When two fraternities pack up their belongings and switch homes next semester, they will only have to change one number in their addresses.

Beginning in August, members of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity, 238 E. Fairmount Ave., will live down the street at 338 E. Fairmount Ave., and the current residents, Zeta Beta Tau fraternity members, will move into Sigma Alpha Mu's house.

Sigma Alpha Mu has signed a three-year lease with the Phi Kappa Theta alumni corporation. Zeta Beta Tau will move out of the house in June, when its lease expires.

Dave Lieberman, president of Sigma Alpha Mu, said the search for a bigger house began in 1991 when the pledge class almost equaled the number of members.

Zeta Beta Tau President Dave Berger said members did not choose to move because of financial problems or declining membership.

"Our new group felt that the house was a symbol and image of the old ZBT chapter here, and by exercising our option to not keep the house, we're looking to build our own symbol and image," he said.

Phi Kappa Theta fraternity is trying to reorganize and will not have chapter status for at least three years, said Scott Tyson, national director of business operations. Meanwhile, the national organization supports other fraternities living in the house.

During the time Phi Kappa Theta is without a house, members will form a stronger chapter and focus on chapter operations, Tyson added.

Finding a fraternity house in the State College Borough is difficult because all the houses are occupied and in 1975 the borough rezoned the area where most of the fraternities are located to not allow either fraternity conversions or new construction.

Every year, at least one house becomes available, and each year Sigma Alpha Mu tried unsuccessfully to get a bigger house, Lieberman said. Members are very excited, he added.

"We can't wait until the semester and the summer are over to move in," said Sigma Alpha Mu member Josh Matorin. "I wish it was tomorrow."

Lieberman said the new house will hopefully help during rush. He said the size and appearance of the current house has kept freshmen from rushing Sigma Alpha Mu.

"All of us know that the only thing that has been holding us back is the size of our house," he said. "Now that we have a very nice house, we're very excited for rush."

Matorin (junior-business logistics) agreed and said freshmen are impressed by big houses.

"At any fraternity, the more things you can offer a rush, the more likely he's going to accept the bid," he said.

Scott Newton, rush chairman at Zeta Beta Tau, said the move to the smaller house may have a negative impact during rush. Many rushees are interested in parties and may think that with the smaller area there will not be as many, he said.

"Hopefully, people will join ZBT for what it is and not their house," Newton said.