FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION
Home Safe Home W
hile businesses and organizations continue to readjust goals and priorities for 2020, finding a “new normal” seems like hunting for a moving target. For the Fraternity Housing Corporation, the impact of COVID-19 has been vast. As we continue to understand the lasting impact of COVID-19, the FHC finds joy in appreciating its members, local staff and employees who have evolved alongside them. When collegiate members returned to their homes and families in March, the FHC staff began to plan for a safe fall return. Its staff met in virtual work groups to determine how to best support collegiate housing in the areas of communal sleeping, food service, cleaning standards and guest policies. As understanding of COVID-19 developed, the landscape of higher education and various local requirements for communal living changed daily. This required the FHC to be even more agile when meeting a variety of chapter needs. The mission of the FHC is simple: provide collegiate housing that is safe, competitive, attractive, where members can make friendships to last a lifetime. Every day since March 9, that mission has been tested as safety—one of the key FHC pillars—was put to the test. How does sorority living take place in a world where members must stay six feet apart? What would fall move-in look like without the giggles and hugs shared between sisters who have been apart for months? Just as the FHC adapted, so have collegiate members. Collegiate women have been forced to modify their lifestyles and behaviors to ensure the safety of themselves and others. The Safe On Purpose campaign was created to empower chapters to implement safety measures based on their location, facility and local guidelines. Through the Safe on Purpose campaign, members were reminded part of their purpose as Alpha Gamma Delta women is to cherish friendships, which may look different in every season of life. Fewer hugs, closed bedrooms doors and virtual sisterhood events have replaced a large part of the social aspects of the social experience. "COVID-19 has changed both my college and sorority experience. It has been stressful, emotional and difficult to navigate," said Rachel Foust, Delta–University of Minnesota. "Inevitably it is going to impact all of us in one way, shape or form, but I am so thankful to have sisters that have stood by me through it all!"
18 Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly
House Director Helen Kyneur at Beta Delta–Indiana University
At the local level, the re-envisioned housing experience looks something like this: In the foyer, members and visitors are greeted by a hand sanitizer station and digital sign-in sheet. Once inside, members in common spaces wear masks. Dining rooms may see the biggest change—empty chairs. To put it simply, things are different. FHC House Directors have also had their world turned upside-down. Providing a positive live-in experience in these conditions while balancing their own safety has been a challenge. With state and campus regulations varying from campus to campus, each House Director must enact a different set of rules and practices. Many House Directors have said getting to know the women in their chapter is one of the most rewarding parts of their job, but most have had to forgo that in 2020 to work safely behind the scenes. “The absence of the jovial laughter and constant revolving doors
