Delayed completion of plot area creates sour note for some Greeks

For Riqui’ta Quick, a member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, this year’s homecoming weekend was almost perfect, with the good weather, high-stepping parade and, of course, big win. As far as she is concerned, only one thing could have made it better and that is the Zeta Phi Beta plot. The plots of Winston-Salem State University’s Greek fraternities and sororities have always been a distinguishing feature of the campus. However, they have been temporarily removed as part of a development project involving the construction of a new clock tower and pedestrian walkway. Dr. Melody Pierce the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, blamed rain for delaying completion of the development project. She added that each of the Greek organizations have submitted a drawing of their plot, and it will be constructed to scale. She further explained that money has been allocated to rebuild the plots, and that the university will handle the business and financial aspect of the project. “We have made arrangements to have the sketches of the future plots, that the current members of the organizations have drawn, blown up, so that Alumni will see what is going on,” Pierce said. But that’s little consolation for students who looked forward to seeing the plots replaced by homecoming. “They told us prior to construction that the plots would be finished by homecoming” Quick said.Senior Marreo Burch, a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, said, “I am upset because they tore up something that had historical value for so many people… Now we have no where to meet with old members of the organization.” LaToya Greene, a senior and a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, agreed with Burch. “We really don’t have anywhere to socialize with other Greek organizations. And new members don’t have the luxury of sitting on the plots and representing their respective organizations.” If the plots are not replaced, Greene said members of the Greek organizations “will all be devastated. It’s the only place where all members of each organization can be together at one time on campus.” In addressing student’s concerns, Dr. Pierce said, “This project has allowed us to give equal space to all nine of the historical Greek organizations.” “The plots have a significant role here at WSSU,” she added. “It’s the bond between the University and the graduated Greeks. For them to know that they have a special place here where they can come back and spend time with past and present members.”