Fraternity Floor Replaces Fraternity House as Unique Living Option

(FLINT, MICH. – JUNE 2)  When the brothers of Kettering University’s Beta Theta Pi Fraternity found themselves in need of a place where they could live together for first time in three years, they were faced with a difficult search.  The unique aspect of the Kettering University schedule, which requires a three-month semester followed by a three-month co-op work experience made it hard to be together without a fraternity house. However, this April when the option of living at the Riverfront Residence Hall in downtown Flint became available their problem was solved.

“We found the perfect solution for our very unique problem here at Riverfront Residence Hall,” said John Cummins, Beta Theta Pi President.  “Without a fraternity house we found it difficult to build the fraternal bond.  Because of the Kettering schedule, we were having a hard time finding the right place to live together, but Riverfront is perfect for us.  We have our own floor and it is a good fit for all of our brothers, no matter which schedule they are on.”

Cummins, a native of Indiana, describes his fraternity as a cross-section of America and the world.  He says his brothers feel at home at Riverfront.

“Our fraternity has members from the midwest, west and eastern United States, as well as Nigeria, Niger and Jamaica.  Every one of us feels right at home here at Riverfront because the residents are so diverse.”

“The growing diversity of students residing at Riverfront Residence Hall adds excitement and vitality in downtown Flint,” said Tim Herman, President of Uptown Reinvestment Corporation Board of Directors and CEO of the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce.  “The addition of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity is great news and provides an excellent example of the versatility of the Residence Hall.”

In addition to students from Kettering, Riverfront provides housing for students from the UofM-Flint, Baker College of Flint, and Mott Community College. Baker College has three dedicated floors.  Riverfront’s location in downtown Flint offers a unique living model that brings together Flint-area college students in an apartment designed to offer the camaraderie of a dorm and the spaciousness of an apartment.

According to Jessica Ratkowiak, Riverfront Residence Hall Property Manager a wide range of people take advantage of the opportunity to live affordably off campus with the support of dorm amenities.  “The students who live in Riverfront come from all over the globe and around the corner,” said Ratkowiak.  “We have residents from Korea, Japan, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Croatia and many other countries.  Our residents are so incredibly diverse.  Students from UofM-Flint mingle with students from Baker College and Kettering throughout the building.  There are even older unconventional students who live here as well.”

“What makes this place special is that we are like a big family.  We have study areas, workout areas, laundry facilities, common gathering spaces and even a movie theater to encourage interaction among our residents.  We also give residents a chance to participate in holiday activities, including the more than 300 residents who prepared and shared thanksgiving dinner right here last fall.”

“We love the space here and the opportunity to stay close together,” said Cummins. “We are so close to campus we have great views and most of us take the Flint River Trail to campus every day.”

Each resident at Riverfront has the option to lease a room or an entire apartment.  The 16-floor building has a 541 resident capacity.  Rental rates range from $425 for a studio apartment to $645 for a four bedroom apartment.  Academic term leases are available and meal plans are optional.  Resident assistants are also available to residents who require assistance or dispute resolution.

For more information about Riverfront Residence Hall contact Jessica Ratkowiak at (810) 239-1234.