Updates

Please take a moment to read more below, for an update on where we stand in the long, but worthwhile process of re-establishing Pi Kappa Phi at Penn State. We hope you’ll take the opportunity to join us as we climb this mountain. It won’t be easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is. We’ve developed a new giving club, called the “409 Club,” where donations of $409 or more will secure your spot on our special Honor Roll, and submit your name in Alpha Mu lore forever. You can read more about the club HERE, and while you’re there, you can also see our Financial Statement, which shows the need for your support. We thank all of you as we forge ahead – Nothing Shall Tear Us Asunder.

Where we currently stand:

• The chapter elected its re-founding executive council on April 22nd.
• The timeline to Chartering takes approximately a year, so the chapter should be receiving its charter in spring of 2019.
• The chapter should be having their first alumni event this fall semester.

This next year will be tough financially.  Housing commitments made by the new Associates limits the number of men able to live in the house to a handful.  We don’t have reserve to fill the hole.  We anticipate that hole to total $75000 just to pay the bills.  To make some needed modest repairs and improvements to the house is probably another $50000.  We need your help.  Fall 2019 occupancy should be much different but we need to be able to get there.

Discussions with Pi Kappa Phi Properties have indicated the following:

• In the service-based structure our society continually heads toward, parents and students want response and action immediately.
• A fraternity house is a commercial building and requires commercial responses and professional oversight.
• Corporate student housing today offers many amenities, i.e. private bathrooms, single bedrooms, workout room, pool, theatre, social space, basketball courts, etc.  Utilities such as cable, internet, water, sewer, trash may be included.
• Chapters want a house but many men do not want to live in the house because of privacy issues, perceptions that a meal plan costs too much, and perceived lack of housekeeping.

Trends in fraternity management as a result of some of these challenges and demands:

• The Housing Corporation needs to have a professional approach to check in/out procedures, security deposit handling, rent billing, tracking of damages, a long term capital plan and responsive point people.
• The Housing Corporation needs to do some marketing to sell members to live in the house.
• Housekeeping services provided for common areas of building, i.e. living room, bathrooms, kitchen.
• Students feel loved if Housing Corporation does a decent project each year.
• Increase in privacy elements of the house as well as amenities, i.e. cable, housekeeping, pool table, basketball court, etc.
• Strong advisor role and at least monthly calls to let brothers know someone is looking out for them.
• Chapter needs 2-3 times more members over beds in the house.
• 35-40 men would provide a competitive housing fee and kitchen revenue to support kitchen. Financial support for house required from those living outside the house.
• Use of alcohol in house should mimic the fraternity’s policies and guidelines and should be noted in the lease.