2008 Woodie Awards
Zoning bars Greeks from off-campus living
Marist Greeks lack separate housing; hurting for new pledges
Sarah Spainhoward
Issue date: 11/30/06 Section: News
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Marist College provides no special housing privileges to members of Greek organizations on campus and now the city of Poughkeepsie is giving Greek students the boot as well.
Greek life was founded at Marist College in the late eighties starting with the establishment of Kappa Lambda Psi in 1987, a sorority and the first of its kind to Marist students. On campus, Greek housing has never been recognized or been offered to any students involved with sororities or fraternities. Students have previously had the option to choose their roommates on and off campus, but in the last year and a half that prerogative has been limited by the city of Poughkeepsie.
In April 2005, zoning restrictions were passed which removed the choice of living off campus in certain parts of the city of Poughkeepsie. According to the Charter and Codes for the City of Poughkeepsie, new zoning laws affect any students who wish to live together in groups of more than three unrelated persons. Specifically, the Charter states that student residences shall not include fraternities, sororities or community residential programs.
Steve Sansola, Associate Dean of Student Affairs, once served as the director of housing. For over 13 years Sansola said made himself available for support and guidance to the newly founded sororities and fraternities on campus. According to Sansola, the school provided leadership and direction for the Greeks and make sure the organizations were giving positive contributions to the college and its students.
"In the early nineties Greeks had a lot of negative P.R. it was our job to make sure they were seen in a positive light," he said.
Housing has been an issue since the beginning of Greek life at Marist and since Sansola has been involved with the organizations. At one time, the school did own a few historical houses near Route 9 on North Road which were housing options for students. One fraternity chose to make one of these houses their unofficial home but this was done so by what Sansola calls "self-selection." Marist students have priority points which they earn through different activities and good academic standings. The points are what give students an upper hand in choosing housing options, said Sansola.
Greek life was founded at Marist College in the late eighties starting with the establishment of Kappa Lambda Psi in 1987, a sorority and the first of its kind to Marist students. On campus, Greek housing has never been recognized or been offered to any students involved with sororities or fraternities. Students have previously had the option to choose their roommates on and off campus, but in the last year and a half that prerogative has been limited by the city of Poughkeepsie.
In April 2005, zoning restrictions were passed which removed the choice of living off campus in certain parts of the city of Poughkeepsie. According to the Charter and Codes for the City of Poughkeepsie, new zoning laws affect any students who wish to live together in groups of more than three unrelated persons. Specifically, the Charter states that student residences shall not include fraternities, sororities or community residential programs.
Steve Sansola, Associate Dean of Student Affairs, once served as the director of housing. For over 13 years Sansola said made himself available for support and guidance to the newly founded sororities and fraternities on campus. According to Sansola, the school provided leadership and direction for the Greeks and make sure the organizations were giving positive contributions to the college and its students.
"In the early nineties Greeks had a lot of negative P.R. it was our job to make sure they were seen in a positive light," he said.
Housing has been an issue since the beginning of Greek life at Marist and since Sansola has been involved with the organizations. At one time, the school did own a few historical houses near Route 9 on North Road which were housing options for students. One fraternity chose to make one of these houses their unofficial home but this was done so by what Sansola calls "self-selection." Marist students have priority points which they earn through different activities and good academic standings. The points are what give students an upper hand in choosing housing options, said Sansola.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
jgrif
John Griffiths
posted 11/30/06 @ 10:38 PM EST
I'd like to make a minor correction. Greek life existed at Marist before the late eighties. In 1979 a chapter of the nation's largest fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon, was founded at Marist. (Continued…)
pxwhittle
Patrick Whittle '00
posted 12/01/06 @ 1:21 PM EST
Quite an interesting story. Preventing groups of more than three nonrelated people from living together would seem to violate Equal Housing laws. Poughkeepsie could be digging itself a real ditch here. (Continued…)
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