Many aspects of fraternity life are the same as they’ve been for many years. Some members complain a lot but don’t pay their house bill on time, some never have a date for parties and some have good GPAs but are never seen studying. With 82 members currently and space for 42 in the house the chapter can afford a gardener and a cleaning service. House bills for live in doubles are $650.00/month and $200.00 for live outs. Junior actives, senior live outs, the president and treasurer get a break on house bills. The total billing of $31,375.00/month enables the Building Association to charge the chapter $7,000.00/month for rent.
One thing that has really changed is the use of computers in communication, chapter billing and reporting to headquarters. The chapter maintains a web site for announcements. An outside financial services firm does the billing. Many of the members’ parents are billed directly which really helps with collections. Officers can report to fraternity headquarters online and these reports are forwarded to me for review. This eliminates excuses about not having the proper paper form to fill out and mail.
The conversion of the old study area in what was originally the garage into a fully equipped gym is very popular with members. Every time I go to the house there are a number of people using the exercise machines and weights. The use of the dungeon as a study area makes use of house areas that were under used in the past.
One of the brightest areas of member achievement is their house GPA average. It usually runs about 3.25 and is second among fraternities. It’s also higher than the all men’s average. This is a good recruiting tool especially among parents. House officers are among the best trained on the row. I run a new officers workshop each year and the president along with the treasurer are sent to a mid year leadership course in St. Louis run by the Educational Foundation. There is also training provided at Sigma Pi University during the summer of odd numbered years and at Convocations in even numbered years. The university’s Office of Fraternity and Sorority Relations has a leadership session late each January to which the chapter sends a couple of new officers. While there are always areas of improvement needed you can be assured your fraternity is one if not the top house among fraternities at UCLA.