The University announced Wednesday that the Pi Kappa Alpha and Sigma Nu fraternities will be receiving University-owned townhouses in the fall, replacing the Kappa Sigma and Phi Kappa Psi fraternities.
The Student Activities Center, which works with other University offices to determine which Greek-letter organizations receive townhouses, said the process is aimed at identifying the best groups to live in GW-owned buildings.
“Over the past few years, GW has made a major commitment to housing for fraternities and sororities,” SAC Assistant Director Dean Harwood said. “As part of that effort, the University is committed to providing the privilege of University-owned townhouses to the top-performing fraternity and sorority chapters.
“That philosophy has guided the allocation process,” said Harwood in an e-mail this week.
The Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity will be moving into the Pi Kappa Psi house on Townhouse Row, located on 23rd Street between F and G streets across from Ivory Tower. The Sigma Nu fraternity will move into the house currently occupied by Kappa Sigma on F Street between 22nd and 23rd streets. All other fraternities and sororities in University-owned townhouses will remain in their current locations.
Pi Kappa Alpha, chartered at GW in 2003, has not had University housing since colonizing here. The fraternity expects 24 members to occupy the house next year.
Pi Kappa Alpha President Matthew Broadhead, a junior, said the organization has thrived for three years without a house and that the group is excited for the new opportunity.
“We are both thankful and excited for this great opportunity that the University has given us. Pi Kappa Alpha, along with the Greek community, will flourish in the coming years and we are proud to be a partner in its success,” Broadhead said.
Junior Michael Saltzman, chapter president of Sigma Nu, said the organization is happy to have one common meeting place for all their members.
“There is more than just excitement in our chapter,” Saltzman said. “As much fun as hanging out on a balcony of City Hall is, our chapter will finally have a place to call home, even if just for a year. This has put excitement in our brothers, and we have already started to hear many congratulations from our alumni.”
Phi Kappa Psi and Kappa Sigma did not return requests for comment. The University would not provide specific details on why Phi Kappa Si and Kappa Sigma did not receive housing next year. Phi Kappa Psi has lived in its current townhouse for three years, Harwood said.
Every year, the University requires Greek-letter organizations with University-owned housing, or who wish to have housing, to apply in November for the next year. Organizations that applied were required to interview with the allocation committee, consisting of representatives from SAC, Student Judicial Services, the Community Living and Learning Center, and the Campus Housing and Occupancy Management Office.
Harwood said that criteria for selection include judicial records, history with University housing, participation in Greek Life programs and performance in the Greek Excellence Program, which covers member development, chapter management, campus and community involvement, scholarship and philanthropy.
In addition to the houses, groups have the opportunity to live on a residence hall floor.
Sigma Delta Tau will be receiving rooms all on the same floor of the International House, located on 22nd Street and Virginia Avenue next year, said president Lauren Kaufman, a sophomore.
-Michael Barnett contributed to this report.
