Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity members will have a place to call home next fall.

The fraternity was ordered by the State College Zoning Hearing Board to vacate its house located at 200 E. Beaver Ave. last August after being removed from the Interfraternity Council (IFC). IFC readmitted the fraternity last week.

"As far as housing is concerned, as soon as [Sigma Alpha Epsilon is] recognized by the IFC, they're able to move back into their house," zoning officer Herman Slaybaugh said. "I haven't received any information from the IFC to say they are back in yet."

Steve DiOrio, IFC president, said he is writing a formal letter to Slaybaugh about the fraternity's readmittance to IFC.

"The fraternity had to leave their house because they got into trouble with the IFC, and Penn State didn't continue to recognize them," Slaybaugh said.

Zoning regulations state that fraternities not recognized by the IFC and Penn State become rooming houses. Rooming houses are not permitted in the fraternity-zoning district where the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house is located.

The fraternity had been removed from IFC in January 2001 due to violations including drug charges, misallocation of Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon funds and the use of chapter money to purchase alcohol.

Now that Sigma Alpha Epsilon is recognized by IFC, members will regain their house.

"As soon as [Sigma Alpha Epsilon] is reinstated they would qualify as a fraternity and they could move back in," Slaybaugh said. "I'd say [members] could move in immediately."

J.D. Parker, Sigma Alpha Epsilon president, said members will not move into their house this semester or in the summer.

"We usually have a policy of not allowing brothers live in the house [over the summer]," Parker, said. "The house will be vacant until next fall, although they will be doing renovations in the house during the summer."

Fraternity alumni welcomed the news of Sigma Alpha Epsilon's reinstatement.

"The house corporation and the alumni are very excited to have the men coming back and they're investing money in the house now that we have the past behind us," said Kerry Small, Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter adviser. "The alumni are investing a significant amount of money into this project."

As part of a continuing renovation campaign, Sigma Alpha Epsilon alumni will be remodeling the first floor.