Iowa State’s Delta Upsilon fraternity is working toward renovations for its chapter house.

The renovation project, called “The Campaign for 117 Ash — Rebuilding our Foundations,” started in late October in Des Moines.

Jeff Courter, campaign coordinator for the renovation project and a 1984 graduate of ISU, said the renovations need to take place as a competitive measure for Rush.

The chapter house was built in the 1930s, and much wear and tear has taken place over the last 60 years, he said.

The renovations will cost about $550,000, according to a recent press release.

At this point, $50,000 has been raised in commitments and pledges from campaign members.

A video, along with campaign brochures, has been sent to all of the Delta Upsilon alumni.

The fund-raisers are counting on a lot of donations, Courter said.

Renovations will include remodeling of the living room as well as a state-of-the-art computer and study room.

Each student’s room, will be reformatted and wired into the university computer system and Parks Library.

“Upon its completion, undergraduate members will reside in a fraternity with the grandeur and elegance of a chapter house built in 1930 — and the technology and comforts of a modern facility,” Courter said.

A house mom will move into an expanded suite.

The Delta Upsilon fraternity has not had a house mom for 20 years, the press release stated.

“The addition of a house mom at 117 Ash may just be our best investment in the fraternity,” Courter said.

Courter also said many of the alumni requested a house mom be in the campaign plans before they donated money.

Those involved with the campaign hope to raise the money needed for renovations by the end of 1998, allowing construction to begin in the summer of 1999.

They hope the renovations will be completed by the summer of 2000, Courter said.

“This historic campaign will help ensure the prominence of Delta Upsilon at Iowa State as we enter the next century, ” Courter said.