Beta Theta Pi - University of Minnesota

Fall 2016 Newsletter

Beta Pi Chapter of Beta Theta Pi at the University of Minnesota

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A P u b l i c A t i o n o f t h e b e t A t h e t A P i S o c i e t y o f M i n n e S o t A the betA Piper FALL 2016 T his fall, the Beta Pi chapter house is nearly 90 years old. But it is renewed once again! For the first time in decades, a fresh and remodeled chapter house reopened for the fall semester to many very excited Beta Pi undergraduates. Following the successful capital campaign, the summer's chapter house renovation work was the most extensive in chapter history— and at a cost of close to $1 million. As a result of $750,000 in alumni donations and hundreds of hours by volunteers in recent years, the chapter house is full of highlights right now. We strongly encourage you to make a visit back to Beta Pi to see the big improvements firsthand. Improvements Big and Small Upon entering the chapter house, a visitor will see a greatly enhanced entry space and living room immediately. The living room was beautified in multiple ways, including new lighting, a fresh paint job, restored paneling, and commercial-grade leather furniture. The highlight of the space is most certainly new Beta badge custom rugs spread throughout the room. One of the most costly and important enhancements to the building was to install a new fire suppression/sprinkler system to improve safety and mitigate insurance costs. The new system spreads through all areas and bedrooms of the house. It required a new water line to enter the building from University Ave., and new plumbing was neatly added and incorporated in ceilings, hallways, walls, and rooms. All bathrooms were redone—and they now amaze! We replaced worn-out plumbing, fixtures, lighting, and more. On the first floor, the men's urinal/ storage area was overhauled top to bottom. This space is now a full men's bathroom. On the second and third floors, bathrooms were gutted to add new showers, toilets, sinks, vanities, lighting, etc. You may even notice how the old musty smell in these areas is no longer present. For entry into the building, members and volunteers now have a key fob system for entering through new front and back doors. These enhancements improve security and meet a standard held by many campus buildings and residence halls. Study and educational spaces have been vastly improved and chapter members immediately started using them more. The first-floor library was greatly improved and is now a better study area for members and guests. It features improved desks, chairs, lighting, and doors. On the second floor, the shared computer room was fixed up to hide utilities, increase desk space, and improve general usability of the room. CHAPTER REOPENS AFTER BIG IMPROVEMENTS (Continued on page 2) The third-floor bathroom was gutted and everything was redone! The basement received new paint, finishes, lighting, and a new TV entertainment center. It was even shiny after a professional cleaning! Chapter members and alumni are wowed by the renewed living room, featuring new custom Beta-themed carpets and durable, commercial-grade leather furniture.

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