University advances plan to develop Greek Village site

An idea that's floated around Southeast Missouri State University for years -- to create a housing option specifically for Greek students -- came much closer to reality with a vote of the board of regents Thursday.

The board approved seeking design services for the long-talked-about Greek Village, which could begin to take form, at least in terms of planning, as early as March.

Three Greek organizations, all fraternities, are prepared to lease the new housing from Southeast in the coming years, officials told the board, and two others may sign on later.

The Shivelbine House

While still a concept, the plan for the housing units would likely result in separate units of least 7,100 square feet apiece with about 20 beds each, officials said.

A nine-acre site on the west side of North Sprigg Street that the university owns will be assessed for placement of the Greek Village.

If the plan goes through, two older homes, known as Greystone Estate and the Shivelbine House, will be razed. The houses have been used as residences by two fraternities, Sigma Phi Epsilon and Sigma Nu, for many years, although Greystone was closed earlier this year when issues were found with the roof, water infiltration and ductwork. Shivelbine, according to the university, is leased, but also will require major fixes to infrastructure to remain livable.

Until Thursday's decision, more focus was placed on another site for the Greek Village. A 25-acre site south of Bertling Street and east of North Sprigg was considered, but a firm working on a feasibility study for Greek housing found too many potential issues with the land -- including it being in a floodplain.

Southeast president Kenneth Dobbins said the plan to build the Greek Village at the nine-acre site was a better financial decision because the fraternities interested in leasing the housing units likely couldn't take on the cost associated with the work needed at the 25-acre site.

On Thursday, officials said the architectural services for the housing will include phase planning. Only one phase that includes three units for now will be on the table as the university and Greek organizations finalize talks over interest and leasing options. More units could be added to meet demand.

Bruce Skinner, assistant vice president for student success and auxiliary services, said the housing would be designed to attract juniors and seniors who are members of the Greek organizations who lease the properties because those students can better handle the flexibility when it comes to elements of campus living such as dining and transportation.

An initial estimate of the lease cost per year to organizations would be $120,000. The money paid to the university would go toward debt service on the housing, much like the arrangement the university has to build new residence halls as it works to accommodate a growing student population.

As overall population at Southeast has grown, so has involvement in Greek organizations. There were 1,290 students in the Greek system this fall semester, up from 1,005 in the fall of 2010.

eragan@semissourian.com

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