Greek Housing

When you imagine a Greek house, images that immediately come to mind are those from pop culture classics such as Legally Blonde (2001) and Animal House (1978). However, this idea of girls frolicking in their unmentionables and wild toga parties may be far from the truth, if they are abiding by the strict housing policies.



photo from rottentomatoes.com



photo taken from google images

Caitlin Roberts, CSULB Greek life coordinator, says that alcohol, drugs and boys sleeping over are strictly forbidden in all sorority houses. There are a few fraternities that do allow alchohol, given that they are of legal age. Perhaps thats an issue of sexism, but thats a whole different topic.

Housing is controlled by an organization of alumni that the members pay rent to. "Availability and preference determine which room you're in," a sorority member who lives in a Greek house says.

There can be anywhere from 8 to 12 members per household. Some members may share the larger rooms or may have a room all to themselves. Food tends to not be communal as members clearly mark which products belong to them. There is an unspoken mutual understanding that every member respects each other's property.

Although the houses are located near campus, sorority members are more likely to drive to CSULB because "it's just easier and Long Beach isn't exactly the most safe place to walk or bike through," one anonymous member says.