Beta Theta Pi - Miami University

Miami University and Oxford Housing Improvements on the Rise Alpha Slants of BETA THETA PI PAGE 2 HOUSE COMPANY UPDATES Alpha Chapter House Still in Good Care T his summer, the Alpha Chapter house played host to nearly 300 young Betas who traveled to Oxford for Beta's hallmark leadership program: The Wooden Institute. Although the house and museum have been open for tours before, this was the first year that students actually stayed in the Beta house. We hope this partnership with the General Fraternity will continue for several years as the history and heritage of the Alpha Chapter house certainly added to the specialness of each session. As you may know, during the interim years of the chapter's closure, it was necessary to rent the chapter house to another fraternity in order to protect our fraternity zoning status and to help offset the expensive annual costs of insurance, taxes, utilities, and maintenance. On August 22, we actually had two fraternities move into our property: Alpha Sigma Phi in 200 E. High Street and Lambda Chi Alpha moved 14 of its members into 208 E. High Street (old administrative office building). Although the House Company is still sad that Betas aren't occupying the property, we are happy to show a little mutual assistance to these other fraternities in our time away from campus. So far, the tenants have been very respectful of the property and are adhering to the strict house rules, including keeping the facility free of alcohol and parties. The revenue surplus this creates is also critical in helping plan for a strong chapter when we return, and we have already begun talks with each fraternity about renewing their lease for the 2016-17 academic year. TIMELINE: m Summer 2015: Rent rooms to General Fraternity for the Wooden Institute m 2015-2016: Rent property to Alpha Sigma Phi and Lambda Chi Fraternities m Summer 2016: Rent rooms to General Fraternity for the Wooden Institute m 2016-2017: Hopefully renew lease to Alpha Sigma Phi and Lambda Chi m Fall 2016: Recruitment of new Beta Theta Pi members m Spring 2017: Recruitment of new Beta Theta Pi members (freshman eligible to join) m June 2017-July 2018: Potential renovations P hi Gamma Delta opened the doors to its new $4 million chapter house after a fire burned down their original facility in 2013. The new house has 48 bedrooms, a kitchen, common areas, jack-and-jill-style bathrooms, storage closets on each floor, laundry services, a library, and a new chapter room. Miami University is renovating Collins, Dennison, Dorsey, McBride, and Symmes Residence Halls, as well as the Morris Hall student rooms. The East Quad renovations will include comprehensive upgrades of all buildings' systems, addition of fire-suppression systems, accessibility improvements, energy efficiency improvements, and new finishes throughout. The Morris Hall renovation will provide new ceilings, light fixtures and switches, painting and general repairs. The East Quad renovations are part of a comphrehensive plan that has included the building of five new residence halls in the last two years, and a call to renovate all Miami residence halls in the next 5-10 years. New apartments built specifically to cater to students have recently been constructed in Oxford. They are marketed as the "ultimate in upscale student living" and include amenities such as a 26,000 square foot student library, on- site retail and dining, a lavish green quad, free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness center, and much more. The Evans Scholars Foundation is conducting a $4 million capital campaign to help fund a new 24,000-square-foot scholarship hall, which will provide coeducational living accommodations, as well as an updated design for 21st- century student housing. This new facility will be located near the intersection of Church and Tallawanda. It is scheduled for completion in 2016. Phi Gamma Delta's new Chapter house. The University is upgrading residence halls. New apartments marketed to students. The Evans Scholars Foundation Hall.

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