Alpha Phi is the largest living group at MIT, with almost 60 sisters living in the house and over 50 more living in dorms on campus. This is due, in part, to the size of our house. Rather than having merely one building, the Phi House is actually two adjacent brownstones in Kenmore Square that have been opened up inside to create one large, flowing home.

The pride and joy of Alpha Phi, the house is as gorgeous as the girls who live inside it. Built in 1911, the two houses still possess the original woodworking and delicate moldings. The entryway leads to the lobby, parlor, and circular dining room, as well as the main grand staircase. One flight up is the chapter room, where weekly meetings are held, and the paneled library, which is always open to sisters and their guests to use for study sessions. We have computers, printers, and a wireless network available for sister use. The basement contains a full kitchen and pantry, a TV room, and the washing and drying machines. An elevator also runs between the basement and the first floor for handicapped access. Bedrooms are on all floors, from the basement to the fifth-floor penthouse.

Due to the diverse nature of the sorority, we understand that sisters have many different needs and preferences when it comes to living accommodations. To make everyone feel at home, we have singles, doubles, triples, and quads, which are reassigned every semester. We work hard to make sure girls are happy with their living arrangements. Likewise, the kitchen offers an astounding amount of variety. Our chef, Kathy, prepares dinner five nights a week, and the sisters contribute menu ideas. Vegetarian and vegan options are available every night, and the kitchen is always fully stocked and open for sisters' personal use.

Other amenities include free washing and drying facilities, full internet access, and cable television in the common TV room. Local telephone service is provided without charge, as is network television if a sister has a personal TV. Our house supervisor, Ernesto, is at the house three days a week to fix any small problems and to maintain the quality of the house in general.

Alpha Phi understands that safety is a concern for many parents. To insure the safety of the sisters inside and outside the house, Alpha Phi has taken many precautions. Our residential advisors (RAs), Cara and Bill, live on the first floor of the house. Upperclass officers are available around the clock for personal needs. The house itself is wired to an alarm system, requiring passwords so that only sisters and Cara, Bill, Ernesto, and Kathy may enter or exit without sounding the alarm. For transport, the house is a short walk away from both buses and the subway, and MIT has a year round shuttle service that runs from 8am to 4am Monday through Friday, and from 6pm to 4am on the weekend, to safely transport students to and from campus.

On the whole, Alpha Phi prides itself on providing living accommodations that are more comfortable, convenient, and safer than the dorms. We understand, however, that many parents may have additional concerns. If you do, please feel free to contact us. Our Vice President of Chapter Operations, in charge of the house, is Emily Sievers and can be emailed at esievers@mit.edu. Other contacts include the Chapter President, Julia Saxonov, available at saxonov@mit.edu, and our Chapter Advisor, Katie Adams-Choe, can always be found at k_j_adams@yahoo.com.