Hell House

Avi Adelman has been embroiled in a long and nasty feud with his next-door neighbors on Belmont Streetnear Greenville
Avenue-three students who are members of SMU’s Sigma Chi fraternity chapter.

Adelman accuses his “nightmare neighbors” of running “an off-campus fraternity” complete with frequent loud parties.
(At least two SMU students in other fraternities acknowledge that many Sigma Chi parties are held at “the mansion,” as
it’s known.) Adelman, who says the unruly behavior and trash left in the yard lower his property value and disturb his
infant daughter, has complained to the landlord, the police, Council woman Lori Palmer, the city attorney’s office.
The Dallas Morning News, SMU and the regional and national branches of Sigma Chi. “Aftei we investigated it, we
talked to [the students] informally about being good neighbors.” says Gary Shultz. SMU director of public affairs.
’’But there’s nothing SMU can do without abridging their rights as citizens.”

SMU did try to set up a peace conference, but Adelman refused, “t want them gone/’ he says. Adelman says die point of
no return was reached after a stereo speaker was turned up full-blast in a window facing Adelman*s house: while the
students were away, a timer activated die stereo.

L. Wayne Tucker, the North Texas head of Sigma Chi, acknowledged that the students were all members of Sigma Chi. but
denied that the parties or die house were in any way sponsored by die fraternity. Tucker wrote Adelman that any
further reference to Sigma Chi in this dispute would be considered slander and threatened to sue him. When contacted
by D. Tucker characterized Adelman as unstable, said Adelman had threatened to kill the students-Adelman denies
tiiis- and warned that publicity on the dispute might push Adelman to follow dirough. Tucker tiien direatened to sue D
if Sigma Chi’s name was used in the story.

The latest chapter in this continuing battle: In late January, student Ben Koch-who did not return D’s phone
calls-was scheduled to be in court over a noise-ordinance violation. Adelman was eager for some legal action. “I’m not
unstable,” he says, “I’m scared to death of these guys. I’m afraid Uiey’ll get too drunk one night and beat the shit
oui of me.”