Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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F ' terni }r By MIKE HEMBREE Despite the elaborate expansion of the Cooper undergraduate library begun in July, the cluster of fraternity buildings behind the library will remain a part of university topography, at least for the predictable future. The fraternities received permission from the university two years ago to move off Camous if they wished. Some have wished, but funcis have been scarce. Now, with the rear of the undergraduate library about to sit conspicuously in their back yards, some fraternities are making mild forward motions at obtaining new quarters for their members, despite the university's assurance that the present "fraternity row" will remain intact. Charles Kiser, a private developer from Atlanta, met with fraternity representatives in June to discuss building fraternity houses off campus. Kiser is apparently ready to begin construction on the units if and when five fraternities could obtain the necessary land and money for the project. According to Laine Ligon, a graduate student who will be an advisor to the Inter-Fraternity Council in the fall, the decision on Kiser's proposal is being delayed until the fraternity presidents return to campus in September. "The university has said this proposal is fine if the fraternities can swing it financially," said Ligon. "in fact, the university would be happy for us to do that. But none of the fraternities felt they knew enough about it then. We have written a letter to all the presidents explaining Kiser's proposal." The university administration is standing somewhat aside from the situation, at least in the view offered by Harold Brunton, vice president for business affairs. "We told the fraternities two years ago they could move off campus," Brunton said. "If they did so, they would still be in the university plan, but not a part of the university campus itself. We have not asked any fraternities to move; the option is entirely theirs." Some fraternities are reportedly searching for available land within a reasonable driving distance of the university, although no deals iave been made. At least one national fraternity, according to Brunton, has taken the position that its USC chapter must own any land it builds on, as opposed to renting or leasing property. ALocking4beynnd, $e,meney problem" which 'thh fraterifiesunfortunatel cannor"db,ifffe " 2 A Row' preserved. brightest prospects for land center around an area between the main campus and the Roost. The property is bordered by Bull, Marion and Heyward streets beside the Roost, and also encompasses a portion of land opposite the Roost across Heyward. The land is owned by the USC Research and Development Foundation and, according to Brunton, is being considered for sale to a privgte developer or to individual fraternities. 'l'Te original plan was to ultimately use this land for the university," Brunton said. "The present proposal to sell the land is now in the talking stages." Should the fraternities relocate, the frater nity buildings behind the library would be in for a dramatic change of residents. "If the fraternities relocate, we would have three options with the buildings," Brunton said. "We could shift them to some other type of housing, possibly graduate students since the library will be close. Also, some or all of the buildings cogid be used by sororities (the only present sorority dorm space is in Sims). "The third alternative," continued Brunton, "would be to convert the buildings to academic or research facilities, closely allied to the library." Brunton stressed that no studies or plans had been made in anticipation of the fraternities' move. "We have not made or contemplated any of these plans," he said. "They would be con sidered only if the fraternities move." Should the fraternities relocate, Brunton said that the building closest to the library on Sumter Street (presently occupied by Pi Kappa Phi and Sigma Chi) could possibly be torn down. The planned expansion for the library should be completed in approximately 18 months. Should further building be necessary, the fraternity buildings would definitely be in leopardy. But Brunton sees no immediate need for expansion past the planned stage. "The new library should hold us for at least 10 years," he said. "There is no question that the library would appear more striking if the buildings were removed and the area was open. But we're in an urban area, practically in the heart of the city, and we must make use of space." So, the university is building and the fraternities are looking. When the dust and noise of construction clear 18 months hence, the fraternities may be gone, but their buildings "-"w bppireptly reri a1g part of"the Chro[iha, "OUT-FITTERS TO HIGH FASHION" 500 PAIRS OF DELL BOTT4 (ANYTHING FROM DEN IMS TO DOU KNITS) Flairs, Bell Bottoms, Monster B Baggies, Pleats. KNIT TOPS, SWEATERS, SWEAT ~FASHION IMPORTED AND DOMI FASHION SHIRTS 'FASHION BLAZERS DENIM, CORDUROY, VELVET ~LEATHER JACKETS, LEAT HER CC DENIM JACKETS .FASHION LEATHER & SUEDE BE "HOME OF LATEST IN CAMPUS FASHI0O r. (NEXT TO CAROLINA TI Atmos Sculp y A USC art class experin f xsculpture with balloon Coliseum. While involving backdrop the students a balloons to articulate gigar an art form. .x. IMS BLE 2,000 PAIRS OF BE ells, ~+SLACKS & JEANS WIl ER VESTS FROM 22'' TO 40' Landlubber, Female, - STIC 101, P-Nuts, Nifty of *KNITS, SMOCKS, SWE SWEATER VESTS, NECKS, ETC. Cookies, Hang-Ups, 1 ATS, Chickens, Nifty of Calii New England. ++HAND CARVED LEATH UTS HAND BAGS s -BELTS "EATRE) 22 MAIN ST (INS pheric ture ents with space and sculpture at the he environment as a ttempt to use the tic areas of space as '$f LL BOTTOMS H BELLS ive-Ins, Male, Mark ,e- t a lifornia. TERS, U RTLE* laine Post, Spring rnia, Dick Stuart of ER IDE PANTS PAVILION)