Multimedia Reporting (Bradford-Utsler)

Lindsey Brewer, Wichita junior, struggled with the decision of whether or not to stay in her sorority at the University of Kansas.

For Brewer, who has been a member of Chi Omega for two years, the financial strain of being a member started to take a toll.

“It became a lot for me and my parents to pay especially because the prices have risen in the past year. I had to decide if it was worth it or not,” Brewer said.

In the end, Brewer decided to continue with the sorority, but live out of the house, which she has found to be cheaper. Brewer currently pays $2,490 to remain a live-out member.

For many KU students, the rising price of membership in greek houses may outweigh the benefits. Chi Omega is one of the many sororities and fraternities that have raised membership prices in the past year.

According to a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the majority of sororities have raised fees since 2005. This year, the lowest cost of living in a sorority has risen from $4,100 in 2005 to $4, 700. The highest cost of living in a sorority has risen from $7,300 to $7,460. For new members who do not live in, the lowest cost has remained the same but the high cost has risen by over $300.

Fraternity prices have risen as well. Rich Littrell, Vice President of Administrative Affairs for the Interfraternity Council said there has been a general increase in prices but that greek houses are right in line with the cost of dorms.

“We need to increase prices to keep up with increasing costs of inflation and gas prices as well as to better provide for our members,” Littrell said.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity has had to significantly increase live-in fees for the first time in six years. Littrell, who is treasurer of the fraternity, said the price increase is due to lagging membership as well as an increased price of living overall.

“We are currently working on fundraising with our alumnae to raise money to pay for improvements on the house and hopefully decrease fees,” Littrell said.

Pi Beta Phi sorority has seen an increase in costs, especially electricity costs. To battle increasing fees, refrigerators are no longer allowed in private rooms.

Chi Omega sorority has had about a $200 increase of live-in fees from 2005 to 2006. Jane Moseley, advisor of Chi Omega, said fee increases were inevitable due to an increased price of living overall. “Our budget is tight and every dollar we have is used for the house and keeping it safe and comfortable,” Moseley said.

Moseley said the house is trying to work with girls on money issues. “I know girls in the house are frustrated because they feel they’re paying a lot,” She said.

To help with costs, Chi Omega has started a LIFT, Lifetime Investment Furthering Tradition program, by launching a website as a port to sell Arbonne cosmetics. With LIFT, anyone purchasing Arbonne cosmetics can buy them through the website, jayhawks.myarbonne.com, and four percent of purchases will go towards the house. Members can urge their family and friends to buy the cosmetics off the internet and lend a hand to the house. Moseley said money made will go towards whatever the members decide but anything that is left over will definitely be used for house improvements.

Although sororities aren’t allowed to fundraise, the LIFT program is permitted as a learning tool for the members. Moseley, who came up with the idea for the business said, “LIFT will be a good way for the girls to learn how businesses work.”