Dear Upsilon Alumni, Brothers, Friends and Family,
As we enter the Holiday Season and approach the end of the fall semester at F&M, we would like to recap 2009 and update everyone regarding where we currently stand with the proposed renovation of the chapter house. In addition, we would like to update you on the significant progress that the newly elected undergraduate executive board has made and outline their plans for next semester.
As most of you are aware, the chapter house is currently closed due to our inability to meet the current standards of the city and college. For more than 60 years, 437 College Ave has been used as a residential and communal meeting space for the Upsilon Chapter exclusively. Time and time again, our alumni have generously contributed their resources to assist the undergrads in meeting the ever changing local housing standards. Unfortunately, this condemnation has hit us during what is arguably the worst recession since World War II.
This past year has been a challenge to everyone, including alumni and undergraduates who have been faced with their own set of tough decisions. Many of our undergraduate brothers tried to remain members when they could not afford to do so, and dues collection rates were not commensurate with their projected budget. Mounting debts from the days of de-recognition combined with the effects of the recession have caught up to the chapter and are crippling the undergraduates’ efforts to push forward.
Today, Delta Sigma Phi is one of only five fraternities - Chi Phi, Phi Kappa Tau, Phi Kappa Sigma, and Kappa Sigma - that still own their houses. Many other organizations have lost their houses as a result of de-recognition. The only reason Delta has survived to this point is through the sheer strength of our alumni, the recruitment efforts of our undergraduates, and our ability to keep our chapter house open. We are proud to say that there is still a reason to go Greek and Bleed Green at F&M!
If you have not been back to campus in the last few years, we strongly encourage you to do so, and then you can see for yourself the facelift both the College and the surrounding area have undergone. President John Fry’s strategy has been to offer students a liberal arts experience that sets itself apart from other institutions, complete with new academic buildings, a safer community, and accommodations with modern amenities. As a result of this commitment, the board of trustees approved a four-year, on-campus residential policy that greatly influences where students live. Beginning in the fall of 2010, all students will be required to live in college sanctioned housing. In keeping with its commitment to the Greek System after re-recognition, the college has approved Greek Housing as a suitable alternative to the College’s other housing options. Unfortunately, we need to make significant improvements to the chapter house in order to meet the College’s standards and compete with the other housing options available, such as the Lofts, College Row, and the new Silverang Properties.
Realistically, the past 60 years of fraternal experiences has worn-out the Delta House as it currently stands and makes it a less-attractive option compared to the newer properties available to our members. We need to make some drastic changes to its structure, safety features, and amenities to adequately house the next generation of Delta Sigs. We have submitted a complete gut-renovation proposal to the city and the College, which has received initial approval. Here are the highlights of the proposal:
- The college will guarantee a 15 year loan to pay for our renovation.
- The renovation will bring dramatic improvements including the restoration of the kitchen and subsequent meals in the house.
- We will pledge the house as a security for the loan.
- The college will collect rent from members who live in the house along with a security deposit.
- Rent will be comparable to other housing options (approximately $600 per month).
- We will have a management company provide services such as: 1) regular inspections to ensure life safety issues are in order, 2) maintenance, which also includes lawn care and garbage pickup, and 3) assurance that taxes, insurance, and mortgage are paid on-time.
- With all 12 rooms occupied, we expect the house to generate excess funds of about $20,000 per year. We plan to create a minimum reserve of $100,000 to guard against decreasing room occupancy, repairs, and other emergencies.
- Once the reserve is funded, we can use the balance of our income to make meaningful scholarships available to our members, reduce rent, or other good deeds. All of which will be an advantageous recruitment tool.
The final proposal will be voted-on by the board of trustees in the beginning of the spring semester (we have asked the board of trustees to move-up the vote). Once the proposal has passed, we will obtain financing and begin renovations immediately; however, in order to move forward, we need you to show your support. The college wants to know that Delta alumni are backing this venture. To prove to them that you support the chapter, they have asked us to raise $100,000. The college has indicated that they will go forward with our agreement if we raise less, but the final number figure is still being negotiated. We understand that this is a steep figure, but with your contributions and pledges we will show the college that you care. At this point, no matter how insignificant it may seem, ANY donation or pledge will demonstrate to the college that we continue to have a strong alumni base.
Some of you have expressed deep anger, frustration, and disappointment as to how the chapter has gotten to this point. We understand your resentment because we often share those same sentiments. More importantly, what your emails and phone calls have shown us is that you are passionate about our fraternity. To put the chapter back on track, we have been working diligently with the current undergraduate executive board to reshape their views of the alumni association, and help them realize that we must work together to get Delta out of this mess. Through our collaboration, we have seen the chapter turn a corner. “What’s different now” you may ask. Here are a few points worth noting:
- They have the best financial records we have seen in over 10 years. Every dues payment received is accounted for, and every penny spent is documented.
- The president and treasurer are in touch with us weekly if not daily.
- They are holding delinquent members accountable for not paying dues, including sanctions and expulsions, which occurred over Homecoming Weekend – 9 active members were removed for non-payment.
- They are requiring all members to sign a dues contract at the beginning of every semester (starting this spring). This will dramatically improve dues collection rates and will be aided by a 3rd party service, which will send members to collections for non-payment.
- They have allocated 100% of collected dues to pay off debts and sustain the chapter. All social events in the fall were funded by members outside of dues.
Unfortunately we can’t change the poor decisions that were made in the past; however, we can be optimistic about the future. The undergraduate executive board is as committed as we are to allocating all necessary resources to getting the house re-opened; however, we need to raise a significant amount of money before we can break ground. Please see the undergraduate and ACB budgets below to review how dues and alumni donations will be allocated. We need to raise $20,000 immediately to pay off our outstanding loan to the college, taxes & fees, insurance, and other costs related to preparing the house for construction, such as obtaining a boarding house zoning variance for the 435 College Ave side. Until these bills are paid, we will be unable to secure a loan for the renovation. In addition, the back taxes and condemnation have caused the city to begin eminent domain proceedings in the form of a sheriff’s sale. The undergraduates have budgeted to pay these bills with their spring dues, but only a few brothers have been able to pay their dues in advance. We need your support and we need it soon.
Delta Sigma Phi has the 2nd largest alumni base of all the Greek organizations. We are asking you to please show your support for the chapter house renovation project by contributing $200 to the Delta Alumni Corporation Board (ACB). At this price level, we will raise approximately $200,000 from our 945 alumni and prove to the board of trustees and administration that Delta Sigma Phi deserves a place in the future of Franklin and Marshall College. We look forward to having the Upsilon Chapter House open in the fall of 2010 at which time we will be celebrating our 95th anniversary. For those of you who are interested in how the new chapter house will look, please see the attached renovation plans. The College has indicated that without a major renovation that includes modern amenities and life safety upgrades, they will not designate 437 College Ave a “college approved house” and no F&M student will be able to live there.
The most convenient way to give is to just click the link above that says "Donate now."
As always, your credit card will be processed quickly and securely by PayPal. Of course gifts of any amount are always accepted. If you would like to make a pledge or have any questions, please email or call our ACB treasurer, Edward Frackelton, efrackel@gmail.com (215-756-5093). Also, contact Ed if you would like to setup an installment plan, which will charge your credit card a set amount for a set duration of your choosing (every month, every quarter, every year, etc.).
If you would like to send a check, please send it to our ACB Vice President, Jonathan Chatham.
Jonathan Chatham, Esq.
6902 Clubhouse Court
Apt. I
Harrisburg, PA 17111
6902 Clubhouse Court
Apt. I
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Please make checks payable to the “Upsilon Association of Delta Sigma Phi ACB.”
YITBOS,
The Delta Sigma Phi ACB
Marc Leibman ‘93
Edward Frackelton ‘04
Jon Chatham ‘03
Mark Ryscavage ‘07
Jack Groarke ‘07
Ian Group ‘07
Andy Duberstein ‘09
