Type: Social Fraternity
Affiliation: Inter-Fraternity Council, University of Washington
Status: Dead, redevelopment in Autumn 2023
Capital assets:
–4710 17th Ave NE / Status: Abandoned
–4706 17th Ave NE / Status: Closed
Owner: Richmond Property Group
Alpha Tau Omega at University of Washington (also known as the Washington Gamma Pi chapter of Alpha Tau Omega, or “ATO”) was a fraternity located on Greek Row north of the University of Washington campus. The chapter formed in 1906 and occupied several houses throughout the 20th century. The chapter has not been active online since the end of the 2018-2019 school year, and its RSO website was disconnected. As of November 24, 2020, the chapter is undergoing a “redevelopment” phase slated to begin operations in the 2021-22 academic year. As of January 13, 2022, the chapter opening date was pushed back to the 2023-24 academic year. It is unknown what prompted the chapter’s closure or why the chapter is currently being redeveloped. It is also unclear whether the ATO chapter will keep its former chapter name.
Fa’aumu Kaimana’s Sublet
Fa’aumu Kaimana resided at ATO as a non-member “sublet” throughout Autumn 2018. The constant parties, as well as the mistreatment of her living space by chapter members, had taken a toll on Fa’aumu’s mental health and prompted her to abandon her year-long rental agreement with the ATO chapter. Upon conclusion of Autumn Quarter 2018, Fa’aumu promptly left ATO to reside temporarily in Vancouver B.C. (Canada) before returning to the UW campus as a McMahon Hall resident the following quarter.
On several occasions, Fa’aumu openly expressed her desire to exact revenge at the Gamma Pi chapter house, but was unsure how to do so legally and safely. She was able to realise this desire when she attended a Black Lives Matter march at the UW campus on July 2020, which disrupted the daily activities of University District residences and businesses including Greek Row. On November 24, 2020, Fa’aumu discovered that ATO no longer had an affiliation with the UW. This prompted a celebratory social media post, though neither the fraternity nor its chapters were mentioned.
Abandoned Frat House
The Abandoned Frat House was a former living space for the Gamma Pi chapter of ATO. It is unknown how long the chapter lived there and when it was abandoned. The abandonment was the result of mold and unsafe building conditions.
Incognito Transit 