Beta Theta Pi - MIT

W e began a journey in 2012 when we restarted the Chapter, hoping to build upon Beta's Men of Principle ideals and to recapture the positive culture that had been the cornerstone of the Chapter for so many decades. Restarting at MIT is hard, and many organizations have failed or floundered. Having an expensive recruitment at the start of freshman year is just one of the challenges for a new group. The academic and time management challenges of an MIT education make it too easy for a new member to fade away without a real effort to integrate them into the Chapter. There are financial challenges of running and managing a facility when it is not fully occupied. And, most importantly, a new organization must carve out its niche on the MIT campus, building a brand and figuring out the characteristics of the men they want to recruit who can advance the Chapter during a time of rebuilding. Luckily for us, the caliber of young men we recruited from the beginning of the restart has been high. However, we faced challenges for several years in recruiting enough men and retaining them in an active role in the Chapter. The men had to shape their own culture that works on today's campus and fits with their own principled ideals. Thanks to the generosity of many of you, we were able to raise money to renovate our beloved buildings on Bay State Road, which made living at Beta more attractive. But the real value is in the brotherhood and relationships that are formed while living independently. In terms of numbers, things started to click a couple of years ago. We recruited a larger class and were able to keep them engaged. Then, last year, we did it again. To fill the 40 beds in our two buildings, we need to initiate about 15 men per year. With three years of brothers eligible to live in the house, and with only a modest number deciding to stay on campus rather than move in sophomore year, we can fill every bed. But, this annual 15-man class and 60-man Chapter is bigger than we've ever had in our past. I'm happy to say that we are on track for these numbers! The General Fraternity has recognized our renewed strength and the quality of our young men by regranting the Beta Upsilon Chapter its charter, which had been held by the Fraternity's board since our closure in 2012, subject to regaining our strength. Congratulations to our active members for their hard work! Plans are in motion for celebration in the spring with a formal charter installation ceremony on April 25, 2020 in Boston. You may have received an email survey about such event. If you didn't, or haven't replied, please send me your email to mike_feinstein@yahoo.com to confirm you are interested in attending. We're hoping for a nice reunion and celebration, and more details will be coming soon. I hope to see you then! Yours in_kai_, Mike Feinstein '82, Beta Upsilon Association President P.S. Congratulations to Chapter Counselor Emily Cunningham, who was named Beta Theta Pi Advisor of the Year! We are lucky to have Emily leading our team of advisors who are helping to guide our young men. BACK BAY BETA Beta Upsilon Chapter of Beta Theta Pi at The Massachusetts Institute of Technology FALL 2019 Back to Full Strength Beta Upsilon Earns Charter HOW YOU CAN HELP BETA T hink you don't have enough time to help Beta? Turns out it doesn't take much. You can help by doing any or all of the following. Follow up with mike_feinstein@yahoo.com regarding your interest and any information. Provide your email address to make sure you get our digital updates. It takes work to keep email addresses current. If you didn't get an email preview of the Back Bay Beta, we probably don't have your current email address. Share contact information for brothers who are not currently receiving Back Bay Beta. See the list at www.beta-mit.org and send any info you have. Volunteer to help the board with projects in facilities, finance, and communications. Your volunteer board welcomes involvement and help from anyone. Attend Beta Upsilon events. We have periodic dinners in Boston and New York City. We also plan to celebrate the restoration of the Chapter's charter in Boston in spring 2020. Let Mike know if you are interested in attending any of these or want to organize your own. Refer an incoming MIT freshman you believe would make a great Beta. Send an email to Mike, and he will forward to the Chapter recruitment chairman. Mentor an undergraduate. We'd be happy to match you up with an undergraduate Beta who has interests similar to yours. Donate at http://beta-mit.org/donate/ to support the Chapter House and our alumni programs. Share alumni news or photographs for future inclusion in the Back Bay Beta. Connect with your Beta brothers to remember and celebrate how much Beta means to you. You can find alumni contact info at alum.mit.edu or my.beta.org. ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT COMES IN MANY FORMS

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