Delta Tau Delta - The Ohio State University

I n 2009, we addressed immediate needs to make the house viable for the growing chapter. A life-safety sprinkler system and hard-wired heat and smoke sensors were installed, along with an HVAC system that gave us a leg up on some of our competition. ese improvements were significant, but we knew other elements remained. Our plumbing system is past due for replacement. e ceiling in the living room has fallen in twice because of leaks in the system—once on a brother watching TV on the couch! e redevelopment around 15th Avenue and High Street will ensure our neighborhood remains the hub of campus activity. 11 The Urban Framework Plan highlights the importance of mixed-use buildings, including a Signature Building fronting a new 15th/High Square for the benefit of University students and faculty and neighborhood residents. A new Parking Garage, lined by mixed-use buildings, is central to providing necessary parking and removing vehicles from the neighborhood streets and, in so doing, fostering a walkable environment. URBAN FRAMEWORK PLAN One thing that we did not foresee was the University's creation of the Sec- ond-year Transformational Experience Program (STEP). As part of the program, all second-year students will be required to live on campus begin- ning fall 2016. Given that Greek housing is truly the only environment that can mimic the programmatic offerings of a residence hall, living in a Greek facility will be the only alternative to Ohio State residence halls. However, chapters must meet certain standards in order to be an approved alternative housing option for second-year students. e planned redevelopment of the 15th and High area will result in signifi- cant improvement to our neighborhood, increase our property's value, and cement Delta Tau Delta as Ohio State's top fraternity location. • Ohio State's plan to enhance the undergraduate experience and improve retention. • All sophomores will be required to live on campus beginning in 2016. • If the property meets defined housing standards, Greek housing will be a qualified second-year housing location for students. e implementation of STEP is a game-changer for our campus culture. Fraternities that can house sophomores will have a significant recruiting advantage over their peers. However, with our current capacity, housing sophomores would not leave room for important junior and senior leader- ship in the Shelter. Today's Shelter has a sleeping capacity of 36 brothers. While that may be fewer than you remember from your time in school, today's students and their parents expect more for their housing dollar. Our kitchen upgrades in 2012 have increased our ability to serve more brothers and guests. However, the dining room capacity does not allow us to seat as many as we can feed from the kitchen. Our chapter room cannot accommodate the whole chap- ter for meetings. With Greek life expanding, it is important that our Shelter comfortably and safely accommodates the chapter that we are growing into.

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