Phi Kappa Tau - Cornell University

P H I K A P P A T A U 2 D espite a lot of time, effort, and funding over the years to maintain and upgrade the house at 106 The Knoll, numerous issues this year have complicated conditions, resulting in a repair bill estimated to be over $250,000 and counting. As the house reaches 120, both front and back porches are deteriorating from water damage and wood rot, with the front porch fully closed off to residents and guests. A local structural engineer and architect has been retained to assess both areas and ensure repairs are structurally sound while maintaining historical elements to comply with Ithaca Landmark Preservation Committee requirements. Second-floor bathrooms need updates as well. The one at the top of the stairs is out of order due to failing plumbing, and the larger needs a completely new floor, as there is persistent leaking from the showers into the kitchen and washroom below. Alumni may recall the larger bathroom was completely brand new in 2014— it seems the previous contractor cut corners and didn't adequately install waterproofing. Other noticeable wear and tear: • Faulty electrical wiring that prevents some lights from working. • Both boilers recently failed, forcing us to install a new one under emergency conditions. • Some windows don't operate, given old counterweights have snapped. • Drains easily back up, given old cast iron drainpipes. Add this all together? Our home stands out for all the wrong reasons. These problems have kept me and BoD President Paul Martorano '01 very busy. Fortunately, the Phi Tau brotherhood is tightknit and has not let these problems detract from our love for the chapter. Still, as of April we have not passed our city building inspection from February, prohibiting our chapter from hosting social events in any capacity. If these problems persist, our recruitment efforts will also suffer. BoD has recently retained a new facility management company, Alpha Fraternity Management, to help with the above issues, plus routine items like move-in/move-out, weekly site inspections, and checking on contractors who work on the house. Lots of work has gone into addressing these issues—but given the pending bill for the larger fixes, we hope to count on your help in the future to support our aging home at 106 The Knoll and sustain the long-term success of Alpha Tau. In phi, Danny Alonso '23 House Manager 106 THE KNOLL IS SHOWING ITS AGE Our Time to Act Approaches "W hile the other houses seemed to be performing, everyone at Phi Tau was very authentic and down to earth," Brian McGovern '13 remembered from his recruitment. "I could tell they genuinely got along and were comfortable being themselves. Becoming a member instilled the confidence to pursue my interests and goals, and it provided me a support network I knew I could always rely upon." Brian didn't always picture himself in Alpha Tau leadership, let alone as chapter president. Once he became philanthropy chairman, however, he saw the presidency as a natural next step. "While parts of the role were not always fun (from making tough decisions to being solely responsible to mediating various issues), it taught me that working hard to better the things you care about is ultimately worth it." CREATING SUPPORT SYSTEMS Brian majored in policy analysis and management with a focus on educational policy, and after graduating, he began to pursue on-the- ground experience in school systems. Through the educational nonprofits City Year and SAGA Education, he worked two one-year roles at schools in East New York and Coney Island. "I really enjoyed building bonds with students, but I did not find myself drawn to teaching any specific subject." This led him toward school counseling, where he could play a holistic role in supporting students. Brian went on to graduate from Teachers College in 2020 and has worked as a high school counselor in the South Bronx ever since. "While I didn't realize it at the time, my role as president greatly prepared me for this job," Brian said. "Having to consistently multi- task, practice patience, and juggle the rules and interests of various stakeholders have all translated to my current role. Phi Tau also helped me discover my love for serving and supporting others." LASTING CONNECTIONS While Tau Tuesday and Turtle Islands provided fond memories, Brian also cherishes the impromptu gatherings with brothers and close friends of Phi Kappa Tau. For spring break in Brian's sophomore and junior years, the national fraternity provided travel stipends to volunteer at a SeriousFun camp for a weekend. Brian and several brothers volunteered at a camp near Orlando at the start of his junior spring break, and when they were finished, they piled in a 12-seater van and enjoyed the rest of their week in Key West. Living in NYC to this day allows Brian to see multiple Phi Taus, many of whom remain his closest friends year-round. "When traveling, it's also great to catch up with Phi Taus I don't get to see often." In his free time, Brian enjoys going to concerts and music festivals and watching sports— especially the New York Giants and Yankees as well as Manchester City. Want to reconnect? Write Brian at bcm68@cornell.edu. Brian now works as a high school counselor in South Bronx. Leading and Learning BRIAN MCGOVERN '13 FINDS HIS PATH IN PHI TAU BRIAN'S ADVICE TO UNDERGRADUATE BROTHERS "Be present in the moment. It's something I often find a hard time doing, but I think this is so important, especially during undergrad. With countless deadlines and having to plan for the future, it can be easy to let the semesters come and go. As a result, I would encourage guys to spend as much time around the house as they can, because you never know what might end up being a story or memory."

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