With some sophomores forced to live in temporary units this year, choice housing like the River Apartments is scarce. Several campus groups, though, enjoy apartments within the complex that are set aside for their members.
Hillel, the Kade Center, Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Delta Sigma Theta sorority and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity all have apartments in the River as part of the residential component of their organizations.
Two of the four-bedroom apartments are affiliated with Hillel. Prospective residents of the all-male and all-female apartments must fill out an application through Hillel, and if there are more applicants than spots, an essay is required. Residents must agree to stay Kosher.
Even with the opening of the Pavilion, the new Hillel/Kosher dining facility in Thayer, the apartments still address a need, according to Rabbi's Administrative Assistant Claudia Palmer.
"Even with the Pavilion, you don't always want to eat in the cafeteria," Palmer said.
The Kade Center, involved with German studies, has accommodations for 20 students in the River. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in German classes and interested in living in an environment with peers who study German culture and language. They also must have attended or plan to participate in German LSAs.
"Priority is given to German majors and minors, and TAs," German Department Academic Secretary Erna Smith said.
Three CFS organizations also have apartments in the River as their campus location.
"This way they can have a residency component," Director of Housing Rachael Class-Giguere said.
Alpha Phi Alpha President Lonnie Threatte is glad his fraternity has an apartment. The organization needed a smaller house after a drop in numbers, so in 1993 it moved into the River.
"It is very helpful because we have a constant meeting place and a physical presence," Threatte said. "It is nice for alums to come back and find us at the same place."
Alpha Kappa Alpha President Andrea Salone said that her sorority's apartment also provides a place to store paperwork and have meetings.
"The apartments fit the needs of a smaller organization," said Deb Carney, Director of Coed, Fraternity and Sorority Administration.
For an organization to receive housing in the River apartments, they must submit a list of four members to the Office of Residential Life for approval.
