Both sororities currently lack physical plants. Beta Alpha Omega fraternity, which had long leased its property at 6 Webster Ave. to AZD, moved back into that building this year as it seeks re-recognition from the College. Alpha Phi has never had its own physical plant.
"Our plan had initially been to either renovate both or tear down one of the buildings since it would not be worth it to try to simply fix it up," Redman said. "However, the College is currently cutting lots of money from its budget in the wake of the economic problems facing the nation, so we had to change the plan."
ORL has $2.5 million set aside for the renovation of both houses, which is about $3.5 million short of the amount needed for the construction, according to Redman.
"It just doesn't make a lot of sense at a time when we're cutting budgets to increase building expenses by borrowing money, since we would be looking at a 15-year loan and interest payments of hundreds of thousands of dollars per year," Redman said.
The College decided to delay construction on Alpha Phi's house, located at 26 East Wheelcock St., rather than AZD's, because Alpha Phi is a younger organization, Redman said.
"Since AZD has been here longer, and is the senior of the two Dartmouth sororities that lack housing, it had already been determined that they would get to choose which house they wanted to take," Redman said.
AZD President Lauren DeNatale '09 said in an e-mail to The Dartmouth that AZD is thankful the renovations on 17 East Wheelock will continue.
"It is unfortunate to hear about the many difficult decisions that the College must make as a result of budget cuts, and we are grateful that the College has decided to continue with its plans for the 17 East Wheelock residence," DeNatale wrote.
The budget cuts have forced the College to prioritize funding for other initiatives, such as financial aid, Redman added.
"As the College is pursuing a $40 million cut in operating costs, building projects inevitably take a backseat to some other issues," he said.
The Dartmouth Board of Trustees will meet in February for its annual budget meeting, at which time the future of the 26 East Wheelock residence will likely be discussed, Redman said.
"My assumption is that unless the College's financial situation drastically changes in the next few weeks, it will remain on hold," he said. "No one, though, has a crystal ball as to what the economy is going to look like."
While Redman could not remember exact comments made by Alpha Phi members when he informed them of the delay, he said they were understandably disappointed.
The Board of Trustees approved the transfer of the houses from the College's Real Estate Office to the Office of Residential Life at a Board last June.
Alpha Phi President Rachel Feder '09 could not be reached by press time.
