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Phi Mu house to close due to deteriorating conditions
Issue date: 2/28/08
Hopkins's only sorority house will be closing its doors this year due to deteriorating conditions.
The University notified Phi Mu sisters two years ago that the Rogers House, a University-owned building on Greenway, would not be leased for residential use after June 30.
"The rent revenue generated by that building is not sufficient for annual upkeep," Greek Life Coordinator Rob Turning said.
He said sorority members living in the building currently pay the same rent that students pay for on-campus dorm rooms, with the chapter treasury making up for the cost of empty rooms.
"The cost of renovations is more than we can spend on housing," Dean of Student Life Susan Boswell said, adding that the current housing conditions, "are beyond what the Housing Department can fix."
According to Boswell, the house would need to be gutted. Installations would include a new roof, plumbing, heating and bathrooms, and that these renovations would not be cost effective.
Phi Mu has rented the Rogers House from Hopkins since 1992.
Of the 17 sorority members who currently reside in the Rogers House, 11 are sophomores.
According to Boswell, the University's decision to revoke the sophomore Greek exemption policy would probably have stopped sophomores from living in the house in the future.
Phi Mu President Ashley Carter declined to comment.
"Phi Mu national policy dictates that no member of Phi Mu speak to the press on behalf of the sorority," she said in an e-mail.
"Any time an organization loses a central hub, the effects can be devastating," said David Kurz, president of the Alpha Delta Phi, commonly known as Wawa.
"A house establishes an organization's presence on-campus and gives people something to identify you with. When people think of our frat, they think of our house," he said.
Turning also recognized the sense of camaraderie and bonding that a sorority house can instill in members, but he believes that the loss will have minimal financial and social effects on the sorority.
The University notified Phi Mu sisters two years ago that the Rogers House, a University-owned building on Greenway, would not be leased for residential use after June 30.
"The rent revenue generated by that building is not sufficient for annual upkeep," Greek Life Coordinator Rob Turning said.
He said sorority members living in the building currently pay the same rent that students pay for on-campus dorm rooms, with the chapter treasury making up for the cost of empty rooms.
"The cost of renovations is more than we can spend on housing," Dean of Student Life Susan Boswell said, adding that the current housing conditions, "are beyond what the Housing Department can fix."
According to Boswell, the house would need to be gutted. Installations would include a new roof, plumbing, heating and bathrooms, and that these renovations would not be cost effective.
Phi Mu has rented the Rogers House from Hopkins since 1992.
Of the 17 sorority members who currently reside in the Rogers House, 11 are sophomores.
According to Boswell, the University's decision to revoke the sophomore Greek exemption policy would probably have stopped sophomores from living in the house in the future.
Phi Mu President Ashley Carter declined to comment.
"Phi Mu national policy dictates that no member of Phi Mu speak to the press on behalf of the sorority," she said in an e-mail.
"Any time an organization loses a central hub, the effects can be devastating," said David Kurz, president of the Alpha Delta Phi, commonly known as Wawa.
"A house establishes an organization's presence on-campus and gives people something to identify you with. When people think of our frat, they think of our house," he said.
Turning also recognized the sense of camaraderie and bonding that a sorority house can instill in members, but he believes that the loss will have minimal financial and social effects on the sorority.
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