Graduate Program
College Student Affairs
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Semester of Degree Completion
2010
Thesis Director
Charles Eberly
Thesis Committee Member
Richard Roberts
Thesis Committee Member
None
Abstract
This purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of fraternity members in relation to their experience living in off-campus, chapter-owned fraternity housing and on-campus, university-owned fraternity housing. The fraternity resided in an off-campus chapter house for several decades and recently relocated to a housing facility provided by the university. General theme emerging from participants' responses were critically evaluated based on prior research. The findings of this study suggested that the participant's perceived on-campus housing to be an overall better living environment than off-campus housing in the areas of academic success, residential community, and student persistence and engagement. However, on-campus housing created more pressure on the participants to recruit members in order to reach the required campus minimum occupancy rate for the chapter. Off-campus housing negatively affected the academic success of the members and was described as a party atmosphere 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These findings are followed by a discussion section connecting participant responses to prior research, as well as recommendations for future researchers, fraternity/ sorority professionals, university administrators, and national fraternity and sorority officials.
Recommended Citation
Morettes, Erin Therese, "Fraternity Member'S Perceptions Of The Benefits And Limitations Of On-Campus, University-Owned Fraternity Housing And Off-Campus, Chapter-Owned Fraternity Housing" (2010). Masters Theses. 191.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/191