No More Animal House? Iowa Fraternities and Sororities Seek Exception to Prevent End of Greek System

University of Iowa students flooded city hall last week trying to get a special exception so fraternity and sorority brothers and sisters can continue their Greek tradition.

"It is going to be the end of the Greek system at University of Iowa," said Steve Lawler, a supporter of Sigma Pi. "We are a brotherhood of people living together ... The guys live together like family." 

At issue is a housing density ordinance Iowa City Council is considering.

The rule would treat a fraternity or sorority house like an apartment and limit how many people can live together - one resident per 900 square feet. At least four Greek chapters are interested in building new houses, but if this ordinance passes they'd likely have to scale down. 

The students said fraternities and sororities no longer measure up to the "Animal House" party reputation of Greek life past. Rather, they make positive contributions to the community, and don't present the same problems for police or neighbors as the high turnover college rental units. 

"The Animal House perception is no longer there," said Aaron Parker, an adviser for the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity.

He added that the students in attendance could some day be sitting as an elected official at the City Council bench. 

So, they want an exception so they are differentiated from a traditional apartment house. 

While the Iowa City Council voted to approve the ordinance as written, they vowed to make changes to address the students' concerns. They must vote again before the law officially passes. 

"I don't see John Belushi in the house," City Council member Rick Dobyns said.