The Office of Residential Life plans on undertaking a $1.2 million renovation of the College-owned Alpha Chi Alpha fraternity, administration officials told The Dartmouth.
The updates will help the house's physical structure apply more closely to the Americans with Disabilities Act standards and current fire code regulations. More social space will also be added, according to Dean of Residential Life Marty Redman.
This is the next Greek house to be remodeled after Kappa Delta Epsilon sorority was renovated by the College last summer.
A Fuller Audit estimated that necessary changes to Alpha Chi would cost roughly $800,000 to $900,000. The College-sponsored audit examined what changes to residence buildings were needed and when they should be done.
The difference between the audit's estimation and the projected cost of updating Alpha Chi is considerable.
Most of the extra cost is due to fire code issues surrounding the main staircase, according to Redman. He said the design and planning process of this aspect ran into trouble en route to the near-completed blueprints.
"What they're doing is taking the barn, the structure in the back where we have the pong tables, and they're getting rid of it. Partly because it's a fire hazard -- it's all made out of wood," Alpha Chi financial officer Jeremy Presser '04 said.
ORL also plans to expand the back of Alpha Chi by about 20 feet, adding more non-alcoholic social space and add living space to the second floor, according to Presser.
"Everything the fraternities are being asked to do is exactly what we're doing," Redman said in reference to non-College-owned fraternities reaching requested standards.
Alpha Chi members said there were both positives and negatives to the College-run renovation of their house.
"The negatives are that we are losing space that has sentimental and traditional value for the house, but we're getting a lot more space," Presser said.
But all things considered, "The College found a good architect and they've put together a solid plan. We're happy with it," Alpha Chi house manager Josh Mayer '04 said.
Alpha Chi members were allowed input through the process, but said they haven't seen if College officials have used their suggestions yet.
"They seem to be receptive but I don't know how that will translate into the final product," Presser said.
Sophomore housing this year is another issue for members who will be in Hanover over the summer, but the house said it isn't concerned.
According to Presser, some sophomores already have off-campus housing and the fraternity is working on finding others a place of residence for Summer term.
