Fraternities to challenge loss of sophomore housing exemption
Hopkins fraternities plan to make a formal request next month for reinstating the sophomore housing exemption, after concerns from several chapters over what the loss of residents means for their futures.
A sophomore exemption task force compiled procedures that fraternities would be willing to follow in order to allow sophomores back into their houses.
"We realize to make this a reality we have to work with the University on issues like academic requirements and disciplinary standing," Alpha Delta Phi (WaWa) President Eric Callocchia said.
Coordinator of Greek Life Rob Turning said that he was "not sure what it would take" to reinstate the sophomore exemption, but the decision would ultimately be up to Dean of Student Life Susan Boswell.
The task force has been holding monthly meetings with Boswell and the housing office.
Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) President Max Borchard was optimistic about the possibility of reinstation.
"It seems like the University has every intention of making this achievable," he said.
Fraternities hope to have the exemption back in time to offer housing in the spring.
When the policy was first reversed last year, several fraternities were concerned that the lack of sophomore residents would increase rent and possibly force relocation.
"We haven't had any [difficulties] yet, but next year our classes aren't as large, so we might run into a problem," Callocchia said.
"We would like to have sophomores around, both to be part of the house and to help financially . . . we try to hold our cost at about 80 percent of University housing, and more people help us do that."
"Apparently they have done a good job" of getting older fraternity members to live in the houses, Turning said.
According to Borchard, Pike has not "yet had any problems with rent, increasing dues or finding upperclassmen."
According to Callocchia, the sophomore task force is composed of the Alumni Greek Organization, chapter advisers and chapter presidents.
A sophomore exemption task force compiled procedures that fraternities would be willing to follow in order to allow sophomores back into their houses.
"We realize to make this a reality we have to work with the University on issues like academic requirements and disciplinary standing," Alpha Delta Phi (WaWa) President Eric Callocchia said.
Coordinator of Greek Life Rob Turning said that he was "not sure what it would take" to reinstate the sophomore exemption, but the decision would ultimately be up to Dean of Student Life Susan Boswell.
The task force has been holding monthly meetings with Boswell and the housing office.
Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) President Max Borchard was optimistic about the possibility of reinstation.
"It seems like the University has every intention of making this achievable," he said.
Fraternities hope to have the exemption back in time to offer housing in the spring.
When the policy was first reversed last year, several fraternities were concerned that the lack of sophomore residents would increase rent and possibly force relocation.
"We haven't had any [difficulties] yet, but next year our classes aren't as large, so we might run into a problem," Callocchia said.
"We would like to have sophomores around, both to be part of the house and to help financially . . . we try to hold our cost at about 80 percent of University housing, and more people help us do that."
"Apparently they have done a good job" of getting older fraternity members to live in the houses, Turning said.
According to Borchard, Pike has not "yet had any problems with rent, increasing dues or finding upperclassmen."
According to Callocchia, the sophomore task force is composed of the Alumni Greek Organization, chapter advisers and chapter presidents.
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