FarmHouse Fraternity members, when faced with having their home destroyed in the planned East Village redevelopment, did something surprising.

The East Village Master Plan is aimed at transforming the area into more apartments and businesses. Many buildings would need to be destroyed to make way for changes.

Among the buildings in the proposed redevelopment are at least four fraternity houses, including the FarmHouse Fraternity home.

Last week, FarmHouse members took an impressive stand.

They didn't run around, raising a disorganized fuss around East Lansing. Rather, they captained an amazingly professional campaign.

FarmHouse's campaign includes a Web site fully documenting their plans and ways for supporters to help, a half-page ad in The State News and professionally made signs across town.

Overall, it has really opened up a more-substantial debate about the East Village Project.

It's a very intelligent campaign that holds a lot of potential.

FarmHouse members have greatly helped the image of fraternities on campus through their maturity and ability to work with others for a common and important cause. This professionalism helps prove themselves a respectable institution in the greek and student communities.

In addition to working within their own fraternity, FarmHouse members are reaching outward to other fraternities in the area. What is normally a friendly rivalry between the houses has shifted, even beyond the at least four houses threatened by the East Village Project.

Other houses are realizing those four fraternities could easily be their own and are jumping to support FarmHouse. In addition, FarmHouse members are working with businesses in the area, including Prime Housing Group. They're putting forth a lot of effort which should be recognized in the community.

Members are showing that they have grasped part of the meaning of greek life — teamwork by working as one for their cause.

Greek life serves as a great part of many students' college lives. It's how many people learn to bond and socialize and, for many, it's a way to get through college.

Thanks to FarmHouse members, what could have been a boring matter, quickly and silently settled at an East Lansing City Council meeting, has been thrust into the limelight.

The house is helping to fix the lack of communication that has plagued the issue since its inception.

FarmHouse members have helped bring attention to the plan as a major issue affecting many students beyond the fraternity house walls.

FarmHouse members should be proud of their efforts and students should be proud to share a campus with FarmHouse Fraternity.

Oh, and save FarmHouse.