Southeast : Beer Ban Bottles Up Fraternity Housing

The obstacles to housing a Greek community on campus at Cal State Long Beach are many, but to the school’s fraternities, booze is the biggest of all.

Sororities say they would have no problems filling a proposed row of alcohol-free dorms. But the fraternities just cannot stomach a ban on beer parties.

“The alcohol would be one of the bigger determining factors” in establishing a Greek row at Cal State Long Beach, said Delta Chi member Michael Barrett, who is also student body vice president. This comes as no surprise to the school’s administration.

Recently the university released a detailed study--including results from a student survey--on building six 16- to 24-student residences. The buildings, estimated to cost more than $6 million, would be between Earl Warren Drive and Merriam Way, just north of the student health center.

In the interest of boosting campus spirit and drawing in some of the school’s more than 800 Greeks, university officials say they are ready to negotiate over the no-alcohol rule, which applies to existing dorms.

Officials also must negotiate around policies prohibiting campus housing for groups that have restrictions on who can be members and another that precludes competition for regular dorms, now about 85% vacant.

There’s also a funding problem: At least $5 million must come from private sources to start the project. Officials hope the Greeks will pitch in, but the housing must remain university property. Other student groups besides Greeks would also be welcome, officials said, as long as students can meet the proposed rent of $760 per month.