It’s here – it’s new – and everyone is excited about it! That’s the word on the addition of Greek quarters on campus this fall when suites in Juda Hall were set aside for Greek sororities and fraternities. They filled up quickly, and nine suites, all on the west side, are now housing Greeks from five of the university’s six Greek organizations – Alpha Sigma Alpha, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, and Alpha Gamma Delta.
Mark Stier, director of residential life, said campus housing for Greeks was a goal of Missouri Western’s president, Dr. Robert Vartabedian. It is part of an initiative to not only increase the number of Greeks who live on campus, but to increase the number of students who are involved in Greek social organizations.
“It provides a deeper sense of community for Greeks,” Mark said of the new Greek quarters. “And having an actual place on campus will entice new students to look into Greek life.”
Mark said the three buildings that contain suites, Juda, Beshears and Logan; will be remodeled and gain new furniture over the next three years, but Juda was selected to be completed first to “make a statement that Greek housing was important to us.”
Two students, Monica Silber and Charmaine Banez, both members of Sigma Sigma Sigma, were hired as resident assistants for this year and will work specifically with the Greeks.
Greeks on campus!
Monica, a junior who has always lived on campus, said she had been thinking about applying to be an RA and thought the inauguration of Greek quarters was a good time for her to do it. “I was really excited to be in a Greek village. I think it’s a great opportunity to get Greeks more involved on campus.”
She believes many Greeks currently live off campus, so she’s hoping the residential area reserved for them will bring them back on campus and get them more involved in university life. Several who are living in the Greek quarters this fall, in fact, had been living off campus last year.
“I think the Greek students are extremely excited to live in the Greek quarters and excited for the possibilities that go along with living within close proximity of one another and building a stronger brother- and sisterhood,” said Isaiah Collier, student life director. “I came from an institution that has Greek housing and I know the kind of unity it can foster.”
He believes one of the main benefits is that Greek numbers “will most likely soar, building stronger leaders on campus.”
Mark said banners with each organization’s Greek letters will hang on the outside of Juda, so campus visitors will be aware of the Greek quarters.
“I think this is a great step that the university is taking to show their dedication to Greek life,” Isaiah said.