Maryland Sigma Chi Chapter Wants to Destroy Historic House

Fraternity Fights To Tear Down House

While most fraternities fight to keep their house, th Sigma Chi's at the University of Maryland want their fraternity house torn down.

They are not without reason though, the historic Sigma Chi house at the University of Maryland is in disrepair. The fraternity's house corporation has attempted to have the building, which is located in a historic neighborhood, torn down. They plan on building a new house on the same grounds, with more modern amenities.

Fraternity has run into stiff resistance from the local Historic Preservation Commission. They view demolition as the last resort for any building in their jurisdiction.

The fraternity contend the building is unsafe, with faulty electrical an no sprinkler system. The preservation commission contends that the building condition is the result of neglect from the fraternity.

Barry DesRoches, alumnus in charge of the demolition permit application, had a solid explanation of the fraternities motives for the demolition. "We believe we're acting in the best interests of not only the fraternity, but the university and the neighborhood by building a new house."

"I've been through the house numerous times, and it's constantly broken into."

"The buildings are older and not built to today's codes, They need to be updated. What's more important than physical appearance is that the students living in them are safe, and I think putting added bureaucracy and red tape in the way of changes that promote safety isn't the right thing to do."