Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Oregon

Updates on SigEp's Next Home UNIVERSITY OF OREGON FALL/WINTER 2024 Updates from Oregon Beta Paving Our Future W e are now entering Year 2 of the relaunch of Sigma Phi Epsilon, Oregon Beta. We have not taken the easy route, that is for sure! We recruited our new "founding" members in fall 2023, bringing in 35 undergraduate brothers. We also had to address the property at 1000 Alder Street. It would have been easier to keep it, clean it up, and go on from there. But AVC leadership believed the best thing to do was start fresh with a new, modern Chapter House that fits the needs of today's students and use it as a resource to recruit future, talented SigEps who will take pride in a modern residence and take care of the property appropriately. By now, you likely have heard that we closed on the sale of 1000 Alder and "1010/ Yellow Pad" to Bushnell University for $5.1 million. We felt good about that price, which appraised above land value. We are now in the process of buying the only vacant lot on campus: 967 Patterson Street (two lots south of the Beta house). The lot became vacant when the existing structure caught fire and was then demolished. The property owner is a company that specializes in building and managing Greek life housing, and it will serve as the developer of our planned Chapter House. Mike Sullivan '85 is leading a housing committee from the AVC and is working directly with the architect and the construction contractor. Prior to this, we had paid off the mortgage on 1000 Alder and were mostly debt free. Even with the sale proceeds, we will need another ~$1.5 million to complete this project (build the house, completely furnish it, etc.). Ideally, we hope not to burden ourselves with too much debt to operate the Fraternity financially— especially the first couple of years, where filling to live- in capacity (40-49) will be complex given the lease lead time students need. By the time you read this, the Chapter will have completed their fall recruitment. University records show that 700 young men signed up for recruitment week. Once again, six specialists from SigEp HQ will assist our returning members through this process. We hope to sign another 25-35 members, giving us solid numbers when the new Chapter House opens. There is a 50/50 chance we can open the facility by fall 2025. Students typically sign leases around February, so this will be a challenge to manage. Regardless, we plan to be open and thriving by Oregon Beta's 100-year anniversary in spring 2026. This relaunch would not have been possible without the support of our alumni, including the 19 currently serving on the AVC, and our "Mentor Team" with seven alumni who work directly with our new Chapter and its key officers. We need all the help we can get—ideas, time, and contributions. The SigEp experience was a defining development opportunity for us all, and we can now provide it for the young men of today. Fraternally, Todd Ruberg '82 ruberg1@yahoo.com Brothers Kellan Quinn '26, Christian Serrano '26, and Jaden Miller '26 tabling for recruitment at the EMU Amphitheater. T his summer, three Oregon Beta brothers traveled to Richmond, Virginia for the Ruck Leadership Institute. At SigEp's landmark leadership program, they spent five days learning leadership principles and how to lead and inspire positive change in their Chapter and beyond. They were mentored by executive-level alumni mentors and engaged with brothers from across the country. Thanks to the generosity of alumni and donors, these young men created actionable takeaways to lead Oregon Beta and grow as individuals for years to come. Ruck Scholars Look to Elevate Oregon Beta to New Levels From left: Enoch Elumba '26, Joey Barbey '26, and Jaden Miller '26 at the 25th Ruck Leadership Conference.

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