U. ponders use of fmr. Phi Sig house

The building on Locust Walk is likely to become a temporary student activity space, officials said. Citing the need for alternate space for student and faculty activities, University administrators are considering a plan to renovate the former Phi Sigma Kappa house on Locust Walk into a temporary student center. Students have speculated about the future use of the house since the University closed its chapter of Phi Sig for various liability and alcohol violations last April. Many recommended that the house, at 3615 Locust Walk, be given over to a sorority since there are no longer any sororities on Locust Walk. Delta Delta Delta, formerly the only sorority on Locust Walk, left the location over the summer to make way for the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. The sorority retains an off-campus house at 40th and Spruce streets. Additionally, student groups have been seeking alternate space to conduct meetings and activities, in lieu of Bodek Lounge and the other conference rooms in Houston Hall, which recently closed for 1 1/2 years of renovations. Administrators are currently examining the cost of such a plan, according to Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum. "I think this would be a terrific temporary plan that would supplement very effectively all of the other fabulous spaces the University has made available to us," McCoullum said. She added that she will find out about the availability of the building within the next few weeks. Several administrators said they were confident that the plan would be approved. McCoullum said that if the project is approved, she hopes to use the first floor for non-alcoholic party space. Linda Koons, executive assistant to the provost, said that while McCoullum's plan includes holding University-wide student oriented programs in the evenings, the building would also be available to faculty members, as well as students, for social events and meetings. Koons added that since Houston Hall is scheduled to open by the end of 1999, the "alternate Bodek Lounge" would only be a short-term function for the building. There has been no discussion of what to do with the house after Houston Hall reopens, she said. "It's possible it could go back to being a fraternity or sorority," Koons said. Although Koons said the ultimate use of the building remains undecided, the plan will -- at least in the near future -- decrease the presence of Greek houses on Locust Walk. Several student leaders had mixed reaction to the proposal. Janelle Brodsky, president of the Panhellenic Council --Ewhich governs sororities -- said she was frustrated the house might lose its Greek status. "I would love to see it become a sorority house," the College and Engineering senior said. "The more years sororities are not on campus, the more years freshmen and sophomores don't see that sorority presence." InterFraternity Council President Josh Belinfante said he thought having non-alcoholic parties could be a good idea, because it would give students more to do. But the College senior said he was "surprised and annoyed" at the University's decision to use the former Phi Sig house as an activities center. Belinfante said he would "give the University the benefit of the doubt" that they gave Phi Sig's national organization a chance to raise money for renovations. He added that said University officials told him the fraternity would be allowed to examine whether it was possible to renovate the house and start over with new members. Sophomore Class President Ray Valerio, however, disagreed with Belinfante and Brodsky. He said he did not believe the Walk needed another Greek house. Junior Class President Lisa Marshall said she was skeptical that late-night, non-alcoholic parties would attract students. "Various student groups are desperate for space, so I think it's a good use of property," the College junior said. But she said that "for non-alcoholic parties to work, they'd have to do something special with it. History has shown that parties that offer alcohol would win out."