The Phi Gamma Delta fraternity will be temporarily homeless after the demolition of its house this summer.

The fraternity’s current house, located at 1200 S. College Ave, has been the same since 1955, but once the semester is over it will be torn down and a new one will be built in its place.

“The house [we] have now is pretty old and beat up back from when the campus was wet,” said Will Bowersox, Phi Gamma Delta president.

Being a member of a homeless fraternity might sound slightly depressing, but members of Fiji are more excited about the future $6 million house than concerned with not having one until the fall of 2010.

John Rosener, University College freshman, said he thinks its size will help promote a stronger sense of brotherhood.

“The house is very important to the fraternity,” Rosener said. “The house we have now only sleeps around 40 to 50 guys which is not nearly enough for our fraternity. The new house will be big enough for 70 guys. It will make us all closer as brothers.”

A lack of physical presence could also be a potential problem for fraternities come fall rush, but Bowersox said it will only help the fraternity.

“If anything it will be leverage,” he said. “The new house will be ready for move-in in time for the fall 2010 semester. Because all incoming freshman are required to live in the dorms, our newest pledge class, from fall 2009, will be the first to live in the new house.”

One hundred percent of the nearly $6 million project was funded by the fraternity’s alumni, said Bowersox, finance and entrepreneurship junior.

The fund-raising campaign began last March when the economy was in a better state, but the economic downturn has not affected the project and it is on schedule, he said.

Lee Allan Smith, Vice Chairman of Ackerman-McQueen and Fiji alumnus, raised much of the capital for the project. He said fond memories made alumni eager to donate money for the new house, even during a recession.

“There is a saying that Phi Gamma Delta is not for college days alone, which I truly believe,” he said. “That is why so many alums have stepped forward with contributions to make this a reality. They all cherish their memories.”

Will McGarry, Phi Gamma Delta and OU alumnus, is sentimental about the house that stands today, but said the new house will mean just as much to future members.

“It held a lot of good memories,” he said. “When a bunch of college kids move into one house together there is bound to be good times and experiences to last a life time.”