Overview of Fraternity and Sorority Spaces
College Panhellenic Council Suites at Buccaneer Ridge Apartments:
College Panhellenic Councils entered into an agreement with the university in the
1950’s to provide on-campus spaces for sororities. In 2015, four Panhellenic sororities
moved into Buccaneer Ridge with a fifth joining in 2016. The sororities have one four-bedroom
apartment to use as a small gathering space for chapter operations. The rental terms
and agreements are between the sororities and ETSU’s Department of Housing and Residence
Life. This includes Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Xi Delta, Kappa Delta,
and Sigma Kappa.
East Tennessee Fraternity Council Suites at Nell Dossett Residence Hall:
Two IFC suites opened in fall of 2019. Fraternities pay a rental amount to the Department
of Housing and Residence Life to offset the cost of using these rooms. Currently,
the Office of Fraternity and Sorority life oversees one suite, with one being sunset.
Alpha Sigma Phi currently holds the suite in Nell Dossett Hall.
East Tennessee Fraternity Council Houses at the 900 block of West Maple Street:
Two IFC facilities on Maple Street opened in 2019, one in 2023, and one in 2024. Fraternities
pay a rental amount, which goes directly toward the cost of operating these homes
including utilities and custodial services. This includes Pi Kappa Alpha at 914 W.
Maple St., Sigma Alpha Epsilon at 916 W. Maple St., Beta Upsilon Chi at 918 W. Maple
St., and Sigma Phi Epsilon at 920 W. Maple St.
National Pan-Hellenic Council Plaza:
The National Pan-Hellenic Council Plaza was supported by the gifts of generous donors
to the University. The NPHC Plaza is located in between Centennial Hall and Gilbreath
Dr.
Objectives and Goals:
College Panhellenic Council Suites:
Dating back to the 50's Panhellenic Council chapters have maintained an agreement with the university to provide a gathering space for each organization on campus. These are now located in Buccaneer Ridge Residence Halls. Each chapter has one four-bedroom apartment that has been renovated to meet their needs. The purpose of these spaces is to provide a space for deep and meaningful engagement as well as chapter board meetings alongside other essential functions of the chapters. These spaces host study spaces to promote the academic emphasis of each chapter.
The College Panhellenic Council Living Learning Community is an initiative designed
to strengthen Panhellenic connections for on-campus residents. CPLLC activities include
fun sisterhood-style events hosted in the BucRidge community and throughout campus.
This has included tie dying shirts, planting succulents, painting, showing a movie,
free food, and guaranteed fun.
East Tennessee Fraternity Council Spaces (900 block of Maple Street and Nell Dossett Suite):
Moving fraternities on campus has been a longstanding conversation the university. We have used two strategic plan groups in the past several years that have been comprised of all council representatives. One strategic group looked at the broader vision for the direction of fraternity and sorority life and another to help with the planning as it relates specifically to housing for our fraternity and sorority chapters.
- Building community within and among the chapters
- Increasing retention by providing a sound environment for academic and social support
- Providing space for small group meetings and academic enrichment activities
- Offering visibility to groups that are fostering social and moral character development, good citizenship, and a commitment to true fraternal culture and the values of ETSU.
National Pan-Hellenic Council Plaza:
The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Plaza was opened on November 2, 2019 from the vision of alumni and undergraduate students. The goals of the NPHC Plaza are:
- To provide visual evidence of opportunities to belong and demonstrate a commitment to the value of diversity
- To emphasize belonging with the university to promote retention. Fraternity and sorority members are retained at higher rated than non-affiliated students.
- To raise awareness among non-affiliated students and promote the historical significance of NPHC organizations and recognize the role they have played in campus life.
- To foster community by providing space for performance, gathering, social interaction, and personal reflection.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which organizations have a dedicated space on campus?
College Panhellenic Council: Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Xi Delta, Kappa Delta, Sigma Kappa
East Tennessee Fraternity Council: Alpha Sigma Phi, Beta Upsilon Chi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Phi Epsilon
National Pan-Hellenic Council: Plaques representing all Divine Nine organizations including: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.; Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
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What activities can take place in the facilities on-campus?
Campus-based facilities are intended to be a gathering space and hub for operations. This includes sisterhood and brotherhood events, recruitment events, chapter meetings, board meetings, and meetings with advisors. Outdoors facilities and nearby amenities do need reservations through the 25 Live reservation system.
As with all activities on campus, they must be alcohol and tobacco-free and in alignment with all ETSU policies.
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What activities can take place in housing facilities off-campus?
Student organization business and activities must be conducted in accordance with local, state and federal law. Student organizations chartered at ETSU in association with a local, state, regional or inter/national organizations will be held responsible for compliance with the policies required for that affiliation. Additionally, student organization activities must be in keeping with the ETSU Code of Conduct.
Events with alcohol and formal recruitment functions are not approved to take place in private residences. Events with alcohol and recruitment functions at public, off-campus locations may be approved by the University once groups have demonstrated compliance with required policies and procedures. Events with alcohol must be registered (Risk Management Assurance Online Form) and in compliance with the risk management assurance policies and procedures. Recruitment functions must comply with guidelines adopted each semester through the fraternity and sorority governing councils (College Panhellenic, IFC and NPHC).
Activities that do not involve alcohol or the recruitment of new members do not require University approval and are not prohibited from being held at off-campus locations.
We strongly encourage all groups to use the D.P. Culp Student Center and other on-campus facilities to host organization events.
These guidelines have been developed using best practices from the fraternity/sorority community at ETSU. In 2018, the University announced that beginning in July 2021 all new or previously recognized off-campus fraternity housing would no longer be recognized or sanctioned for events.
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Where do groups that don't have space on-campus do these types of events?
Groups are encouraged to reserve space on campus and work with the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life to arrange events at licensed and approved third party vendors in accordance with the General Policies on Student Organizations and the Policies and Procedures for Events with Alcohol when applicable.
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What if organizations violate university guidelines or policies?
ETSU does not monitor activities in private residences. However, if/when the behavior of a student organization threatens the safety of ETSU students or others in the community or is reportedly in violation of either the ETSU Code of Conduct, General Policies on Student Organizations or the Policies and Procedures for Events with Alcohol, the Dean of Students office will investigate and hold organizations accountable. Incidents may reported to the Dean of Students through the incident report form.
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Can newly chartered or returning fraternities/sororities obtain either off-campus or on-campus facilities?
ETSU does not recognize off-campus fraternity/sorority facilities. As a result, the University will only sanction activities that that take place at on-campus venues or third party vendors that have been approved through the Policies and Procedures for Events with Alcohol.
All fraternity and sorority life organizations are given the option to participate in the learning communities established in on-campus facilities.
It is important to note that while ETSU no longer recognizes off-campus fraternity/sorority housing, that does not preclude national organizations and local housing corporations from owning property. Facilities maintained outside of University sanction are private property and would not be eligible for approved student organization activities.
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Other Questions?
Contact the FSL Interim Director, Bryce Hopkins, hopkinsw@etsu.edu.