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State of the Chapter (April 2003)
Dear Brothers:
I have GREAT news to report! Both ATO National and UGA have given their okay to our return to campus this fall (2003), thus clearing the path in our journey to become an active chapter again. This progress would not be possible without the hard work of many alumni, in particular the willing support of the local Athens area alumni. My personal thanks to everyone involved.
Reprinted within this newsletter is a letter from the CEO of ATO National, Wynn Smiley, which outlines the re-colonization process and covers some of the ground rules the Alpha Beta Chapter must abide by. The most significant of these requirements is that we will be an alcohol-/substance-free house. This does not mean we will be a fraternity of teetotalers, but the house must remain free of the like. Every re-colonized and new ATO chapter since 1998 has had to return under these guidelines. This also holds true for many other fraternities and universities across the country.
A logical question is, “How have these chapters faired?” They have thrived! Among this group, 30 percent earned True Merit honors compared to 8 percent for the other chapters, and there have been zero “risk management” violations reported. For example, The University of Alabama ATO Chapter (similar culture and demographics as UGA) was re-colonized in 1999, and today, they are 40 members strong, had the highest GPA of all fraternities on campus (3.50) and had five members of the 12 Capstone Representatives (the top men’s honorary society at Alabama). They were the first substance-free fraternity on campus. Alabama, along with the ATOs at Emory and Mercer, are examples of re-colonized chapters working well, and we have great confidence that we can replicate their success at UGA.
Currently, there are two substance-free houses at UGA, Phi Delta Theta being the first. I know of one other fraternity that has just been allowed back onto campus, and they are to also be substance-free. This is the direction that many schools are heading toward, and we will be ahead of the curve. Today’s UGA student is a different breed from our days on campus. They are more serious about their studies and future careers, but they still want to have fun and enjoy their collegiate experience. The average high school GPA and SAT score for the 2002 freshman class was 3.64 GPA and 1225 SAT, respectively. Our job as Alpha Beta alumni is to adjust our model of the past and provide an environment that is supportive of today’s student and additive to their overall experience in Athens and life beyond.
Regarding a new house, ATO National’s preference is that we not be encumbered with a house during the first year of our return. We have agreed to follow this recommendation; however, we will remain diligent in keeping our eyes open for good real estate options. It is simply not a requirement for our return this fall, but it is no doubt an important component in the future livelihood of the chapter. There is an alumni committee presently looking to obtain a suitable site to relocate the “caboose” from 130 River Road so that alumni will have a meeting place in the Athens area for football games.
Lastly, thanks to all of the alumni who have supported the Seed Fund, Alpha Beta Lives, Inc., which is critical to our re-colonization and future housing needs. We cannot re-colonize without money, and your financial support is extremely important to our long-term success. Currently, there is over $65,000 contributed and pledged to the fund, but our goal remains at $500,000 ($2,500 from 200 alumni). Your donations should be sent to:
Alpha Beta Lives, Inc.
P.O. Box 586
Alpharetta, GA 30009-0586