Repairs begin on damaged fraternity house

Repairs to the Sigma Phi Epsilon house are underway after a tree
fell on the building at the beginning of first week, forcing the
evacuation of the house residents.

On Jan. 10, Sigma Phi Epsilon residents were forced to leave
their home when a eucalyptus tree in the backyard fell on the
building as a result of record rainfall and wind.

“It felt like the entire house was falling down,”
said David Graham-Caso, president of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

The residents were allowed to move back in five days after the
incident occurred.

Most of the damage was done to the backyard porch area, while
one bathroom suffered minimal damage.

“We were extremely lucky. (The tree) couldn’t have
fallen in a better place,” Graham-Caso said.

The roots of the tree pulled out a retaining wall, resulting in
several small fractures and a damaged balcony rail that has been
replaced, said Fred Genigniali, a contractor for All Around
Construction, the company handling repairs for the house.

No one was injured when the tree toppled.

“Everyone was accounted for immediately,”
Graham-Caso said.

Repairs to the house are in the process of being made.

With a team of about six people, All Around Construction removed
debris from the fallen tree last week and began repairs to the
house on Monday. Genigniali said he expects the repairs to be
completed by today.

Genigniali said there was hardly any interior damage. The only
work that remains to be done is a few minor interior repairs and a
paint job, he said.

Graham-Caso said the majority of the cost of repairs will be
covered by the insurance company and there will be a minimal cost,
if any, to the fraternity.

With the evacuation of the house, many residents were displaced
and events had to be held elsewhere.

Many active members of the fraternity living in apartments
provided their fellow brothers with a place to stay until they
could return, said Graham-Caso.

Fraternities Sigma Nu, Phi Kappa Psi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and
Sigma Pi offered Sigma Phi Epsilon brothers a place to carry out
their house activities.

“Everyone was incredibly generous,” Graham-Caso
said.

Only one social event was scheduled for the first week of the
quarter in partnership with Sigma Pi. Due to the evacuation, Sigma
Pi hosted the event.

“It was really nice to have them here,” said Jon
Roper, president of Sigma Pi.

“It’s part of creating better interfraternal
relations,” Roper said.