 "Photo: file photo")
Marshall University has 21 Greek chapters, but only 12 of these organizations have a house.
Some members of the Greek community said having a building should not be the reason someone joins a fraternity or sorority.
People join a Greek organization because they want to be associated with the chapter, not the house, Andy Hermansdorfer, director of student activities and Greek affairs said.
Jennifer Miller, Phi Mu member, said she thinks not having a house gives the women the opportunity to feel like they do not have to live there.
"I feel that it is an advantage because not everyone that joins a sorority wants to live in a house, and with Phi Mu not having one it gives girls another option," she said.
The Greek organizations on campus that do not have a house are Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Delta Chi, Kappa Alpha Order, Kappa Alpha Psi, Phi Mu, Phi Kappa Phi and Sigma Tau Gamma.
Most fraternities and sororities that do not have a house conduct their formal meetings in the Erickson Alumni Center, Corbly Hall or the Memorial Student Center.
Some of the organizations said they currently do not have a house because of the lack of interest shown by members.
Erica Davis, Alpha Kappa Alpha member, said they would have to get more women interested in moving into a permanent residence before they could start to look for one because of the money involved.
"The price of living in a fraternity or sorority house is comparable to rent in Huntington," Hermansdorfer said.
Beth Lewis, graduate Greek adviser, said the average cost of living in a sorority house a semester ranges from $2,200-$2,440; the fraternities average is around $1,500. She said the difference in prices is because sororities have food service and cleaning as part of their bill. Not all fraternities have these amenities.
Jay Silvia, Delta Chi president, said having a house may make a difference in recruiting, but not a big one.
"A fraternity should be built on a solid foundation," he said. "Having a house doesn't mean one organization is better than another."
Some Greeks are discussing the possibilities of looking for a house in the future, however most said they are happy with the way things are.
Miller said Phi Mu used to have a house, but it burned in the early 80s.
The members decided to rebuild, lived there for a while but chose to move. In the early 90s the chapter could not get enough women to live there and had to sell. Alpha Tau Omega and Pi Kappa Alpha now occupy the two houses where Phi Mu once lived.
Phi Mu is not looking for another house because they are happy with their current condition, Miller said.
Misty Young, graduate Greek adviser, said from the outside looking in, the fraternities and sororities that have a house may seem to have an advantage of some kind, but she believes it is obvious they do not.
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