For the first time in UF’s Alpha Gamma Rho’s 94-year history, the fraternity has moved on campus.
Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity recently sold its house, which accommodated around 40 live-in brothers, on Southwest 13th Street, and is building a new one south of Museum Road, said Peter Chaires, the president of UF’s chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho.
Property records show it was sold to SMLC, LLC, the same development company who purchased other property on West University Avenue in 2016, for $3.5 million.
This would be the third house the fraternity moves into since its establishment at UF in 1924. The sold house was demolished a month ago, Chaires said.
During the 12-month construction, the fraternity will reside in the vacant Tau Epsilon Phi house on a two-year lease, Chaires said. Tau Epsilon Phi moved out of its on-campus house after being suspended by the university for about four years following a disciplinary hearing in December. The fraternity violated five student conduct codes, including serving alcohol to minors, drug possession and causing $3,000 worth of damages at a hotel.
Alpha Gamma Rho’s new space will be three-stories tall and fit 50 beds, which is 10 more than the previous house could hold, Chaires said.
Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox
“The goal for the house is to have high efficiency, low maintenance,” Chaires said.
The land leased by the fraternity is one of three lots on campus across from Hume Hall offered to Greek Life, UF spokesperson Steve Orlando said. The previous location of Alpha Gamma Rho’s house was not owned by UF.
W. Bernard Lester, a 60-year UF Alpha Gamma Rho alumnus, said he believes the appearance of the new house will represent the standard the members of the chapter hold themselves to.
“As alumni, we’re very pleased with the way they’re functioning,” Lester, who pledged with the fraternity in 1958 said. “I think it’s a great design as far as the exterior and interior."
Contact Dana Cassidy at dcassidy@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @danacassidy_
Support your local paper
Donate Today
The Independent Florida Alligator has been independent of the university since 1971, your donation today could help #SaveStudentNewsrooms. Please consider giving today.
