Life behind the letters: The innerworkings of sorority life at Syracuse University Katie Binkowski

At Syracuse University, the strong bonds of sisterhood within sororities are fueled by more than  just the camaraderie between the members. Behind the scenes, there is a dedicated team of  individuals who work tirelessly to ensure these young women are healthy, safe and supported.  From the chef who prepares their meals to the house mom who looks after their well-being, these  unsung heroes play a crucial role in the day-to-day life of a sorority. It is time we take a closer  look at the team working behind the letters and the essential roles they play.

Behind the group of strong sisters, there is a dedicated team of wonderful people who help keep  the members successful, comfortable and well-fed. These are the individuals working inside the  sorority house, and they play a crucial role in maintaining a positive environment. At Syracuse  University, most sororities have a chef who prepares meals, a house mom who provides support  

and guidance, a facilities director who oversees the house's operations and a housekeeper who  ensures everything stays clean and organized. Each of these roles contributes to the overall  success and well-being of the sorority.

I had the opportunity to visit Gamma Phi Beta, also known as GPHI, at Syracuse University and  speak with the members of the chapter to learn more about each of their roles. The chef prepares  lunch and dinner for the girls every Monday-Friday and provides precooked meals for them to  heat up on the weekends. In addition to this he also orders food for the girls to eat as a snack and  for breakfast. The house mom lives on the main level in her own suite semi-separated from the  girls. Her main task is to keep the girls safe. She alarms the house every night to ensure no  suspicious activity is taking place. She is also in charge of scheduling for all the other employees  of the house. The housekeeper is in charge of cleaning the common spaces in the house. She  vacuums and mops daily, wipes down surfaces and takes out trash. The girls are in charge of  keeping their own rooms clean, but the housekeeper takes on the tasks of all other areas of the  house.  

The facilities director, Marcus Kaspar, has an important role in the  

house which is to make sure lunch and dinner are set up and cleaned  

up, and that all the girls are happy. His motto is “happy sisters happy  

house,” which reflects his dedication to creating a positive  

environment. He has been working at GPHI for over six years and  

said that his favorite part is “seeing all the love and warmth that  

flows through this house and these girls.” He wants to make this  

house feel like a home for every member of GPHI regardless of if  

you live in the house.

I also interviewed a member of GPHI, Kate Levy, who said what  

makes these people so special is how much “they genuinely care

about all the girls in the house.” She mentioned that she is a picky eater, and that chef Mike takes special requests to accommodate for her and always makes sure she is “fed and happy.”

The people working inside these houses embody a sense of care and commitment that goes far  beyond their job descriptions. Whether it is preparing a meal with a personal touch, ensuring the  safety and comfort of the sisters or maintaining the cleanliness of the house, each team member  plays an integral part in creating a supportive and welcoming atmosphere. As Levy points out, it  is the genuine care from these individuals that makes the difference. Together, this team ensures  that the house is more than just a place to live, it becomes a true home for every sister.

Source: Kate Levy,502-526-2968, Interviewed on Nov. 19, 2024

Source: Marcus Kaspar, 315-200-8191, Interviewed on Nov. 19, 2024