This morning, the update below was sent on behalf of Housing Services and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs to Fraternity and Sorority Chapter Presidents and Alumni Corporation Leaders informing them that the lease agreement between the University and the University-owned chapter houses would not be automatically renewed for a one-year term.
The short FAQ below addresses some of the questions we’ve received. As the University continues to plan for the fall, OFSA and Housing Services are working together to prepare to support the chapters and residents who will reside in chapter facilities.
- Why did Lehigh send this message today without knowing what the plans for Fall 2020 would be?
- The current Lease Agreement between the University and each fraternity or sorority chapter occupying a University-owned chapter house provides for a one-year term. Previously, the Lease Agreement automatically renewed from year to year on the same terms and conditions, unless it is terminated by sixty (60) days written notice prior to the end of the current one-year term. As planning for the fall is still in progress, it was necessary to notify the chapters prior to June 1, 2020, to meet this condition.
- Does Lehigh anticipate offering fraternity and sorority housing in the fall?
- Yes. Lehigh expects that fraternity and sorority members will continue to be on the hill. Chapters and residents should expect changes based on CDC guidelines and federal, state and local health and safety requirements in response to the pandemic. We have asked for support from all fraternity and sorority chapters to assess, both immediately and on a continuing basis, their response to the COVID-19 pandemic and plans for the future. At the University-level, we are establishing protocols that incorporate appropriate social distancing and health guidelines for all on-campus housing and will keep the campus community informed of our plans for the fall.
- Due to the chapter facility lease not automatically renewing at this time, does this mean residents need to find alternate housing?
- No. Chapter members will not need to identify alternate housing.
- Is fraternity and sorority housing going to be the same as it has always been?
- The University is still determining the number of occupants that can be in each Greek house and in the other residential houses.More information will be made available through the summer as planning progresses.
TO: Fraternity and Sorority Chapter Presidents and Alumni Corporation Leaders
FROM: Ozzie Breiner, Director of Housing Services, Chloe Abshire, Assistant Dean and Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs
DATE: May 29, 2020
RE: Greek Leases
Dear Fraternity and Sorority Chapter Presidents and Alumni Corporation Leaders,
We are writing to you as the undergraduate and alumni leadership of fraternities and sororities that occupy University-owned chapter houses on Lehigh’s campus. We need to bring to your attention important information about the University’s planning for the fall semester in view of possible scenarios as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the University remains in an assessment and planning phase with respect to the fall semester, two decisions have been made that impact University-owned Greek chapter houses on campus.
First, Fall 2020 was planned for the implementation of an important element of the 10-Point Plan for Greek Life Excellence: the requirement that live-in Graduate Assistants reside in each chapter house. As communicated in the original announcement, a decision has been made to delay implementation of this requirement, so it will not go into effect for the 2020-21 academic year. The primary reason for the delay was the inability to construct GA suites during the COVID-19 construction stoppage.
Second, due to the current uncertainties concerning COVID-19 and the University’s plans for the fall semester, it is unknown at this time whether or to what extent on-campus and University-owned housing, including fraternity and sorority chapter houses, will be occupied this fall and, if so, how many students will be able to reside in chapter houses with respect to health and safety requirements.
As you know, the current Lease Agreement between the University and your chapter for your University-owned chapter house provides for a one-year term and the Lease automatically renews from year to year on the same terms and conditions unless it is terminated by sixty (60) days written notice prior to the end of the current one-year term.
In consultation with the Office of General Counsel, it has been deemed necessary to give each chapter notice now that the current Lease Agreement between the University and your chapter will not be automatically renewed for the 2020-21 academic year.
If conditions permit and the Lease Agreement can be renewed, it will not be on the same terms and conditions as the 2019-2020 Lease Agreement due to changes that may be necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, social distancing requirements that may preclude full occupancy or alter regular configurations of chapter houses.
While we do not yet know what the fall semester will look like, it is necessary to plan for every possibility. It should be noted that currently our second-year housing process for all students has also been temporarily suspended for these planning purposes. We will continue to keep the campus community informed of how our housing processes are impacted.
For the reasons provided, this constitutes notice to your chapter that your current chapter house Lease Agreement shall terminate at the end of the current one-year term and will NOT automatically renew. The University will be determining in the near future whether a revised Lease Agreement will be issued to your chapter for fall 2020 and, if so, what the terms of the Lease Agreement will be in view of the challenges of providing safe student housing under the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In closing, we would like to emphasize that the health and safety of all Lehigh students is paramount. The University urges all fraternity and sorority chapters to assess, both immediately and on a continuing basis, their response to the COVID-19 pandemic and plans for the future. Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Ozzie Breiner
Director
Housing Services
Chloe Abshire
Assistant Dean and Director
Fraternity and Sorority Affairs