ETSU is taking steps to bring spirit to their campus. One way they’re doing this is to give Panhellenic sorority members the opportunity to live together in a residence hall for the first time. Girls looking to get involved in Greek life at ETSU have four Panhellenic sororities to choose from: Alpha Delta Pi, Kappa Delta, Alpha Xi Delta and Sigma Kappa.

Before the 2008 school year, recruits would visit sorority suites in Panhellenic Hall during rush week.

However, because of construction on Panhellenic Hall, sororities had to find a new campus destination for their suites.

Now, the four sororities have suites in Lucille Clement Hall dormitory.

In addition to the new suites, the sororities were given a designated floor for members to live together.

“It’s so great living on the floor because not only are you with all your sorority sisters . but it brings us all closer together and we get to know each other on a more personal level. Instead of just as sorority sisters, we get to be friends,” said Cassie Weikel, a senior at ETSU and active member of Kappa Delta sorority.

For years, there have been rumors of a brothel law that prohibited sorority members from living together in houses. Supposedly, it was illegal for more than eight girls to live in one residence. However, there is no record of any such law ever existing in the state of Tennessee.

So why did it take so long for sororities at ETSU to have a residence? Elizabeth Garrett, a recent ETSU graduate, remembers the appeal that made it possible for sororities to live together.

“The new rule is that in order for any sorority to get a house, every sorority has to be able to afford it,” said Garrett. “Clearly, not all of us had enough time to save up that kind of money.”

In 2008, after seeing that each sorority could not raise the funds necessary for a house in the immediate future, ETSU reserved a hall in Lucille Clement for sorority living. In the summer of 2009, ETSU completely renovated that sorority hall.

“It took ETSU so long because they had to find the money for the funding,” said Weikel. “But, now that ETSU found the funds they definitely have made the most of them. The renovations they have done to Lucy [Lucille Clement] are amazing from last year to this year.”

Garrett spent four years with Alpha Delta Pi sorority and held several positions during her time. The move to Lucille Hall was happening right as she was graduating, so she was never given the opportunity to live in the dorm.

Now, she acts as the adviser for Alpha Delta Pi at Appalachian State University where she attends graduate school. There, where sorority members live in dorms, she gets to see the effects it has on the sorority experience.

“It’s so interesting to see what a difference it has made for them [at Appalachian State],” said Garrett. “I think the sisterhood would have been closer because you get the chance to know everyone on a real level, not just through Alpha Delta Pi things, but the stupid lazy laying around moments when a friendship actually happens.”

At ETSU, every sorority member is required to live on the hall for one year. There are positive and negative aspects of a hall, but most are in agreement that this step is only the beginning in making sorority life on campus bigger and better.

“I have talked to a few girls from ETSU and from what I hear, they really love it,” said Garrett. “They say they get to know girls who are in their immediate best friend circle. That’s what a sorority is all about, so it’s been great for them.”

Weikel also believes living together helps the growth of a sisterhood bond.

“The best thing about living together is that you aren’t living with complete strangers,” said Weikel. “You are living with 20 or 30 of your closest friends. It’s a great experience and . girls will continue to live in Lucy as long as they are able to.”

Kristen Scarbro, a junior at ETSU, was initiated into Kappa Delta this semester.

“Being able to go to the dorm and hang out, outside of mixers and meetings, means I get to meet my new sisters on a whole other level,” said Scarbro. “I think this is only going to be an advantage for recruitment because we have really been able to develop a family, and family is, after all, what you’re looking for when you sign up.”

“I’m proud to call ETSU home,” said Weikel. “Any place that cares enough to make sure we have a ‘family’ on campus is OK with me.

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