Theta Xi - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

n Describe the challenges of coming back to campus at the beginning of the fall semester. What did students face when returning to campus? Jacob Bubb '22 (A1758): Nobody really knew what was going to happen or what we would be allowed to do. e communication between the school and the students was nonexistent. It took about a month to figure out the actual rules that we had to follow, not only for the fraternity but also as students going to class. Kieran Bohonan '23 (A1771): Some of the hurdles were wearing masks everywhere and getting used to being tested twice a week. Another challenge was adjusting to online classes, which obviously lack in-person interaction. e biggest challenge with online classes was making sure students could still understand the material with it being taught through various online platforms. Nicholas Spinelli '24 (A1774): Coming back to campus wasn't too bad; however, I was certainly disappointed to not be able to live in the house. All the fun stories I've heard older I n their latest unilateral decision, RPI decided last minute to again ignore student and IFC input and keep all Greek housing closed for the remainder of the school year. Despite having zero outbreaks within any Greek chapter or facility, RPI is the only university we've identified to fully reopen all dorms and campus facilities while singling out and shuttering only Greeks. Your alumni association and our active chapter finances remain strong. e reduced rent we charged the actives to use our house as a study and recreational facility covered all operating expenses last semester and are projected to cover them for the remaining school year. Your alumni association reduced cash expenses by suspending non-critical renovations and negotiating a one-year deferral of mortgage principal payments. We will continue to minimize cash outlays until COVID-19 passes, RPI lets Greek houses open, and our house is occupied again. In light of RPI's decision, we've decided to again delay renovating our chapter house kitchen until at least the summer of 2022. We also recognize that it's not prudent to conduct a meeting or fundraising campaign closing ceremony in Troy in 2021. We will hold our annual corporation meeting virtually on Saturday April 24, 2021, at 1 p.m. ET, where we will officially close out our capital campaign. We will conduct the closing ceremony and plaque dedication on April 30, 2022, at our house. As discussed at our last virtual meeting, your alumni association board is craing our new 10-year strategic plan. In April, we will present a holistic vision outlining priorities and aspirations for our brotherhood, alumni association, physical house, and financial security. A committee of alumni and actives completed a first dra in December, which is now being reviewed by a wider group of brothers. It will be presented to the brotherhood and will include short-term plans, goals, targeted projects, and celebrations coinciding with both RPI's 200th anniversary in 2024 and our house construction 100th anniversary in 2031. ank you again for your continued support. We've made tremendous strides over the past decade and are within sight of successfully completing the house renovation, which is central to our current strategic plan. Keep an eye out for details regarding our annual meeting in April, and I hope to see you at our house again soon. Yours in the Bonds, David Fowkes '89 (A1275) Alumni Association President | dwfowkes@verizon.net P.S. Did you receive the email survey we sent out recently? Check your email for a message from us, or contact me directly at the address above. We want to hear how you think we're doing and what you want to see for Alpha in the next 10 years. ALPHA CHAPTER OF THETA XI WINTER 2021 ALPHABET ALPHA CHAPTER SURVIVING THE STORM L ife amid the pandemic has presented challenges in almost every aspect of life, but one of the biggest areas of change has undoubtedly been our educational system. Universities are operating from individual and ever-changing plans, and unfortunately, Greek life is suffering. However, our active brothers are doing their best to make the most of the situation. We reached out to five of our chapter officers for their thoughts on life at eta Xi and RPI today. Coping with University Changes as the COVID-19 Pandemic Continues Brothers Share Insight into Navigating the Difficulties of Classes and Greek Life at RPI (Continued on page 2)

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