Beta Sigma Psi - Purdue University

BETA TIDINGS A PUBLICATION OF BETA SIGMA PSI AT PURDUE UNIVERSITY WINTER 2021 Looking to the Future Despite Challenges Brought by COVID-19, Beta Chapter Pushes Forward THANKFUL FOR RESPONSE TO FALL GIVING APPEAL The Lafayette Alumni Board would like to thank all the brothers and parents who made contributions to either the Educational Foundation or the Maintenance Fund this past fall. In total, this special appeal resulted in donations of over $10,000. These funds were critical in helping the chapter through the fall semester and the challenges posed by COVID- 19 and our accommodations. These special measures included additional cleaning protocols and related supplies. The board also granted forgiveness of one month's rent to the actives from the spring 2020 semester since Purdue students returned home and were resigned to distance learning as an early response to the pandemic. Thanks again for your support! PLANNING FOR HOME IMPROVEMENTS AND MAINTENANCE The board is working out the details of a fundraising appeal for this spring. The appeal would address some neglected maintenance matters as well as much-needed improvements, such as a central air conditioning system. We are in the process of identifying needs, estimating costs, and developing a prioritization to complete the work as funds become available. On a related note, the pandemic caused us to put the landscaping project on hold last year. Several of the brothers from the early 1980s, mostly the Raccoon Lake crew, had put their heads and hearts together and raised several thousand dollars to restore and improve the landscaping at the Chapter House. The money is still in the bank and we plan to complete the work this spring. Thanks to Mark Kramer '80 and Mike Schaefer '80, who worked with the actives last summer to complete some minor landscaping maintenance. PIN SIGN The pin sign has been restored by Ron Schneider '83, who donated his time and expertise to repair the frame and give it a new paint job. The sign had been damaged by water from the window unit above. You can also see the discoloration of the brick exterior from the water. This is something we are looking to remedy with the installation of central air conditioning. RESUMING A TRADITION The Lafayette Alumni Chapter would like to explore the possibility of a renewed effort to get more brothers back for Homecoming. Many of the older alumni have fond memories of the annual Homecoming get-together at The Trails. Look for additional communications on this as we make plans for the fall of 2021. If any brothers are willing to assist on this effort, please reach out to Jake Allen '77 (alle1lh@ comcast.net), who is heading up the effort. ELECTIONS Since Purdue's Homecoming was virtual this year, we did not hold elections for the board. The three members whose positions were up for election, Adam Rusch '02, David Gross '08, and Jeffrey Williams '09, will continue in their current capacities until official elections are held. We haven't had a history of holding virtual elections, and the virtual meetings we've held have seen low attendance. If you have concerns or suggestions, please let us know. We ask you all prayerfully consider joining the Board. Our endeavors are large-scale, and we need additional committed brothers to successfully progress. If interested, please contact Jeff Williams (jeffrey.andres.williams@ gmail.com) or Adam Rusch (adam@rusch.me) to learn more. SPRING 2021 The spring 2021 semester is shaping up to be similar to the fall 2020 semester. Fortunately, the active Chapter did a great job in the fall. Through their efforts, there were no cases of COVID-19 and no disciplinary action from the university, which cannot be said of other Greek houses at Purdue. God willing, they will keep up the momentum, and a vaccine will help campus life return to normal. For more information on Purdue's status and response to COVID-19, please visit protect.purdue.edu. Fraternally, The Lafayette Alumni Board

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