For the first time in the University of Rhode Island history, two Greek life chapters, Phi Gamma Delta and Sigma Pi, will be sharing a house on campus.
The situation worked out well for both fraternities, according to Stephan Simo, the assistant dean of students.
“There’s not too much mystery to it,” Simo said. “[Phi Gamma Delta] didn’t have enough members that were willing to live in from this past year and Sigma Pi had been interested in trying to find some kind of suitable housing.”
Phi Gamma Delta, also referred to as FIJI, has had a drop in recruitment that is likely due to housing preference, according to Simo. The decline could also be due to the chapter’s probation, lasting until May 20 for violations of the URI Student Handbook alcohol policy.
“[Probation] may have had a small effect on [housing], but I think generally it seems that, for whatever reason, the guys don’t think that living on campus is that advantageous as living off campus.”
The house is owned by the Phi Gamma Delta Housing Corporation and is located on Alumni Avenue.
Sigma Pi will take the back of the house, which is shaped in an H format, according to Simo. FIJI will have the front side of the house.
“It’s kind of set up in a townhouse living situation,” Simo said.
The house includes 30 bedrooms and enough space to accommodate 60 men, according to Simo. The division of one house between two fraternities is beneficial.
“It’s helping the Phi Gamma Delta Housing Corporation financially, because with a full house, they’re able to do more and take better care of the house,” Simo said. “In a sense, they’ll have more resources to do that now.”
