Sororities have been living together as groups in residence halls for years, but they will not be the only organizations following this trend for long. MSU’s Department of Housing and Residence Life has opened the option for all campus organizations next year.
“I came up with the idea last year when I was trying to think up ways to make on-campus housing more attractive to students,” said Shelley Thomas, marketing coordinator for housing and residence life.
Thomas said she thinks it will be an advantage for campus organizations.
“I was involved in a lot of student organizations when I was in college, and I wish [housing] would have done something like this,” she said.
Housing and residence life director Ann Bailey said the option will not only allow students in organizations to live and study together, but also to build their community and relationships.
“It would probably not only strengthen their lives, but it would also be a good thing for organizations in terms of their ability and attracting other members,” Bailey said. “The university has committed to the ‘living, learning community’ concept. Some of that is residential, and some of it is not, but we are focusing on smaller groups who have a common interest or common goal so that they can interact and grow together.”
The concept has been successful for sororities in the past.
“We have offered this before, and we primarily had sororities take us up on it,” Bailey said. “They have traditionally housed sophomores who were not able to move into the sorority house yet, so we housed them on a floor so that they could be together in their community.”
Chi Omega President Emily Cole said she thinks it could be a positive experience for other campus groups. Chi Omega has been housed in McKee Hall for quite some time, and Cole said it was a great experience when she occupied the residence hall.
“We’ve all seen the benefits that come of it,” she said. “I think it can help build unity and friendships that will last past college.”
Cole said there are many perks to having a community involved in the same organization.
“It makes it so much easier when you don’t have to call somebody and meet up when you can just go next door,” she said. “It will definitely be a good thing for campus organizations.”
Thomas is optimistic that other organizations will take interest.
“We’ve been extending this to the Greeks, but now it’s out there for all organizations,” Thomas said. “The word is starting to get out, and more people are interested.”
Thomas said letters were sent to every campus organization with an official mailing address, adding up to over 300.
Bailey said only time will tell how many organizations are interested, and the response deadline is in April.