Sigma Phi Epsilon - Oregon State University

2 OREGON ALPH A COVID-19 You recall the winter of 2020 and the strange times we experienced beginning with the arrival of COVID-19. Many people suffered significant losses. Oregon Alpha began a journey we have yet to recover from. The 2019-20 school year began in a typical fashion. Spring term 2020, the chapter house closed due to COVID. Members went home, and Oregon Alpha became "virtual," as did education. The 2020-21 school year's live-in numbers were restricted by University and Benton County safety requirements. The chapter house had 38 men living in. There were no gatherings. Chapter meetings were virtual. There was no food service at the house. Recruitment became a virtual process and the chapter struggled. Effectively, the chapter was in neutral. Financially, we operated at a loss. In 2021-22, restrictions concerning live-ins, meetings, and social activities faded. Chapter house occupancy was about 45. To encourage live-ins, the AVC (alumni board) committed to a full meal program knowing it would operate in the red. Recruitment improved. Improvements in the facility and furnishings were completed HARD RIGHT January of 2022 was a crippling blow. An event occurred outside of the chapter house where a new member, as part of a big brother event, consumed so much beer that the brothers, led by Chapter President James Cross '23, intervened. Medical care was called as a precaution. Members were told the condition was not serious and to just pay attention to the man. Later, concerns grew, and President Cross took the new member to the hospital. There, he was given fluids and stayed overnight. Sunday, Brother Cross went to the hospital and returned the man to the residence hall. Cross also acted by calling the new member's family and sharing concerns about a possible drinking issue. Within a week, the University contacted the chapter and SigEp Headquarters expressing concern about an alcohol-related hazing event in Corvallis where a student had an overnight stay in the hospital. Headquarters suspended the charter and the University suspended recognition, restricting chapter activities so much that the only acceptable event was chapter meetings. Recruitment was restricted; membership decreased. SCHOOL YEAR 2022-23 Summer recruitment was allowed and numerically successful. Chapter operations improved and occupancy neared 50 men. Restrictions were also lifted. While still discovering Oregon Alpha ways, there was returning confidence and energy in the chapter. DECEPTION Following fall recruitment, the chapter president and new member development vice president were determined to celebrate the chapter's success and organized events with new members at the chapter house—including drinking, smoking marijuana, and wrestling. After a new member returned to his residence hall and shared his experience with his roommate, the University learned of it. To say "discouraging" is an understatement. More distressing, for about five weeks while the University and SigEp HQ investigated, leadership told volunteers that whatever events occurred, they were driven by out-of-house upperclassmen and everything occurred off- site. Time proved that leadership lied to the University, SigEp, and volunteers. Once again, the chapter's recognition was suspended. Restrictions were implemented; however, not as significant as those of 2022, as there was no "injury." THE AVC'S PERSPECTIVE COVID-19 was devastating. From how to operate to our ability to communicate and confront the members, the chapter is still recovering. While the events of January '22 were not acceptable, we applauded what we thought was extremely responsible behavior by leadership. Interestingly, many schools and fraternities provide for a degree of "amnesty" to encourage such behavior. The events were discouraging. The coverup by leadership particularly so. The chapter is still struggling, and attitudes manifested in previous leadership's behavior are indicative of greater problems. But, there is good news: • The chapter is once again holding members accountable for academic performance and behavior. Holding brothers accountable is tough. • Jacob Barton '26, selected by the chapter as recruitment chairman, was just recognized by IFC as IFC Underclassmen of the Year. I'll tell you, being a volunteer is tough. One step forward, one back. Accountability is hard to find at times. That said, we remain optimistic and blessed with a dedicated board supported by many outstanding volunteers and a wonderful Mom's and Dad's Club. Oregon Alpha will return to the consistently high-performing SigEp chapter we've come to expect. What can you do? We need outstanding young men to join Oregon Alpha. Please introduce Jacob Barton, our VP of recruitment and a Ruck Scholar, to them by contacting jdbarton@ comcast.net or (503) 319-2706. Fraternally, Gavin Brown (91-1389) AVC President Five Rough Years Five Rough Years T he chapter's nationally recognized Arete Conversations (a story in the SigEp Journal is pending) will expand this fall to include a chapter retreat (conversation). In 2023-24, visitors included Lane Tellor (05-1792), Jay Locey (77-1026), and Mike McKennon (88-1341). Each shared their chapter and life experiences. Arete Conversations are an example of what makes Oregon Alpha special. With the guidance of our house parents, the chapter has begun monthly conversations about faith, inviting other students to join. They desire to enrich discussions including a cross-section of faiths and paths. Supporting members' academic and leadership success continues as a main area of activity. The chapter library has a quality whiteboard/video provided by AVOCAR, thanks to Stan Levitsky, father of Matt Levitsky '25. Ensuring the chapter's facility has current technology is a priority. The AVC has invested nearly $30,000 in maintaining and upgrading the life-safety systems in the house, providing a quality, safe environment. Enriching Discussion and Ensuring Success

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