The collegiate members of Delta Iota Chapter at the University of Arkansas, Chi Chapter at the University of Mississippi, Phi Eta Chapter at Texas Tech University and Phi Lambda Chapter at Texas Christian University all have one thing in common — a new place to live, learn and lead among their sisters.
As Greek life numbers increase at these universities, Tri Delta works to ensure our members are provided with a safe, supportive and attractive living and learning environment. These four chapters have undergone renovations and re-construction to increase living capacity and to remain competitive with the other sorority houses on their campuses.
Delta Iota Chapter
At the University of Arkansas our chapter began demolition on its chapter house in May 2017. The original house was built in 1933 and only allowed 80 to 85 live-in members. Many updates were needed to the kitchen, bathrooms, electrical, and heating and air as the house was being used more often. Now with 400 members, Delta Iota made plans for more space.
These expansions and renovations allow for more sisterhood and shared activities as all 400 members can be in the house at the same time. There will be an expanded dining space, more meeting areas and study rooms, and the living quarters will hold up to 98 members.
“We have been challenged by living and meeting in such small spaces,” said Connie Bracy, Arkansas, Delta Iota House Corporation President. “It will be so nice for these young women to be next-door neighbors and a few steps away from one another. We can’t wait to get back under one roof at 920 West Maple!”
The members of Delta Iota look forward to the completion in August of 2018 when they welcome new members to their new home.
Chi Chapter
Our chapter at the University of Mississippi worked with the Tri Delta Foundation to launch a capital campaign to undergo major construction and renovations to their chapter house.
“We wanted to provide more housing for our women and give each member the opportunity to live in the chapter house at least one year while an active member,” said Sally Carson, Mississippi, Chi House Corporation President.
The re-construction will not only fix this, as there will now be three floors and beds for 109 women to live in the house each year, but it will also allow the women to form strong friendships and have their current friendships grow stronger.
“This is especially true for us because of the large size of our chapter,” said Sally. “It can be difficult for everyone to know each other, but year after year, the women tell us that their friendships grew during the time that they lived in the house.”
Other renovations are being done for more study rooms and small group meeting areas as the members come together to broaden their intellectual lives. A chapter room large enough for all members to meet in each week for chapter meetings is also being constructed. This project is expected to be completed in summer 2018.
Phi Eta Chapter
Phi Eta Chapter’s lodge at Texas Tech University has undergone a demolition and complete rebuild to meet the increase in enrollment and women going through recruitment at Texas Tech.
The chapter knew their lodge could no longer house their weekly chapter meetings; the upstairs floor was built in 1974 and only meant for 30-50 women. With about 240 members in the chapter today — and an expected future increase in membership — it was time for an upgrade.
The chapter created a campaign through the Tri Delta Foundation to create space that includes a chapter room big enough for 350 women, bathrooms for more than three people to use at a time, multiple study rooms for the members to meet in large or small groups, and more kitchen and dining space.
“It’s all about studying in a home environment for our members since they don’t actually live in the lodge,” said Page Heinrich, Texas Tech, Phi Eta House Corporation President. “Our new lodge still has the same homey and comfy feel as our previous lodge but with tons of added space for members to spread out, study, cook or just be in their home away from home.”
The rebuild provides more opportunities for the chapter to host its local alumnae chapter as both groups will now be able to fit in the same lodge. The new members will enjoy fostering new relationships with each other in their new lodge, dedicated on March 3.
Phi Lambda Chapter
Texas Christian University tore down all existing sorority houses on campus and built brand new ones for the 13 chapters, including Phi Lambda. Phi Lambda House Corporation Committee raised funds to furnish the chapter room, two kitchens, an office, multiple study rooms and the upstairs living rooms. Phi Lambda’s chapter room was named for Jean Wiggin Roach and her two daughters, Amy Roach Bailey and Lori Roach Davis, all Texas Christian, in recognition for a generous gift to TCU.
This construction project was prompted by TCU and alumnae as the fraternity and sorority houses were built in the 1950s.
“The existing chapter rooms were too small, especially after the increase in membership,” said Charlotte French, Texas Christian, Phi Lambda House Corporation President. “The members weren’t even able to have chapter meetings or really function in the chapter house.”
Phi Lambda’s new house opened in fall 2017, and the members can now have chapter meetings and host alumnae or parent events. Now, 37 members can live in the house, with each floor having a study room and living area. The officer’s floor has eight single rooms, an office, a conference room, kitchen and living room. “Now that the members have the brand-new facility, they are enjoying living, eating, studying and socializing together,” said Charlotte. “It truly has brought the women closer together!”
Tri Delta Housing’s Commitment
Tri Delta Housing is committed to being a partner in the success of our local house corporations. Tri Delta Housing has a suite of services available to local house corporations, including property maintenance and management, risk management guidance, communications and capital campaign support. These resources are specifically designed to empower and support our housing volunteers at the local level as they help our members live, learn and lead – with Purpose.