Fraternity-Sorority life here at the University of Vermont has had a long and influential history both here at the school and within the community of Burlington, Vermont. The chapters may have come and gone, but the installation as a whole still stands, and the new generation of members is here trying to make an impact.
The thousands upon thousands of students who have entered into these chapters have all come to know and love the resident houses that have become their home bases. However, a certain housing taxation law is going into effect starting in 2017 that may end the comfort and solidarity of these homes.
This Greek housing tax was implemented as a source of state revenue, which would funnel back into the state community, going towards K-12 elementary education. Yes, we all support this concept. The benefits that arise from being able to fund programs such as extra help, after school programs, the arts, athletics, and everything in between for these young children, are phenomenal. Where the problems lie is within the fine print.
The tax itself falls upon the burden of small groups of undergraduate students, many who are already facing mounting debt from university costs. The cost to keep our homes while this tax is in effect will force chapters to increase dues by hundreds of dollars per member. This will vary as well for each chapter, however in the long run, these students will not be able to afford it. Many students even agree that if the dues rise, their membership will be cut short in the process.
The thousands of hours of community service that these organizations put in will drastically diminish if their membership numbers fall, ultimately hurting the Burlington community. Nationally, organizations such as Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, CASA, Hilarity for Charity, Vermont Children’s Hospital, The Girl Scouts of America, just to name a few, will also see reductions in donations that stem from the hard philanthropic work of these chapters.
Although, supporters of the tax argue that these student groups can still operate without having specific houses in their names, and selling their houses is worth the benefits the tax brings to the overall state. This is highly overlooked by the fact that the majority of fraternity and sorority houses in Burlington, Vermont, that have already sold in past years, were purchased by local colleges, such as UVM itself or Champlain College. Due to these institutions non-profit nature, the tax will no longer apply. Thus here we are, back to square one. The education systems’ revenue will be cut short in only a matter of years of the tax going into effect, and all it will do in the process is further the debt of many college students.
The ultimate outcome of the tax? The loss of homes that have historic and sentimental values to the community of Burlington, Vermont and the decades of students who have resided in them. The tax targeting Greek houses will fail to create enough monetary force to improve education, and will ultimately result in the opposite, increasing the costs of collegiate education. Overall, something meant to help younger students, will only crush many older ones in the process.
If you would like to support the repeal of this tax, or learn more information about the legacies and chapter, follow these links. As well, Vermont residents, if you would like to lend your support, email your local official, expressing your support for a bill known as H.725, which seeks to find a compromise to the taxation.
Support us here by signing the petition here!
http://www.savegreeklifeatuvm.com
Or learn more about who we are and what we do here! http://uvmgreeklife.celect.org/welcome
