Greetings Gentlemen,

 

 

            Where to start? I guess since this is the first letter I am writing, starting with the latest news about what has been going on here at UPJ.

           

First, I would like to take a moment to recognize the eight new brothers of Delta Sigma Chi.

 

• Adam Abubakar
• Carlin Mackewich
• James Majernik
• James Cready
• Lee Wess
• Jared Hay
• Matt Kemock
• Aaron Smith

 

 

Other news, and probably some of the most unpleasant news, is the state of student life at UPJ since the new student life and housing director have taken over.  With the new additions to the administration, being Greek has made life miserable, as it puts a target on your back during Friday and Saturday nights.   If some of you have not already seen in the papers, or heard through the grape vine, the new alcohol policy is absolutely ridiculous and impossible to follow without having off campus housing.

http://www.upj.pitt.edu/internet/Estrada.config?resource=6385  -- For those of you who have not seen the policy, there is a link you can follow to view it.

 

From this alcohol policy, almost every organization has felt the reaches and implications that it has brought upon us. No Greek organization has been able to stay off probation this year, and we are on probation for the entire next year because of Dr. Gonder and his grudge against Delta Sigma Chi.  It also comes as no pleasant task to tell everybody that because of this felt grudge against us, he has pulled our house for next year. While at first you may think that we did something horrible, but rather, we have heard he is on his way out, and we feel this was his last ditch attempt to kill us. (For the record, we got in trouble for playing music before quiet hours, and entertaining pledges in our lobby. Yes, at UPJ you cannot socialize…) While, not having a main house next year is not an ideal situation, we have secured three townhouses right next to each other.  While this was not our first choice, the townhouses at UPJ do have a different set of rules, and may help increase pledge counts for next year. Parties in townhouses are handled a little bit different, and the campus police do not bother with them.

 

Also in the news at UPJ, Jem Spectar is the new campus president… So far, with my research, Jem comes from universities that have thriving Greek systems, we also know he is a lawyer, and has said he is open to listening to the students. I hope that he will listen to the students and restore UPJ to the once great place it was to be a student. (Rather than spending money on a 20 ton mountain cat statue) I also encourage alumni to e-mail or contact Jem Spectar once the new school year has started and voice your concerns about the direction of the campus and the policies implemented at the UPJ.

 

-          The idea has been passed around here that we may have to start looking for off campus housing. Because recruiting and sustaining members has been difficult, our numbers have been hovering around 20, down from the 35+ we had in the late 90’s, this may be one of the only options left.  Although, this option is very expensive, for a fraternity that is relatively low on funds, we would like all feedback from alumni on this issue.  I would also ask that if anybody has connections to Rex McQuaide, please let me know, he might be able to help, as he owns a nice chunk of R4 property across from the school. (Which is what is needed to build a fraternity house.) While, money is always a touchy subject, we would require tremendous backing from alumni to complete or even think about a project such as this. Some of you may remember what happened to Delta Chi and foxfire lodge… (Their alumni built it, and then they got kicked out of it)

 

           

With that out of the way. Here are the upcoming events we are going to try to plan.

 

 

We have decided to scrap the formal in favor of something a little more interesting, and cheaper.  We have decided to do a camping trip with a few tents and a few kegs. All are welcome to join, but please let us know before April 7 so we can plan accordingly.

 

The next meetings for the 45th will be April 5, 2007 7pm at the Union Social Club in Johnstown if anybody is interested.

-- The set date for the 45^th has been moved back a little further than usual, to the weekend of March 29^th 2008. This was set because the weather is usually cleared by this time.

 

For next year and the 45^th, we plan to do some charity events and some sponsoring to mark the 45^th, although we will not have a main house, the townhouses will allow us to invite more  people over to visit. As being a brother living in one of the three houses, I do plan to do one of my favorite things, grilling. I would hope that any alumni should feel welcome in visiting at anytime. We will be in cascade 2, 3 and 4 next year.  

 

Other thoughts I had about the 45^th, since we have a high number of brothers in the area, I would like to get a few bar nights together with actives and alumni prior to the 45^th.

 

I have not seen any information on bro-am so far, so I could not tell you.

 

 

 

One last request I would like to make, is anybody who gets this, can they please reply to me with their name, delta number, address, alternative e-mail addresses and if you would like, phone number.  I am trying to correct the database and gather more names. So far I have about 170 e-mail addresses, but would like more.  I have a feeling that I am going to send out this e-mail and get about half of them back as un-maintained mailboxes.  Im also trying to establish bro maps, and their trees, if anybody could give me who their big brother, and his big brother, along with who your little brother was, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to e-mail me and I will get back to you as soon as possible with answers.  If anybody has the e-mail addresses for a brother that you do not see here, please send him my e-mail address tleslie663@dscpitt.net.

 

 

Thanks,

 

 

Thomas A. Leslie

Delta 663

Active Chapter Alumni Director

 

 

If you have received this e-mail by accident, and are not a brother of Delta Sigma Chi, please disregard any of this information, and reply back to this e-mail with the words Remove in the subject header.