Beta Theta Pi - Kansas State University

Brothers of the Gamma Epsilon Chapter: I write to you today to thank you for your continued dedication and service to our beloved chapter as well as to encourage your continued support through our Building on the Legacy campaign. I'm honored to play my part on the campaign cabinet, and as the Executive Director for Beta eta Pi General Fraternity, I've been asked to share some thoughts about the current Beta experience to help bridge the gap from your respective undergraduate days to those of 2021. I'll begin by stating my firm belief that a Beta experience is both relevant and needed in the lives of today's college men. Recent studies on the fraternity experience have proven that those who join a Greek community have higher levels of engagement in their collegiate experience, higher graduation rates, better GPAs, and report better mental health than their unaffiliated peers. Coming out of a global pandemic, young men desire connection and community now more than ever, and a Beta experience can provide them lifelong relationships. One important and necessary change for the fraternity has been a shi toward positive new member development and a strong stance against hazing. While hazing played a part in the development of bonds within pledge classes in the past, we have embraced an approach that better integrates our new members with the entire chapter from the beginning through team building, education, and mentoring. New members are still given clear expectations about the role of an active brother, but they are supported and encouraged throughout their orientation process in a way that helps them grow and develop into a future chapter leader. For the sustainability of the chapter and the relationships within our brotherhood, this is a positive improvement to the Beta experience. A second change that has occurred across the fraternity has been a shi to substance-free housing. While Gamma Epsilon made that leap as I was pledging the chapter in the late '90s, it has now been embraced by our brothers throughout the broad domain. Chapter housing is still very relevant and continues to play a vital role in the Beta experience, but we have realized that fostering an environment that promotes safe and competitive living and a strong academic focus best positions us to develop men of principle. Our environments shape the culture of our chapters and we are seeing less problematic behavior and healthier brotherhoods through this shi. As someone who is investing in the future of Gamma Epsilon, this change also gives me confidence that our chapter will continue to thrive at 500 Sunset for years to come. Finally, I want to assure you that while changes have occurred within our fraternity, the chapter house experience remains vital to our brotherhood. Recent surveys have affirmed that men still seek community and an opportunity to live together as a cornerstone of the college experience. However, student housing has changed and we must provide a competitive environment that features premier residential, dining, and academic space as well as access to high-speed internet. e plans advanced in the Building on the Legacy campaign will ensure that 500 Sunset is exactly the type of home that will continue to attract Kansas State's best and brightest. ank you for your support and loyalty to our brotherhood. Yours in __kai__, Jeff Rundle '03 Executive Director Beta eta Pi General Fraternity 3

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