Greek life leaders fight for office space

BY ALEKSANDRA SIDOROVA News & Managing Editor

A student petition gathered more than 1,300 signatures in protest of the university’s decision to move the Fraternity and Sorority Life offices. Administration still isn’t swayed, but student leaders aren’t giving up.

On Feb. 15, Director of Fraternity and Sorority

Life Allison Swick-Duttine learned the office would be moving to the site of Quake Productions, also known as WQKE Radio, in the corner of the recently renovated Burghy’s Den. After Fraternity and Sorority Life moves, the space will become the office of the new vice president of Enrollment and Student Success, who is yet to be hired, according to Chief of Staff Ken Knelly, but is expected to start work in July.

The move is “disappointing” to Swick-Duttine as students use the space daily. Most disappointed, although “not surprised,” are the student leaders fighting to keep their space.

President of the Inter-Sorority Association Emma Peer and President of the Inter-Fraternity Council Deren Purisic created a petition that gathered more than 1,300 signatures from students, alumni, family and friends.

“Not that I don’t believe in our mission or what it stands for, but on a campus of 4,000 students, seeing a number like that is ‘woah,’” Peer said. “It’s definitely a much bigger reaction than I expected, but it makes me really happy that people want to help us and that they do see our value.”

The Fraternity and Sorority Life office’s current location, the space between the Alumni Conference Room and Cardinal Lounge on the second floor of the Angell College Center, is highly accessible to students, regardless of whether they are involved in Greek life, Peer and Purisic said.