Category: Alumni Support

413 E. Roanoke Street Status

Alumni Secretary

Over the decades, the fraternity house has been a place many of us called home as our residence. For others, it was a home away from home while we were undergraduates and a figurative home as alumni. Over the past 10 to 20 years, the house has continued to require increased alumni funds as undergraduate brothers have invested less time and attention to its maintenance. This occurred as the active chapter increased in size beyond the capacity of the house. In simple terms, the house was much too small to support a fraternity that consistently numbered over 80 men and about 120 when we lost our charter. Numerous Boards of Directors have been engaged in discussions for decades about the cost of the house, whether or not this continues to meet the needs of both the alumni and active chapters, and if it represents the best use of this asset.

Today, the house can likely be sold for nearly $500,000 and the balance on the mortgage is below $38,000. The current Board of Directors and Advisors to the Board have identified several opportunities for the use of the house. We will continue to gather more information to ensure we understand all available options as we pursue a decision on the best use of this asset. While the ultimate decision of the disposition of the house rests with the Board, we invite your thoughts. You also may navigate to this page and send an email directly to any of the Alumni Officers if you prefer.

Thanks for your assistance.

Alumni Support & Leadership

Alumni Secretary

From John DeBell:

I got my copy of “The Link” earlier today. After being shocked by the events earlier this year that resulted in the closing of the active chapter, I was delighted by the Alumni Boards actions to save the house and put together and implement actions to stabilize the situation and move forward . I fully support all your actions. I wanted to personally thank you, the other Board members and the other Alumni that stepped up to mitigate the damage, develop a plan to move forward , and to implementing that plan. I will be sending a gift to Sam for the Alumni Support Fund.

Thanks for your leadership

John

Insurance Savings

Alumni Secretary

Great news! Treasurer Sam Long contacted our insurance agency, reviewed the policy, and negotiated a savings of $1,459.00 for our six month premium! That plus the gifts that several brothers have made recently is great news for our financial health and a demonstration of the dedication of our alumni. Check out the 2017 Donors to the Alumni Support Fund for a current list of supporting brothers!

Here’s Sam in 2008 with Doc celebrating our 50th Anniversary!

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Communication

Alumni Secretary

Following some discussion, the Alumni Chapter Board of Directors has decided information regarding the closure of the active chapter will only be communicated on this blog or through discussions by email, telephone, or in person with one of the officers. The Board will not post anything, nor respond to anything, posted on any social media platform. Summary information will be included in the next newsletter. The violations for which the chapter was found responsible is summarized in the March 11 Background post.

The Board is eager to maintain good relationships with both the University and the General Fraternity over the next several years and feel public discussions on social media platforms may present barriers toward achieving this goal. The Board also has decided not to circulate either a copy of the University’s investigative report or the Active Chapter’s response.

If you have additional comments or concerns, please submit a question from the form on the Connect link or send an email to one of the Alumni Chapter officers by clicking on their name under the About link.

March 11, 2017 Status

Alumni Secretary
  • The house crew will move out of the house this week when they return from Spring Break. Three brothers have already secured alternative housing. Mike Whaley is working with the fourth brother to find housing.
  • Another fraternity has looked at the house as a rental possibility.
  • The locks on the house have been changed.
  • Ritual manuals and equipment have been secured.
  • Composites and photo albums are in the possession of Tim McDermott.
  • Dotson Cups are in the possession of Sam Long.
  • Renovations will occur over the next 2.5 months.
  • The target date to rent the house is June 1, 2017.