Live-in requirements?

[SkullandHeart]

Originally Posted by ISUmatt

We have capacity for 32 in our house, and minus our 5 exec board, that leaves room for 27. Even though over the last 3 semesters we have rushed about 100 guys total, we had an issue with signing leases for next year. One of the problems was rushing a lot of older guys that already have signed leases for their junior year next year. We have a system in place to decide who has to live in first and we put it to use for the first time in a long time. Long story short, we're still down 5 leases but worked something out in order to put off filling the remaining leases until spring rush.

If you have a 100+ member house, you more than likely have pledge classes in the 20-30s (if not more). Also, with such a number of brothers, no one wants to live in?

Working out something with the owners of the place is a short term answer, unless other changes are made in regard to requiring new members to live in (and telling them this before they join) and making the house more attractive to live in. If all you use the house to is party in, and less of an actual home...it will be less attractive to live in. Start by making small house improvements and work from there. People will see the house improving and want to live in (i swear we had the same problem and now people are trying to get our of their leases).

Create a list of things that people want/need that goes w/ house improvments. Divide them into drinking related things (IE nicer party area, new stripper poll, bar, etc) and non drinking related things (common room, new fridges, study room, etc)

After that list them into the cost that they would take to get done, this summer talk to your alumni board and have a professional looking proposal with what you'd like to get done (one major, 2 minor things).

Send out a massive email to alumni w/ all your accomplishments and things the chapter is doing. Than explain how the house is substandard compared to other things your achieving. Possibly have alumni day earlier next year so that they donate funds earlier.

We had the exact same problems, and this is a long term solution and is so far working amazing for us. We started doing a major project once a year. We now have a brand new chapter room, and new common room (w/ flat screen), a study room (5 desks, table, and computer), and will have a kitchen w/ cook this summer.

I'm also part of and an ISU chapter and am familiar w/ your guy's situation....I think it's exactly the problem we were having about 4 years ago. We were broke as fuck, and got all of this accomplished...it just takes some time and organization. It will help w/ not only that, but will help w/ retention and getting people to live in.