Sigma Chi - University of California-Berkeley

THE CAL SIG ALPHA BETA CHAPTER OF SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY Spring 2017 ALPHA BETA SPRINGS FORWARD Housing Corporation Board Makes Electrical Upgrades to Increase Chapter House Safety T he spring semester is well underway and the men of Sigma Chi are doing their best to stay at the top of the list of the most desired fraternities at University of California, Berkeley. Alpha Beta had 11 outstanding prospective members accept bids and enter pledgeship this spring. Under the guidance of Magister Andrew Schaefer '18, they are learning the history and heritage of Sigma Chi and I believe we will all be proud to welcome them as brothers after initiation. Winter break saw work being done at the chapter house while the men were away on vacation. Safety has become a primary concern for group living arrangements in the Bay Area, especially after the tragic Ghost Ship fire in Oakland recently. Mindful of this, the Housing Corporation Board (HCB) installed new smoke detectors with a 10-year battery life in each of the 19 rooms at the chapter house. Electrical switches, outlets, and sockets were also replaced. Sigma Chi National has instructed us that cooking is no longer to be allowed in individual bedrooms, so a new electrical panel was installed and 16 new outlets were created in the kitchen to accommodate microwaves, toaster ovens, electric grills, and hot plates. We've received great feedback from the National Fraternity as they appreciate the efforts being made by the HCB and live-in brothers toward the safety of everyone in the house. Alpha Beta doesn't have a formal kitchen with a cook and hasn't had one for many years now. The current HCB members all lived in the house while we had an operating kitchen and a cook preparing lunch and dinner for us during the week. The cook for many years while I lived at the chapter house was Elsie Thompson. She was well-loved and respected by brothers and her meals added a great deal to the fun times and camaraderie in the chapter. Nothing said brotherhood better than sitting down to a plate of sliders and growlers with 25 of your best friends at lunch. The city of Berkeley has many restrictions that hamper our efforts to return the kitchen to its original state. However, it is a goal of the Housing Corporation Board to do just that. Stay tuned for updates as we look into this project more. The brothers felt that the front of the house was a little too barren and wished to have a tree planted in the front. Charles "Chuck" Hart '77 helped to procure a coastal live oak tree and with some help we have planted the tree out front. It has a nice shape and should grow quickly and beautifully at the chapter house. Thank you, Chuck! The chapter house has withstood the heavy rains and not a leak to be reported at this time. We were glad that we have re-roofed nearly the entire house over the last three years! This is the time of year that the Sigma Chis turn their attention toward their philanthropic efforts, which includes hosting several Derby Day's activities. They are very proficient at this fundraising effort and their contributions to various hospitals and camps are to be applauded! I hope you have a good spring and will look for you if you can visit the chapter house. Go Bears! In Hoc, Jeff Bordalampe '77 Housing Corporation President (510) 755-0744 / jeff@tcinorth.com Sigma Chi continues to recruit top-notch members. Fall 2016 pledge class following initiation.

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