USC raising fraternity, sorority fees to pay for Greeks-only parking garage

The University of South Carolina has a plan to address the parking squeeze at its downtown Greek Village in two years, but it will cost fraternity and sorority members now.

The school plans to charge fraternity and sorority members $125 more per semester, starting this fall, to help pay to build a 1,200-space parking garage nearby, which will open in about two years, according to an email sent to USC students.

USC estimates the garage, to be used exclusively by fraternity and sorority members, will be completed by the fall of 2018 or early 2019, pending approval by school trustees.

But that means upperclassmen will put money into a project they likely never will use.

Joe Stuhrenberg, president of USC’s fraternity council, said Greek leaders voiced their opposition to the plan when briefed by school administrators in April.

“You have many juniors and seniors outraged that they’re being told that if they want to remain a part of their fraternity or sorority, then they’re going to have to help finance a parking garage that they will never get to use,” said Stuhrenberg. “It’s really unfortunate.”

The garage will be built on USC-owned land south of Devine Street, between Gadsden Street and a railroad line, according to the email.

Across Blossom Street from USC’s Greek Village, the structure also will feature 30,000 square feet of retail and meeting space.

USC must use fees to pay for its parking operations because state law bars the university from using tuition money or state appropriations for such projects.

USC spokesman Jeff Stensland said students “help leave an important legacy by contributing to the future development of campus.”

Students fees have been used to build other USC projects, he added, including the Strom Thurmond Wellness Center and the new student health center, now under construction.

This fall, USC will provide temporary parking near the Greek Village for students who need to stop by during meal times, Stensland said.

This story was originally published July 21, 2016 at 12:17 PM with the headline "USC raising fraternity, sorority fees to pay for Greeks-only parking garage."