A tentative moratorium on fraternity and sorority chapter house construction and renovation is ongoing.
The memorandum released from the Office of the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs in August stated the hold on external Greek house construction projects will remain in place “until the university can develop a comprehensive plan for fraternity and sorority facility growth.”
The released memo, which is signed from both Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Brandi Hephner LeBanc and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Melinda Sutton, was addressed to fraternity and sorority chapter presidents, advisors, housing corporation directors and presidents at the university.
The reason given for the moratorium was the unprecedented growth the university is experiencing, which the memo stated “creates a considerable burden on available campus space.”
The university can place restrictions like this on fraternity and sorority houses because the Greek organizations don’t own the land that their respective houses reside on.
“Fraternities and sororities that have houses on campus lease the land from the university,” Sutton said. “But the structures on the land were built by the (Greek) organizations.”
The moratorium does not apply to agreements with groups whose projects have already been approved, such as the construction of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority house that is currently underway. The moratorium also does not apply to interior renovations, according to the released memo. However, any external construction and renovation that has not already been approved will have to wait.
The memo came as a surprise to some Greek leaders whose organizations had planned construction projects.
“My initial reaction when I received the memo was primarily one of shock,” said Kappa Alpha President Shelby Hall. “I know it was something we had met with the university about over the past couple years, so I’m fairly certain they were aware we had a desire to build.”
“I certainly hope (the memo) is only a precaution to preserve space,” Hall said. “Greek life, and specifically the houses on campus, are a vital part of student life at Ole Miss.”
The memo also addressed one possible solution for creating space on campus while preserving Greek life, a “Greek Village.”
“In the interest of developing a comprehensive and well thought-out plan that will accommodate the growing needs of our current organizations represented at The University of Mississippi and the potential of additional organizations on campus, we need time to carefully consider how best to support our fraternities and sororities and their facilities on our ever-growing campus,” the memo stated. “Our current discussions include the development of a Greek Village, and our goal is to provide an update regarding this plan early in the spring 2015 semester.”
The memo also stated that in addition to a Greek Village development plan, they also plan to provide renovation and expansion guidelines and “a clear process whereby organizations can request improvements and lease land from the university.”
“Options for a potential Greek Village are currently being explored, including its location,” Sutton said. “No final site has been determined at this point, but we are working with an engineering firm to consider some location options and determine where might be best to place a Greek Village that would be optimal for fraternities and sororities and for the university.”
“There are many potential benefits of a Greek Village,” Sutton said. “Including opportunities to build community, additional spaces for groups to build upon and the ability to offer a greater variety of fraternity and sorority facility options.”
While a Greek Village is currently in the early planning stages, Sutton addressed that the moratorium on Greek house construction will most likely not be permanent.
“I anticipate the moratorium will be lifted in a few months once a process is in place whereby groups can request renovation or construction projects in a clear, systematic fashion,” Sutton said. “We have indicated this plan should be in place early in the spring 2015 semester, so I would anticipate the moratorium will be lifted within a few months.”
Sutton made it clear that her office’s only intentions are to preserve space on campus as well as preserve Greek culture.
“The intent of the moratorium is not to rid the university of fraternities and sororities,” Sutton said. “We simply need some time to get a process in place whereby groups can request renovation or construction projects and to plan for the growth of the community.”
“Ironically, some feel as though the moratorium is a way for the university to eliminate the Greek community when its intent is actually just the opposite,” Sutton said. “It allows us to plan for the growth of the community.”
