Beta Theta Pi - Oklahoma State University

NEWS Big Red Island Beta Theta Pi Building Corporation P.O. Box 700508 Tulsa, OK 74170-0508 Address Service Requested @OSUBetaThetaPi Beta Theta Pi - Oklahoma State University BETA THETA PI – RUSH 2020 C ompetition for quality recruits can be difficult. The Beta house is the premier house on Oklahoma State University's campus today due to the hard work of actives and the fantastic alumni support. The successful houses on campus today have strong alumni support for their rush programs. It is no secret that a well-executed and well-funded rush program produces stellar pledge classes. In order for the rush program to be at its best, we need your support. We don't want to just be the premier house at Oklahoma State, we want to be the model for fraternity life in an ever-changing society. There is a need for broad-based alumni support through active participation in the summer rush process and critical financial assistance. The present-day rush format of summer rush requires extraordinary efforts on the part of the rush chairmen. A competitive rush campaign entails substantial financial costs. The rush team and their supporting cast of active members travel extensively to accomplish one-on-one contacts through meals and activities with rushees that are crucial to a successful rush. Finances are also used on renting two rush apartments, where the team is able to live and host smaller events. Not only do high quality rushees come from Oklahoma metropolitan areas and small towns, but out-of-state rushees are very popular and important to the house as well. Gamma Lambda has recently put together a Texas rush strategy that has helped develop a quality class from Texas. Competing with other top fraternities is our biggest challenge throughout the summer. In the past few years, Gamma Lambda has operated off a $15,000 budget while other houses we compete with are operating at around $25,000. Our budget has been primarily funded by active member dues and parent's club donations with help from a few alumni. Due to our smaller budget, we have taken very active steps in past years to be wise spenders and stretch every dollar -- that will not change in the future. If we are able to put together bigger rush events, actively have more personal one-on-one meals, and create a rush apartment environment that is inviting for the rushees, we will be able to not only compete with other fraternities but also develop a pledge class that represents Gamma Lambda to the fullest. To continue to build on successful rush efforts of the past several years, this year's rush team needs three things: (1) Email or phone referrals of qualified young men who may be participating in fraternity rush in 2020 (please include, at minimum, name, high school, cell phone number, and high school GPA); (2) financial contributions to fund the many expenses associated with rush, everything from rent payments for the rush apartment to food at events; (3) volunteers to sponsor alumni-based events during the summer. If you think you might be interested in supporting rush efforts for this upcoming summer, please contact me as soon as possible. Yours in _ kai _, Hunter Foster '21 Recruitment Chairman 1207 W. University Ave. Stillwater, OK 74074 (405) 246-8252 hunter.cole.foster@gmail.com BETA HOUSE CLOSES FOR REMAINDER OF SPRING SEMESTER I n late February and early March, as COVID-19 began to take the nation by storm, Oklahoma State University began to make plans in anticipation of college students' return following Spring Break from near and far. In response to the impending risk associated with students bringing the virus back to campus, OSU in the week leading up to Spring Break made decisions cancelling in-person classes and to finish the semester with online classes. As a result, the Building Corporation made the decision that, in order to keep our fraternity safe, it was appropriate to close the Beta House for the remainder of the semester. That unprecedented decision is one of many that we have all had to face in recent weeks. While COVID-19 will continue to be with us for some time, we anticipate that the Beta House will be open when classes resume in August. While we choose to look forward with optimism, to some extent the future is uncertain and so too is the status of Rush. Will Rush occur as usual or will it be a more formal sorority style in August? This and many other questions remain unresolved, but know that your Building Corporation is working to maintain the heritage and future of the Gamma Lambda Chapter of Beta Theta Pi.

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