Greek village focus of new study
GCSU is continuing to explore the possibility of a unified Greek village at West Campus, with a feasibility study planned for February.
Unlike the current scattering of unofficially recognized houses in Milledgeville’s historic district, the proposed GCSU master plan allots space for an intact organized, Greek structure visible from U.S. 441. The study conducted by consultant Mari Ann Callais, who worked on the new Greek complex at the University of West Georgia, will determine interest, need and overall readiness to undergo the project.
Assistant Director for Student Involvement Reese Cohn said Greek organizations are interested.
“We know Greek students would like a place to call their own, we’re just not sure what kind of structure they are looking for and what kind of structure is going to work best for our students and our campus,” Cohn said.
According to Vice President of Student Affairs Bruce Harshbarger, the feasibility study by Callais will evaluate the current state of the Greek community, including the size of chapters, potential growth and the current goals of the Greek community, as well as the university’s goals for a Greek village.
In addition to meeting with university personnel, advisors of chapters, Greek chapter presidents and council presidents, an open meeting for all interested students will be held this semester.
“Regardless of the program we develop, the funding of the Greek village would require bonds be issued for construction and that the Greek organizations agree to rent their beds and pay a chapter fee for common areas in order to generate the revenue to pay off those bonds,” Harshbarger said.
One of the benefits of a Greek village would be a shared utilities building big enough to hold entire chapters. Those if favor of a larger space for Greek life say it is needed because the large number of Greek students can make reserving a campus space for meetings extremely difficult. A new space would also address recruitment, one of the biggest perceived problems in Greek life, they say.
Recruitment currently takes place on campus to secure an even playing field between chapters with and without suitable houses. A Greek village could allow more flexibility and accommodations for the recruitment process. Proponents of the West Campus site say the houses would consist of six to 20 beds, but the proximity of The Village would provide overflow housing for students wishing to live near the houses.
“Although a Greek village would certainly expand Greek life and benefit the Greek system, having Greek houses known for throwing parties close to The Village raises concerns about noise levels, through traffic and overall safety,” said Lauren Marrone, junior biology major and current Village resident.
The appearance of the buildings also raises apprehension among some Greek members who want a personalized house beyond their Greek letters. Phi Kappa Alpha member and junior business management and accounting major Cody Bounds stressed that he does not want to see cookie-cutter houses.
Regulations, price tags, customization and the future of already established houses are likely to be a few of the issues raised by Greek organizations during the feasibility study.
“We are ready to accept more oversight. There will be some growing pains, but we will gain a lot of opportunities and credibility,” said Mason Davis, a Pi Kappa Alpha member and sophomore general business major. “A Greek row would be a huge cornerstone we could build off of.”
With The Village, West Campus Center and an intramural field complex already in the area, as well as a new wellness center in the works, the potential plans for a Greek village show that, as Harshbarger observed, West Campus is “turning into a destination.”
Posted by Rebecca Burns
on Jan 22 2010. Filed under News.
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