THE BETA HOUSE
Boston Beautiful Overlooking the Charles River with perhaps the most beautiful view of campus, the 1899-built Beta Upsilon chapter house at MIT stands out as a symbol of confidence and potential on a campus already teeming with both. The two-building facility is comprised of “The Main House” (acquired in 1946, left, including the kitchen, dining room, chapter room and common space) and “The Annex” (acquired in 1964, below, a former MIT residence hall across the street that houses approximately 20 students). Following the chapter’s closure in June 2011, Beta Upsilon promptly recolonized in fall 2012. Recognizing MIT’s competitive housing situation, the alumni launched a $2.25+ million campaign to renovate both properties and fund the two-year recolonization process. Backed by a construction loan from the university, they began a sweeping $1 million renovation of the Main House, including all four bathrooms, the kitchen, a new laundry facility, a new resident advisor suite and replacement of all bedroom furniture, desks, light fixtures, and kitchen and dining equipment. House Corporation President Mike Feinstein, MIT ’82, believes these renovations are crucial to Beta Upsilon’s success: “MIT has invested heavily in new dormitory facilities, and students and their parents have high expectations for the quality of their living facilities. A well-maintained facility sets a quality standard for our brotherhood — the brothers take great pride in maintaining the building which has been restored to its historic luster.”
“A WELL-MAINTAINED FACILITY sets a quality standard for our brotherhood — the brothers take GREAT PRIDE in maintaining the building which has been RESTORED TO ITS HISTORIC LUSTER.” — Mike Feinstein ’82, house corporation president
32
THE BETA THETA PI SPRING 2014