Two fraternities are making drastic changes to their houses and living arrangements at Iowa State.

Beta Sigma Psi left behind its home of 30 years to move into a house on Sunset Drive that the fraternity recently bought, while the Sigma Phi Epsilon house is undergoing a major renovation project.

Both developments began as a result of the ordinance passed by the Ames City Council in 2006 requiring all greek houses to install retrofit sprinkler systems. This installation can cost up to $100,000 and involves related renovation and redecoration as part of the process.

Chris Roderick, senior in construction engineering and member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, worked as an intern on the house’s construction project this summer. He said what started as a “$100,000 sprinkler system turned into a $3 million renovation.”

The house on Gray Avenue has been home to the Sigma Phi Epsilon men since it was built in 1929, overcoming obstacles in its history such as near-bankruptcy during the Great Depression, a shortage of men during World War II and a fire on the third floor in 1943.

“Besides minor additions, there have been no renovations in the … history of the house,” Roderick said.

The plan is to install air conditioning through the house, add and expand the study rooms, improve the plumbing and electrical systems, upgrade the fire and safety features, restore antique wood and expand the house by 4,050 square feet, according to the chapter website.

The fraternity has reached $2.15 million in pledges, mostly from alumni, for the project. Roderick said the goal is to have the renovations completed by May 2011.

While the house is under construction, the members are living in the Delta Upsilon house on Ash Avenue. The house has been vacant for about a year, so Sigma Phi Epsilon took the opportunity to rent it out for the time needed.

“We started looking for options to keep the chapter facility as close [to the greek community] as possible. We wanted the feeling of the chapter to stay alive for the year,” Roderick said.

Beta Sigma Psi also made renovation plans for its house on Lynn Avenue to fit the sprinkler ordinance, but abandoned the project when the opportunity came up to buy a different house that already had the sprinklers installed.

“The guys were safer from the first day they moved [into the new house],” said Brian Clark, treasurer of the Beta Sigma Psi House Corporation and adviser in the process. 

He said they will no longer have to worry about fire issues, which could cause injuries or damage, or put the fraternity out of commission.

The decision to relocate was made by the Ames Alumni Chapter of Beta Sigma Psi, Clark said, but they considered the opinions of several undergraduate members as well.

“Financially, it made the most sense,” said Sam Pudenz, senior in agricultural business and president of Beta Sigma Psi. “The [previous] house was built in the 1980s; it had 30 years of wear.”

The fraternity purchased the house this past summer from Alpha Sigma Phi. Pudenz said the house has many advantages compared to the old one, beyond having a retrofit sprinkler system already installed. Some of these include more space in common and study rooms, an expanded library, a different living style and air-conditioning.

Beta Sigma Psi plans to use contributions from alumni to update the facility in the next four to five years, which will include new carpets and appliances, and a possible increase in the capacity of the house.

Alpha Sigma Phi is renting two of the three floors of the old Beta Sigma Psi house from the fraternity for this year. Clark said the contract could be expanded to two years. The long-term plan for the house is undecided.

The housing changes being made to the Beta Sigma Psi and Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternities are to ensure their futures as part of the greek community at Iowa State.

“It is important that we provide young college men with [a house] that offers them a solid foundation for their education, and offers them opportunities for high academic achievement and the development of leadership and social skills.”

Clark agreed, and said making improvements to the chapter house “secures us a place on campus [for the] long term.”