Only the current freshmen at Pi Beta Phi will see their completely renovated house in 2018. Pi Beta Phi is undergoing the first of three phases for their house renovation just in time to celebrate 100 years at University of Oregon. The alumni donation for this first phase: $250,000 and counting.
Doing the 15th and Alder house in phases allows Pi Phi to afford the remodel, and allows less distractions to members living in, according to Pi Phi’s president Alysia Kezerian. But that means the senior, junior and sophomore classes won’t see the finished house.
The first phase started end of winter term and is projected to finish beginning of fall 2016. House manager Taylor Fredrickson says that Pi Phi has raised about $250,000 for phase one through alumni donations and will continue to raise money as the project continues.
Phase one features will include:
Extended dining room: Enough space to fit all 220 current members.
New study room/library (extended basement): Along with more space for studying, this room will include T.V. monitors that can be used to practice presentations on, or to Skype for meetings or interviews.
Wrap around porch.
Guest bathroom on first floor: currently there are no bathrooms on the first floor of the house.
Remodel of house mom’s apartment: adding a personal kitchen area.
Adding a backyard garden.
Phase two will extend the second floor and phase three will extend the third floor.
Kezerian says this project has been in the works for over three years, but finally broke ground this spring.
Pi Phi hopes the remodel will give them enough dining space to celebrate their centennial in the fall. To celebrate Pi Phi being at the University of Oregon for 100 years, all current and past Oregon Pi Phi members are invited to their celebration in September 2015.
Kezerian wants the alumni to see that Pi Phi is thriving.
“I think they’re going to be so excited to see that we were able to extend the house and cater to a growing Greek community while still keeping the classic character of a place that thousands of women have called their home for so many years,” Kezerian said. “We’re happy to carry on that legacy while still keeping the classic feel of the house.”
Kezerian says that this remodel is coming at a perfect time when Greek Life is growing, and they need more space for a growing chapter.
Freshman Hayden Peck says that she is most excited about the expansion of the dining room and addition of the porch because she imagines it as a picturesque place for fraternity men to serenade sorority women.
“I loved the house when I first saw it, but now I’m even more excited to see how great it will look when it’s done,” Peck said.