WKU is taking steps in developing a Greek Village near campus, a project that has been in the works for more than two decades.

Sigma Chi fraternity has recently begun construction on its new house in the Greek Village.

The Greek Village is the concept of having all the campus fraternity and sorority houses in the same area, said Charley Pride, director of Student Activities and Organizations.

“College students run on a different schedule than other folks,” he said. “So if they live in the same area, they can deal with each other and not people with opposing schedules.”

Other benefits of the idea, Pride said, include providing safe houses, proximity to campus, and opportunities for leadership learning growth.

Pride said the idea of having a Greek Village is something WKU has wanted to do for years.

In the late 80s, there was a plan to build a Greek Village on 15th Street near the Rock House, but Meredith Hall was built instead.

More recently, 14th E. Street was chosen to be the location, but Pride said other projects have popped up in that area as well, such as the new alumni center.

The current plan for the Greek Village is to build along Center Street.

“We were hoping to have more houses by now, but with the uses of land and the economy, it has been a moving target,” Pride said.

There are two groups, Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and Sigma Nu fraternity, already established in the Greek Village area, and the third, Sigma Chi, just broke ground.

Evan Harris, one of the chapter advisers for Sigma Chi, said he hopes the new house will be a place where the men can gather and feel at home. He also said the new location will have several benefits for the members.

“They’ll be closer to campus, so it’ll be easier for them to get around,” he said. 

Hawesville junior Billy Stephens, vice president of Sigma Chi, said the Panhellenic Council has been pushing Greek expansion and involvement, and he hopes the chapter’s new house will be a part of that. He also thinks living near other fraternity houses will strengthen the Greek community as a whole.

“I think over the last couple years a lot of the fraternities have been against one another and maybe anti-community,” he said. “But if we’re all living together in the same area it might help bring us closer together.”

Pride said there is an open lot in the Greek Village right now that will go to whichever organization proves they have the financing and ability to build quickly.

Stephens said a lot of chapters are gathering up money to get in the Greek Village, but Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity is next in line.

Stephens said he was excited about the community growing.

“Not only would we be living with 14 or so of our own brothers, but we’d be able to develop better friendships outside of our chapter,” he said.