To: Theta Chi UC Davis
Zeta Xi Chapter Alumni Brothers
From: Alumni Board
Ref: 501 Russell Blvd. House - Request for Donations
Hello Zeta Xi Brothers,
TLDR; the OX house is falling apart and we need money from you to fix it. Please donate and we’ll spend the money wisely to get the house back in shape. Thank You.
We’re reaching out to all alumni and brothers of Zeta Xi Chapter to ask for your help, specifically financial assistance so that we can make needed repairs and improvements to our chapter house at 501 Russell Blvd.
The front house is almost 100 years old and the back house more than 50. The passage of time and years of fraternity living has taken its toll. The active chapter had a difficult time during Covid with classes being remote for two years, but is now back on a good footing with solid membership and leadership. The chapter house needs significant repairs in order to remain in operation. The City of Davis fire and building departments have recently inspected and given violation notices which we are currently addressing and completing repairs. While some of the items are maintenance to be addressed by the active membership, many are structural and complex in nature that require the alumni chapter to be involved.
The alumni board has obtained property condition reports and initial repair estimates as follows:
1. Foundation failure and repair
2. Roof condition and repair
3. Termite/Dry Rot condition and repair
4. Whole House report, limited inspection of HVAC, electrical and plumbing
5. Tree and landscape inspection
6. Personal inspections by board members
Based upon these findings, we believe that the following repairs to 501 Russell Blvd. should be performed:
1. Foundation Repair
2. Roofing Repair and Replacement, including gutters
3. Window Replacement
4. Termite/Dry Rot Repair
5. Siding/Trim Repair
6. Exterior Paint
7. HVAC complete system replacement
8. Plumbing/Electrical - new electrical panel, possible full re-plumb of the back house
9. Trees/Fences - clean up of overgrown trees and fence repair
10. Concrete/Landscape - repair walkways, install new landscaping
11. Back House Interior -full remodel of 12 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms
12. Misc. Expenses - parking lot repairs, front house exterior
The total estimated costs are estimated to be at least $300,000, with a complete rehab of the back house possibly reaching $500,000 or more. Please note that we are not addressing an interior front house remodel at this time. Our focus is on the structural integrity of the house, making the exterior weatherproof and not subject to further deterioration, and updating the back house residence to modern safety standards and finishes. All funds donated to this campaign will be held in the alumni board account and used solely for rehabilitation to our house at 501 Russell Blvd.
Our house at 501 Russell Blvd. has provided over 50 years of service to hundreds of alumni and active members, and is now at the point that it needs significant rehabilitation in order to continue to operate. Therefore, we are asking all alumni to make a donation to the building repair fund. If you are able to make a significant donation, perhaps one large enough to fund a line item or two, please reach out to one of our board members. We will be contacting various alumni over the coming weeks, and we encourage you to reach out to your own alumni network and let all of our brothers know we need their help.
We have received two major donation pledges from alumni at this time; one alumni brother has pledged $50,000 and another has donated $30,000. We are asking you to consider making a significant pledge if you are able to do so, but equally important is that we are seeking involvement and donations from as many brothers as possible. We are able to accept donations via Zelle, wire transfer, or by check payable to Zeta Xi Chapter, Theta Chi Alumni. We are working to establish a GoFundMe or similar platform as well.
We will be scheduling a Zoom meeting in the near future to answer questions regarding the project, and we welcome your calls or emails as well.
Please Donate. Thank you for your consideration.
Fraternally,
Zeta Xi Chapter Alumni Board
Eric Tennyson, alumni board president
phone: (916) 834-0088
email: EricT2030@aol.com
Alan Chamorro, alumni house manager
James Beall, alumni treasurer
Chuck Cox, alumni liaison