FROM: Chloe Abshire, Assistant Dean and Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, Ozzie Breiner, Director of Housing Services
DATE: June 12, 2020
RE: Fall 2020 Fraternity and Sorority Housing Update
In the message from President Simon on Wednesday, June 10, he shared that Lehigh University is looking forward to welcoming our students, faculty and staff back to our campuses as we begin a phased return. The key focal points of the message included information about health and safety, the educational and on-campus residential experience, and information about how the semester will be different in light of the pandemic.
We are thrilled that Lehigh is working towards a plan for us to return to campus in the fall, and we want to recognize that the road ahead will require our community to exhibit patience and flexibility as we navigate the many moving pieces. As leaders of your chapter, it is our hope that you remain positive and hopeful in partnership with OFSA and Housing Services.
First and foremost, all of the decisions being made are focused on the best interests and safety of our community. As shared in the email sent on May 29 regarding Greek leases, chapters and residents should expect changes. As members of the fraternity and sorority community, you can be positive role models as we progress into this new normal; it will require patience, creativity and teamwork. OFSA and Housing Services remain supportive of the chapters as we navigate the road ahead.
At this point, there are likely more questions than answers. For the time being, we want to offer a step-by-step process for what the housing assignments rollout process will likely look like for the Greek houses. As outlined below, survey results from individual members will impact how steps 2-5 fall into place. Thank you for your patience as we work to make the best decisions possible for the safety of our community.
Step One
Members planning to live in the chapter house will need to complete the survey from Housing Services and indicate whether they desire to live in a single or double, or do not plan to return.
Step Two
Once Housing Services has received a response from each individual student, they will then gauge each house’s capacity given the results of the students’ self-selected preferences. We encourage individual members to communicate with their previously planned roommate(s) about whether they are comfortable remaining in a double room or prefer, due to personal concerns about COVID-19, to reside in a single room. Over-occupancy will not be permitted. Therefore, chapters planning to over-occupy must be prepared for some members to live elsewhere.
Please note: This will be a shuffling process based on the number of available spaces and the number of members selecting a single vs. a double room.
Step Three
House Managers will work with Housing Services to assign members to rooms based on individually completed survey results of their members.
Please note: Pending survey results, chapters may need to go “back to the drawing board” in consultation with Housing Services to reassign members given individual selected preferences.
Step Four
Housing Services will work to identify residential options to accommodate any members not able to reside in the chapter house based on capacity and survey results. If any chapter members need to move to different housing assignments, Housing Services will, to the extent possible, assign housing that allows proximate living among members.
Step Five
Housing Services will do their best to accommodate Chapter Officers, such as the House Manager, Chapter President, New Member Educator or Recruitment Chair in the chapter house, regardless of class standing. However, given the circumstances of the year ahead, students in those officer roles should indicate in their Housing Services survey if they prefer alternate housing. All chapters need to plan to elect those officer positions based upon members who will plan to reside in the chapter house effective Fall 2021.
What is to come from OFSA & Housing Services…
- Survey from Housing Services to individual students
- OFSA Chapter Coaching Calls with each chapter (6/18-6/30)
- Invitation will be extended to Chapter President, Recruitment Chair(s), New Member Educator, Risk Manager, House Manager (if applicable), Advisor and Headquarters Partner
- Reopening Resource Toolkit
- Webinars for Advisors (6/18) & Parents (TBD, early July)
Chloe Abshire
Assistant Dean and Director
Fraternity and Sorority Affairs
Ozzie Breiner
Director
Housing Services