Myth #1: Aren’t fraternities out of vogue at PSU?
Truth: Fraternities are looked upon negatively when it pertains to alcohol--there is no question. It's exactly why our plan is to run Chi Phi quite differently than it eve
Myth #1: Aren’t fraternities out of vogue at PSU?
Truth: Fraternities are looked upon negatively when it pertains to alcohol--there is no question. It's exactly why our plan is to run Chi Phi quite differently than it ever has been before. We have been listening to our members when they provide feedback. The clear resonating response we are receiving from our members is "protect my investment”. If it means making Chi Phi dry, then do it so we are not throwing away everyone’s donations. We are considering doing exactly that. This doesn't mean that they couldn't have parties that involve alcohol, but they just might need to be out of the house. It's one of the ideas we have to strongly consider. There are still 50 fraternities at Penn State...hardly passé.
Myth #2: Actives will never really take care of the House.
Truth: The House has been in a deplorable state for years. This is exactly why we set out to "re-engineer" the entire fraternity. Times have changed and we must change with them. We need to find new members that will agree to live by our policies and procedures. Moving into a deteriorating house without funds for improvement does not inspire actives to treat it any differently than it already looks.
Any damage will be equally distributed amongst all brothers and we would have brothers/parents agree to a tenant policy just as they would if they were to live in an apartment. Not only will an AD House Association officer visit the House regularly, but the addition of a House Mother will help ensure the House is cared for. Anyone purposefully causing damage will be expelled from the house. The chapter will have a Maintenance Committee charged with repairing any problem areas and keeping the house in top shape.
Money in the past that was given has made short term progress, no doubt. It's exactly why we have incorporated the $500,000 maintenance fund that will assure that Chi Phi will thrive for decades to come. This money would be put into a low interest bearing account which we could draw from for upkeep not listed as damage.
Due to a lack of a sprinkler system in our home, Chi Phi may have been the first to ask our active members to leave their respective house, but another fraternity at Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, followed our lead and let all of their members go as well. They then re-colonized, after completely re-engineering their fraternity thanks in large part to a major $7 MM donation from one alumnus. They now have a completely renovated home with 48 new members that have successfully completed their first semester as Beta brothers.
The "new brothers" understand that they either abide by the new rules or they can not be members. They understand that in order to live in such a beautiful home, if they deviate from what is expected of them, they will be excused from the brotherhood. To put it simply, the new brothers agreed to become members of their fraternity under the new rules--something that would be difficult to do with existing members since they are "set in their old ways" so to speak. In other words, Beta didn't have to ask them to change their ways. They agreed to live up to the standard of their fraternity in order to become members. We are extremely confident that we can do exactly the same with our fraternity. Note: Beta was just honored as the fraternity with the highest overall average GPA of its members.
Myth #3: Fraternities can’t compete with dorms.
Truth: Students are moving off campus even quicker these days. Although the amenities being offered on campus are better than ever, students still have an extreme interest of living on their own as soon as possible. It is still a rarity that a student will stay in the dorms for three or four years. If we do everything we plan to do, it will bring the entire fraternity as closely as possible to its original state and in most cases, in a better state. It is then our job to protect the structure and we are confident we have the plan to do it.
Myth #4: We can rebuild cheaper than renovating for $2.25 MM.
Truth: We all want to protect the memories we each have of Chi Phi, Alpha Delta at 360 E. Hamilton. Building a new structure would defeat that purpose. We surveyed our alumni base long ago and gave them the option of renovating our home, closing down Chi Phi, Alpha Delta for good, or building a new fraternity. Seventy percent said renovating our home was the best option. The other options were not even close. Plus, we are confident that building a new structure would cost just as much and probably a lot more with the aesthetics that we have in our present house.
Myth #5: Rebuilding a superior Chi Phi would be impossible.
Truth: We are counting on re-colonizing with a lot of help from our alumni. We would pursue leaders on campus from a variety of organizations providing them the chance to be a part of a newly remodeled facility. If the fraternities around are thriving, what makes you think we can't get new brothers to become a part of something they can call their own. Beta just did it. We feel we can do the same. National also has a re-colonizing plan they use around the country to establish new, superior chapters.
