What to do with SAE house?

news@dailylobo.com

The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity building sits vacant after the University revoked the fraternity’s charter on May 24 for violations of the UNM Student Code of Conduct. SAE has until Wednesday to appeal the revocation to the dean of students.
But if the appeal is denied, what will happen to the vacant fraternity building?

The SAE fraternity building does not belong to UNM. Instead, it’s owned by SAE alumni, who are responsible for what the building may become.

Some students have speculated on what they believe might happen. Taylor Bui, risk management officer for the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and ASUNM senator, said SAE may consider selling it, perhaps to the University.

“It will be up to the SAE alumni to renovate the building, and they’ll probably try either selling it to another Greek member, or selling it to the University, or just holding on to it until the chapter comes back,” Bui said.

Vice President of Student Affairs Eliseo Torres said he has not heard from the University of an appeal from SAE nor does he know of any plans for use of the fraternity house.

Other students have expressed interest in the University’s using of the building.

Mohab El-Ghawaby, a sophomore and computer science major, said that he was not very familiar with the fraternity but thought that UNM could purchase the vacant building and put the it to good use.
“I’d like it to be used for educational applications,” El-Ghawaby said.

Joseph Prat, a senior and media arts major, said he had different ideas for what UNM might use the building for, including the creation of a safe haven for victims of sexual assault.

“If there were a pattern of sexual assaults (in the SAE fraternity building), maybe it could be turned into a resource for people who have had experiences like that, especially in college, who are maybe too shy to come out, just a resource center like that,” Prat said.

SAE alumni declined to comment on the future of the building.