The Athens Banner-Herald today published details of UGA contracts to pay off two fraternities. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Chronicle of Higher Education also published stories on the money going to fraternities.
As for the details, the Chi Phi fraternity received $1.75 million to move from their Lumpkin Street house, and the Kappa Alpha fraternity received $600,000 to move from their house.
The land purchased by UGA will see an expansion of the Terry College of Business, the School of Family and Consumer Sciences, and a Special Collections Library.
While it seems as though UGA did “purchase” the land from the fraternities, the ABH points out that the land was owned by UGA prior:
According to UGA officials, most of the old houses, all on UGA-owned property on Lumpkin Street, needed serious repairs.
What do you think? Is this the way UGA should be spending money during bad budget times?
July 7th, 2009 12:49 am
The most ridiculous part is both of these frats didn’t/don’t even want to move!!
July 7th, 2009 3:06 am
The problem is, UGA’s got nowhere to expand. The east is blocked by the river, the north by downtown, and the south by the loop (plus the fact that it’s already too far from everything else). The west is the only place to go (other than infill — but what would you demolish?), and — as you say — they already owned the land. But it would be absolutely unfair (and probably illegal) to kick organizations off land they had improved and leased (or something like that) without compensation, especially since those organizations are legally unable to relocate off campus thanks to the ACC govt. I suppose it’s debatable whether UGA should be expanding at all right now, but I’m curious if the expansion money (at least construction costs) comes from the state or donors, who might have restricted their funds to capital projects. Plus, if you’re not expanding, you’re dying.
Here’s the real question, in my mind: When is UGA going to put together the capital (financial and political) to relocate the Baxter St. projects? That would be a great place for dorms or more classroom space, and certainly something higher density than is there now. Perhaps when I become a wealthy alumnus…
July 8th, 2009 12:17 pm
Noah, I agree with your thoughts, but I don’t think it is unfair for UGA to take back the property. It seems to me that the fraternities acted foolishly by putting a lot money into the land that they didn’t have a lease on (except for the one case of a 50 year old letter from someone in the UGA administration) or any form of long-term title to the land. Would you build a house on someone else’s property, even if that person didn’t object at that point in time, without a lease?
Also, the Athens Banner-Herald reported today that the old UGA Foundation is using reserves to help fund UGA academics. I don’t think now is the time to be making drastic improvements on campus.