HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-01-23 Public Comment - M. Liebmann - University district and Greek groupsFrom:mcliebmann@earthlink.net
To:brian@galliklawfirm.com; Matthew Caires; Chris Murray; Agenda; Amber King; Erin MacDonald; Dani Hess
Subject:University district and Geek groups
Date:Sunday, January 1, 2023 8:46:58 PM
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Dear Sirs:
What if your family had lived in the University district for generations and suddenly discovered your neighbors
wanted to zone you out?What if your house had literally been owned and occupied for literally generations-
much,much longer than the other neighbors?
This is exactly the situation happening now.Through what appears to have been a mistake the city made in 2018
concerning an update to the UDC,this is the reaction.I am referring to the request to make a zone text amendment to
zone out Greek groups in the university district.
A bit of background. Alpha Omicron Pi has been at MSU since 1917,Pi Beta Phi since 1921 and in their current
house since the 1960's. Kappa Sigma has been in their current house since the 1950's.These are just 3 examples out
of more than a dozen Greek groups.All Greek groups support their chosen philanthropies over the years to the tune
of millions of dollars.Did you know you can check with any university or college in the USA and every single one
will confirm the alumni who are the most loyal and generous with their donations back to their university are the
members of Greek groups?Can any of the neighbors say the same?Can they say they have lived in their houses
longer?
We all need to remember this IS a university town and without MSU,nothing would be the same.Maybe you even
moved here for just that reason,it's a university town.
I am personally not happy with the newest fraternity as I believe they are setting a bad example. Because of that,all
Greek groups get branded as the same.Please give MSU and all the Greek groups a chance to create and enforce a
code of conduct and behavior,or something similar,before you "throw out the baby with the bath water".
Anyone moving into the university district had to have perfectly aware of their proximity to MSU and Greek
groups.It seems more than unfair that even though the Greek groups were there before you,now you want to ban and
basically evict them.
Why can't the neighbors,Greeks and MSU all work together to solve this issue? I am requesting that as the first
action and NOT just zoning them out.Isn't that the neighborly way to handle things?
Sincerely,
Marianne Liebmann,Delta Gamma Alumna and property owner in the university district, 50+ year resident of
Bozeman,MSU graduate.
phone 406-587-0837