Sorry, it is just that a guy doesn't fit well into the premise here.  That isn't to say I couldn't rewrite the whole thing.  But it was supposed to be part comedy for the basis of how it all gets started.  I could as easily have used a random group of college kids who break into what they think is an unoccupied estate as squatters.  The squatters would likely have to be poor ... or maybe they lived in college housing - not as a sorority, but just dorms ... and had a fire.  Technically the school would have to provide a place to live, but ....

So yeah, I could think of ways to force the story.  It does become more serious though.  Dr Tanis teaches went to MIT.  Eric is trying to study music and engineering, but is nowhere near the genius or prodigy Alex is.