U of A ending rental agreements with on-campus fraternities, sororities
Alpha Gamma Delta, a fraternity at the University of Alberta, has rented their house for 29 years, using the space as a home for five members and as a community hub.
But in late April, Alpha Gamma Delta and six other Greek life organizations were told that the university would be terminating their rental agreements with no chance of renewal.
In a statement given to CBC News, the U of A said that "maintaining these older homes to a standard that meets the modern needs of today's students is not sustainable, given increasing costs and inflationary pressures."
The university said 27 students would be affected by the decision. For most organizations, their final lease will end on August 31, 2026, the U of A said.
Quinn Tilling, president of Alpha Gamma Delta, told Edmonton AM that the school's reasoning was "frustrating."
"I lived in our house for the last semester of this previous year and I could count on one hand the number of times we had to request maintenance support from the university. I'm interested to see where the drain is coming from."
Tilling said that finding alternative housing has been difficult because the fraternity needs a physical space for members to meet.
"We need a place where our members can go and feel as though they have a home away from home," Tilling said. "So, if we can't secure a property, it will negatively impact our organization and dozens of women and non-binary folks."
As an alternative to the houses the fraternities and sororities are currently renting, the university has suggested group accommodations within the university's residence system. However, Tilling said these options are not currently viable.
"All of our different organizations have separate houses, and so to lump us all into a residence hall feels sort of dismissive," she said.
"I think it would be a challenge for us to distinguish our organizations from one another and to maintain a unique group identity that make our community so special."
Logan West, the vice-president student life at the University of Alberta Students' Union, said that the affected organizations were not consulted prior to the announcement of the decision.
West said that responses from the groups have been varied. While some are in a better position because of their alumni networks, others have decided to shut down their chapters entirely or terminate their leases early.
Both Tilling and West said that it's unclear what will happen to the houses once the fraternities and sororities move out.
The university said in its statement that "no decisions have yet been made about the future of the houses."
West said that the removal of these spaces will have a negative impact on the larger university community because of the role Greek organizations play on campus.
"Greek life provides students with a really unique experience as it allocates an exclusive third space to them in a time where these spaces continue to diminish for young people."
West said the organizations have been a part of campus life for years.
"I think a lot of these houses have a history. If you've ever been in some of these houses, you can see all the alumni faces on the walls," West said.
"It is definitely unfortunate, I would say. The groups have expressed that history is and that emotional attachment to those spaces is one of the hardest parts of dealing with this situation."
Thaddeus Ma is the president of the interfraternal council and a general member of Pi Kappa Alpha. He told CBC News that the news blindsided his fraternity.
"It was quite shocking, being that it was just an email dropped in our lap," Ma said. "There was no signs or anything like that to prepare us for this."
Ma said that the news has brought the Greek organizations on campus closer together, even those not directly impacted.
"Right now, it's a very stressful time for everyone because this affects operations, not just for seven of us, but the community as a whole," Ma said. "We all play our own part in the community and we do support each other.
"I think we will get out of this. We will get out of this whole situation, but it will be a very stressful time for us."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Posthaste: 'Buy' Canadian is going strong except in one very important marketplace
Canadians say they are buying more domestic goods and steering clear of the United States on their holidays, but there is one area where the 'Buy Canadian' movement appears to be falling short. Canadian investors have been snapping up U.S. stocks at an unprecedented pace since President Donald Trump took office in January, according to recently released data from Statistics Canada on international securities transactions. 'So what kind of U.S. assets are Canadians buying? You name it,' said National Bank of Canada economist Warren Lovely in a note on the data. Most of the buying has been in stocks, but Canadians have also added $20 billion in U.S.-issued debt in the latest four months, most of it U.S. Treasury securities. 'In other words, Canadians have been helping to finance the deficit of the government that's repeatedly threatened our economic livelihood. Curious,' said Lovely. On Monday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford renewed his call to buy 'Canadian-made everything' to pressure the United States to negotiate a trade deal. 'We're encouraging all provinces and territories: start buying Canadian-made vehicles, start buying Canadian-made everything — that will hurt more than anything at all,' Ford told reporters at the premiers' meeting near Huntsville, Ont. The Bank of Canada's consumer survey out yesterday also showed that Canadians plan to keep up their boycott of U.S. travel and products. (See today's chart below). It's a boycott that apparently doesn't extend to the stock market where Canadians bought $14.2 billion in U.S. shares in May alone. Meanwhile, foreign investors are pulling back from Canadian equities. In May, non-residents cut their holdings of Canadian securities by $2.8 billion, the fourth straight month of divestment. Foreigners are still buying Canadian bonds, but stocks not so much. 'For the first time on record (back to 1988), the first five months of the calendar year produced no net foreign buying of Canadian portfolio assets,' said Lovely. May marked a turnaround for stocks on both sides of the border after three straight months of decline. America's S&P 500 rose 6.2 per cent from the end of April and Canada's TSX was up 5.4 per cent, said Statistics Canada. The S&P 500 has hit record highs, but so has the TSX, climbing to 27,000, a 9.3 per cent gain since the beginning of the year, said National. National Bank still advocates being overweight in Canadian stocks, and stands by its allocation of 21 per cent Canadian equities, 15 per cent U.S. stocks, and 3 per cent each to foreign equities and emerging markets. Fifty per cent fixed income and 8 per cent cash round out the portfolio. The outperforming sectors on the TSX this year have been materials, consumer discretionary and banks, they said. The laggards have been health care, energy, consumer staples and real estate. Though President Trump's threat to impose 35 per cent tariffs starting Aug. 1 is hanging over Canada, National economists say the outlook for the TSX is 'not entirely bleak.' A trade deal, which would be positive for the economy and corporate profits, is still possible before Ottawa tables its fall budget. The economists are also encouraged by what they call Make Canada Investable Again — Prime Minister Mark Carney's business agenda which includes efforts to reduce red tape and revive business investment. to get Posthaste delivered straight to your trade conflict between Canada and the United States continues to affect what Canadians buy and where they spend their vacations, the Bank of Canada's consumer survey revealed Monday. Half of consumers said they plan to cut their spending on U.S. goods and vacations south of the border. About 60 per cent say they plan to spend more on goods made in Canada and a third plan to spend more on vacations within their own country. 'I won't be going to the U.S. anytime soon. I don't feel good about spending my money there,' one respondent told the central bank. Price, however, still remains a key decider for many consumers, the survey said. Most Canadians said they would be willing to pay up to 10 per cent more for goods made in Canada. 'Ultimately, I'm going to do what works for my wallet. So, whether that's a Canadian brand, whether that's an American brand, I buy what works for my budget,' a survey participant said. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith will sign a Memorandum of Understanding to build new energy and trade infrastructure at the premiers' meeting near Huntsville, Ont. Earnings: Canadian National Railway Co., General Motors Co., Coca-Cola Co., Halliburton Co., Lockheed Martin Corp., Equifax Inc., Baker Hughes Co., Capital One Financial Corp., Texas Instruments Inc. Canadian auto dealership chain on the hunt to buy competitors, dumps U.S. laggards Japan's bond market is flashing red. Here's why investors should pay attention Bank of Canada says inflation expectations easing as businesses hold off passing on tariff price hikes Millions of Canadians who want help managing their money seek out the services of a financial adviser. But the term itself refers to a wide variety of professionals with different specialties. And, depending on where you live in Canada, it can be used without specific qualifications, expertise or certifications. The Financial Post breaks down what a financial adviser can do, what credentials you can check for and how to find the right fit for you. Find out more Send us your summer job search stories Recently, we published a feature on the death of the summer job as student unemployment reaches crisis levels. We want to hear directly from Canadians aged 15-24 about their summer job search. Send us your story, in 50-100 words, and we'll publish the best submissions in an upcoming edition of the Financial Post. You can submit your story by email to fp_economy@ under the subject heading 'Summer job stories.' Please include your name, your age, the city and province where you reside, and a phone number to reach you. Are you worried about having enough for retirement? Do you need to adjust your portfolio? Are you starting out or making a change and wondering how to build wealth? Are you trying to make ends meet? Drop us a line at wealth@ with your contact info and the gist of your problem and we'll find some experts to help you out while writing a Family Finance story about it (we'll keep your name out of it, of course). McLister on mortgages Want to learn more about mortgages? Mortgage strategist Robert McLister's Financial Post column can help navigate the complex sector, from the latest trends to financing opportunities you won't want to miss. Plus check his mortgage rate page for Canada's lowest national mortgage rates, updated daily. Financial Post on YouTube Visit the Financial Post's YouTube channel for interviews with Canada's leading experts in business, economics, housing, the energy sector and more. Today's Posthaste was written by Pamela Heaven with additional reporting from Financial Post staff, The Canadian Press and Bloomberg. Have a story idea, pitch, embargoed report, or a suggestion for this newsletter? Email us at posthaste@ Cracks widen in Canadians' record-breaking wealth creation Food manufacturers take drastic measures to fight U.S. tariffs
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Focal and SPARK Microsystems Expand Collaboration for Premium Wireless Audio Speakers Powered by UWB
Focal's new Diva Mezza Utopia loudspeakers join growing product family leveraging SPARK UWB for unparalleled audio delivery MONTREAL, July 22, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SPARK Microsystems, a Canadian fabless semiconductor company specializing in next-generation short-range wireless communications, today welcomed the newest entry in Hi-Fi audio speakers from Focal, the renowned French audio brand. The new Diva Mezza Utopia active wireless 3-way loudspeakers expand the design collaboration initiated with the Diva Utopia speakers, extending the prestigious Focal Diva range to a new performance tier with SPARK's Ultra-Wideband (SPARK LE-UWB™) wireless platform. SPARK LE-UWB™ connectivity enables a robust, reliable wireless link between paired Diva Mezza Utopia loudspeakers while maintaining a stable and lossless signal at 96kHz/24-bit resolution with no compression. Delivering the performance of wired connectivity without the wires – the hallmark of SPARK's innovation – Focal's growing line of Diva loudspeakers redefines the standards for high-fidelity wireless listening. Focal's Diva Mezza Utopia speakers deliver a deep, wide, and vibrant soundstage, with the freedom and flexibility of wireless connectivity. SPARK LE-UWB™ technology enables Diva Mezza Utopia loudspeakers to support multiroom configurations in spaces up to 100 m², making it easier than ever to wirelessly integrate premium audio experiences into a home music ecosystem. "The scalability of the SPARK transceiver portfolio has likewise equipped Focal to scale its product collection to new heights with the Diva Mezza Utopia system," said Jocelyn Carroue, Sr. Director, Sales and Technical Support, SPARK Microsystems. "Our continued collaboration with Focal is helping to bring bit-perfect audio quality – indistinguishable from wired sound – to its discerning clientele." "Diva Mezza Utopia loudspeakers build upon the design quality and warm customer reception achieved with the first Diva Utopia, combining audiophile excellence with ease of use in perfect balance," said Rejean Bedel, Group Marketing Manager, Focal & Naim. "SPARK's innovation in UWB wireless connectivity is essential to the sound of all Diva Utopia loudspeakers." Focal's Diva Mezza Utopia and Diva Utopia loudspeakers are available today exclusively at qualified Focal Powered by Naim retailers. For more information, visit Focal's website. About Focal Since 1979, Focal has stood out from the crowd in manufacturing loudspeakers and acoustic speakers. Their expertise extends to headphones, car audio kits, professional speakers, and installations for yachts. This unique know-how, combined with their in-house manufacturing in France, puts Focal among the top audio brands globally. In 2011, Focal joined forces with Naim — the British leader in high-end electronics — under the VerVent Audio group to offer exquisite complete audio systems. About SPARK Microsystems SPARK Microsystems is building next generation short-range wireless communication devices. SPARK UWB provides high data rate and very low latency wireless communication links at an ultra-low power profile, making it ideal for personal area networks (PANs) used in mobile, consumer and IoT-connected products. Leveraging patented technologies, SPARK Microsystems strives to minimize and ultimately eliminate wires and batteries from a wide range of applications. For more information, please visit SPARK MICROSYSTEMS and LE‑UWB are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPARK Microsystems in Canada and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Rainier Communications, on behalf of SPARK Microsystemsspark@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Lockheed Martin stock tumble as program losses hit earnings
-- Lockheed Martin Corporation shares fell by more than 8% premarket on Tuesday after the defense contractor reported second-quarter earnings that significantly missed analyst expectations, weighed down by $1.6 billion in program losses. The aerospace giant posted earnings of $1.46 per share for the second quarter, far below the analyst consensus of $6.54. Revenue came in at $18.2 billion, slightly under the consensus estimate of $18.58 billion but up marginally from $18.1 billion in the same quarter last year. The substantial earnings miss was primarily driven by pre-tax losses on programs totaling $1.6 billion, which reduced earnings per share by $5.83. These included a $950 million loss on a classified Aeronautics program, a $570 million loss on the Canadian Maritime Helicopter Program, and a $95 million loss on the Turkish Utility Helicopter Program. "The program charges taken in the quarter – which resulted from our ongoing rigorous monitoring and review processes – are a necessary step as we continue to take action to improve program execution," said Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) Chairman, President and CEO Jim Taiclet. Despite these challenges, the company reaffirmed its 2025 guidance for sales of $73.75-$74.75 billion, in line with the $74.4 billion analyst estimate. However, Lockheed cut its full-year EPS forecast to $21.70-$22.00, well below the previous guidance of $27.00-$27.30 and the analyst estimate of $27.46. Cash flow also weakened significantly, with cash from operations falling to $201 million from $1.9 billion a year earlier, while free cash flow turned negative at $(150) million compared to $1.5 billion in Q2 2024. "Our relentless focus on operational performance combined with our disciplined capital allocation strategy will enable us to deliver value to our shareholders, while providing the advanced solutions that America and its allies need," Taiclet added. Related articles Lockheed Martin stock tumble as program losses hit earnings After soaring 149%, this stock is back in our AI's favor - & already +25% in July Surge of 50% since our AI selection, this chip giant still has great potential Sign in to access your portfolio
