Fraternities find new homes for new year

For Phi Sigma Kappa President Zac Canull, a fraternity house is more than just a place to store his stuff, eat a meal or take a nap.

“Having your own house changes the culture of a fraternity,” Canull said. “It’s always a place to go hang out with brothers.”

This year, the members of Phi Sigma Kappa and Phi Delta Theta have moved into a new house. With fraternities coming and going on campus for various reasons, the changing of chapter houses is common.

“Phi Delta Theta is moving back into the house they’ve owned, which used to be Phi Sigma Kappa,” said Dan Eardley, Interfraternity Council vice president of communications. “They are reclaiming their house.”

The return of Phi Delta Theta left Phi Sigma Kappa with an ending lease and no place to stay for quite a while.

“We were down to the wire,” Canull said. “We didn’t think we would have a house.”
In January 2008, IU banned Alpha Epsilon Pi from campus for two years, opening up a house for a fraternity looking for a home.

“When this one came up, our nationals called AEPi’s nationals,” Canull said. “Our housing corporation handled most of it.”

When a fraternity is house-hunting, they turn to their housing corporation, Canull said. The corporation for his fraternity is made up of alumni.

Phi Kappa Sigma, commonly known as Skulls, also turned to a housing corporation when they needed a new place. Their lease from Sigma Phi Epsilon’s house ended last year since Sigma Phi Epsilon is returning to North Jordan Avenue after being an off-campus chapter. Mark Shadiow, Skulls president, said he and his brothers are now in the house once occupied and still owned by Chi Phi. Shadiow said they had to compete with other houses to get it.

“Our housing corporation put together a statement saying why we should get the house,” Shadiow said. “Chi Phi chose who would get the house.”

While most fraternities at IU have houses, Scott Bishop, IFC vice president of finance, said the choice to have a house is based on each chapter.

“It’s not as important as people think,” Bishop said. “We have strong chapters without houses.”

Shadiow said he likes living in a house because he can see his fellow members every day, but that there is more to having a house than just the social reasons.

“It’s a big advantage to have a house,” Shadiow said. “It gives the rushes a physical structure to look at.”

While fraternities move in for different reasons, Canull said he’s aware of the most important factor.

“I’m just grateful we have a house,” Canull said. “It will take time to adjust, but I’m thankful we have a house.”

Shadiow also said he is excited about a new place.

“It’s going to be a really nice house. It might be better than the last house,” Shadiow said. “It’s a good thing we’re moving.”