Sigma Phi Epsilon - Colorado School of Mines

Summer 2020 S I G M A P H I E P S I L O N AT C O L O R A D O S C H O O L O F M I N E S THE STOPE Preparing for a Return to Campus Colorado Delta Chapter Remains Optimistic in Opening the Chapter House this Fall B rothers, I apologize for the lateness of this issue of The Stope. Right around the time we normally publish our newsletter each spring, the COVID-19 pandemic made its way to Golden. Students left for spring break and were asked not to return to school, instead completing the remaining weeks of the semester online. Leaving aside the issue of how a hands-on engineering education can be completed remotely, Colorado Delta Chapter members mostly left campus. I say mostly as there were a handful of members that, for various reasons, asked to stay at the house. Yet one more advantage of owning our Chapter House––the school couldn't force us to leave! Giv- en the lack of support and potential for infection, the AVC interviewed each member who asked to stay to confirm they understood the situation they faced. I'm pleased to say the semester was completed and by all accounts of the in-house members, it was very boring but safe. Turning our attention to the summer, the AVC is planning a major infrastructure repair effort involving replacing the main sewer on the residential side of the house. Undaunted from the pandemic, there are, again, a handful of mem- bers asking to stay in the house through the saw cutting, jackhammering, and lack of available restrooms. You may remember a similar effort a few years back when the com- munal side's sewer line was replaced, and the courtyard was redone. (Thanks, Buz Avery '68!) With 60+ year old pipes, this is part of the normal mainte- nance cycle. As the lower floor restrooms must be demol- ished to access the sewer lines, we'll also be completely renovating each restroom. At this point, the school has not officially announced their plans for the fall, but whenever the Chapter does return, the house will be in good shape, Other recent improvements include the new boiler, numer- ous heating system repairs, landscape maintenance, and the installation of new doors. Our AVC House Manager Stace Arnston '76 has been quite busy coordinating contractors while out of town. If you can make it out for Homecoming in the fall, please thank him for all of his tireless work in helping maintain the good condition of our Chapter House. During this time of uncertainty, it is refreshing to know that our Chapter House is safe and will be ready when needed. Similarly, I hope each of you and your families are well wherever this newsletter finds you. If nothing else, this pandemic has helped SigEps reconnect. I recently saw many brothers from my era on a virtual meeting. It was great to catch up with each of them a bit and I'd encour- age you to arrange your own "Era Zoom" call. Send me a screenshot for the fall issue of The Stope if you choose to do so! Fraternally, Eric Wilson '94 AVC President eric.wilson@thecpigroup.net SAVE THE DATE SEPTEMBER 26, 2020 National Public Lands Day/Park Opening Celebration OCTOBER 10, 2020 Homecoming Tailgate BBQ JANUARY 29, 2021 UllrGrass Festival July 28-August 1, 2021 SigEp Grand Chapter Conclave Hyatt Regency Denver

• Cover