A Greek Life living and learning community is in the works for Ora Manor.
The Housing and Residence Hall director of the off-campus area met with the Greek Municipal Assembly Wednesday to introduce the idea and encourage students to apply.
According to the director, Brian O'Malley, this new concept is aimed at strengthening the Greek community.
"The basic idea behind a living/learning community is that you get to live and study among people who have a common interest or connection," he said.
The plans call for setting aside one floor, or a part of one floor, depending on how many students apply.
Ora Manor features three-person and five-person apartments. In the community, organizations can occupy one full apartment with residents, or share the space with another organization. According to O'Malley, a single organization will not be able to have more than one apartment.
O'Malley said there are plans to allow residents to display Greek pride and promote unity by hanging their letters on the doors or in the windows.
"We (also) hope to promote unanimity and cohesion among organizations that oftentimes view each other as competitors," he said.
Resident assistants on the Greek community floor will offer programs aimed at the needs and interests of the community.
The basement of Ora Manor is a community area, and the space will now be available for organizations to use for Greek-oriented events.
In addition, residents of the Greek LLC can earn points for their organizations toward the newly adopted Greek Accreditation System on campus.
According to O'Malley, approximately one in five students is a member of Greek Life.
"When we were thinking of possible communities that would be well-served by a living/learning community floor, Greek Life students were the first on our list," he said. "Our hope is to provide a safe, fun and educational place for Greek Life students to live and study together."
Ora Manor includes all utilities, cable and wi-fi in the rent. In addition to RAs and campus security on patrol in the building, the apartment complex offers maintenance covered by the University's facilities department. There is also parking available for residents.
Mary Marshall can be reached at mary.marshall@student.shu.edu.
