Sigma Chi fraternity members will keep and maintain their chapter house with support from the alumni of the chapter’s board.

The rental license at the fraternity house, 729 E. Grand River Ave., was revoked in June because of several noise violations, damages and housing codes that were not up-to-date.

Several new board members were appointed during Homecoming, giving the chapter house a new outlook, said Paul Choukourian, board member and Sigma Chi alumnus.

The board, consisting of alumni and active members, reviewed its options and decided to do the necessary work to keep the house. Choukourian said the group saw some potential in reopening the house.

“With fresh new minds and bodies, we are very confident we can improve the house,” Choukourian said. “The men we met in the house showed some terrific qualities, showing us that they could keep the house.”

Renovations, which are being funded by alumni, are allowing fraternity bothers and contractors to bring house codes back up-to-date. Howard Asch, director of housing code enforcement and neighborhood conservation for East Lansing, said there may be an inspection scheduled next month.

“We will talk with the owners to see what must be done,” Asch said. “We’ve been told there has been work done to it through the fall.”

Asch said the rental license will be reinstated if the house does not pose any life-threatening situations for residents.

With renovations almost complete, members might be able to move into the house next semester, said Chad Whistler, Sigma Chi vice president and business senior.

To avoid further problems with the city after members move back in, plans have also been implemented by Sigma Chi to avoid future violations.

“We have learned from our mistakes,” Whistler said. “Sigma isn’t dead - it’s actually going to thrive.”

Choukourian said the board is working with pledges to implement policies, preventing future violations.

“We are taking steps with the city to abide by every code and law,” he said. “We want to be an attractive neighbor and a positive contribution to the city of East Lansing.”

Although policies are not decided yet, Jeff Maxwell, Sigma Chi president and a biology junior, said members will not repeat past mistakes such as throwing outrageous parties, jeopardizing the future of their house and charter.

“The attitude of the brothers is the one thing that has changed the most,” Maxwell said. “We have gone from a huge party house to a more mature group of guys.”

New focuses to further improve the fraternity are fund-raising activities and new Recruitment strategies.

“We are being more active than in the past,” Maxwell said. “We just want to improve numbers to assure the future of the house for years to come.”