Summary: Upsilon Chapter House Corporation Meeting on July 17th
(view meeting recording)
The Chapter reactivation and recruitment plan is a phased approach both in terms of recruitment, renovations, and financial commitments. A new property licensing agreement has been reached with RPI regarding the Shelter at 133 Sunset Terrace. Similar to other RPI Greek Life properties, RPI will collect room fees direct from the actives instead of the house paying a biannual lump sum, meaning that the rooming fees (aka “house bills”) won’t be tied to the number of current actives, providing stability and making the chapter finances much easier to manage. In addition to general repairs (asbestos abatement, new paint, updated electrical service, floor/ceiling tile replacement), the renovation and recruitment milestones which RPI has committed to are as follows:
Phase 1 (12 actives recruited to occupy Fall 2025)
Renovations completed for Upper Sunny rooms (1-7), upper deck
head, all common areas (Party Room, Dining Room, Spud Pit, etc.)
Phase 2 (8 additional actives recruited for Fall 2026)
Renovations completed for Upper Dark rooms (1-5)
Phase 3 (12 additional actives recruited for Fall 2027)
Renovations completed for Lower Sunny rooms (1-7), lower deck head
Phase 4 (8 additional actives recruited for Fall 2028)
Renovations completed for Lower Dark rooms (1-4), weight room
As part of the recruitment plan, National is fully invested in our revitalization efforts. Chapter consultants are already visiting RPI before and during the Fall semester to host events and roll out a modest scholarship to RPI students as a way to identify prospective members with strong academics, leadership skills, and a penchant for community-building before official recruitment starts in the Spring. The calendar for recruitment in Spring 2025 RPI Rush is being finalized and will include Upsilon alumni at social events. RPI recently put in place a policy whereby only one chapter can be revitalized per year, which prevents chapters from competing with one another. Under this policy two chapters have successfully returned to campus over the past 2 years, each bringing in 15 actives during their first round of recruitment. Our chapter is recognized by RPI as the sole revitalization effort for the upcoming academic year.
The Upsilon Chapter House Corporation will maintain a reserve fund for future Shelter maintenance needs. The Bylaws were recently updated to conduct virtual officer elections (Fall ’24). House Corp. needs new volunteers as several longtime officers are stepping down. With the UAA taking on several responsibilities (fundraising, communications, etc.), the load of responsibilities for future House Corp. officers will be lighter going forward. The main task will be continuing to implement the renovation and recruitment plans which have already been set in motion.
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Brett Farbstein (Smelt '94) & Jeff Andtriz (Fluke '03)
