We have lots of important items to update you on. In this month's eLetter, we have some great news regarding our renovations, historic re-colonization efforts and pledge collection efforts!



Chi Phi, Alpha Delta Renovation

We have lots of important items to update you on. In this month's eLetter, we have some great news regarding our renovations, historic re-colonization efforts and pledge collection efforts!



Chi Phi, Alpha Delta Renovation



We are happy to report that our construction permits have been approved! This is exciting news as it will allow us to move forward with the major phase of our construction project. And as you will see below, we've wasted no time! Veronisi Building and Remodeling (VBR), our contractor-of-record, has been on the job working hard. Here are just a few of the most recent renovation updates that have occurred:



• Boiler set up and piped into system. We hope to have heat on in the house by next week

• Water service also turned on

• Basement bathrooms being studded and plumbing installed

• Closing of doorways between bedrooms is almost complete

• We now have five carpenters, three plumbers and two electricians on-site

• Currently reviewing lighting package and sprinkler piping drawings

• Ridge cap of roof has been installed



We still anticipate renovation to be complete in time for the active Chi Phi, Alpha Delta members to move into the newly renovated house this coming fall semester.



Mike Krone '90, and Ken Jacobsen '66 continue to be actively engaged with VBR with the assistance of our third-party project manager Al Drobka from Drobka Architects, State College. This process is a major undertaking but Mike and Ken have been extremely effective in aligning our desired scope of work within the budget constraints of our campaign.



Historic Recolonization of Chi Phi, Alpha Delta



We are pleased to announce that our new members have recently been officially recognized again as a fraternal colony by the Penn State Inter-fraternity Council last week. The fraternity has been getting some recent press coverage. Here are two recent articles published in the Daily Collegian and the on-line publication Onward State regarding our progress:



http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2013/01/11/Chi_fraternity_returns_to_IFC.aspx



http://onwardstate.com/2013/01/10/chi-phi-fraternity-recognized-again-by-ifc/



We could not be more pleased to have been able to find such extremely bright and actively involved men interested in becoming a part of our re-colonized non-hazing/dry fraternity. We have every reason to believe that this group of young men will instill the true ideals of Chi Phi--truth, honor and personal integrity. They are a very culturally diverse group that brings a unique blend of personalities and leadership qualities to the table. We are confident that this group of young men will represent our beloved fraternity well on and off the campus of Penn State.



The plan is to have a total of four new member classes, each being four weeks in length, all before the end of the academic year (May 2013). We are confident that this will provide us the opportunity to have a strong group of young leaders, principled in the core values of Chi Phi, ready to occupy the house come August 2013.



As we mentioned in last report, we are also pleased that Aaron Gustkey, AD '92, and former Alpha of Chi Phi, Alpha Delta, who resides with his wife and three children in nearby Philipsburg, PA, has agreed to become our Chapter Advisor for the active brothers. Aaron is meeting with the active member executive board this month as they look into possibly working with Nittany Co-Op, an organization that helps fraternities consolidate their purchasing power.



Aaron will add an important layer of guidance and leadership to the active members as they take on the responsibilities of running the chapter.



Pledges/Collections Update



Payments on many of our 325 pledge commitments continue to come in. Also, we are pleased to announce that Jeff Mercando ’92 increased his pledge by $1,000 when he sent his payment in. Thank you, Jeff!



As a reminder, Brothers Brockway, Marsh and Meyer have agreed to match any new pledges so Jeff’s $1,000 pledge will be matched by their generous commitment. As always, thanks goes out to Brothers Brockway, Meyer and Marsh!



We have collected $799,795 or 55% of our total pledged dollars of $1,442,569 so far. Although this is great news, 37% of our brothers who made pledge commitments have not begun to pay at all. We are counting on all of you right now! Once again, we are counting on all of you at this time. Please begin making payment on your pledge commitments if you haven't already done so now.



Not sure how much you owe on your previous pledge commitment? Contact Bob Martin at rpm163@psu.edu or Rich Konzmann at Rich.Konzmann@AmericanCapital.com.



Most brothers made a campaign pledge commitment over a three-year period. With the preliminary phase of renovation under way, we are beginning to incur major costs. We don't have the funds in hand to fully cover these costs. We are asking brothers that have the capability of accelerating their pledge payments over 18 months instead of three years to do so now. We would be extremely grateful since it would save us from interest costs and from fully utilizing a bridge loan financing to cover the timing differences between when we collect donations and when we incur costs for the overall renovation project.



We know some brothers just simply are not in the position to accelerate their payments at this time. If that is the case, we certainly understand but we ask you to please begin making payment on your pledge commitment now at the pace you planned to pay.



Make checks payable to the "Chi Phi Capital Campaign at PSU" at:



Alpha Delta Chapter of Chi Phi Fraternity

The Pennsylvania State University

Capital Campaign Processing Center

P.O. Box 7007

Albert Lea, MN 56007-8007



Still sitting on the sidelines? We need YOU to reconnect with your brothers and become a part of our resurgence! Of course, we always welcome you to join us by making your pledge commitment. Simply complete the pledge form, mail it to the address listed or simply scan it and email it to rpm163@psu.edu.



As always, we are lucky to have an outstanding alumni base of brothers that have banded together to make our wishes a reality. Thank you to each and every one of you for your continued support.



Fraternally,



The Chi Phi Alumni Board/Leadership Members

Kevin Bostick '89

David Brockway '77

Aaron Gustkey '92

David Harris '79

David Hicks '76

Ken Jacobsen '66

Rich Konzmann '90

Michael Krone '91

Bob Martin '87

Michael Rowley '75

Andrew Schultz, Jr. '90

Andy Schultz, Sr. '60