The members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. leased a house on Fontaine Avenue in June and are in the process of getting the house officially recognized by the University as a fraternity house. If Alpha Phi Alpha obtains University recognition, it will be the first historically black fraternity to do so.
This event is "a monumental step in the history of black fraternities here at the University," said Wyatt Robinson, an Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity member. "It is symbolic of the growth of African-American life."
The fraternity has been in the process of looking for a house for several years.
"The University, particularly the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, has been essential in helping us with the details of our endeavor," said Jaron Carter, Alpha Phi Alpha director of membership.
Acknowledgement from the University that Alpha Phi Alpha owns a fraternity house, however, has not yet been secured.
"It's important that the University and real estate recognize that it is a fraternity house -- I don't think all parties are in agreement concerning that point," Black Fraternal Council Co-chair Brandon Green said. "If Alpha Phi Alpha can get a recognized house in this current generation and era, it means that other black fraternities can do the same thing."
In order to achieve University recognition, additional paperwork must be filed by the fraternity. Alpha Phi Alpha has re-filed its Fraternal Organization Agreement with the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, said Cameron Webb, an Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity member.
Alpha Phi Alpha plans to use its new residence as a "space where any students, but primarily African-American students, can hang out," Carter said. "It will be used for parties, forums, chapter meetings and community service initiatives. Hopefully, the house will make Alpha Phi Alpha more inclusive as an organization and as a community."
Webb has led the effort to get University recognition for the house.
"This house will provide a center of operation for our mentorship program and to allow us to expand our service initiatives," Webb said.
If the Alpha Phi Alpha house receives recognition, there will be more rules mandated by the University for the fraternity to follow, such as smoke detector and safety regulations.
"Personally, I feel that it is a positive move for all black fraternities or sororities to establish a permanent representation," Green said. "It shouldn't be viewed as a type of segregation, but rather to promote common understanding and recognition"
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