Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: November 3, 1995
      Contact:                           John Kemp  1 

SOUTHEASTERN PLANS FOR NEW GREEK ROW APPROVED
     HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana University's plans for a new Greek Row off
North Oak Street have been approved by the University of Louisiana Board of Trustees.
     Last Friday, Southeastern's governing board approved university plans to build a roadway
into university land off North Oak Street above the university's recreational park.
     "The project has been in discussion for almost a decade," said Southeastern Provost Ron
Zaccari. "Before we could proceed with the project, we had to obtain board approval to build a
roadway on the property.  Based on meetings with area residents, we have tried to take into
consideration their concerns. We want a Greek Row that is not intrusive. This plan and site will 
not include privatized housing for students which many residents were against. In addition, we
have included shrubbery and plants to act as a visual buffer."
     "The next step," he added, "will be to meet and discuss the project with area residents,
city officials and the Greek organizations. "
     Southeastern Louisiana University President Sally Clausen said the university is
addressing several major issues. "We want to be sensitive and good neighbors," Dr. Clausen
said.. "Because the university is coping with tremendous growth, land on the main campus for
new buildings and parking lots is almost non-existent. We are trying to move people and cars
away from the center of campus to university property north of Columbus Drive. 
     "We are investing approximately $400,000 to develop a new landscaped parking lot south
of campus as well as resurfacing and expanding the Cefalu parking lot on Columbus Drive. In
addition, last week we got approval from the Board of Regents to proceed through the capital
outlay process with a $15 million laboratory and multi-purpose classroom building on Columbus 
near the University Center. Growth and limited space dictate that we explore the best use of
university property. All of these projects go a long way in building campus pride."
     Randy Moffett, vice president for planning and development, also noted major changes
taking place in the region. "If in the future,Whitmar subdivision fully develops and Greek Row
goes beyond the envisioned four houses," he said, "the university will work in concert with the
city to divert sewage to the south and away from North Oak Street sewerage lines."
      "The city and state," continued Moffett, "have invested millions of dollars in widening
Columbus Drive with an interchange at I-55. The north part of Hammond is changing forever.
Southeastern is working hard to meet that change and growth while being sensitive to community
concerns."
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