When my daughter's sorority moved back to campus after years of absence, they took over what had been a fraternity house and totally remodeled the house. New regulations required sprinkler systems be installed all throughout the house. Think it is time that these older Greek houses throughout the County have the same sprinkler systems installed in addition to fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors which are there now at least here at OU.
The bill (S.1246/HR.1523) is called the Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act of 2003 and is currently in committee in both the house and senate.
This bill allows for national educational foundations (501(c)(3) organizations) to take tax deductible gifts and give grants to a local 501(c)(3) organization for any housing or infrastructure improvement that directly benefits a student organization. If passed, the bill would allow for all fraternal educational foundations to use tax deductible gifts to make grants to local housing corporations for housing and infrastructure improvements (such as fire/life safety improvements, a new roof, new furniture, etc.). The bill applies to all student organizations, not just fraternal organizations, and it is anticipated many religious organizations will be able to use this tax change for improvements to their campus facilities.
Not that this makes any difference for the guys at ATO, but this is something that fraternities in general are concerned about.