Miami Student

Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: Editorials

Oxford City's Planning Commission recently approved Chi Psi's proposition to renovate a historic home on Vine Street to become the chapter's official fraternity house, despite concerns of how the change could impact the historic and residential feel of the area. Chi Psi has been without an official house for several years at Miami University, making it hard to recruit new members and expand the fraternity. Planning commission members in opposition to the housing expansion fear that Chi Psi's occupation and renovation of the home could create an unsupervised party atmosphere that would have a negative effect on lives of residents in the area. While the editorial board acknowledges the concerns of families in the surrounding area, we argue that Chi Psi should be given a chance to renovate the house as a nationally recognized fraternity house.

Chi Psi fraternity hopes to add a 2,000-square-foot expansion to the back of the home to hold an estimated 24 members. While expanding a two-family home to accommodate 24 people may sound like it's inviting debauchery, Chi Psi will be officially recognized by the fraternity's national headquarters, and as a nationally recognized fraternity house, the chapter will be placed under supervision and most likely have a house advisor that will oversee day-to-day activities. This is a better alternative than if the students bought the house to create an annex house for the fraternity, which would require neither regulations nor higher supervision other than the realtor. Chi Psi is also taking steps to approach the situation headfirst. Members of the group appeared at the planning commission meeting on behalf of the chapter's interests. This shows the fraternity's willingness to engage in a healthy debate about the situation.

While it may not add many benefits to create a family friendly neighborhood, Chi Psi has chosen a home that is already close to the majority of other fraternities. Many local families in the Oxford community have realized Miami's mile square housing may not be the best place to raise a family. Some professors and families with young children have moved outside of the mile square in recognition of this. Accordingly, it's no secret that Oxford is known as a college town.

Additionally, Greek life is an important contributor to Miami and Oxford's interests in terms of philanthropy. Many fraternities and sororities devote time and money to local organizations and initiatives-it cannot be assumed that just because a new fraternity house is being established that they will be hesitant to give back to the community and inherently become a nuisance.

Chi Psi has taken necessary steps to approach the housing situation with respect for local community members and families. By already drawing harsh criticisms, Chi Psi is fully aware of the responsibility in not validating local families' concerns. Thus, we should give Chi Psi a chance to renovate this home and establish an increased presence at Miami.

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