Looks like VU will break ground in March on a new sorority house complex for the five national sororities on Union Street near the ARC. The six "townhouse style residences" will be complete in December. Afterwards, Scheele Hall will be renovated and opened to the general student population. This new complex will be great for that side of campus, which is quite run-down. :thumbsup:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-valpo-sorority-house-st-0215-20150213-story.html (http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-valpo-sorority-house-st-0215-20150213-story.html)
Saw that story as well. I like the term "mansion", as it relates to the complexes appearance. Not sure I quite understand how it will look. I originally thought of a row house type thing but this article says:
The complex, which will look like a mansion of sorts with two floors and an attic, will have a chapter room that can accommodate 80 people for activities, ceremonies and recruitment.
The 21,000-square-foot building will also have an half basement.
University representatives submitted plans to two city bodies last week, the Site Review Committee and the Utilities Board, and will likely start construction in spring.
The building will be west of the Athletics-Recreation Center in a series of empty lots designated as 805, 807, 809, 811, 813 and 813 Union.
This is basketball parking, currently?
If it's just west of the arc, that's going to be awful. The parking situation is currently garbage. Taking that parking away will be a huge mistake.
Does the new, second, garage get used much on game days? I've not checked.
No one wants to walk 400 yards in the winter and on slippery surfaces.
I don't think anyone's using it or would even think to use it. The lighting for the new sidewalk was never installed, so people would have to walk across a block-long open field (farther than most are accustomed to) in the dark. Also, without any lighting there is nothing that visually links the 2 structures. Lastly, I have never seen any signs informing people that additional parking is available at the garage on LaPorte, nor have any announcements been made or informational fliers handed out at the games, to my knowledge.
Ground breaking wouldn't happen until March at the earliest so Basketball Season would be open. From what I understand part of the construction will include lighting and finishing the path. It was also my understanding the sorority women would park in the parking structure on a regular basis.
I would think the walk from the parking structure to the ark will be no different than the walk from the parking lot by the union and mueller hall.
Quote from: crusader05 on February 14, 2015, 08:43:49 PMthe walk from the parking structure to the ark will be no different
except for all the rain ;)
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on February 15, 2015, 07:13:13 AM
Quote from: crusader05 on February 14, 2015, 08:43:49 PMthe walk from the parking structure to the ark will be no different
except for all the rain ;)
Well then, just enclose it, air condition/heat it, and put a moving sidewalk in it! ;D
We are worried about walking a few extra feet to a basketball game as opposed to sororities not having houses? I wonder which would make the university more marketable...
21,000 sq ft for 150 people seems quite small. I'll be interested to see the renderings of the complex. ???
Quote from: crusader05 on February 14, 2015, 08:43:49 PM
Ground breaking wouldn't happen until March at the earliest so Basketball Season would be open. From what I understand part of the construction will include lighting and finishing the path. It was also my understanding the sorority women would park in the parking structure on a regular basis.
I would think the walk from the parking structure to the ark will be no different than the walk from the parking lot by the union and mueller hall.
College students are no different than anyone else. They'll look for the closest available parking spot, which in this case is public parking on the streets closest to where they live - mainly Union, Brown and Monroe. In fact, as a parent I would tell my daughter the last thing I want you to do is park inside the garage at night with no activity in the area and walk 3 blocks to your sorority alone. That said, the net effect of not installing a parking area adjacent to the new complex will be the adjacent residential neighborhood will be jammed with parked cars owned by college students. I can't imagine the City approving this project without incorporating adequate adjacent parking. It's no different than a builder seeking approval to build a multi-unit apartment building without a private parking lot to support it. It would never be approved.
Quote from: okinawatyphoon on February 16, 2015, 11:41:49 AM21,000 sq ft for 150 people seems quite small. I'll be interested to see the renderings of the complex. ???
Hmm. Provided the 21,000 square feet were all living space (but I'm not saying that's the case), it'd be about 280 sq ft per 2-person room.
Per Valpo's Res Life website, Brandt Hall rooms, which if I recall have the same dimensions as the other Freshman dorms, are approx. 11' x 13' (143 sq. ft.)
So provided the rooms aren't luxury suites, I think such a facility could house 150.
What I don't understand is the reference to six "townhouses," but then the reference to a single "building" in the remainder of the article. Perhaps the building has a common area and six wings?
We'll see.
Quote from: Donjon VU07 on February 16, 2015, 01:13:18 PM
Quote from: okinawatyphoon on February 16, 2015, 11:41:49 AM21,000 sq ft for 150 people seems quite small. I'll be interested to see the renderings of the complex. ???
Hmm. Provided the 21,000 square feet were all living space (but I'm not saying that's the case), it'd be about 280 sq ft per 2-person room.
Per Valpo's Res Life website, Brandt Hall rooms, which if I recall have the same dimensions as the other Freshman dorms, are approx. 11' x 13' (143 sq. ft.)
So provided the rooms aren't luxury suites, I think such a facility could house 150.
What I don't understand is the reference to six "townhouses," but then the reference to a single "building" in the remainder of the article. Perhaps the building has a common area and six wings?
We'll see.
I guess I would compare it to the newest residence hall, Beacon Hall: 85,000 sq ft for 290 students. Granted, a lot of that building includes common spaces, but the sorority complex will also have a large chapter room.
I imagine that they will be 6 separate "houses" connected to each other, maybe on the first floors? It will be interesting to see the design.
This is a good example from TCU's Greek portion of campus. All fraternities are in one long building with their portions separated by walls on the inside, and then the sororities have the same setup a few hundred yards away.
Quote from: valpotx on February 16, 2015, 01:35:41 PM
This is a good example from TCU's Greek portion of campus. All fraternities are in one long building with their portions separated by walls on the inside, and then the sororities have the same setup a few hundred yards away.
Sure hope ours looks a lot better than that!
There will be one long building but there will be nothing shared other than entrances. So the building will be connected but have three sections that each house two orgs. So two groups will enter in one part, two more another etc. There is no shared common space but each group will have their own kitchen and chapter room, plus a smaller study area. The rooms vary from singles to quads and will have basement space as well (this part may be shared through the whole facility).
I believe it was just cheaper in regards to installation to build them adjacent rather than building 3 separate structures.
and all this time I thought a sorority house complex was what i developed from getting shot down by girls in undergrad
Renderings released for sorority houses:
http://www.thehagermangroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2-27-15-Press-Release-Valparaiso-University-Sorority-Housing.pdf (http://www.thehagermangroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2-27-15-Press-Release-Valparaiso-University-Sorority-Housing.pdf)
Collegiate Gothic aesthetic seen in Beacon Hall carries through to these. Slightly offset facade into three "separate" buildings helps break up what otherwise could have been a long, monotonous front.
Quote from: Vale O. Paradise on March 03, 2015, 03:28:09 PM
Renderings released for sorority houses:
http://www.thehagermangroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2-27-15-Press-Release-Valparaiso-University-Sorority-Housing.pdf (http://www.thehagermangroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2-27-15-Press-Release-Valparaiso-University-Sorority-Housing.pdf)
Collegiate Gothic aesthetic seen in Beacon Hall carries through to these. Slightly offset facade into three "separate" buildings helps break up what otherwise could have been a long, monotonous front.
Sounds like they will have "house mothers". Interesting.
Quote from: vu72 on March 03, 2015, 04:38:15 PM
Quote from: Vale O. Paradise on March 03, 2015, 03:28:09 PM
Renderings released for sorority houses:
http://www.thehagermangroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2-27-15-Press-Release-Valparaiso-University-Sorority-Housing.pdf (http://www.thehagermangroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2-27-15-Press-Release-Valparaiso-University-Sorority-Housing.pdf)
Collegiate Gothic aesthetic seen in Beacon Hall carries through to these. Slightly offset facade into three "separate" buildings helps break up what otherwise could have been a long, monotonous front.
Sounds like they will have "house mothers". Interesting.
Where do I apply?
Nice find, Vale O. I'm pleasantly surprised by the design, but we still could have done better. It's still a huge step forward for Valpo Greek Life and will help revitalize that part of campus. :thumbsup:
I like the swing to the collegiate Gothic style. Hope more of the new and rennovated housing will be in that style. 144 beds /6 sororities = 24 sisters per sorority. Is that all these sororities have for membership? Back in the day, Phi Delt housed, between the main house (606 Brown) and the annex across the way, around 36 and fed an additional 6 or so who lived in nearby apartments. During that time in Scheele, it seemed like a lot more sisters in the sororities than just 24.
Mostly Soph and JR will live in the house...most sororities have about 40-50 members
most Soph and JR will live in the house and most sororities have about 40 members
Quote from: frontrowfan on March 04, 2015, 07:39:25 PM
most Soph and JR will live in the house and most sororities have about 40 members
Not another double post! :o :o
Quote from: a3uge on March 04, 2015, 10:37:51 AM
Woops it double posted
Quote from: covufan on March 04, 2015, 01:55:18 PM
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on March 04, 2015, 11:51:00 AM
the other one is in the thread with all of Paul's pictures of campus
I truly hope nobody goes looking for this thread...
Quote from: bbtds on March 04, 2015, 05:07:35 PMhttp://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=1894.msg46421#msg46421
Actually, at the end of this recruitment the average chapter size was 72. They will be smaller next year with graduating seniors but most will be in the low sixties. They definitely will have enough women to fill the houses and most organizations will have a system set up to make sure that happens.
In regards to house mom's, all I've heard is that there will be one RLC for the whole complex but maybe they're planning for the future?
The groundbreaking for this project is scheduled for Monday, March 16.
Not sure if anyone is curious, but I was on campus the past two days, and work on the sorority complex across from the ARC finally began this week with excavation and laying of stakes after months of non-activity since the groundbreaking ceremony.
Out of curiosity, where does this project currently stand? A google search provides zero information on this after last summer. Isn't it seriously delayed? I would imagine students should be moving into it in the fall. A pic would be greatly appreciated if someone has (or can take) one.
It is almost done and will be ready for Fall move in.
Here is a picture of one section that was recently tweeted last week by Valpo Greek life account.
Awesome. Thanks! Looks good.
It is truly amazing how many buildings have been put up on Valpo's campus in the last 12 years since I graduated. I can only imagine how it feels for people who graduated before me, but it shows that VU is always investing in the future. I get very tired of reading the new arena comments, mainly because the school is taking care of some much needed additions first, before needing to consider anything with the ARC in regards to a major renovation or new build. The dorms were very outdated, except for Memorial/Guild, which underwent a major renovation while I was on campus. Getting the Greek Row setup will help to make Scheele more open to all students. I believe that there were non-sorority students in Scheele, and they always felt out of place.
Quote from: valpotx on June 21, 2016, 10:19:25 AM
It is truly amazing how many buildings have been put up on Valpo's campus in the last 12 years since I graduated. I can only imagine how it feels for people who graduated before me, but it shows that VU is always investing in the future. I get very tired of reading the new arena comments, mainly because the school is taking care of some much needed additions first, before needing to consider anything with the ARC in regards to a major renovation or new build. The dorms were very outdated, except for Memorial/Guild, which underwent a major renovation while I was on campus. Getting the Greek Row setup will help to make Scheele more open to all students. I believe that there were non-sorority students in Scheele, and they always felt out of place.
My issue with this is that an investment in ARC renovation would have yielded probably as much increase in enrollment, and therefore more revenue, as almost all the other building on campus since the Christopher Library. It's my opinion. It's what strangers talk about when I met them and Valpo U is mentioned.
Just drove through campus for the first time in about 3 months. The nearly completed sorority complex looks amazing. Of all the new buildings in recent years, this is 1 of my 2 favorites in terms of completely transforming a major area of the campus. The other is the Welcome Center and adjacent Rt. 30 entrance.
Good to hear that the new sorority dorm looks good. Valpo clearly needs to overhaul its dorms (they are still using Alumni, Lankenau and Brandt with minimal renovation). While I don't agree with the vastly outdated mindset that fraternities can be off campus, but we must "protect" the sororities, more modern housing can only help the university.
It's always been my understanding that the fact that sororities are in university housing doesn't have anything to do with overprotective university policies (or some antiquated brothel law, which is definitely nothing more than a tall tale). The reason is much more straightforward: money. Sororities have not been around as long as fraternities and have only been associated with national organizations for a couple decades. They haven't had time to accumulate the resources needed to own their own houses.
Quote from: Vale O. Paradise on August 03, 2016, 03:29:51 PM
It's always been my understanding that the fact that sororities are in university housing doesn't have anything to do with overprotective university policies (or some antiquated brothel law, which is definitely nothing more than a tall tale). The reason is much more straightforward: money. Sororities have not been around as long as fraternities and have only been associated with national organizations for a couple decades. They haven't had time to accumulate the resources needed to own their own houses.
Not arguing with you and that does make sense. However,(and I might be wrong here) I thought going back to the fifties and before that sororities did have houses. :crazy:
My understanding is that the Dean of Women (who was a woman) decided in the early 1960s that the women needed to be 'protected' and thus the sororities should not be in their own houses. While I do not know this for sure, I doubt that the university gave the sororities an option to acquire their own houses rather than live in the new dorm complex.
Quote from: vu84v2 on August 03, 2016, 09:52:17 PM
My understanding is that the Dean of Women (who was a woman) decided in the early 1960s that the women needed to be 'protected' and thus the sororities should not be in their own houses. While I do not know this for sure, I doubt that the university gave the sororities an option to acquire their own houses rather than live in the new dorm complex.
So I finally took the time to research the sorority house history question. In Richard Baepler's book on Valpo's history, "Flame of Faith, Lamp of Learning", I found the following;
"Throughout the 1950's, Valpo's sororities still rented houses in the vaciniity of campus. Most of them were fire traps, with ropes hanging from upper-floor windows for use in case of emergency. Although they had their own residences, sororities maintained the same 9 pm curfew, with lights out at 10, that governed the dormitories, though students found ways to evade the rules. Some of the houses had housemothers, but most were under the charge of a senior student...
The condition of most of the houses was so poor that opportunities were sought to find alternative sorority housing. In 1961, the University took advantage of government funding to build Scheele Hall, which was designed with as much individuality as possible to house the eight sororities."
The local sororities moved onto campus in part due to funds and lack of acceptable housing off campus. In regards to now, Houses are incredibly expensive and difficult to insure. Most National organizations will not want to build a house unless they are being colonized on a campus that is already housed or they are replacing an old one. The national orgs had no interest in taking on that cost hence the leasing of these dorms.
Quote from: vu84v2 on August 03, 2016, 09:52:17 PMMy understanding is that the Dean of Women (who was a woman) decided in the early 1960s that the women needed to be 'protected' and thus the sororities should not be in their own houses. While I do not know this for sure, I doubt that the university gave the sororities an option to acquire their own houses rather than live in the new dorm complex.
We are not the only ones to have done this. I guess at Wake Forest they must think that both the Fraternity and Sororities need to be protected, because of the 15 fraternities and 11 sororities only one fraternity has off campus housing.
QuoteMost fraternities and sororities have housing blocks in residence halls among other independent students, allowing people to share the same spaces and form bonds even when they aren't in the same organization. - Taken from the Wake Forest FAQ
My daughter was the RA for one such fraternity block.
I remember at least one sorority house being off campus during the 1960's.
Quote from: vu84v2 on August 03, 2016, 02:24:02 PM
Good to hear that the new sorority dorm looks good. Valpo clearly needs to stop overhaul its dorms (they are still using Alumni, Lankenau and Brandt with minimal renovation). While I don't agree with the vastly outdated mindset that fraternities can be off campus, but we must "protect" the sororities, more modern housing can only help the university.
An interesting recent article from the Washington Post as to whether sororities should be on campus or off:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/01/22/why-frats-can-throw-parties-but-sororities-cant/
As per normal, things are never as simple as they appear at first glance.
The legacy brothel comment in the article is humorous, since such laws do exist in parts of the US. For example, in Boston it is not legal for more than five women to live in the same house. This is not a blue law, since if six college women rent a house, all of their names cannot be on the lease.