As 2011 approaches, many greek houses have installed or are planning to install the sprinkler systems required by a city mandate.

According to Chapter 8 of the Ames Municipal Code, the houses must have sprinkler systems installed by Oct. 1, 2011. However, up to two extensions may be granted, up to 2016.

Ryan Crampton, risk manager of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and sophomore in political science, said his house installed the sprinkler system as part of a bigger renovation project.

“Alumni got involved in different ways, from helping out with the construction itself, or from just getting money or donating time and resources or materials,” he said. “That was about a three, four-year campaign.”

Chapter members also pledge money to be donated after they graduate.

Crampton said he hopes that, if any houses have trouble raising the necessary funds, the whole greek community would pitch in and help the needy houses, although no official arrangements have been made.

“There hasn’t been any official talks yet, that I know of, at the student level,” he said. “I’m sure if the need arose, we’d rise to the challenge.”

Allison Kolker, president of Pi Beta Phi and senior in biology, said her house installed the systems in summer 2006. The system cost $185,000.

Kolker said the money came from her house’s house corporation, which is made up of alumni of the house who handle the renovations for the house.

“[We have] money taken out of our house bill that pays for annual replacements in the house,” she said.

“That’s what that money’s primarily being used for now.”

Kolker said the house didn’t need to have a special fundraiser to complete the project for installing the sprinklers.

“We didn’t have to, quote, ‘raise money for it’ – we’re paying for it through paying our house bills,” she said.

However, not all of Iowa State’s greek houses have been able to install the required sprinkler systems yet.

Jonathan Jaschen, president of Beta Sigma Pi and junior in dairy science, said his house is currently working on installing a sprinkler system.

A fundraiser is being planned to pay for a renovation to Beta Sigma Pi house, which will include the new sprinkler system.

“It just takes time to get the whole fundraising thing in order because it’s such a massive undertaking contacting so many alumni,” he said.

Jaschen said the fundraiser has been in the works since the ordinance requiring all greek houses install the systems was passed.

“It’s definitely a very big financial undertaking, but it’s definitely a high priority for a house,” he said.

Jaschen said the fundraiser won’t happen until next fall.

The fundraiser will include calling alumni, explaining the situation and asking for donations.