OPINION: The Call for a Greek Row

By Broadside Contributor Scott Mason

As many of you may or may not know, Interfraternity Council fraternities have been on “social probation” for the last few weeks following several undisclosed incidents involving several fraternities as IFC Rush week came to a close. While some may relish in this fact and others may scorn the school administration for such a decision, it is clear that the life that many of us enjoyed as students in the Greek system here at George Mason University is now over. The haphazard fraternity party of the weekend is no more.

However, in the darkness there is always light. Knowing that, this is possibly the biggest opportunity we have as students in getting something many have longed for: a Greek Row. A fraternity and sorority house row is something that numerous students have echoed to me throughout my time at Mason. What this would create would be an environment where fraternities and sororities can live, meet and hold functions in a central, campus monitored location. While the opponents of this idea may say that it will turn into a neighborhood of animal houses and brothels, it won’t. What it does provide is housing that is in part paid for by the Greek letter organizations, which are within the realm of campus authorities. This would allow the Greek-letter organizations to have an immediate source of authority that they can turn to in order to keep parties and other events from getting out of hand.

All too often, Greek organizations get in over their heads holding events and it is
then when someone gets hurt as a result of fear from seeking or not being able to find appropriate help in dealing with risk-laden situations. Some shuttling would be eliminated, as the houses would be part of what is designated as oncampus. This would also reduce the risk of drunk-driving and even death, as students would not be put in a position where they would even need to drive back, and if it were attempted, it would be monitored by campus police who would catch those attempting to drive while intoxicated.

Our campus is also at a premium for housing. Wait-lists range in the hundreds over the summer and many students are waiting past the start of classes to get housing on-campus.

Creating a fraternity and sorority housing area would move large portions of the fraternity and sorority population out of the traditional residence halls, freeing up space for the ever-growing resident population.

While sorority floors exist on campus in the University Commons housing area, it is nearly impossible logistically for a fraternity to be given a floor. This is because many fraternities are dwarfed by the size of the sororities on campus and are unable to fill an entire 30-resident floor. Houses are traditionally joint-funded by both the school and the fraternity and are catered to work for a specific organization. It would essentially create more housing for only part of the cost of building new residence halls.

As a benefit for the fraternity and sorority population, living under the same roof would allow them to bond to a greater degree within the purpose of their oganizations. Having a Greek housing complex would also increase relations among organizations, as they would be living and planning events in the same vicinity. Rivalries that seem cutthroat would be reduced to friendly competition in sporting events, as organizations would no longer be competing for the most numbers at their parties and they would be able to coordinate efforts and show a united face in
campus and university life.

Two factors that limit investment can be soundly addressed with the concept of a Greek row: risk and cost. The risk is worthwhile: it would allow events to happen in a central and safely monitored location, out of families’ backyards and neighborhoods and onto campus. It would help by allowing authority to help manage a high-risk situation and prevent the occurrence of drunk driving. In terms of cost it would move burden off the university for providing student housing, while increasing campus life large-scale without the cost.

The potential is clear. Will Mason move to a true Greek housing system? The benefits say yes and so do many students, but it is ultimately up to the administration. There is so much to gain, but will the university invest?