Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Oregon

Preparing for SigEp's Return to the University of Oregon What You Can Do to Help UNIVERSITY OF OREGON SPRING 2023 Updates from Oregon Beta Dear brothers and friends of Oregon Beta, As we communicated in our latest correspondence, SigEp will be returning to the University of Oregon campus this fall! Coincidentally, the timing of our restart couldn't be better, as it should allow the Chapter to be fully developed (perhaps even chartered) before Oregon Beta's 100th anniversary in 2026. Resources and a strategic plan are quickly coming together, but we could certainly use some additional alumni support and volunteers. Here is the plan so far: SIGEPS ON-SITE SigEp Headquarters out of Richmond will be spearheading the restart by dedicating two staff members who will be working full time, only in Eugene, from August until December. Along with the Alumni Volunteer Corporation, these staff members will be leading our recruitment efforts and teaching our new members about SigEp Chapter operations as well as the philosophy and implementation of the Balanced Man Program. We are quite optimistic that we can recruit a significant number of new members (our goal is 40), as overall interest in Greek life has remained strong at Oregon—700 young men went through recruitment last fall. Additionally, the AVC unanimously voted to invest in an additional SigEp staff member who will also be on-site at least one week of every month from October until the end of the academic calendar. If you know of incoming or current students at Oregon who we should recruit, please use the referral form at this link: oregon.sigep.org/support-our-chapter/refer. This information will be sent directly to SigEp HQ staff. WILL YOU JOIN US? Although recruitment will be the priority this fall, we will also need volunteers to serve as mentors to the new officers as the Chapter begins to grow and mature. There will be as many as 13 positions on this mentorship committee that functions separately from the AVC, and being a SigEp alumnus is NOT a requirement to serve as a Chapter mentor. These mentor roles range from Chapter counselor and Balanced Man steward to mentors for individual Chapter officers, such as the VP of finance and chaplain. Some of these mentor roles can be done remotely, so if you have interest, please let us know by contacting any AVC board member. We could certainly use the help! HOUSING PLANS Our new Chapter will operate unhoused for at least two to three years, as this is standard practice for both SigEp and the University of Oregon. Chapter meetings will be held in the EMU, and we will need to identify a location in Eugene for Chapter ceremonies. We have extended our lease of 1000 Alder Street with ATO for the next academic year and are making progress on a final decision to either remodel that house or sell the property and relocate to a new facility. A final decision on that is expected by the end of June. DEVELOPING BALANCED MEN After three years (and a lot of hard work from our volunteers), it will be both great and satisfying to see a SigEp Chapter operating once again at Oregon. We need to do this right and be prepared from the very beginning. It seems like now more than ever, we need to provide and foster healthy living and learning environments, be strong mentors, and provide ample opportunities for career and personal development to young men starting out on their independent lives. The new Oregon Beta can do just that and once again be a place that allows young men to grow and become upstanding citizens of the community, future leaders of their professions, and respected and loved husbands and fathers. This is the Balanced Man ideal. This is what we will do. Fraternally, Todd Ruberg '82, AVC President AVC President Todd Ruberg '82 addresses a group as Brian Stewart '82 looks on. From left: Craig Hodgson '83, Craig Gummer '85, and Mike Sullivan '84. Please join us for upcoming Oregon Beta alumni gatherings! 5 p.m. on May 23 (Tuesday) in Portland at the Buffalo Gap. 5 p.m. on May 24 (Wednesday) in Eugene at Claim 52 Brewing. There will be AVC members and SigEp headquarters staff in attendance to expand on the details above. Food and drinks will be provided, and I suspect many old stories will be swapped!

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