For members of Fraternity and Sorority Life, few symbols inspire more pride than their house. Though community engagement is the pinnacle around which FSL functions, for older members of the community being required to live in the house can be a bit of a challenge.
Individual chapters must meet a minimum number of residents in their houses in order to offset the expense of maintaining the buildings. Occasionally, that means requiring upperclassmen who might otherwise live independently to partake in the group community.
“If the house is not at full capacity, it becomes inefficient. It means those that are living there have to pay more money and do more work in terms of general up keep and maintenance for no additional benefit,” Chi Psi President Sam McKellar said.
The live-in requirement can be exciting fo freshmen moving directly from residence halls, but for upperclassmen who join a chapter later in their college careers, moving from an apartment back into residence hall-style living isn’t always ideal.
Amber Erkan, a junior transfer student in Alpha Chi Omega, has loved being in her sorority since bid day.
“I picked Alpha Chi Omega because every girl I talked to was different and genuinely true to herself,” Erkan said.
While she loves her sisters and her chapter, the sorority’s live-in requirement came as a bit of a shock to her.
“At first, I was bummed about the live-in requirement because I am living off-campus this year and didn’t want to go back to living with less independence and freedom the way I did in the dorms my freshman year,” Erkan said.
Erkan recognizes that it’s a dilemma unique to the upperclassmen members already accustomed to living independently.
“I would have been stoked to live in from the start if I was moving in after living in the dorms,” Erkan said. “Living in is going to be a very unique experience.”
Many chapters do not have trouble getting members to live in because even non-freshmen members, like sophomore Nakai Corral from Delta Tau Delta, cannot wait to move into their houses.
“Generally speaking we don’t have an issue finding people who actually want to live in because living in is awesome and it’s by far one of the most affordable options on campus and in Greek life,” Corral explained.
Like Corral, Erkan has also found many positive aspects to living in the house and the idea has definitely grown on her. Since Erkan plans to study abroad, the term-to-term leasing agreement is a perfect opportunity.
“My opinion on (living in) has since changed,” she said. “I am fortunate that I can live in the house because I won’t have to sign a lease for an apartment or house that I would live in for only one term.”
Upperclassmen may find it difficult to convince themselves that moving back into community-style living environments is a good idea, but it’s often a sacrifice required for the good of the group.
“We are encouraging the older members to live in as their knowledge, wisdom and advice help keep things running smoothly,” McKellar said.