Sigma Alpha Epsilon - University of Illinois

the lion Tattler illinois beta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon • The University of illinois FALL 2017 RECENT HISTORY From 2013 through 2015, the Illinois Beta Chapter experienced a breakdown in operating rhythm, which resulted in unpaid bills, unrecorded essential documents, physical damage to the house, an inability to meet housing quota, and a general disrespect for the presence of ΣAE. The chapter was on university and Interfraternity Council probations caused by poor discipline. At the request of concerned alumni, the ΣAE Supreme Council suspended the Illinois Beta charter and placed it with the Alumni Commission. In order to rectify the situation in Champaign, the commission was given sweeping powers over Illinois Beta. This included expelling members, appointing officers, approving expenditures, and approving new members. The commission began working in February 2016 and returned the charter to the chapter collegians in July 2017. The chapter is currently off probation and in good standing. WHAT WE DISCOVERED The commission discovered quite a list of chapter management and ΣAE guidelines that were being poorly administered. After sitting in on sparsely attended chapter meetings, it was immediately clear that the chapter lacked basic essentials such as ΣAE ritual and education, chapter business flowing through the Executive Council, a functioning chapter judicial board to maintain discipline, officer reports, and comprehensive minutes of meetings. Also, two successive years of ineffective live-in adult house directors caused many programs administered by ΣAE Financial and Housing (F&H) to be mismanaged. To implement corrective actions, the commission began by interviewing all ΣAEs on campus. Several members were expelled, and many were placed on probation. With a core group of the members remaining in good standing, the process of reversing the downward trend began. WHAT WE DID Poor training and transitions from one chapter officer to the next coupled with the current trend to live in the house for only one year caused the lack of operating rhythm. There were few nexus upper class members who had actually lived in the house available to accept officer positions. The result was officers trained on-the-job by members who had already moved out of the house and were not engaged. To remedy this, the commission assigned alumni to closely mentor key chapter officers. The Eminent Archon, kitchen steward, house manager, social chairman, philanthropy chairman, risk chairman, and Eminent Recorder worked closely with their respective mentors. This took a great effort on the part of the alumni, as meetings in Champaign were attended, paperwork reviewed, and the ΣAE ritual reinstated. The result of one full year of mentoring shows a marked improvement in the conduct of chapter business. Among the general improvements, of particular note is the revival of the chapter judicial board, which has greatly reduced the amount of malicious damage. Members now understand the chapter will not tolerate behavior issues in a fraternal living environment. Commission members attended a recent chapter meeting and were impressed with the orderliness, strong attendance, respect for ΣAE ritual, and a general feeling of improved stewardship for our venerable chapter. In addition, the current live-in house director has a much improved relationship with the members. AREAS THAT STILL NEED IMPROVEMENT The current key chapter officers are energetic, aware of our recent problems, and desire a better Illinois Beta. Now that a basic chapter operating rhythm has been re-established, it is important to maintain this minimum level of management to foster improvements in other areas such as officer reports, chapter communication, and ΣAE education. This is a building process. While progress is satisfactory, the chapter is far from being a well-oiled machine. We are asking that more of our alumni get involved and volunteer. This means it falls to our alumni to continue mentoring the chapter, monitoring, and assisting with implementation of many fraternity programs. The current group of alumni actively helping the chapter are from classes 1974 through 1990. Some brothers have 15 years of service and are ready to pass the torch. This is a call to arms for alumni who are willing to donate their time as we continue to improve our chapter. You don't even have to live in Illinois; there are many mentoring activities requiring only your time and a computer. We are in desperate need of this infusion of new alumni volunteers to build on the commission's work in support of the True Gentleman. Please become involved with mentoring Illinois Beta by contacting me at jmyers1048@yahoo.com. Phi Alpha, Jeff Myers '77 Alumni Commission RepoRt on illinois BetA: A CAll to ARms

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