Chapter House Fire - 2am, Sep 19, 2004

        
*** User351 *** 10/05/2004 02:45 EDT ***

It's a miracle no one got hurt in this fire.  Thank goodness for sprinklers!


*** User377 *** 10/05/2004 08:59 EDT ***

Jim .... you say we only have 39 members now.  What are the other houses at?  Is
this a case of overall greek membership down or is it specific to Epsilon?


*** User491 *** 10/05/2004 10:16 EDT ***

A very large boulder or a rock wall should be placed on that corner (Dean and
Salisbury).  This is the third time I have seen an accident by individuals
trying to make the corner at high speed. What insurances does the driver have to
cover the damages?  What insurances does the house maintain to cover the
damages?  This should be placed squarely on the shoulders of the driver and his
insurances.  What is the word on the hill?  Any reprecussions?  Is there a
danger of losing our charter? -Offredi '93.


*** User491 *** 10/05/2004 10:16 EDT ***

A very large boulder or a rock wall should be placed on that corner (Dean and
Salisbury).  This is the third time I have seen an accident by individuals
trying to make the corner at high speed. What insurances does the driver have to
cover the damages?  What insurances does the house maintain to cover the
damages?  This should be placed squarely on the shoulders of the driver and his
insurances.  What is the word on the hill?  Any reprecussions?  Is there a
danger of losing our charter? -Offredi '93.


*** User439 *** 10/05/2004 10:22 EDT ***

The poor numbers were not specific to us.  Greek involvement last year was an
all time low mainly due to WPI and new restrictions for Greek life.  Due to the
poor numbers for every house last year, the IFC has stepped in this year and
changed that.  So, this year should be alot better than last year. Hopefully,
this mishapp won't hurt our numbers, but give us more publicity.


*** User439 *** 10/05/2004 10:22 EDT ***

The poor numbers were not specific to us.  Greek involvement last year was an
all time low mainly due to WPI and new restrictions for Greek life.  Due to the
poor numbers for every house last year, the IFC has stepped in this year and
changed that.  So, this year should be alot better than last year. Hopefully,
this mishapp won't hurt our numbers, but give us more publicity.


*** User449 *** 10/05/2004 10:57 EDT ***

Was the driver sober? Under age?  Does the house face any potential criminal
liability? I am interesetd in the responses to Tony's questions.  MFriend '93


*** User351 *** 10/05/2004 11:10 EDT ***

The alumni carry both property and contents insurance coverage from Lloyds of
London.  Our coverage is $1M for property and $51K for contents.  Brothers
personal possessions are not covered, but may be covered under their parents
home owners.  Our insurance will cover most, but not all of the damage.  The
cost to restore our contents will exceed the coverage.  Many old books and
composites are damaged and are very expensive to repair/restore.  Details to
follow in the weeks and months to come.  To recover costs, it is likely our
insurance company will file a claim against the driver's insurance.  We are not
involved in that discussion, as far as I know.

- Jim


*** User351 *** 10/05/2004 11:16 EDT ***

The Greek system did suffer low recruitment numbers last year and the year
before that.  This year, WPI relaxed the stranglehold on Greeks in terms of Rush
regulations and we can actually speak to freshmen in A-Term, etc.  This combined
with a record number of freshmen, should prove to be helpful in a successful
Rush.  However, the Chapter has to step up to the plate and execute.  We are
looking for ways in which alumni can participate and help as well.  This is the
year to pitch in, if there ever was one!!  A full Rush calendar of activities
will be published soon from the undergrads.  Stay tuned.

- Jim


*** User349 *** 10/05/2004 12:40 EDT ***

I agree with Tony's comments.  I remember a certain crash on the Dean Street
side from about ten years back as well.  I see the splotch is still there on the
brick wall.  Perhaps palisades or a tar pit can be added.  Sniper tower...
orbiting brain lasers... 

I think any issues that could be related to pending lawsuits or that could put
us or anyone else in legal liability should probably be kept to email rather
than posted up here.  Also, while there is someone directly at fault in this
incident, accidents do occur.  Hopefully we do not make this brother an outcast
as we go through this process.  Stupider things have been done both inside and
outside of that house.

Thanks for taking the time to post such a detailed account, Jim.  It's sad, but
good to know the details.  Hopefully a PayPal DONATE button can be added here,
too.

-Jesster '96


*** User460 *** 10/05/2004 21:56 EDT ***

Why did this person crash into the house? This seems like this discussion is
being overlooked.  Did the PD give him a ticket or anything?  How fast was he
going?


*** User390 *** 10/06/2004 11:19 EDT ***

Why did he crash?  Was he sober?  Did he get a ticket?  I mean really, who gives
a rats ass??  You guys are all making this sound like "I've never done anything
stupid or accidental".  Give me a break.  Anyone who never DWI at least once
while in school, please post it here so all the rest of us can call you a liar. 
Yes it is a stupid thing to do.  No, I do not condone driving while intoxicated,
especially not now that I'm the one that has to deal with people who do end up
hurting themselves or others.  But you know what?  Accidents happen, and people,
especially young people, do stupid things sometimes without thinking.  How about
if we all get over ourselves and our 'must blame someone' attitude.  Let's
support this brother and let him know that he is still a brother.  Let's take
care of the problem at hand which is repair of the house.  And I agree with
Jeester, a moat and guard tower with machine gun sounds great.   Bob Hansen, '85


*** User449 *** 10/06/2004 12:21 EDT ***

I will support the house financially and any other way that I can in getting
through this.  

That being said, I don't see any harm in wanting to understand all that was
involved with this incident.  I am reading that the house is down to 39 brothers
and that one of them just crashed his car into the house.  If we all understand
the details around those points, perhaps we will be able to identify other areas
where we (the alums) can get involved with helping the house (beyond just giving
money to fix the items that were damaged).  If drinking was involved, should we
look into sponsoring a program on alcohol abuse? If the school is squeezing the
Greek system, can we help put pressure on the school to change?  If national is
coming down on the house, can we help them push back?  If this was just an
innocent accident, what can we do to prevent it from happening again (for a
third time)?  If the driver is in legal trouble, what can we do to help.

Please don't stifle the discussion and please don't assume that we are looking
for information just to for a lynching party.  I’m not looking to blame
anyone; I’m just trying to understand the big picture about what is happening
at the house.  MFriend '93


*** User351 *** 10/06/2004 12:50 EDT ***

I honestly do not know if alcohol was involved or not.  Perhaps one of the
brothers can elaborate, privately if necessary.  From undergrad accounts,
the driver was returning from Assumption at 2am and attempted to pass a car on
Salisbury St.  After passing the car, he tried to make the turn into Dean St.
and lost control.  I have not seen any police report yet, which might provide
some additional information regarding speed, tickets, or charges.  This
information might be available, but I just don't have it yet.  Homecoming is
this weekend.  I'm sure this will be a main topic of conversation.


*** User351 *** 10/06/2004 13:16 EDT ***

The brother who was driving is Michael Raimondi '2006.  Mike is a brother in our
Chapter and despite the accident, has the Fraternity's full support and Helping
Hand in overcoming this tragic accident.  Recovering from this event will truly
test the resolve of the Chapter, and our collective ability to live up to our
mottos and ideals.  Part of this calls for all of us to stand tall, with Mike,
and work together to re-build our damaged house, re-enforce our Chapter pride,
and  re-commit ourselves to Rush in a bright future for our Fraternity.  We may
be down, but in no way, are we on our way out.  Long live Theta Chi!


*** User623 *** 10/07/2004 15:51 EDT ***

Let me echo the comment about Michael Raimondi '2006.  He is a strong member of
the house and well respected.   He suffered only minor injuries; thank goodness
for seat belts.  In my opinion, he was not impaired at the time of the accident,
however, this is a situation for the police to determine.  On the other hand, it
never hurts for us to provide safety messages/seminars to the house on a regular
basis.  There are plenty of case studies we can draw from.

I like the idea of a moat.  What liquid do we fill it with?

Jonathan

PS  It was great seeing Matt Colangelo and the officers of the EBA respond with
twelve hours of the accident.  It was brotherhood at its best.


*** User431 *** 10/08/2004 15:18 EDT ***

I fully believe in the Helping Hand but I also believe the accident is being
slightly overlooked.  Last I knew Salisbury had a double yellow line and thus
passing would be illegal, and if he was that close to Dean St, he should not
have attempted to pass anyway.  I too made a few less-than-ideal decisions while
I was a brother, but this demonstrates a total lack of judgement and inability
to understand the responsibilities of being a brother.


*** User349 *** 10/08/2004 16:56 EDT ***

> I like the idea of a moat.  What liquid do we fill it with?
> 
> Jonathan

Nothing flammable, evidently.

-Jesster '96


*** User351 *** 10/10/2004 18:39 EDT ***

The undergrads have reported that alcohol was not a factor in the accident.


*** User676 *** 03/30/2005 14:24 EST ***

The fire must have been caused by D'Sousa seeing that he is a huge flamer.


*** User676 *** 03/30/2005 14:24 EST ***

The fire must have been caused by D'Sousa seeing that he is a huge flamer.


*** User515 *** 08/10/2005 11:58 EDT ***

I WAS DISTURBED BY ONE PICTURE THAT SHOWED SOME BEER CANS AND BOTTLES SITTING ON
A TABLE INSIDE THE HOU SE!  yEARS AGO ALL ALCOHOL  WAS BANNED IN THE HOUSE AT
ALL TIMES.  hOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED!!  wHAT HAPPENED TO THE OLD BOYTON WATERING
PLACE??


*** User515 *** 08/10/2005 11:58 EDT ***

I WAS DISTURBED BY ONE PICTURE THAT SHOWED SOME BEER CANS AND BOTTLES SITTING ON
A TABLE INSIDE THE HOU SE!  yEARS AGO ALL ALCOHOL  WAS BANNED IN THE HOUSE AT
ALL TIMES.  hOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED!!  wHAT HAPPENED TO THE OLD BOYTON WATERING
PLACE??


*** User515 *** 08/10/2005 11:58 EDT ***

I WAS DISTURBED BY ONE PICTURE THAT SHOWED SOME BEER CANS AND BOTTLES SITTING ON
A TABLE INSIDE THE HOU SE!  yEARS AGO ALL ALCOHOL  WAS BANNED IN THE HOUSE AT
ALL TIMES.  hOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED!!  wHAT HAPPENED TO THE OLD BOYTON WATERING
PLACE??


*** User153 *** 09/01/2005 15:30 EDT ***

I just sent in a check to help (my husband is slow in opening his non-essential
mail) and looked at some of the pictures, read comments.  Most recently, someone
expressed surprise at beer cans and liquor bottles and how times have changed. 
Well, I'll date myself.  I remember the original house.  Mrs. V's lasagna was to
die for.  I steamed clams in the kitchen.  My best friend's father was architect
for the big '60's renovation.  The party room downstairs, the Frat Ratz
including Jim Forand, the day Saint drove up with his new Jag XKE convertible. 
It was a good house.  Well, I guess the PETA people could have had some say if
they had been around and knew what Ox was fed.  The brothers were extremely
protective.  Party crashers nearly pushed me down that narrow stairway one night
and had a "band of brothers" to answer to.  I slept in the cold dorm during IF
weekend in December of 19--, rode out to the farm to get the pig for roasting. 
That "house" holds lasting memories for my husband and I and WPI without it just
wouldn't be the same.  And speaking of fires, I understand Scotch was involved
in a party room fireplace fire some time between Nov 1963 and Nov 1964.


*** User153 *** 09/01/2005 15:33 EDT ***

I just sent in a check to help (my husband is slow in opening his non-essential
mail) and looked at some of the pictures, read comments.  Most recently, someone
expressed surprise at beer cans and liquor bottles and how times have changed. 
Well, I'll date myself.  I remember the original house.  Mrs. V's lasagna was to
die for.  I steamed clams in the kitchen.  My best friend's father was architect
for the big '60's renovation.  The party room downstairs, the Frat Ratz
including Jim Forand, the day Saint drove up with his new Jag XKE convertible. 
It was a good house.  Well, I guess the PETA people could have had some say if
they had been around and knew what Ox was fed.  The brothers were extremely
protective.  Party crashers nearly pushed me down that narrow stairway one night
and had a "band of brothers" to answer to.  I slept in the cold dorm during IF
weekend in December of 19--, rode out to the farm to get the pig for roasting. 
That "house" holds lasting memories for my husband and I and WPI without it just
wouldn't be the same.  And speaking of fires, I understand Scotch was involved
in a party room fireplace fire some time between Nov 1963 and Nov 1964.