The Greek Life Organizations call on the Wofford Student Affairs Office to make major changes to the lease requirements for our fraternity and sorority houses. The petition signers request changes which include but are not limited to:

1. A significant reduction in rent

--After each organization raising nearly half a million dollars from numerous alumni (who have been generous enough to give back to the very school they respect), Wofford is forcing organizations to pay an extreme markup in rent with little to no input in the design, construction and modifications to the homes. We feel like this is a discrimination not only against us financially, but against the very alumni who went out of their way to raise and give money. This will also create more of an exclusive environment, by limiting the number of students who can't afford the increased financial burden due to each organization being forced to raise dues in order to meet the new financial obligations, that should have been met through the money already raised for the houses. 

2. The ability to hang flags, signs, banners, etc. on and/or in the near vicinity of the houses, especially the American and fraternity flags.

--By not allowing any distinguishable differences between each houses, the creativity and diversity of Wofford students has been hindered by forcing us to all accommodate to one social standard set by the administration. This includes the inability for each Greek organization to even display their very own letters atop the houses and the pride they wish to show for the very country that they live in.

 
3. We would like the Judicial Commission to be required in determining cases involving alcohol or to create a tiered system (with the Judicial Commission being one of the tiers) for cases involving violations of the lease. The complete discretion from the college administrators in determining fines, sanctions, and disciplinary actions needs to be removed.

4. In addition, we request a reduction to the insurance liability forced on each Greek organization, the elimination of many unreasonable and mandatory fines that will yet again strain each organization financially, and modification of regulations involving the use of tobacco products to comply with the rules of the original row.

5. Modifications of the houses be allowed and encouragement of individuality between the Greek organizations

--Each Greek organization is being forced to conform to a certain look and identity with no respect or acknowledgement of the creativity and diversity of its members by prohibiting any modifications inside the homes without consent of the administration. If we want to hang up a fraternity plaque, we have to contact the administration to have the Physical Plant place the nail in the wall. This ludicrous bureaucracy creates an environment which favors uniformity and condemns the diversification, imagination and creativity of the students. 

6. Lastly, the social rules that pressure each organization to hold and pay for social events in the communal colonnade at their very own expense. 

--Greek organizations are, even with the disapproval of the administration, one of the leading social event holders for many students at the school. By not allowing bands to even drive near the houses, this will cause an extreme burden and many logistical issues for many bands who travel and bring many pieces of equipment with them. 

We ask that you sign this petition if you agree with any of the above statements and wish to see the administration make the necessary changes to the lease agreements.