Last Wednesday at the weekly Interfraternity Council (IFC) meeting, Associate Dean of Students/Director of Campus Events, Karen Orgorzalek informed the IFC members and delegates that they would be moving the chapters currently located in the fraternity complex out and into the Founders Village apartments in the fall of 2020. In a press release sent to the student body on behalf of Dean of Students, Laura Hutchinson stated that, “after numerous concerns regarding the Fraternity Complex, I asked Deans Ogorzalek and Salazar to put their minds together to consider options that the College could undertake now, pending a longer term solution, e.g. new facilities.” The product of this task was moving the fraternities to Founders Village.
After years of declining numbers in male Greek life on campus, the Board of Trustees along with Dean Hutchinson saw the complex as a deterrent to potential men on campus. The hope is that in removing the complex from the equation it might incentivize more men to go Greek in the following years.
Following the decision, members of the three fraternities have been very receptive to the idea while current residents of Founders Village have been upset by the decision as many of them enjoy the independent living style the apartments provide to them. Dean Hutchinson has reassured the student body that it is temporary and they will provide current Founders Village residents priority in registering for dorms in the spring.
Many of the college’s board members were involved with fraternities in their time at Monmouth and see it as an integral part of their collegiate experience. The Alumni Board and Board of Trustees have been very excited about the move as it provides a glimpse into the future of what fraternity life can be on campus, especially at a school which is the home to the sorority movement.
The future of the complex is a little murky, but the long-term plan is to demolish it and replace it with four town houses. Dean Hutchinson notes that, “the quality of men’s fraternity housing has been a concern for several years, and this move will significantly improve the living environment of these chapters’ members.”
CJ Bonifer - Photography Manager