William & Mary renames two undergraduate residences

Hospitality House William & Mary has agreed to purchase the Williamsburg Hospitality House and plans to use the building to address critical space needs for student housing and on-campus parking. The housing space will be available to students in the 2013-2014 academic year and will be called One Tribe Place. Photo by Stephen Salpukas

by Suzanne Seurattan | April 19, 2013

The William & Mary Board of Visitors, by unanimous vote, approved resolutions April 19 renaming two campus residential facilities - the old fraternity complex and the newly acquired Williamsburg Hospitality House. As of the fall term the Hospitality House will be called One Tribe Place, and in a nod to school colors and the William & Mary mascot, the old fraternity complex will be known as Green & Gold Village –comprised of Griffin, Lion and Eagle Halls.

Students were engaged in the renaming process for the old fraternity complex through an online survey. Hundreds of suggestions were submitted for consideration.
“Both of these names reflect institutional pride and a sense of Tribe spirit,” said Virginia Ambler, vice president for student affairs.” “Having the students involved in the process of naming the Green & Gold Village was especially important; that residential community will represent a home away from home for a good number of next year’s freshmen.”

In the mid-sixties, the old fraternity complex was built to meet the need for on-campus fraternity housing. Next fall, William & Mary will be unveiling a new fraternity housing community making the old complex available for general undergraduate housing.

“The original fraternity complex was designed with flexibility in mind,” Ambler noted. “That foresight has helped immeasurably in the transition.”

In March, the college announced that it would be acquiring the building at Richmond Rd. and Scotland St. known as the Williamsburg Hospitality House. The hotel, owned by Texas-based 1859 Historic Hotels, is directly adjacent to campus and just steps from the university’s football arena, Zable Stadium, and primary student union, the Sadler Center. The college expects to close on the property in May.

Both residences will be available to students for the 2013-2014 academic year.

“We are thrilled to have expanded our residential options for students,” Ambler said. “We are able now to better meet the demand for on-campus housing; something our students value highly.”