ALPHA
TAU OMEGA
EPSILON CHI
SSan Jose State University ity
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ALPHA
TAU OMEGA
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THE EPSILON CHI STORY The Epsilon Chi Chapter of Alpha Tau Omega was installed at SJSU on October 30, 1950 out of a local fraternity known as Delta Theta Omega. At the time, the ATO house was located at 1600 The Alameda, and it was a replica of the governor's mansion. There were 50 original brothers which grew to about 125 during the 1950's. In the early 1950's, the brothers of ATO wished to move closer to campus, so they purchased three houses at the corner of 11th and San Antonio. In 1963, these house were torn down to make the way for the first "made for ATO" house at 202 s. 11th Street. After its completion, it slept approximately 60 men. This new house was funded by the Alumni Association and the house fund. Due to the Vietnam War, as well as the "anti-establishment" movement during the late 1960's, ATO was forced to close. Unfortunately, the Alumni Association alone could not make the payments on the house and were forced to sell it at a loss. At the time it sold for $30,000 and by 1988, it was worth $1.3 million. ATO remained defunct from 1969 to 1976. After becoming disillusioned with the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity in 1976, Ron Stevenson got together with around twenty of his friends from Royce Hall, where he lived, and contacted the ATO Alumni Association. After speaking with Stevenson, the alumni urged him and his friends to petition the ATO National Headquarters for recharting. On May 1, 1976, Stevenson filled the necessary paperwork to ATO's High Council and on April 2, 1977, the recharting of the EX-ATO was granted. As a result of Ron Stevenson's successful work in the resurgence of our fraternity, he is regarded as the "Second Founder of the Epsilon Chi Chapter of Alpha Tau Omega." In 1977, the brothers moved to 234 S. 11th Street which was next door to the house we owned during the 1960's. This house also slept 60 men. They remained at this house until 1980 when they moved down 11th to 38 S.11th Street which housed only six men. At this time, however, the number of active brothers was approximately 40. The chapter stayed only one year before moving again to 99 S. 11th Street. Unfortunately, this house was destroyed by a terrible fire on March 3, 1985. After the fire, ATO moved to 96 S. 17th Street until we were forced to move by the city of San Jose on August 15, 1986. Soon after, the Alumni Association bought the apartment complex at 355 E. Reed Street. It was purchased for $410,000 and we were able to move in October 1, 1986. At our present location, ATO can house up to 32 men.
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The EPSILON CHI chapter of ALPHA TAU OMEGA at San Jose State is located at 355 East Reed Street, Two blocks south of San Jose State. We are on the corner of 8th and Reed. House Phone number 408-286-9346 |
