Sigma Chi - University of Virginia

An Everlasting Impact A Summary of the Renovated Chapter House's Many Benefits F or us Brothers that got to experience the House renovations firsthand, the impact on the Brotherhood and undergraduate experience is profound and way more than a nice-looking building. All the money, time, and effort that went into formulating a dream, turning that dream into a project, and making that a project a reality has more than paid its dividends to the Brotherhood and will continue every year. The renovation positively impacted the Brotherhood on many levels, including the recruitment efforts for improving and sustaining the fraternity, relations with the community, and general day-to-day life of an undergraduate. Impact to Recruitment The renovation of the Psi Chapter House sent waves through the whole Greek and broader UVA community. The massive structure, state of the art features and design, and ability to hold superior functions stand head and shoulders above other fraternities, which became clear to first years and many other constituents at UVA. This buzz significantly impacted and continues to impact recruitment efforts and positions the fraternity for continued success in the future. In recent years, new pledge classes have been of robust quantity while maintaining strong quality and diversity. More specifically following the completion of Phase 1 of the renovation, the Brotherhood welcomed the 24-Brother pledge class of 2018. Then following the completion of Phase 2 of the renovation, the Brotherhood welcomed the 32-Brother pledge class of 2021. Pledge classes have historically averaged 15-20 Brothers. While many factors go into recruitment, it is no coincidence that in the first year following the completion of the renovation, the fraternity smashed the record for largest pledge class in the history of the Psi Chapter of Sigma Chi. Impact to Community Relations Likewise, the renovation has paved the way for better relations with the immediate community. While the Psi Chapter's relations with its neighbors were not poor before, the framework of the old House did not hold noise well, leading to occasional strain throughout the neighborhood. To address this problem, the Board of Directors and architects purposely designed the house to funnel noise to the back— away from the street and neighbors. Ultimately, the structure has done just that, resulting in stronger relationships with the neighbors and community overall. Overall Morale Lastly, the renovation has made life more convenient and enjoyable for the undergraduates on a day-to-day basis. The sheer size of the new House has allowed Brothers to add a gym and fitness area to the basement, a basketball hoop in the back of the House, a comfortable place to cook, and quiet places to study. Even features such as new bathrooms, built in A/C units, and additional storage have led to a better experience. However, maybe most importantly, the renovation has allowed for more Brothers to live in the house and experience the Psi Chapter day in and day out. In Hoc, Robert W. Raiola '18 The Constantine Sig 8

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