Correction: This story has been modified from its original version. — This article has been modified from its original version to correct the misspelling of certain Greek organizations. The Collegiate Times regrets these errors.
A House and Senate companion bill to allow Virginia Tech to lease or rent land obtained through donation or purchase was stricken from the docket last month before making it to the house floor.
Delegate Glenn Oder of Newport News patroned House Bill 43 in the General Assembly, while Senator John Edwards of Roanoke patroned companion Senate Bill 434.
“It was determined that the bill was not necessary and it was never presented to the House of Delegates,” Oder said. “It was simply a concept that the university was considering regarding trying to encourage public and private partnerships and how land leasing can be affected by that.”
The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia said it approved the bill, and would have been satisfied with its passing.
“SCHEV did not have a problem doing it,” said Kirsten Nelson, director of communication and government relations for SCHEV. “They wanted to be sure there was consistency between the source of the funds used to acquire the property and the use of the lease proceeds. For instance, if the property was acquired through educational funds, the leased funds should go to educational programs.”
All parties agreed the bills were introduced as more of a precaution than anything else, with Tech seeking some sort of clarification on the present governances.
After further discussion, Oder said, it was determined that Tech already had the authority it was seeking.
The legislation for HB43 and SB434 came to fruition through a plan to expand the Oak Lane Greek community.
“We’ve always had a plan for expansion out there, and we are now planning a partnership with house corporations,” said Ed Spencer, vice president for student affairs. “House corporations are alumni of undergraduate chapters who manage property or look to acquire property for their undergraduate chapters.”
Spencer said the university is currently looking at a “phase four plan.”
“There would be an additional five houses, and then further parts of stage four would add up to 12 houses,” Spencer said. “There are 17 lots that we are looking at expanding on to. The first five would not intrude on the golf course, but once we reach lot six and beyond — well, we would be looking at shutting down the golf course.”
A version of this article appeared in the Mar 5 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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Wow, someone really didn't do their research or pay attention in class. It is "Sigma Phi Epsilon" not "Sigma Pi Epslion," "Sigma Chi" not "Sigma Kai," and "Beta Theta Pi" not "Beta Tau Pi."
If you aren't going to check your information, then don't publish this junk. Seriously, it only makes you look like an awful journalist.
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It's ok Caleb, you don't speak Greek.
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Anon, please read this, I think it could be beneficial. http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/story.php?relyear=2009&itemno=856
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