Simpson College’s Residence Life Department is continuing its choice to move non-Greek students into fraternity chapters in the fall semester of 2026, following limited housing space and rising enrollment. The department claims there is a need to better utilize available space as campus housing fills up and enrollment rises.
The decision affects several fraternities on campus, including Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Lambda Chi Alpha, Alpha Tau Omega and Kappa Theta Psi. This has prompted both support and concern from students, leaders and staff.
Residence Life staff say the decision comes as Simpson continues to grow, which puts pressure on the standard residence buildings. With limited space in buildings like Barker and Kresge Halls, staff are forced to explore alternative housing options.
Fraternity chapters, which often have open space due to fluctuating members, presented the college with a solution to accommodate students without the college having to purchase new residence buildings.
Junior Brett Snyder, a member of Lambda Chi Alpha and president of the Interfraternity Council, said the issue is especially noticeable among second-year students struggling to find housing.
“The school is running low on housing, especially for second-years, so they’re asking fraternities to move people in,” Snyder said.
While Snyder said he understands the reasoning behind the decision, he also expressed concern about its impact on fraternity life.
“I understand where they are coming from, but it removes the purpose of living with those you call your brothers,” he said. “It’s kind of scary not knowing what they are doing since they are not in a group chat like the rest of the house is, and they might see something we hold sacred.”
While the new policy is designed to solve the campus housing problems , it raised concerns among fraternity members who feel the change could disrupt the culture and traditions of Greek life.
Junior Elana Rodriguez-Lara, president of the Kappa Theta Psi Chapter, said the initial reaction among members was negative.
“It kind of violates the sense of fraternity… or fellowship that we have,” she said, as she noted that the decision has forced organizations to reconsider how they manage privacy and internal operations.
Some fraternities have created contracts with Simpson limiting access to certain areas of their chapter. For example, the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chapter, which has a chef and kitchen, will be off-limits to non-Greek members. These agreements aim to preserve private spaces reserved for members while accommodating new residents.
Still, Rodriguez said the process has been complicated and uncomfortable.
“We had to make the tough choice of deciding who we would or wouldn’t feel comfortable having in the house,” she said.
However, not all affected students have expressed negative reactions. Some non-Greek members who were moved into fraternity chapters last academic year later chose to join the organization. The arrangement can occasionally strengthen recruitment efforts and introduce students to Greek life in a new way.
“They became full members… and we love them to death,” Rodriguez said.
Other students have expressed frustration with what they see as a lack of input in the process.
“President’s meetings with the school don’t give us much of a choice,” said Junior and president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Joseph Wollum. “The only thing we are allowed to do is pick off a list of people that are not assigned housing to live in our building.”
According to Residence Life, communication between administrators and Greek leadership remains important for achieving success with the new policy. College officials work with chapter presidents and housing corporations to set expectations, including when non-Greek members may be asked to avoid certain areas. This coordination is being set early to minimize disruption, which allows chapters to maintain their normal operations.
Despite concerns, Residence Life officials believe the policy could have benefits beyond addressing overcrowding. Jessica Stormoen, the Fraternity and Sorority Life Area Coordinator at Simpson College, said allowing non-Greek students to live in fraternity chapters may help reshape perceptions of Greek life.
“It’s a way to demystify what a fraternity is,” she said. “People associate it with media stereotypes, but the reality is much different.”
The policy is expected to be temporary. Once fraternities reach full capacity with members, non-Greek residents will no longer be placed there.
“Members get first priority always,” Stormoen said, as she emphasized the policy is tied directly to current housing shortages.
Looking ahead, Simpson officials acknowledge continued enrollment growth may require more permanent housing solutions. While no specific plans have been announced, the college has historically explored purchasing nearby properties to expand student housing options.
Students believe the current situation highlights a large issue facing the college. As enrollment continues to grow, questions appear on whether existing housing infrastructure can keep up. For now, Greek chapters can be expected to remain as a short-term solution.
