Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Illinois

For Alumni and Friends of the Illinois Alpha Chapter Fall 2019 University of Illinois | Sigma Phi Epsilon information | illinois.sigep.org (Continued on page 2) R ecent trends in student housing and Greek life have contributed to a significant decrease in chapter membership and housing occupancy nationally and across the University of Illinois system. As a part of its commitment to maintaining a competitive facility for Illinois' leading fraternity experience, the Alumni Volunteer Corporation (AVC) has engaged Illinois Business Consulting (IBC) to evaluate opportunities to enhance the attractiveness and financial stability of the chapter house model. Illinois Business Consulting (IBC) is the largest professionally managed, student-run university consulting organization in the country. Housed in the College of Business at the University of Illinois, IBC provides students with real-world project opportunities while helping clients solve challenges and identify opportunities. IBC conducts more than 70 projects every year with Fortune 100, mid-sized and startup companies and nonprofit organizations. For the last decade, Illinois Alpha has enjoyed a strong occupancy. However, declines associated with drastic changes in the housing market and student preferences have eroded the chapter's occupancy to 62%, slightly below the average for fraternities on campus. Considerations under review by the IBC include repurposing vacant or underutilized space within the facility and introducing new programs and services that more closely align with the professional development interests of the undergraduate members. IBC's objective is to provide the most sustainable solutions balancing the chapter's practical needs, maintaining a social atmosphere and maximizing the potential for SigEp's learning community program. The IBC assessment will focus on four main areas: • Examining how spaces and resources are utilized by different organizations and businesses to create learning and professional development-driven environments; • Defining the needs of the internal and external stakeholders (present and future) as they relate to the use of this space; • Evaluating campus and community organizations that can coexist within the chapter residence and develop the members; and • Using the above factors to create feasible solutions that will allow the AVC to monetize the available space and provide a steady revenue stream for the chapter. T he 50-Something Reunion group has been particularly generous over the years, most notably coming together to fabricate and replace the SigEp badge above the door at 1105 S. Fourth Street. Most recently, the 50-Something Reunion group established the New Member GPA Scholarship challenge campaign. The $350 scholarships support new members with a first semester GPA of 3.4 or higher, offsetting the one-time national dues required of new members. Often an impediment to joining, the program rewards top academic performers and reinforces the importance of living in the chapter house. To be eligible, new members must sign a lease and provide a security deposit for the chapter house. Most notably, this was an undergraduate-driven initiative (several of our peers have similar initiatives on campus) and a way to directly impact our newest members. The 50-Something Reunion group will match every gift, dollar for dollar, up to $9,000! Special thank-you to Jim McGreevy '69 for his leadership on this initiative and his long- standing commitment to bringing the brothers from his era together. Those who donated toward the New Member GPA Scholarship Fund as part of the Reunion are listed on page 3. We've had several alumni inquire about Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) contributions that require a physical address — those can be sent to Illinois Alpha Foundation, c/o TNB Bank, 900 S. Progress Blvd., Tuscola, Illinois 61953. The recent donations received from the above donors bring our total lifetime contributions to just shy of $75,000. This will be a great milestone to cross, and I'm genuinely excited about the programs we're creating to support our undergraduates. Fraternally, Christopher S. Dillion '03 Chairman, Illinois Alpha Foundation Illinois Alpha Engages Illinois Business Consulting to Develop "Chapter House 2.0" NEW MEMBER GPA SCHOLARSHIP MATCHING GIFT CHALLENGE ANNOUNCED Don't Miss This Opportunity to Double Your Donation to Illinois Alpha! HOW TO GIVE Donate online at www.illinoisalpha.com Donations by check can be mailed to: Illinois Alpha Foundation P.O. Box 42 • Elmhurst, IL 60126 Remember to indicate where to direct your gift: • New Member GPA Scholarship • Illinois Alpha Society (minimum donation of $250) • Vinci/Miller Scholarship Fund • Matthew D. Anson Star and Scroll • Unrestricted ll year-end donations to the Illinois Alpha Foundation will be matched up to $9,000.

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