VALDOSTA – Once upon a time, there was a held belief that sororities in Valdosta were unable to have designated sorority houses due to a “brothel law.”

The “law” supposedly stated if more than four unrelated women lived in a house together, it was deemed a “brothel” and made illegal.

As it turns out, it is a common belief among some Valdosta students and residents that has no historical standing, according to area officials. The “brothel law” belief is common among college campuses across the nation and was addressed on snopes.com, disproving its validity.

“Obviously we had residence halls on college campuses that were only same-sex years ago,” said Dr. Vince Miller, Valdosta State University vice president of student affairs.

The reason for the lack of sorority houses on VSU’s campus is far less scandalous, he said.

Sororities all operate under an umbrella organization known as the National Panhellenic Conference.

As Miller explains it, under the NPC, sororities signed an agreement stating if one sorority has a house on campus, then all of them would need to have one.

“Since some sororities have been part of the university, and collecting dues, for decades, some could have a house built outright now,” Miller said. “However, if one builds, they all have to build and not all the sororities have the resources to do that right now. We don’t have control over that.”

Fraternities are not under the same sorts of rules and a few own or rent housing near Valdosta State’s campus.

Miller said students who are involved in the groups have dual responsibility, one to their national organization and one to the university.

“We are trying to increase student engagement and life on campus,” Miller said. “The question gets asked a lot in recruitment and it can weigh on a student’s decision if they are looking for Greek Life on campus. We would welcome sorority housing if they could all do it together. It would be amazing to see seven sorority houses all pop up at one time.” 

Desiree Carver is Lifestyles Editor at the Valdosta Daily Times. She can be reached at (229) 375-5777.