The Echo

Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Rachel Sauls Say goodbye: Jason Wells, an Ooltewah junior walks past the Alpha Delta Pi house. The university purchase was prompted when the sorority approached UTC about selling the house.

The Alpha Delta Pi house was purchased by the university as administrators plan to create a more welcoming environment for international students.

Hugh Prevost, director of cooperative education, said the house is to have programs similar to University of Tennessee Knoxville's International House and will be a place for international students to learn about other cultures through planned activities and events. House services, such as tutoring, will also be offered.

The international program is located in the UC with limited space, thus administrators decided to purchase the ADPi house when the sorority approached UTC about selling, Prevost said.

Chuck Cantrell, vice chancellor of university of relations, said UTC is working with the sorority to allowing them to use the house for now. He said after ADPi officially vacates the house, recruitment and registrations offices will reside in the building.

"As part of our strategic plan, UTC has identified a goal of increasing our number of international students and also increasing international experiences for all students," Cantrell said.

Sally Coe, a Germantown, Tenn., senior said: "I don't think it was a wise purchase because when it's not being used for cultural activities, it will just be a waste. It's not like they will have an event every night."

Chuck Cantrell said he foresees the purchase of the house to be a wise investment for the university and all of its students.

"Today's students live and work in a global marketplace," Cantrell said. "It is imperative that students be aware of other cultures and know how to work with colleagues from different backgrounds."

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