More than a year after the fire at the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity house, members are still waiting to move back into their house.

Last Spring Semester the house caught fire when a fraternity member fell asleep, leaving a candle burning. The fire destroyed three rooms and caused significant smoke and water damage throughout the house.

Originally, the house was expected to be repaired in two months. But Alan Wunsch, Pi Lambda Phi's national executive director, said the two-month goal could never have been reached.

"It's unrealistic," he said. "There's no way it could have been finished in two months."

The repairs and renovations were then expected to be finished sometime this semester. Pi Lambda Phi President Dan Kelly said delays have been caused by the many fire codes that must be satisfied before the residents can return. Those fire codes include handicap accessibility, fire-proof doors, sprinkler systems and smoke detectors in every room.

"That's what's taking so long with the house -- the codes," Kelly said.

At a court hearing following the fire, Centre County Enforcement Officer Jon Weir testified that the fraternity had 15 fire code violations at the time of the fire. Some of these violations were dropped and the others were paid for.

But Kelly said those violations are not causing problems with the completion of the house.

"They're taken care of. They're not delaying the house at all," he said.

Renovation costs are expected to reach about $450,000. While most of the cost will be covered by the insurance, $50,000 that is not covered will be earned through alumni fund-raisers and donations.

The new expected completion time is August, possibly sooner. Fraternity members plan to return to the house before next Fall Semester, and maybe for the Summer Session.

Until then, most members of Pi Lambda Phi, 321 Fraternity Row, are living in several different places, including The Phoenix, 501 E. Beaver Ave., Beaver Terrace Apartments, 456 E. Beaver Ave. and a small house on Pugh Street. The insurance will not cover the cost of the apartments and other living arrangements, but house dues were returned to the fraternity members through the insurance company.

Not living in a single house may have cut down on the amount of time members spend with each other, but it has not stopped Pi Lambda Phi from being a fraternity. The members still participate in Greek activities such as rush.

"Nine new members just got in. This semester is looking a little low, but rush on average is a little low," Kelly said.

But Pi Lambda Phi Vice President Jeff Agdern thinks that rush changed slightly.

"It's affected rush to some degree. I'm sure if we had a house we'd have more (pledges)," he said.

The members still get together and try to remain a fraternity even though they are separated. They hold socials and weekly meetings to keep in touch.

"The fire has taught us a lot more about being a fraternity. We stayed close and stayed strong even though we were so spread out," Kelly said. "It's more about the members than the house."