Syracuse University’s greek houses along Comstock Avenue and on Walnut Park have hundreds of years of history, but their old age also comes with maintenance fees.

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) introduced the Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act in March, and U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) introduced a version of the bill in the House in April. The bill would allow places such as fraternities and sororities to use charitable donations for infrastructural improvements. SU lobbied U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) to support the bill in the spring.

About 100 student leaders from approximately 70 universities have expressed their support for the bill, according to an April 25 news release from Sessions.

But six months later, there’s been no action on the bill in either the House or Senate.

“I urge my colleagues in the House and Senate to join me in supporting this bipartisan, cost-effective solution to help make college more affordable, reduce long-term student loan debt, create small business jobs nationwide and improve campus safety,” Sessions said in the release.

About 20 percent of the SU student population belongs to the greek system, according to the university’s website.

The Psi Upsilon chapter at Syracuse University recently underwent several house renovations without the help of tax-deductible charitable donations. The recent upgrades cost $350,000.

“We have alumni that give donations throughout the year, large and small. We still have fundraising to complete exterior renovations,” said Jim Cornacchia, vice president of the Psi Upsilon Trust Association. “The challenge that we have is that donations are not tax deductible. That’s where the CHIA comes in, taking a look at the function of the greek community and the value that it provides.”

Sessions said in the news release the students in support of the bill emphasized the need for upgrades such as fire sprinklers for not-for-profit houses to ensure a safer living environment.

“The challenges that you have is that you have a house that is over 100 years old, and you need to be able to maintain it and keep it up to date, and also have adequate safety systems like sprinklers and fire alarms,” Cornacchia said.  “There’s a lot of houses that don’t have sprinklers,” he said, speaking in general terms.

Ralph Ketcham, a professor emeritus of history, public affairs and political science at SU, said he believes the reason that the bill hasn’t passed is likely due to money, but also hinted at a possible backdoor solution for greek organizations facing this issue.

“I suspect the opposition to the CHIA bill is largely from deficit reducers who do not want the revenue loss that would follow if such donations were exempt from taxation; that is made charitable,” Ketcham said in an email. “My fraternity at Allegheny College, Delta Tau Delta, got around this problem when raising money for a new chapter house by passing the money through the College, where it could get the charity exemption.”

While there are loopholes around this financial conundrum, Cornacchia, the Psi Upsilon Trust Association vice president, said he believes the actual passing of this bill would have a very noticeable effect on the greek community. He said he supports its passing wholeheartedly.

Said Cornacchia: “If we had an ability and a facility to offer alumni the ability to get a tax deduction for donations, that would be a huge win and a huge help to our organization and to all greek organizations.”

Published on September 10, 2013 at 3:06 am

Contact Sam: sblum@syr.edu | @SamBlum3