Debate over Greek housing at Pitt- Johnstown is raging as time for a decision on additional housing draws near. “
Brian Vuletich,’ vice-president of Student Senate and a member of the Delta Sigma Chi fraternity, recently submitted his proposal for Greek housing to Student Senate and the housing office. . ‘ Vuletich stated, “Fraternity housing is ,a reality..- it is going to occur." He feels that now, when 200 additional "housing units are needed for the Fall Term, Greek housing could be the answer. ' . According to Vuletich, a fraternity house would allow the Greeks living in- the dorms and townhouses an oppor- tunity to move into their own facility leaving space in existing housing for the new students. Vuletich explained till! ‘ only the Greeks already living or campus would be permitted to mom. into the proposed “house”. In this war. the housing problem would not 1'}: compounded. Furthermore, Vuletich is suggesting that the complex consist of seven houses - one for each fraternity and sorority - and be funded by the university. Vuletich has proposed that this complex “(or parts of it) be built over the summer instead of the “convention-housing” facility now in the works, the money, therefore, would be funnelled into the Greek housing project. Vuletich indicated that the Inter- fraternity and Intersorority Councils (IFC and ISC) are supporting his proposal. However, spokesperson for the Zeta Sigma Tau sorority has reported that ‘the plan Vuletich presented to the Councils differs drastically from the ‘B one he submitted to Senate. The spokesperson stated that Vuletich had suggested only the construction of one “Greek house” which would be accessi- ble to all Greek organizations. ‘ Vuletich, though, objects strongly to a one-house idea. He indicated that ’ strong philosophical and personal differences would create problems among the residents but that he will not oppose the idea “if that’s what everyone else wants.” A spokesperson for the Delta Chi fraternity reported that his organiza tion still plans to proceed with preparations for the construction of the Delta Chi house. Members of Delta Chi have secured a pledge for a substantial contribution from outside sources to be used for the construction of their fraternity house. Discussions have continued all term between members of the administration ‘and Delta Chi representatives in order to finalize plans. As a result, the spokesperson reported that some Delta Chi members may choose to withhold support for Vuletich’s proposal. Vuletich has also reported that Jacob Stiffler, housing director, and Lowell Shaffer, Dean of Student Life, support his ideas and are encouraging him to "pursue the matter. Jeff Blaschak, an engineering student and member of Student Senate, sees several debatable issues in Vuletich’s plan. Blaschak especially disagrees with the idea of university funding of a Greek complex. He feels that “special interest housing” is discriminatory on two major points; “First of all, frater- nities and sororities require pledges to go through an initiation process - this may be against someone’s character or personality. And yet. they may go along with‘ it just to secure special Greek housing. Second, it is monetarily discriminatory because fraternities and sororities impose a social fee on their members which may make membership and, therefore, special housing unat- tainable for some students.” Blaschak also feels that friction would be created if the university opted by Michelle Hawk I to fill vacancies in the Greek house with a non-Greek, which is their prerogative if the organization can’t attract enough of their members to fill the house. He statedthat such a situation would be “psychologically straining" on the non- Greek resident. Blaschak, however, does support the idea of partial funding, which Delta Chi is presently pursuing by seeking con- tributions."ln this way,‘fraternities and sororities would retain “quasi- ownership” over their facilities. Blaschak indicated that President Blackington would probably support the idea of partialfunding because it would alleviate two current problems; , (1) The tight housing budget would be somewhat lessened because of outside contributions and, (2) The university would still get necessary housing facilities. - . However, Blaschak pointed out. seven new facilities as opposed to the one proposed convention-house would involve inefficient use of scant universi- ty funds. Furthermore, some of the sororities and fraternities have active membership lists of only ten to fifteen people. Al Bowen, one of the university lawyers in Oakland, was contacted in _ order to determine if university-funded Greek housing is legally feasible. Bowen reported that the university could legally provide that type of housing only if comparable facilities were accessible to both fraternities and sororities. Under Title IX, he pointed out, equalor comparable units must be made available to both men and women. However, the complex would not be considered discriminatory to non-Greek campus residents.
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