Pi Beta Phi - University of Southern California

ENTRE NOUS P i B e t a P h i a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n C a l i f o r n i a • S p r i n g 2 0 2 1 EDITOR: Laurie Bayless Maslauski '73 | lauriebmaslauski@gmail.com "I don't know that there are any shortcuts to doing a good job." – Sandra Day O'Connor, Supreme Court justice 2020 certainly was a year unlike any other. When our California Gamma live-in members left for spring break, we had no idea they were leaving for the semester. We found ourselves needing to schedule time for these members to safely pack and move out of the chapter house. Our senior Angels never got their proper send-off, which traditionally includes Pi Beta Phi festivities, graduation photos, and their well-deserved USC commencement ceremonies. During the fall semester, for the first time in 106 years, our chapter house sat empty. Throughout the pandemic, our dedicated Chapter House Corporation (CHC) members and Alumnae Advisory Committee (AAC) Chair Julie Avins Long, California Delta '78 diligently worked together to find the best solutions for our members and our loyal staff while keeping the facility secure and well-maintained. This was no easy task! During our planning, we had bimonthly Zoom calls with USC's Student Life staff, house corporation representatives from other USC sororities and fraternities, security representatives, and Los Angeles County public health personnel. Ultimately, the chapter house remained closed for the fall semester. It's been refreshing to see how USC's fraternities and sororities have come together to help each other through these challenging times — a silver lining in a time of adversity. We are fortunate that our CHC has zero mortgage debt, which is not the case for many other USC sororities and fraternities. I'm thankful for the efforts of Susan Schaffer, California Beta '75 and Robin Greenway MacGillivray '74, our CHC treasurers, for doing a fantastic job keeping us fiscally fit! I'd also like to give a shoutout to our alumnae and parents who over the years have helped to fund various remodeling and other projects. We couldn't have done this without you! In addition to the usual maintenance of cleaning carpets, touching up paint, making needed repairs, power washing the exterior, and washing windows, our main focus as 2020 concluded was to prepare a clean and sanitized chapter house for our live-ins to return to at 667 West 28th St. In early 2021, a small group moved back in the house with COVID-19 protocols in place. I quoted Sandra Day O'Connor earlier because, during ever-changing times, she exemplified what it means to be a leader. As the first woman justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, she opened doors for other outstanding women. I met Justice O'Connor years ago sitting at her table as a young college graduate while at a fundraiser for the Ronald Reagan Federal Courthouse with my future husband. I was in awe of her because of her many accomplishments and being so humble and kind. I found her so inspiring. My one regret was not getting a photo with her. Readily accessible smartphones had not been invented yet. My time with her is something I will never forget. During this difficult time we find ourselves in as a nation, I challenge you to find kindness and tolerance while reaching out to old friends and making new ones. Be the difference you want to be! Pi Phi Love, Susan Brownfield Beall '85 Chapter House Corporation President thebealls@yahoo.com OUR CHAPTER HOUSE YEAR IN REVIEW 2020

• Cover