Sigma Chi - Kansas State University

Inside... 2 Alumni Party Like It's 1999 3 Annual Donors 3 Sigma Chi Grows SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY AT KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY spring 2016 House Corporation Committed to Creation of Facility Management Program Delta Upsilon Chapter Must Stay Competitive D elta Upsilon Chapter has been hard at work the last semester. Our undergraduate members have been striving to better themselves, and the house corporation has been looking for ways to improve chapter policies and procedures. ACADEMICS ON THE RISE The biggest area of focus for our active members has been academics, and I'm happy to say we're starting to see a positive trend. The fall 2014 pledge class averaged a 3.0 GPA last semester; and the overall chapter GPA has increased the last three semesters and is above the all- men's average. We still have much work to do, but we are encouraged by the trend. FACILITY IMPROVEMENT FOCUS The house corporation is committed to improving the chapter house and is in the process of creating a facility management program. Considerations for the program include the assessment of a capital improvement fee for all live-in members, routine professional cleanings of the facility, and check-in and check-out procedures at the beginning and end of each semester, handled by a third- party management company. Through this program, we hope to better the physical condition of our chapter house and better prevent future wear and tear. COMPETITIVE GREEK LIFE Many Greek organizations are focusing on chapter house improvement, and Sigma Chi must do the same. In addition to our facility management program, the house corporation is still discussing implementation of a long- term improvement plan. If we want to compete for the best new members at Kansas State, then our chapter house must be up to par with others. For example, just this year, Theta Xi announced a $1.5 million campaign to renovate their facility, and Sigma Phi Epsilon, Alpha Tau Omega, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon have all conducted capital campaigns in years past. I hope to have more news to you this fall about how Sigma Chi plans to compete with this housing boom. ATTENTION TO LEGACY REFERRALS Recently, several alumni have expressed concern about the way referrals and legacies are recruited. The chapter is ensuring they make an effort to seek and effectively recruit those young men. To help bridge this disconnect, we've decided to involve an alumni liaison to make sure there's consistency, accountability, and ample communication within the process. If you have referrals, please notify Blake Moroney '12 at (913) 406-4337, and he will work with the recruitment chairmen to facilitate appropriate follow-up and follow-through. Thank you, alumni, for your loyalty and commitment to Sigma Chi. In Hoc, Michael Carson '95 House Corporation Board President mpc@mcandadesign.com Alumni Involvement Crucial to Growth of Chapter A Letter from the Chapter Advisor I sent in my rush card in the summer of 1981, only to see an article in the paper the next day: "Sigma Chi House Burns." When I started at KSU, Sigma Chi was no more than a hole in the ground with a dining room. Because I did not make grades the first semester, I was a holdover and was the sole and first initiate into the house as we know it today. Both of my sons are now Sigma Chi brothers. Over the years, the house has slipped in multiple categories. When I took over the chapter advisor position about two years ago, I noted that for at least the last decade, membership in the house, while at capacity, was lacking maturity to live up to the Jordan Standard. In the last few semesters, we have seen some encouraging trends. This year the focus is on the following categories: Recruitment Quality over numbers. We have found that producing a class to fill rooms rather than reviewing their achievements means we have a low retention rate in the chapter due to performance. Academics For the last two semesters, academic teams have been formed as part of a competition matching high/low performers to increase overall GPA. Last semester, the moms club paid $100 to each individual on the winning team. The competition will continue this semester and I hope to see an improvement. (Continued on page 2)

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