Brothers of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity who expected to live in the chapter's house next year are now making other plans.
The University-owned property, located at 3940 Walnut St., has been closed for the 2005-06 school year due to an insecure front wall.
Officials originally believed that repairs could be accomplished over the summer while the house was uninhabited, but a burst pipe in January exacerbated the damage and made it impossible for fraternity brothers to return this fall, according to a letter sent to the fraternity by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs last Thursday.
The problems with the house were first discovered by a structural engineer in the summer of 2004.
OFSA's letter to the brothers indicated that the University is working with area landlords to find replacement accommodations for the affected students. Two possibilities were presented in the letter, both at prices at or comparable to what the brothers would have paid to live in the fraternity house. One of the options, however, did not not take into account the cost of utilities.
AEPi President Will Morel said in a statement, "We are upset that our house is in disrepair, but we're working hard with the University to place our brothers in suitable housing options for the upcoming year. All brothers are committed to the fraternity, and are confident we will have a strong presence on campus for years to come. We will do everything we can to make sure this brotherhood remains strong in spite of this unfortunate event."
Morel, a junior in Wharton and the College, refused to comment further.
Others in the fraternity have been more outspoken about the situation. Jay McCarrie, a College junior, said that the brothers "signed a contract to live there, but [the University] tore the contracts up." He added that while OFSA has been helpful in attempting to relocate those displaced by the house's closing, "the options they gave us weren't very feasible."
The relocation possibilities detailed in the letter would move the brothers from their on-campus house to off-campus locations, one of which is on the 4200 block of Osage Avenue.
McCarrie added that while the University's ownership of the house puts the fraternity at a disadvantage, it is researching possible legal options.
Another brother, who declined to be identified, also expressed displeasure with the situation. He noted that the fraternity's rush next year will be affected by the lack of a house and that rush activities will probably have to be moved to off-campus houses.
He added that officials "shouldn't take an entire year to fix this house," especially considering that the renovations to Harnwell College House are expected to be complete before the school year begins.
OFSA officials did not return calls for comment.
