Security guards were stationed at on-campus sorority and fraternity houses this weekend without prior notice to chapter presidents, according to Interfraternity Council President and Wharton junior Christian Lunoe.
In a statement Sunday, Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski and Vice Provost for University Life Facilities Tom Hauber wrote that a “Fire Watch” for chapter houses was initiated “due to recent events in one of our chapter houses.”
Last Monday, a fire broke out at the Zeta Beta Tau chapter house, located near 39th and Spruce streets.
The statement explained that chapter houses that are in the process of having their sprinkler system certified have each been assigned an Allied Barton security guard as a “precautionary monitor,” in addition to electronic fire detectors that were already in place.
Panhellenic Council President and College junior Darby Nelson said the guards’ presence at chapter houses is likely a temporary “security precaution” as most houses do not have “major issues” concerning fire safety.
ZBT Trustee Neal Abrams said he is “really pleased” that OFSA has taken initiative in ensuring students’ safety. While “communication is paramount,” he said OFSA’s failure to alert presidents “was probably an unfortunate oversight,” or due to the fact that communication was difficult because the measures were initiated so quickly.
One fraternity president who wished to remain anonymous “due to the controversial nature of [his] comment” criticized the decision to place security guards in chapter houses. He called the measure “a waste of the University’s resources.”
“Our fire systems work,” he said. “The University is using our money to hire security guards to sit around. We’re wasting [the guard’s] time when he could be providing real security to people.”
Phi Delta Theta President and College junior Joshua Roberts said a security guard stayed overnight at his fraternity’s chapter house on Friday and Saturday nights. Roberts was unaware of the arrangement until he later received an e-mail from an OFSA representative.
“OFSA is concerned that the sprinkler systems and fire systems are not working,” he said. “It’s a precaution before all the fire systems are checked out.”
Roberts said the security guard “did not interfere” with activities in the fraternity house. If a fire had started, he said, “the security guard could have woken everyone up. I don’t think it was necessary, but it is an extra precaution to keep.”
Lunoe said he received phone calls from various Greek presidents about the security guards, but was unable to provide them with any information.
“It would have been nice to have more communication, but it’s good to see the University is doing something,” he said.
According to Lunoe, OFSA conducts a check on the sprinkler system at least once a year. “They have a pretty efficient operation,” he said.
ZBT brothers will return to their house tomorrow after a week at a hotel, Abrams said. He added that most of the damage to the house was smoke-related and will be covered by insurance, aside from a small deductible.
