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Phi Kappa Psi in process of rebuilding
After boiler explosion, fraternity works to rebuild memories, build plan for housing
Makenna Bishop
Issue date: 3/11/09 Section: News
In November, a boiler exploded in the basement of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house, causing severe damage to the inside of the building.
Though no one was injured, the blast left many of the members without a home. Some of the displaced men have found residence in Cauthorn Hall, as per invitation by UHDS.
Things seem to be looking up for the members of Phi Kappa Psi, as a projected plan for a new house has been developed. Clint Stubbs, who works with Northwest Surveying and the president of the house corporation, said that the fraternity's house corporation currently owns the house and the property and will be handling the rebuilding process.
"This process has been slow thus far as we have been working with the insurance company to determine the value of the claim," Stubbs said.
He said the lengthy process is establishing the exact costs of rebuilding the house to its pre-loss state. This process, Stubbs said, will hopefully be completed within the next month.
Stubbs said they plan to create a house that is built for the twenty-first century while also maintaining the fraternal heritage that dates back to 1852.
"It is our goal not to rebuild the aging house to its previous status, but instead to greatly improve it," Stubbs said. "Our goal is to create a house that will be a symbol of Phi Kappa Psi at Oregon State for the next 50 years."
The projected plan is to completely replace the north wing of the house, which was most affected by the explosion, by adding an additional floor of study and sleeping rooms. The south wing is also going to be remodeled with completely new rooms.
Stubbs said the new house will not look the same on the inside or outside when the remodeling is complete. He also said they are incorporating as much "green" building into the house as is economically feasible.
Jordan Kennedy, a junior in business administration, is a member of the Greek community in the Sigma Chi fraternity.
"I think it's great to see that a house in the Greek community will continue to represent its presence here by building a new house," Kennedy said.
"This new house and new beginning for Phi Kappa Psi will come with a large price tag," Stubbs said. "The insurance money will fall short of the money needed."
Stubbs said they were beginning to launch a capital campaign in order to help fill the funding gap.
Chris Gerritz, president of Phi Kappa Psi, thinks the process of the new house plan has been a very exciting time for the fraternity, and said he hopes things will only continue to get better from here.
Makenna Bishop, senior reporter
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
Though no one was injured, the blast left many of the members without a home. Some of the displaced men have found residence in Cauthorn Hall, as per invitation by UHDS.
Things seem to be looking up for the members of Phi Kappa Psi, as a projected plan for a new house has been developed. Clint Stubbs, who works with Northwest Surveying and the president of the house corporation, said that the fraternity's house corporation currently owns the house and the property and will be handling the rebuilding process.
"This process has been slow thus far as we have been working with the insurance company to determine the value of the claim," Stubbs said.
He said the lengthy process is establishing the exact costs of rebuilding the house to its pre-loss state. This process, Stubbs said, will hopefully be completed within the next month.
Stubbs said they plan to create a house that is built for the twenty-first century while also maintaining the fraternal heritage that dates back to 1852.
"It is our goal not to rebuild the aging house to its previous status, but instead to greatly improve it," Stubbs said. "Our goal is to create a house that will be a symbol of Phi Kappa Psi at Oregon State for the next 50 years."
The projected plan is to completely replace the north wing of the house, which was most affected by the explosion, by adding an additional floor of study and sleeping rooms. The south wing is also going to be remodeled with completely new rooms.
Stubbs said the new house will not look the same on the inside or outside when the remodeling is complete. He also said they are incorporating as much "green" building into the house as is economically feasible.
Jordan Kennedy, a junior in business administration, is a member of the Greek community in the Sigma Chi fraternity.
"I think it's great to see that a house in the Greek community will continue to represent its presence here by building a new house," Kennedy said.
"This new house and new beginning for Phi Kappa Psi will come with a large price tag," Stubbs said. "The insurance money will fall short of the money needed."
Stubbs said they were beginning to launch a capital campaign in order to help fill the funding gap.
Chris Gerritz, president of Phi Kappa Psi, thinks the process of the new house plan has been a very exciting time for the fraternity, and said he hopes things will only continue to get better from here.
Makenna Bishop, senior reporter
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
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