Delta Kappa Epsilon - Wesleyan University

The Deke Newsletter GAMMA PHI CHAPTER AT WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | FALL 2016 T his year, we celebrate the 149th year of DKE's Gamma Phi Chapter at Wesleyan. We're gratified to report that the bonds of brotherhood have never been stronger among alumni brothers or the undergraduates. At this year's graduation, more than 60 alumni stopped by 276 High Street during the Wesleyan reunion to meet the undergraduates and get an update on recent developments. Most importantly, we had a strong recruitment this year and added 18 new broth- ers. The health of the fraternity remains excellent, despite the administration's removal of the house from Wesleyan's hous- ing program. DKE continues to attract the same high caliber of diverse Wesleyan students. As you may know, in September 2014, the university required all fraternities to become coeducational in both membership and residential living situation to remain as authorized under- graduate residences (program housing) at Wesleyan. The uni- versity subsequently relented to women becoming members of DKE. Faced with this directive, the Kent Literary Club (KLC) Board of Directors made a proposal to the university to initial- ly house six women residents and committed to work toward a (still undefined) "full" coeducation of the DKE chapter house. Regrettably, the administration rejected, on multiple occasions over the last 18 months, our plans for a coeducational living plan. The undergraduate brothers, as well as all students, have been prohibited from living in or even entering the chapter house. Since the university rejected our proposal, the admin- istration has also refused to talk to us about how our plan for cohabitation can be made acceptable. With no income from brothers living in the house, we initiated the lawsuit to try and recover that lost revenue. Now the administration states it will not talk to us unless we drop our lawsuit. We all love Wesleyan and are pained that the administration has driven us to this point. By the time you read this, our lawyers will have deposed President Roth and his staff to uncover evidence that will strengthen our case. So far, we believe the true motive for the administration's unfair treatment of Gamma Phi is revealed in the suit's discovery: they want ownership of the house. The immediate challenge facing us is how to maintain the chapter house without the residential income provided by undergraduate brothers. Furthermore, to regain program housing status, we also face the need to update the house's infrastructure, much of which goes back to the original con- struction of 1928-29. Over the past year, basic maintenance costs (including property taxes and insurance) have been cov- ered through contributions from dozens of generous brothers. Our goal is to maintain sufficient capital reserves to keep the house independent while addressing the operational expenses, regardless of the outcome of the lawsuit. Only an independent DKE can work with the administration on a fair and equitable solution for all involved. At that point, we would need to address the capital improvements necessary to have a safe and appropriate residential facility. As a first step in the process, we are relaunching The Deke Newsletter to reconnect and stay engaged with Gamma Phi alumni and brothers. You can also expect to hear more from us as we develop plans to ensure that 276 High Street forever remains the property of Gamma Phi. In the meantime, we are making plans to welcome alumni back to the chapter house for Homecoming on October 22, when the Cardinals take on Amherst. The DKE we all know and love is at a crucial crossroads. We need to grow volunteer support from alumni as we strive to keep Gamma Phi vibrant and relevant on the Wesleyan cam- pus. Your assistance, guidance, and involvement are essential to that future. If you would like to be part of this effort, please let us know. We look forward to staying in touch with you and invite your feedback. In the Bonds, Gary Breitbord '79 KLC President gbreitbo@aol.com Now Is the Time to Connect Gamma Phi Relaunches Alumni Newsletter

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