations with houses are assumed to be a bad thing. Think
about how many times a fraternity or sorority on your own campus' has
done something stupid, and the whole Greek community is blamed for it.
For example, on my campus a fraternity was busted for serving to high
school students over the summer. The whole community was pointing to the
Greeks in general as being at fault. By having actual fraternity houses,
we risk being lumped into a stereotype we don't wish to be associated
with.
Lastly, having a fraternity house might encourage chapters to not be as
careful when having social activities. In my experience, people are more
likely to be careful in their actions if it is their own property that may
be damaged. Also, a house with letters on it is more likely to attract
negative attention from various authorities such as the local police.
Even at a party where there are no laws being directly violated, citations
for various fuzzy laws such as "disturbing the peace" may be given. Once
again, APO would receive negative publicity that it doesn't need.
One may say that to avoid the police from showing up at a door, the party
can have specific rules about noise levels and the like. In my
experience, rules like that are forgotten quickly once there are fifty
people dancing in a room made for ten, and the party blossoms.
I believe that it is a much better situation to leave the policy as it
stands now. I enjoy the fellowship I share with the brothers I live with,
and would never give it up. I also thoroughly enjoy the large parties,
and the small fellowship events that occur at my house.
My chapter holds meetings in campus buildings, has an office in the
student union, and holds fellowship events in the appropriate places for
particular events. For example cards and movies can be done anywhere, a
smelt fry (an annual weekend long fellowship event for us) is held at a
cabin in the woods where our loud partying and heavy drinking will not
disturb anyone, and formal banquets are held in halls.
I have several more arguments against having actual fraternity houses, but
I've used up enough space already... If anyone would like me to argue the
other side, I can also do that, but I feel more strongly against the
issue.
In Leadership, Friendship, and Service,
Mike "Juice" Hartrick
Epsilon Lambda President
