Fraternity House

Pikappdude · #1 05-22-2009, 12:15 AM

Hey Greek Chat community,

I'm a new member of Pi Kappa Phi at my university. I'm here to ask for some advice about getting a house. My university has a Greek village of sorts. Currently several of the fraternity are looking to move out of their current houses by building new ones. Their current homes, according to the campus master plan, are slated to be demolished; the university has yet to set a timetable for this to happen. From what I know, two of the fraternities in question, FarmHouse and Kappa Sigma, have capital improvement plans in place and are raising money for their new homes, without university financial support.

My chapter is currently rechartering, and as such we have a small alumni base. We also do not currently have a chapter house and we are meeting in a classroom on campus. My question is, are there any of you on here who have gone through this and if so, what advice would you give to getting a house. I can offer more details when questions are asked.

Thank you so much guys (and girls) !

knight_shadow · #2 05-22-2009, 12:27 AM

Lane swerving here, but doesn't Pi Kapp have a housing corporation? You probably want to contact someone within your organization to figure out the procedure.

Zillini · #3 05-22-2009, 08:39 AM

Building a house is big bucks. I don't know about your particular org, but most I/natls have an officer and/or committee who specifically oversee housing. Either the chapter or your House Corp (if you have one) should contact your I/natl to investigate. I/natl's can help with fundraising ideas and by reaching out to alums, not just those from your own chapter. They sometimes can help secure a loan/mortgage. They may have connections to contractors, architects, builders, etc that can help keep costs down.

Kevin · #4 05-22-2009, 09:20 AM

If you don't have a house corp, get one formed ASAP. Get an alum-lawyer to take point on this.

sdeason1 · #5 05-22-2009, 12:49 PM

Since you are rechartering with I imagine a small membership base and a small alumni group, I would suggest trying to find a house to rent that is not overly expensive. If some of the glos are moving maybe you can get a good rental deal from them or the houses sit empty and gets no revenue at all. As some others said earlier, get a house corporation at least set up and in place. A lot of difference would be in the size of your campus and number of greek organizations. I do not know of any glo nationals that have money in place to build new houses. I wish you the best of luck as being without a house can be a hinderence depending on your school.

Pikappdude · #6 05-22-2009, 03:54 PM

Knight Shadow, yes Pikapp does have a housing corp. We haven't talked to them, we've been busy getting everything up and running. That's why I've come to you guys for some advice. I/we don't know what to do.

Zillini, thanks. I guess we should start talking about it and talk to our adviser.

Kevin, I'm not sure if we have an alumnus who is a lawyer. We currently don't have a list of alumni, Nationals wont give it to us yet.

Sdeason1, our current membership is 40. As I said above I'm not sure how big our alumni base is, but I imagine it isn't too big. We have met two of the alumni though. Many of us have wondered if the reason for the demise of the previous chapter was the lack of a house. I'm at an rather large school, something around 23 IFC fraternities.

sooner~born · #7 05-27-2009, 12:14 PM

The two alums that you have met will have contacts, but I believe you will need a lawyer.

My husband is a Pi Kapp, and his old chapter is in the process of trying to get a new house built. I don't think it's a quick deal as we've been hearing about and sending money to support for a couple of years now. = )

sdeason1 · #8 05-27-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikappdude

Knight Shadow, yes Pikapp does have a housing corp. We haven't talked to them, we've been busy getting everything up and running. That's why I've come to you guys for some advice. I/we don't know what to do.

What do you mean you have a house corporation? Is it a national one as you do not have a local one yet, correct?

Zillini, thanks. I guess we should start talking about it and talk to our adviser.

Who is your adviser? From hq, school or an alum?

Kevin, I'm not sure if we have an alumnus who is a lawyer. We currently don't have a list of alumni, Nationals wont give it to us yet.

It would actually not ahve to be an alum, but I would assume you could find one when you get ready to set up a house corporation.

Sdeason1, our current membership is 40. As I said above I'm not sure how big our alumni base is, but I imagine it isn't too big. We have met two of the alumni though. Many of us have wondered if the reason for the demise of the previous chapter was the lack of a house. I'm at an rather large school, something around 23 IFC fraternities.

With a membership of 40, while at a large school, it is still viable for growth. I wonder mostly why your hq will not give you a listing of alums? I find this odd and if I were you, I would get them on the phone and ask why.
After all, you are trying to rebuild your chapter and they of all people should be the biggest backers for you. You said you are in contact with at least two alums, they can get in touch with others who can be brought back into the fold. As an interfraternal brother I want to wish you all the best and please feel free to pm me so we can talk about this in more depth.