D Phi E section of Zimmerman Hall
By John Wolgamot (Whetstone Staff Writer)
Junior Mariah Gibbs is jealous of Widener University.
But it’s not because of class size.
“The closest chapter house to Wesley is all the way up at Widener, and the sisters up there live in a castle,†she said.
Gibbs is a sister of Delta Phi Epsilon. D Phi E is one of five Greek organizations that are recognized by Wesley’s Greek union that are not able have a chapter houses on campus.
“They have a house director, 28-plus rooms, and even a cook,†she said.
Brothers of Alpha Phi Delta don’t like that they can’t have a house, too.
“Not having a house kind of takes away from the whole feel of being in a fraternity,†said senior nursing major Patrick Aruta. “I have friends that got to Division One schools, and their houses are beautiful. There is not much of an investment in Greek life at Wesley College.â€
For some Greek Organizations not having a house is no big deal.
“Not having a house doesn’t really affect me and my organization,†said Alpha Kappa Alpha member Jess Holder. “It is common for fraternities and sororities in the Divine Nine not to have designated chapter houses.â€
The Divine Nine are a group of five fraternities and four sororities that were founded by the Historically Black College and University organization (HBCU).
Unlike D Phi E, which has a section of Zimmerman hall designated just for sisters, Alpha Kappa Alpha and the other Greek organizations have no such thing.
“It is kind of unfair that we are not allowed to have our own houses,†Holder said. “Why is UD allowed to have fraternity and sorority houses but we are not? We all live in the same state.â€
A Kent County ordinance does not allow more than four people to live together in one house. UD is in New Castle County.
Nate Biondi, assistant director of residence life, said he is in favor of Greek housing.
“I am huge proponent of Greek life as a whole, and if it were legal it would be a huge benefit to our campus,†he said.
