Alpha Tau Omega - Iowa State University

CHALLENGES FACING GAMMA UPSILON T he success of our undergraduate chapter is the lifeblood of Alpha Tau Omega. Like the current undergraduates, we made our membership in ATW the best it could be for ourselves and others. But our experience was the result of not only our efforts but also of those alumni who preceded us and provided ongoing support to Alpha Tau Omega. While the state of the chapter is strong, we must come together again to continue our mission "to work together for the elevation of man." A Facility to Complement the Strength of Our Brotherhood Rebuilding the chapter house in 1991 (and the accompanying capital campaign) responded to a critical need. Our previous facility served as our chapter home for 80 years and was plagued with outdated systems, ongoing maintenance issues, and safety concerns. Now we are faced with a strategic need—one that does not threaten our chapter's existence but is no less urgent. There has been a paradigm shift in the housing market at Iowa State as today's college students and their parents expect more for their housing dollars. While Gamma Upsilon continues to attract some of the top men, we know we lose quality potential members to other fraternities that offer better facilities. For example, our house is one of the last residential buildings on campus that does not have air- conditioned study and sleeping spaces. Additionally, many interior finishes need refurbishment or completion and furniture needs to be replaced. Chapters such as Theta Chi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Phi Epsilon, and Beta Sigma Psi have already renovated, and several other chapters are pursuing significant investments in their facilities. For Gamma Upsilon to remain a premier fraternity at Iowa State University, we must once again invest in our facility to attract the quality of men we pride ourselves on. Pursuing Excellence and Setting Ourselves Apart Scholarship is an ongoing focus for Gamma Upsilon and the need for an enhanced, quiet, well-lit, and comfortable study space within our facility is necessary for our members to achieve. We have all seen the impact of technology over the years, as devices not present during your college years are now necessities, including personal computers, high-speed Internet access, and e-mail. By increasing the available study space in the house, we are sending the message to alumni, undergraduate brothers, new members, and parents alike that academics are a top priority for Alpha Tau Omega. Our scholarship program has set Alpha Tau Omega apart from other chapters on campus and has awarded more than $360,000 in the last 15 years. To ensure this program's longevity, we must make a signif- icant effort to increase our endowment. Our plan will ensure that ATW s continue to excel academically and remain scholastic leaders on campus and within the Greek system. ATW to know no North, no South, no East, no West, but to know man as man; Left: Several appliances, such as the stove, were moved from the previous home into the house we built in 1991. These units have now outlived their life expectancy and need to be replaced. Right: There is a need to replace residential appliances and finishes with commercial-grade materials. CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW!

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