Pi Beta Phi House Burned (U. of Idaho)

[VandalSquirrel]

I live a block from the fire station and hear every time they go on a call, and high enough on a hill that I could see a glow, but I had no idea it was the Pi Phi house until this morning. I'm maybe a five minute walk from there, and there were news vehicles all over the parking lot next to the house. I had business on their block twice today, and yes, most of the roof is gone. Lots of students store things in their chapter houses or dorms over the summer, plus all of their personal chapter items, and I can't imagine how horrible it is to lose things to smoke and water damage.

I have to say that I am extremely saddened that they have lost their home, but thankful no one was living in it at the time. Most women are returning to their chapter houses Sunday, and if this happened a few days later things may have been different. I also cannot stress to all of you alumni and alumnae who serve on House Corporation Boards, the importance of sprinklers when considering a remodel. These women have a wonderful local chapter, International organization, and a supportive University and I am positive they will have a great recruitment and thrive through this tragedy. I know other organizations on campus are offering their support, as well as the University, and we really do take care of our own.

As for Recruitment, UI has some lovely buildings that I imagine could be used for Recruitment events, and on a positive note some are air conditioned. In my opinion I doubt a fraternity house would be used, as men also have recruitment, and there are building options since school hasn't started yet. The Phi Kappa Tau chapter closed last spring, and their house had been vacant, but the women's co-operative has taken up residence there, so it is unavailable, and the former Tau Kappa Epsilon house needs a lot of work so more than likely the chapter will temporarily live in a residence hall. There has also been a lot of apartments built in the past year, and some fraternities have lived in apartments during their remodels.

On the trivia front, their former house is across the street, and is currently occupied by Alpha Gamma Rho. Before AGR lived there, Lambda Chi Alpha occupied it. The fireplace still has the Pi Beta Phi lozenge in stone on the mantle.

[honeychile]

I feel awful, just reading about this! Thank heavens no one was hurt - that's the most important thing. Such a beautiful house, too.

I hope the PiPhis can find a great place for rush, and take some new members who like the idea of working on a new house. Best of luck to the chapter!

VS, love the trivia - too bad that house isn't available!

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by honeychile

I feel awful, just reading about this! Thank heavens no one was hurt - that's the most important thing. Such a beautiful house, too.

I hope the PiPhis can find a great place for rush, and take some new members who like the idea of working on a new house. Best of luck to the chapter!

VS, love the trivia - too bad that house isn't available!

There's been quite a bit of musical houses. Off the top of my head the current Delta Sigma Phi house was the first Kappa Alpha Theta house, and Kappa Delta is living in the second Theta house, it is shaped like a kite. The Theta's built a new house that opened in 2003, and the Alpha Kappa Lambdas live in the former Alpha Chi Omega house (they are no longer on campus), and every year there is a rumor a particular fraternity is moving into the former Tau Kappa Epsilon house, they closed in spring 2003. If I remember right the Theta Chis had a different house before their current one, and it was the Scholar's Hall, and I believe that the new Theta house is on top of the former site. As I said, the Phi Kappa Tau chapter closed, and the women's co-operative (Steele House) moved in as their building closed this past spring. I call it either Phi Kappa Steele or Steele Tau BadSquirrelBeta is before my time, and she'd be able to tell you more.

[alrphimu]

I hope they find a house! I remember reading through our housing contract last year and realizing it was stated that if our house was destroyed by anything, our housing corp wasn't responsible for finding us a place to live -- now, I'd imagine they wouldn't leave us high and dry, and I'm glad Pi Phi is finding a place to live (and recruit!)

[AGDLynn]

Funny that you should make that comment.

I was talking to the chapter a couple of weeks ago and asked who lived in an apt. Almost all raised their hands (it's still summer, lol.) When I asked who had renter's insurances, only 1 or 2 did. A couple of people asked what that was. I strongly suggested that they consider it.


The next day, I sent an email to the chapter and advisors letting them know that if the members' stuff burned in the dorms, the school and Alpha Gam wasn't liable.

It will be interesting to see if I ask that same question in the fall, how many will have insurance.

[SWTXBelle]

Depending on your policy, the loss of your badge may be covered. I had a badge stolen at convention (not by a sister, I am sure!) and my renter's insurance covered part of the cost - so I was able to replace it. Yeah, USAA!

[AlexMack]

Originally Posted by AGDLynn

Funny that you should make that comment.

I was talking to the chapter a couple of weeks ago and asked who lived in an apt. Almost all raised their hands (it's still summer, lol.) When I asked who had renter's insurances, only 1 or 2 did. A couple of people asked what that was. I strongly suggested that they consider it.


The next day, I sent an email to the chapter and advisors letting them know that if the members' stuff burned in the dorms, the school and Alpha Gam wasn't liable.

It will be interesting to see if I ask that same question in the fall, how many will have insurance.

The school wouldn't be responsible for stuff if it burned in the dorms? Really? When I went to UVM, a waterpipe burst over winter break and flooded the basement/first floor of a dorm. All who lived there got big insurance checks to cover their losses.

[Stef the Pef]

Originally Posted by porkfriedrice

The school wouldn't be responsible for stuff if it burned in the dorms? Really? When I went to UVM, a waterpipe burst over winter break and flooded the basement/first floor of a dorm. All who lived there got big insurance checks to cover their losses.

Similar story here--my dorm at Baylor had a water pipe burst in the attic and the school had to pay for anything that was damaged. They even requested that profs go easy on whoever was in the affected hall for a couple of weeks afterwards since major things like papers, books, and laptops were among the ruined things.

Thank goodness Pi Phi's fire happened before school got back in session! I'm glad to hear that nobody was hurt.

[OleMissGlitter]

This is so sad. But it sounds like these women have some great support and I am sure they will get past this obstacle....their old house looked really pretty.

[LovePiBetaPhi]

I am a member of the UofI Pi Beta Phi chapter. We have an amazing House Cor. who are working to find us a new residence and I have heard that they already have. We are going to be okay. Thank you to everyone who posted about this!

[barbino]

Originally Posted by LovePiBetaPhi

I am a member of the UofI Pi Beta Phi chapter. We have an amazing House Cor. who are working to find us a new residence and I have heard that they already have. We are going to be okay. Thank you to everyone who posted about this!

LovePiBetaPhi, thanks for letting us know that the U of Idaho chapter is going to be allright. All Pi Phi chapters have amazing House Corporations! I am not surprized tht everything has already been handled swiftly and efficiently - Pi Phi National would have made sure that this happened. It is a strong sisterhood, and the bonds are tight in the wine & silver blue. You and your sisters in this chapter are about to learn what it really means to be Pi Phi's. Your older sisters will guide the chapter through this upcoming rush, through the house repairs, and through whatever else happens. When you are my age, and you have been a member for 30+ years, you'll look back, and remember all the love that Pi Beta Phi has shown you. I know that I have, on many occasions!