The Board recently signed an agreement to employ the services of SMBH, a sturctural engineering firm based in Columbus, OH.

As mentioned in last month's email, this analysis will be the foundation for determining our course of action with regards to the future of the House.  The question we are seeking to answer is:  Can the facility's current structural state (the exterior walls and foundation) withstand another 100 years?  Once completed, the Board has decided to reach out to our Alumni and ask for input based on the findings of the structural analysis prior to sending out Requests for Proposals from architecture firms.  Throughout the process, we will do our very best to keep Alumni apprised of our progress.

Currently, we are envisioning a 2-3 month window for Alumni to respond to the findings, and the recommendations the board presents.

If you have any questions about the facility, or other board operations, please reply to this email and we will reach out to you to discuss your areas of concern.

Holy Cow!  Where has the summer gone?  Personally, I think life in general moves entirely too fast.  With another child on the way, I can only imagine how much faster life will move.

As summer closes, the school year is only weeks away.  I have spent a great deal of time working directly with the actives in preparing for the new school year.  Recruitment, philanthropy, community service, academics.  All of these topics will at some point be a central theme to my conversations with the actives.

I want to share a few things that have happened this summer, with relation to the House.  One year ago, the University employed the services of architectural firm to evaluate the life safety conditions of all Greek Housing.  After waiting nearly 7 months, we finally received our report.  Needless to say, we have the safest house on campus, with relation to overall life safety provisions.  However, there were several issues, including adding a second means of egress on the back of the House.  The University has required a five year plan to mitigate all the issues in the report. After several discussions and careful research, the Board decided to not submit a formal five year plan based on the direction we are moving, beginning with the structural analysis.  We submitted a report of all the issues we mitigated, and a plan to mitigate smaller issues which are more realistic to complete within the five year window.  Our stance is supported by Section 3403 of the Ohio Building Code which does not require facilities remain compliant with the ever-changing building codes in the State, unless we undertake a restoration or alteration of the facility.

We are currently waiting for a response from the University to the letter sent from the Corporation.  I will do my very best to keep all Alumni in the "loop" on how this issue moves forward.  Ultimately, our primary concern is the overall safety and well-being of all brothers and visitors to 821 S. Gilbert St.

As always, if you ever have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me directly.  My phone number is 440-396-8475 and my email address is chrisstone@columbus.rr.com.

HFF

Chris