Greek chapters look to new homes

Psi Upsilon's controversial attempt to recolonize in the Castle has focused attention on the Greek system's past. But a number of University fraternities and sororities are now looking toward the future, with plans to renovate or replace their existing houses. Both newer chapters, such as Delta Tau Delta and Pi Beta Phi, and older chapters, like Tau Epsilon Phi, have announced such plans. DTD will move into its new house next fall, according to chapter Vice President and Daily Pennsylvanian columnist Jason Brenner. The new house, located at 130-132 S. 39th St., will be renovated from what is now two townhouses. Plans call for the townhouses to be gutted and rebuilt into a single large unit. The new house will contain a living room, dining room and terraced backyard. It will house approximately half of the chapter's planned membership -- between 20 and 30 brothers, said Brenner, a College junior. "We're looking forward to settling into a permanent home," Brenner said. The chapter had been living in a temporary house since it recolonized at the University in 1991. The Pi Beta Phi sorority is also moving, according to Pi Phi President and College senior Meredith Auten. The sorority, which had been housed at 4033 Spruce St. since its colonization three years ago, is moving to a new house at 4027 Walnut St. Since the new house had belonged to a single family, it will require major renovations. The sorority is planning to increase the number of rooms by subdividing the "huge, old bedrooms" into seven singles, one triple and five doubles, Auten said. Plans also call for a glassed-in solarium with a large-screen television and exercise bikes, as well as a common room complete with a pool table, according to Auten. The renovations will begin after New Year's, and should be completed in time for the sorority to move in next September, she said. "We can't wait to put our imprint on the new house, to leave our mark," Auten added. "A relatively new chapter, with a new house -- it's going to be fantastic." Thanks to the generosity of a brother's parent, the Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity house at 3805 Walnut St. will also be undergoing a massive remodeling, according to TEP brother and Wharton sophomore Brian Kaplan. "The entire first floor is being renovated," he said. "The style of it is modern, yet aristocratic." The plans call for new walls, tiled floors, ceiling moldings, lighting, chairs and exterior stenciling, Kaplan explained. The renovations are expected to cost nearly $100,000. Although the renovations were supposed to have been completed by November 25, the chapter was forced to switch contractors, pushing the completion date back to December 20. The fraternity has been in its present location since it recolonized 18 years ago. Those involved in the flurry of recent activity say that such movement is indicative of a strengthening Greek life on campus. "The Greeks will reign on the Penn campus for the foreseeable future," said Auten. "We're here to stay."