HOW TO PEACEFULLY COEXIST WITH YOUR
  FRATERNITY AND SORORITY NEIGHBORS

  1. Introduce yourself to the chapter president(s). Ask for a phone number for contact purposes. Offer your phone number and/or email address. Share with the president any important concerns: number of children in family, neighbors with special needs, and other considerations.
  2. Introduce yourself and your family to as many of the students as possible. Repeat your name several times so that the students will learn it (and do you want them to call you Mr./Mrs. or Ward/June?).
  3. Learn as many names of the students as possible. Engage them in brief conversations when possible. Ask them questions. Share with them information about the neighborhood.
  4. Organize a neighborhood meeting and invite members of the fraternities/sororities to participate.
  5. Organize a neighborhood activity and invite the student residents to participate.
  6. If you are extended an invitation to attend a function at the fraternity/sorority house, make the effort to attend.
  7. If you have children, let the fraternity/sorority know what your expectations are about interactions and activities. Some fraternity and sorority members are seeking interaction with children because of their majors and career aspirations. Some members are seeking interaction with children because they like them. Let the members know what is appropriate and inappropriate.
  8. If you are planning an activity that might be intrusive to the neighborhood (increased level of noise, foot traffic, automobiles and parking concerns, etc.), please inform all the neighbors at least a week before the event. Discuss any concerns and reasonable alternatives.
  9. If you have concerns about a function or activity at the fraternity house, take the concern directly to the chapter president or a chapter officer. Discuss your concerns with them and give them an opportunity to remedy the situation before asking a third party to intervene.
  10. Take advantage of opportunities to be pro-active with your neighbors. Discuss concerns before they happen. Make the students fell welcomed. Be a role model for the students by modeling the behaviors of a good neighbor.
  11. Repeat these efforts each year, as the fraternity/sorority membership and leadership changes each year.