Alpha Gamma Delta - University of Alabama

SPRING 2018 The Squirrel's Nest P S I C H A P T E R O F A L P H A G A M M A D E L T A A T T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F A L A B A M A NEW ADDITIONS TO 737 MAGNOLIA DRIVE Psi Chapter Plans Chapter House Renovations W hen we began plans for our new chapter house the university was actively recruiting new chapters to campus. We were told that up to two new chapters would be added each year, but in those seven years, only Alpha Phi has opened with Sigma Kappa scheduled to open this year. Therefore, pledge class sizes have been much larger than expected. In reality, we had outgrown our house before we even opened it. As the smallest of the new chapter houses, our members are overflowing in all the common area spaces. This June, we will begin the bidding process on a 6,000-square- foot addition as well as a renovation of our kitchen to offer an additional serving line. Plans include a three-story addition to the back left of the house. We will lose some of our courtyard but will be able to offer the girls a large den area and a conference room on the first floor. This den will be a comfortable and inviting place for the girls to watch TV and just hang out together, which is sorely lacking on the main floor. Plans include lots of seating and a trophy case to display all the chapter's many awards. The second- and third-floor additions will each feature a large study space for the women living in the chapter house as well as guest suites with private baths for official guests and alumnae working recruitment. These floors will also have a new kitchenette area complete with sinks, refrigerators, microwaves, and cabinets for the 64 women who will be living in the sorority house. Construction will begin this summer and continue throughout the school year. The following summer, the kitchen will be renovated to add another serving line, new beverage station, and mini- kitchen for the members. It should really improve the flow on game days and Bid Day when we have many visitors in the house. Another scheduled renovation is the removal of the mail room and the copier room in the basement. Doing so will allow us to remove a wall to expand the chapter room. The university has approved our plans and estimates the price of the addition at $3 million. Because of our successful capital campaign and prudent management of the chapter's funds, we will be able to pay for half of the addition with funds on hand and will finance the balance through the university. All construction should be completed by the beginning of fall semester 2019. Many thanks to Leigh Heifner '93 for leading us through this process just as she did during the construction of our beautiful new sorority house. Loyally, Nancy Richeson Siniard '74 Newsletter Editor nsiniard@totalcommarketing.com (Above) The first-floor addition will include a large den area and a conference room. The second-floor and third-floor additions will include study spaces, guest suites, and kitchenettes. A G D

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