If your chapter is on a campus where fraternity-owned facilities exist, then it only makes sense to strive to see that Sig Tau is one of the housed fraternities on campus. There are many fortunate chapters who, thanks to the foresight of their leaders many years ago, have the most ideal location, have an architecturally pleasing edifice of distinction, or have a residence of an imposing nature that has ensured the success of that chapter for many years. One needs more than a nice structure to be a successful fraternity, but there is no question that the physical facility has helped many a chapter through "rough times" and made the difference between good and very good during other times.

As a chapter leader, you have the opportunity to greatly enhance the likelihood of your chapter's well-being for many years to come by your decisions in this process toward better chapter housing. As in the Boy Scouts, the most basic rule for success in upgrading your chapter's housing is, "be prepared." The following illustration provides a good example.

Fraternity "A" currently has 39 members, having ranged from a low of 21 to a high of 45 during the past five years. We know they exist because they are listed in the college directory, and we understand it is a good national fraternity; however, little is typically heard of them in the campus community. Their financial records are adequate, although not very professional looking, and their major creditor, a food vendor, says they are often slow to pay. They have an alumni housing corporation, but it does not appear to be very active. The fraternity wants to grow and wishes to purchase a former sorority house that will accommodate 50 members because the sorority is moving into a new 80-member house they are building right across the street.

Fraternity "B" has 68 members, having grown steadily from 41 members four years ago. They have good name recognition in the campus community because of their many activities (including a charity fund raiser done with the very bank they have contacted for financing). Their financial records are computerized, and they have shown a profit for each of the past three years. They adopted the new alumni chapter concept two years ago, and they now have an active group of alumni involved with the fraternity's programs. This fraternity also wants to upgrade by purchasing the same sorority house.

Which fraternity will be residing in a 50-man colonial home with columns, right across the street from the best sorority on campus? Which fraternity will be living in obscurity on the side street in a former rooming house with a leaking roof and a leaning front porch? Which fraternity does your chapter more closely resemble?

"We can't grow until we have a better facility," say the undergraduates. "You can't keep current with bills on the present house, how can we purchase one twice as nice?" answer the alumni. Unlike the old chicken-and-egg question, there is little argument about which comes first. In this case, your banker will answer the question for you. You simply cannot buy, build, or improve a fraternity house unless you have the size, strength, quality, and sophistication to handle the increased financial responsibility.

It does not matter whether you are going to try to raise the money from your alumni or go to a lending institution to borrow it. Three areas must be in order if you expect any degree of success. You must have the size first to fit the new house--you cannot "grow into it" and survive financially. The alumni board must be solid and competent. The chapter's "public image" is equally critical.

Here is an outline of what must be accomplished before you can expect to attain better chapter housing:

1. Develop a thorough marketing plan because recruitment and growth must be your highest priority until the desired size and strength are reached.
   1. To emphasize that goal and to motivate your fellow members, display a huge graph (such as the thermometer used in community fund drives) marking the addition of each new man pledged, edging ever closer to the necessary number.
   2. Challenge each member to bring in another man as his personal share of the drive toward new or better housing.
   3. Contact Headquarters, other chapters, and the local IFC office for every piece of information available on recruitment--and put it to good use.
2. See that your alumni are organized into an alumni chapter as outlined in the Fraternity's Volunteers Guide.
   1. Stop now and read the Volunteers Guide before proceeding any further with your building plans.
   2. Be certain that the officers and directors of the new alumni corporation represent a diversity of all age groups, a variety of professions, and definitely include alumni from other Sigma Tau Gamma chapters who reside in the local area.
   3. Identify successful alumni, and, if they are not already involved with the alumni chapter, make sure that they are kept informed of the chapter's positive progress.
3. Undertake an extensive public relations campaign for both the campus community and your alumni.
   1. Identify a small number of "high profile" activities where you can excel and emphasize them.
   2. See that your alumni are well-informed of these activities through a chapter newsletter, local newspapers, various university publications, etc.

Your mission: To make sure that your Sigma Tau Gamma chapter exemplifies the qualities that alumni respect and support and to develop a track record of campus activities and financial success that others will want to invest in your cause. The following sections provide a step-by-step process toward attaining first-class housing for your chapter, complete with alternatives that may best fit your situation.

Do you have a Competitive House? One of your chief responsibilities as an alumni corporation is to watch over and protect your chapter's real estate. This represents the major, if not entire, asset of most chapters. It is not only imperative that the property is maintained prudently, but that wise business decisions are made which further enhance that investment.

When was the last time your board made an assessment to determine how competitive your facility is versus that of other fraternities on campus? Many strong chapters have been "left behind" the competition because they assumed that they maintained a property which was adequate, only to discover major improvements done by other fraternities for their facilities. Normally, it takes two to three years to "catch up" if no pre-planning has been done.

Once each year, a committee of alumni and undergraduates should be charged with submitting a written report on the status of the facility. Members should actually walk through the homes of the major groups on campus to objectively determine if we compete. Contact should be made with other fraternity alumni officers and university officials to determine what trends or plans are being considered. Specific recommendations should be made as a result of the information obtained.

The Fraternity's standard is that the alumni board saves 3% annually of the value of the property. This is in addition to funds required for annual maintenance. Unlike a private residence which is an "investment" of its owners, a fraternity home may serve as a Sigma Tau Gamma home for many lifetimes. This long-term use requires considerable funds for regular maintenance. Compounding this is that a fraternity house requires special and additional maintenance. Certainly, while the loan the Fraternity has may be 20 years in length, the problem is the Fraternity will likely require extensive renovation before the 20-year term of the loan is complete. Much of the original principal of the note remains unpaid, and unless the alumni board has significant savings, needed repairs may not be completed due to lack of funds. So, savings are the only answer...the only answer!

Acquiring Your First Home First-time home buyers often must resort to innovative ideas for making that initial purchase. This is all but a necessity for a young chapter. No down payment and no "track record" are virtual guarantees for a "not welcomed" sign at most lending institutions. However, this should not discourage you from having ambitious housing plans. Your "buying power" is much greater than you probably realized. Anyone who represents 60 or more men who seek campus living accommodations is negotiating with considerable financial force. Not many real estate developers or owners have 60 or more potential buyers at their door at one time. Use that power effectively.

Any chapter house property, whether leased or purchased, should be done in the name of your alumni board. As your chapter grows and takes on a housing responsibility, the role and needs of the alumni board also change. Make sure that you have alumni board members who have a background in real estate, accounting, and financing. If the board does not currently have that talent, recruit these men before you proceed with your housing plans. They will prove invaluable.

It will probably be wise for you to consider leasing, rather than buying, your first chapter residence. There are several good reasons for this, the most important of which is that it will be much easier to do the new obligations and responsibilities of first-time chapter house occupancy are also much greater than most new groups anticipate. They must be kept to a minimum so they do not distract from the other things a growing new chapter must accomplish.

Since the first-time chapter house is typically an older and, hopefully, temporary residence, you do not want to saddle yourself with a property that requires heavy maintenance, eats up your hoped-for savings, and ultimately becomes an overwhelming burden. Be sure the responsibility of maintenance remains with the property owner. Relatively short-term commitments for the first property will give you much greater flexibility to take advantage of improved housing opportunities as they arise.

Before you lease or purchase a property, be certain that the facility can be legally used as a fraternity house. Insist upon written proof from the city council and/or local zoning entity. Compliance with the fire and other safety codes are increasingly problematic, especially with older structures. Confirm with the college or university if they have standards or regulations which the facility must also meet. Sometimes in the euphoria for that first chapter house these important details are forgotten.

If the time has arrived when you feel that the chapter is prepared to purchase a facility, you will most likely need more than the amount of money a typical lending institution will loan on the property. Normal chapter house mortgages are 60% to 75% of the value of the property, depending upon the piece of real estate, the strength and age of the chapter, etc. It is unlikely that you have acquired that amount of savings yet. Therefore, you will need what is known in the real estate industry as "secondary financing" or "seller financing" to acquire the chapter house.

The most straight forward method is to convince the seller to be your banker. This is done in the form of a "lease/option" or a "contract for deed." Simply stated, this entitles you to the right of immediate occupancy and use of the property as if you owned it, with the obligation to make full payment (via your saving and a conventional loan) at a date two, five or more years later, at which time you will actually take deed to the property. This is not an unattractive method to the seller because there are tax advantages for him, and he often does not need his cash equity at the time of the contract.

If the seller will not provide full financing, perhaps he can be persuaded to fill the void between your down payment and a first mortgage obtained from a lending institution. Another alternative is a second mortgage from an alumnus, the National Housing Corporation, or even from college or university funds. Beware, however, that you can often borrow more on a piece of real estate than what you can safely obligate yourself for as an annual repayment schedule.

Sit down first and determine the maximum annual payments the chapter can make and tailor any financing package to that schedule. Do not budge from that figure no matter how enticing the proposition looks. The destiny of your chapter and future brothers rides on the document you are about to sign. Do not let them down.

Before you approach anyone for financing (bank, seller, alumnus, etc.) first read the section entitled "Dealing With a Lending Institution." Follow this advice closely because you are a "high risk" borrower and you will need every assistance you can find.

The easiest way to achieve competitive chapter housing quickly is by maintaining a large and "high profile" membership. More than one chapter has obtained new or highly sought-after properties because they were a robust group at an opportune time. Two chapters, in recent years, were approached by local lending institutions which had repossessed houses from failing fraternities and offered the facility at a bargain price with below market rate financing. Fortunately, both chapters were in a strong position to act and both are now among the campus leaders today, despite their relatively late start. You must see that your chapter is in a position to take advantage of any opportunity which arises on your campus.

Wise real estate investors realize that the best properties are often sold before widespread public knowledge of their availability. Do not wait for real estate signs to be posted before you act. Seek out the assistance of local real estate dealers, talk to college or university real estate departments, ask for help from alumni, and do not hesitate to knock on doors if you seek a property in a specific area. Find out if any other fraternities or sororities have move-up plans, which will make an existing facility available.

Despite the disadvantages of little cash and a young chapter, real estate opportunities abound. The more attractive you make your chapter to a seller, lender, or investor, the better your initial chapter housing can be.

Whether to Build or to Renovate Your current chapter house is too small and outdated. How do you determine whether to renovate and expand the existing one, or build an all new structure? That is a decision facing many of our older chapters.

List the "pros and cons" in a logical manner. In most cases the decision becomes surprisingly easy. Here are some factors to consider:

1. Structurally, is the house worth the substantial investment for renovation? Current trends are leaning more to working with existing structures rather than abandoning them. However, there is no point in investing thousands of dollars in a facility that is no longer functional or has significant code improvements to address.
2. Is there enough space to expand and still have adequate yard and parking? How will the finished building appear in relationship with its neighbors? Will the investment actually improve the appearance of the house?
3. Is there a new location which would enhance the status of the chapter? In which direction is the trend for other leading fraternities and sororities? At which location are you neighbors with the most prestigious fraternities and sororities?
4. Has an architect or contractor actually done preliminary estimating work to determine that the figures you are using are accurate for the two alternatives? Have factors such as new zoning requirements, life safety requirements, and university requirements been considered?
5. How much valuable history and sentiment are tied to the existing structure? If it is considerable, what are you gaining to offset this nostalgia?
6. Is there any tax or financing advantage related to either new construction or renovation? How much will that affect what you can build?
7. Will a renovation offer the function and flexibility possible with new construction, or will you be sacrificing good planning to stay where you are?
8. If the existing building possesses a great deal of charm and character, will you be able to capture that same feeling in the new structure?
9. Do not overlook the possibility of purchasing a recently constructed house from an existing fraternity or sorority. Sometimes a group exists which needs less capacity because of their peculiar circumstance and would be interested in "trading" houses. Discretely inquire around for that possibility.

Within the real estate profession it is said that the three most important criteria for selecting a piece of property are location, location, and location. There is absolutely no reason for you to waiver from this advice in your fraternity real estate endeavor.

A choice location can often overcome other disadvantages. Being at Number One Fraternity Row, "the closest fraternity to campus," or a large and widely visible site is hard to beat and it will certainly be helpful during rush.

Don't race out and purchase that "perfect site" without first doing your homework. Sometimes the real reason the site is available is not so obvious. Find out what the university plans in the way of expansion. In which direction do the other fraternities and sororities appear to be headed? Have you talked to any other groups about their plans? What about zoning? Drainage and utilities? Is it even permissible to build a fraternity house on the site? What about parking requirements? What plan does the city have for the area?

Make sure you have researched the site well and that the site selection committee includes both alumni experienced in real estate, as well as undergraduates.

Since most properties are at a premium price in today's college communities, finding a site large enough often presents a dilemma. It would be wise to ask an architect to look at the site with you to determine if he can design a building large enough to accommodate your needs, plus meet the required parking, setbacks, other easements, etc. How will it relate to the buildings on either side? Nothing is worse than to be stuck with a site that will not meet your long term needs or a new fraternity house squeezed into a site too small.

In some cases, if several fraternities and sororities are all seeking property for new homes, it is possible to purchase a larger site to subdivide, or to work with a real estate developer, or possibly the college or university. This may enable you to acquire a larger site at a lower cost. In such circumstances, it is vital that all partners (including the developer) are of adequate financial strength and are of one accord to follow through with the purchase and development.

There is also a limit as to how "choice" your land purchase can afford to be. Review the total budget of what you can safely support financially with undergraduate payments and determine what is the maximum amount of that to be set aside for land versus "bricks and mortar." If your land purchase is too expensive, you may find that the cost of building is beyond your means or that the actual construction will be delayed for several years.

Unfortunately, there is no rule of thumb for land costs that will be applicable on a typical campus. The site for a new chapter house at an urban university such as Minnesota or Ohio State will be much smaller and more expensive than at small town campuses such as Kansas State or Western Illinois, as an example. Assume one thing: If the university is anticipating continued growth (which is not always the case, check that out first), the best locations will only become more expensive. Buy now, not later. You can almost surely sell at a profit if your plans change or if they become too expensive.

You and your committee are making the most important investment your chapter has ever made. You must be certain that you are using prudent judgement in spending your brothers' dollars.

An Architect is a Necessity You must engage the services of an architect to build or renovate a fraternity house. It is a requirement in most communities, and your lender will likely insist upon it. For the financial investment that you are about to make, it would be foolish dealing with anyone but a competent and trained professional.

Where to go and whom to select? The giant firms in a huge city are not normally a good choice, even though they may have the most acclaimed record. A fraternity house is not large enough to warrant their close attention. (Unless, of course, you have an insider who will personally handle the design and supervision.) A one-man firm fits your need only if the principal is local and has designed several other fraternity and sorority houses.

Your best source is a small to medium size firm. You need a firm small enough for personal attention and a local one for supervision, knowledge of local contractors and regulations. An absolute must is a firm which has designed other similar fraternity facilities. You can then discuss the architect's services with former clients, and you will have an opportunity to judge his design ability. Preferably, the designer himself should be a fraternity man so that he can better understand your needs.

What about a member/architect? Yes, by all means--if he is qualified. Your building committee should draft the criteria the architect must meet (experience, locale, etc.) to judge each candidate by. If, for any reason, your member/architect is not given the assignment then your committee has written guidelines for making its decision. These same guidelines are also valuable later after building has begun, or is completed. Everyone, it seems, becomes an amateur architect or sidewalk superintendent for a fraternity house.

In engaging the architect, as with any professional, get in writing exactly what service is to be rendered, at what specific cost and the time period involved. An architect can be a designer only, or he can supervise the bidding process through completion. A design could be completed within a few weeks if it got full-time attention, or it could take a year or more if the firm is busy with other clients. Depending upon the qualifications of your building committee, determine exactly what services you require and when you need them, and make sure the architect is in agreement with this arrangement.

You have located the best site possible, it is equally critical to find the best architect to design the house upon it. For better or for worse, the building design he executes will be the chapter's home for the next several decades.

The National Housing Corporation can provide you guidance when selecting an architect, and perhaps of greater value, it will review your plans and suggest specifications appropriate for a fraternity house. The National Housing Corporation has been involved in the construction of numberless fraternity houses, so use the resource.

What Style Architecture...Don't be too Creative! The design and style of a fraternity house is a very subjective matter. Without imposing any architectural style or design opinions on your committee, the following are guidelines which are worthy of your consideration:

1. Architectural styles, like other creative design work, can often be "trendy." You are building a structure to last many years, and its architectural design should look just as good in twenty years as it does today. Avoid the design cliché's or architectural "tricks" that are often imposed upon a structure to cover other design shortcomings.
2. Some styles are more fitting to your community than are others--Early American looks just as out of place in New Mexico as adobe does in Connecticut. Because of the uniform architecture of a university or a community, one particular style may be more appropriate than another.
3. The structure should look like a fraternity house. Historically, some architectural styles have become much more closely associated with a fraternity house than others, such as Colonial (with or without columns) or English Tudor. Most people think of fraternity structures as masculine, sturdy, stately, and somewhat mysterious. Glass houses, by contrast, aren't what we normally expect a fraternity house to be.
4. In recent years, contemporary architecture, rather than period or traditional styles, is first thought of for fraternity construction. The reasons are two-fold: Normally it is less expensive to build, and the architect has more freedom for his own design and taste. A disadvantage is that it is much more difficult for a designer to give such a facility the warmth and character necessary in a fraternity house, as well as the lasting design that you will want.
5. Whatever the style, a fraternity house needs character. If the house you erect has no more interest or warmth than the local dormitories or apartment complexes, then you have failed in your mission to aid your chapter.
6. If you are renovating an existing facility, your architect should be challenged to respect the style and design of the original building. The addition should enhance the property, and the renovation should be an improvement to your real estate investment. Too often, expansions or renovations appear as "after thoughts" and destroy the quality of the original design.

What to Look for in Design The design of a fraternity house could fill a book, can bring about many heated arguments and will vary drastically from campus to campus. Neither you nor your architect should enter this venture with pre-conceived ideas. However, Headquarters can provide you proven models for fraternity home design.

The basic research steps are:

1. What is the optimum size for a fraternity house on your campus? What is the house capacity of the leading fraternities, and will your budget enable you to build one of this capacity? Is the prognosis of the foreseeable future for larger, smaller, or same size houses?
2. Arrange for your building committee and the architect to take a tour of those fraternity and sorority houses which appear to be the best designed and most like what you hope to erect. It pays to know the competition--what works, what does not, their future plans, etc.
3. Quiz the Headquarters staff about which SigTau chapter houses they feel function best. Either visit those chapters or obtain information from them.
4. Be certain that during the research process you are communicating with the architect so that your developing ideas and your budget are compatible. You do not want to purchase plans for a perfect fraternity house that no one can afford.

Some specific areas for your consideration are:

1. As a rule, there are two distinctively different operations taking place within a fraternity house. It is a residence for live-in members and it is a social center for members and their guests. Normally, it is preferable to physically separate these two as much as possible so that both can function simultaneously.
2. Research for requirements in the public or social areas is just as important as establishing the live-in capacity. Before the plans are completed, in your imagination run several different events that normally take place during the year to see that they function properly. If possible, create public areas which can function for more than one use.
3. The size and shape of the residents' rooms vary dramatically throughout the country. We have brothers who live in two-room suites, rooms with lofts; two-man, four-man, and six-man rooms; clusters around baths; sleeping dorms; or 8' x 12' cubicles, just as a sampling. None of the above have yet been identified as "perfect." Some obviously are far more luxurious and expensive than others. In general, the less men per room, the more satisfied the occupants tend to be; however, single-man rooms are trouble.
4. In an attempt to make some fraternity structures more desirable to the mortgage lenders, a few chapter houses have been designed more like an apartment building or other alternative uses. Sometimes this is the only solution to a difficult housing problem; however, we strongly discourage such designs.
5. As chapter houses grow larger, more care should be taken to avoid the institutional look of a college dormitory. As an example, sometimes the sample technique of putting a jog in a long corridor helps to solve the problem. Constantly emphasize to the architect the importance of intimate human scale in your fraternity structure.
6. Traditions that surround the present physical structure can be lost simply as a result of the arrangement of space in the new chapter property. It is necessary to consider in advance these traditions that are worthy of special care to maintain, and what should be jettisoned as excess baggage as part of the momentum and enthusiasm for the new chapter.
7. If meals are to be served in the chapter house, the kitchen becomes one of the most critical features of the building. A good functioning dining operation can make or break budget. Be sure that the kitchen is workable (not all architects are experts in the kitchen). Do not hesitate to ask for outside help, but be equally cautious not to "over design" the space based upon the recommendation of a Four Star chef.
8. If your advance planning is detailed and careful, it should be adequate for 20 or more years; however, do not assume that conditions never change. Positioning of the building on the lot to permit future expansion, and design of the structure with that in mind, has saved countless thousands of dollars later for some wise corporation planners.
9. Finally, your selection of interior furnishing and finish are something future house managers with either curse you or praise you for. Remember that this is a facility which will receive the hard wear and tear of enthusiastic college youth. At the same time, keep in mind that you are erecting neither a prison nor an institutional dormitory. There are some materials that are far more durable than others which still have a feeling of warmth and attractiveness. You need professional guidance in interior design. There are always too many brothers, mothers, and wives who are "would be" interior design experts. You not only need the "real thing," but you need someone who is more attuned to commercial design than single home design.

Emphasis on the development of new and superior programs for the new facility, higher standards of cleanliness and maintenance, and expanded recruitment efforts all need to be discussed and developed over a period of months before actual occupancy. This will prepare the chapter for the shock of moving into a new or much larger chapter house.

It would be wise to have the alumni chapter outline a specific written guideline for care and maintenance of the new facility. This would include a job description for the house manager and any other individuals or services to be employed to care for the property. Specific rules of what can and cannot be done within the student rooms should be developed by a joint committee of undergraduates and alumni. Sloppy maintenance and careless upkeep habits of the past will carry over into the new facility if stringent steps are not taken from the beginning. Because of the increased size and value of the property, consideration may be given to use of more professional help in the future.

Too often, chapters purchase furniture, dishes, drapes, and carpet as if they were buying for their own home. No private residence endures the wear and tear of a fraternity house. You should think of yourself as a hotel when buying these necessities. Ease of maintenance is important too.

The alumni board's responsibilities do not cease when the facility is completed. The relief of the completed building and the disappearance of the alumni leaders have been a major factor for the downfall of many chapters with new residences. If the current alumni leadership is exhausted, recruit new alumni (possibly with different and more needed talents) to assume leadership.

A new house is the first step. The second step is managing it.

Finding the Money to Build the House Now that you know what is necessary to select a good site, design, and build the best house possible, you must address the more difficult part of the problem. How does the chapter pay for it?

Even before your building committee is organized to make the decisions previously discussed, your chapter should form a finance committee. Any finance committee should definitely include an accountant and either a banker or someone active in real estate development/finance, or both if you have men in each field. Businessmen who are accustomed to balancing budgets and dealing with lending institutions are also good assets. The undergraduate controller needs to be included on the committee, as he is the important link to ensure that the alumni are not obligating future undergraduate members to fees they are unwilling to pay.

This selection will deal with several ways in which a fraternity or sorority house can be financed--ranging from methods to accumulate a building fund, raising money from alumni, to borrowing money the conventional way, and more exotic means if no other methods are possible.

However, stop now and reread the introductory chapter of this manual. If you have not yet established the three steps outlined to prepare your chapter for this undertaking, you need to put all building ideas on "hold" until you are, in fact, ready. Otherwise, your success will be minimal and disappointment great.

Assuming that your chapter has accomplished the basics and is prepared for this project, the methods for securing funds are described in the order of their desirability.

Accumulating a Building Fund Surprising to many fraternity alumni leaders, student housing can be very profitable. Sororities and owners of private student dormitories are proving it every year. Unfortunately, most fraternity alumni corporation leaders approach their role more as a charity than as a real estate investor of their brothers' dollars.

There are a few fortunate fraternity chapters which have been so well managed that they not only have sizable homes with little debt, but they also have several hundred thousand dollars in reserve. There is absolutely no reason why your chapter cannot accomplish that same financial security. The time to begin is now.

Alumni boards need to educate themselves more completely regarding the financial ramifications of repairs and replacement projects that will be likely during the next ten or more years. A specific phased plan for replacement or renovation should be established for each chapter house operation. A professional, or a member of the board, can make that assessment and update it annually. The operational budget for each year should reflect these needed funds. Unfortunately, many boards establish a rental rate that covers only the base costs. In effect, that chapter is being subsidized by generations of members before them who initially paid for the house.

It is also important that the corporation become more familiar with the range of options available to students in other forms of housing on campus, and what it costs to live in those facilities. Many chapters are offering student housing at rates far below the campus norm. The old argument of low rates to help in recruitment is simply not true. On a typical campus, the largest and most successful groups have the highest room rent (which, incidentally, enables them to offer the best facility and one reason for their success!).

Among the responsibilities of an alumni board is assistance to the undergraduate controller and wise financial counsel to the chapter. While it is important for undergraduates to "learn from the experience," too many alumni groups have taken a "hands-off" attitude when it comes to undergraduate finances. This is not a "pass/fail" situation. More will be learned by the undergraduate members with close guidance by experienced or professionally trained alumni than by allowing them to falter and fail. There is no reason for an undergraduate chapter not to show a financial surplus at the end of the school year. There is every reason for pledging than surplus to the future building or renovation of a chapter house.

The most successful fraternity chapters have proficient annual giving programs. Each brother, upon leaving school, is quickly attuned to his financial responsibility as an alumnus. The most successful capital gifts campaigns have been conducted by chapters with good annual giving programs. These are funds that would not otherwise be available to the chapter. They should not be used for the regular maintenance of the chapter house or for programs which should be undertaken otherwise. Rather, these funds should be used for "enhancement" programs and set aside for future development or expansion of the chapter house.

The easiest method to guarantee high quality housing for your chapter, then, is in your everyday, year in and year out, management methods. There are three good sources for income on an annual basis.

1. Include a reserve fund for replacement and future construction in the annual rent charged to the undergraduate chapter. The minimum amount should be $300 annually for each resident. Some chapters charge a percentage of the value of property, typically 3%. This would relate to an annual resource of $5,000 to $25,000 for a typical chapter.
2. Closely supervise the undergraduate finances to assure a profit in their operation. A typical chapter should have the ability to save and contribute at least another $2,000 to $5,000 annually to the building fund.
3. Establish an alumni annual giving program. Using proven methods enjoyed by many other SigTau chapters, your chapter can anticipate a good response with increased success each year from such a program. Depending upon the size and age of your group, this represents another $1,500 to $20,000 in income to your alumni board each and every year.

Raising Money from Alumni Through good management, you have accumulated funds for future building, but costs to bring your chapter's housing up to the standards of the other major groups on campus far exceed your assets. Where should you turn for the funds? Your existing equity could enable you to easily borrow substantial funds, but your prudent judgement discourages you from saddling future brothers with such a large debt.

The alumni of your chapter, properly nurtured, represent the potential for raising substantial funds. Many fraternity chapters have been highly successful at capital gifts campaigns. A successful fund-raising campaign requires thoughtful planning. Using the abilities of a professional fund raiser is encouraged. Many well-intentioned fund-raising efforts have failed due to the burden of the effort being on an alumnus.

Several things are accomplished with a major capital gifts campaign. First, for every $1,000 you raise in gifts, you will spare future undergraduates the responsibility of an ongoing mortgage payment. Secondly, it gives the chapter great exposure to its alumni and friends and brings widely scattered alumni together in a common project. Assuming you are successful, nothing else can do more to recharge chapter spirit.

The success of your effort will depend upon many factors, most of which you can control:

1. The better your alumni programming in the past, the more successful the capital gifts drive will be. Do not even attempt a fund campaign if you have not first accomplished the required basics (as outlined in the introductory chapter). Poor address records, uninformed alumni, poor or bad undergraduate image, no pre-indoctrination, etc., are sure signs of disappointing results.
2. A businesslike approach is essential. The plan must be thorough, the goal realistic, and the proposed project something all alumni will be pleased with. Alumni need assurance that the gift they are being asked to invest in is worthy of the effort. Begging and apologetic approaches will not raise money.
3. The higher the quality of the campaign leadership, the better the chance of success. The enthusiastic support by the chapter's most respected members is the strongest possible endorsement. The leadership of a good capital gifts campaign will give as much as 50% of the funds raised and will be directly responsible for another 25%.
4. Professional help is encouraged if your goal is for $50,000 or more. An expenditure of $10,000 to $50,000 or more is a good investment if you are trying to keep a substantial fund campaign organization moving quickly. Ironically, attempts to save money by doing fund raising "in house" has led to many failures.
5. With careful planning, a portion of funds raised may be allocated to those costs directly associated with educational support. Please contact the Sigma Tau Gamma Educational Foundation for more information.

The following suggestions may help you:

1. Deal with the most important person possible at the lending institution. The "low man" is overly cautious because his own reputation is at stake; therefore, he is unlikely to speak out aggressively in your behalf. By contrast, if the chief executive officer endorses a request, it is much more difficult for a committee of lower ranking executives to turn it down.
2. Make sure your financial records are complete and very professional looking. Sometimes sheer volumes of overwhelming figures will carry more weight than an amateur looking set which actually reflects better numbers. Do not make the request until you have your material in order.
3. Provide professional looking projections for future years. Bankers love information which indicates that you have a well-thought-out venture. Do not even ask for a loan if your finances do not project a reasonable "cushion" and profit.
4. Include more than financial figures and plans with your request. Provide substantial materials which establish the credibility of the chapter such as newspaper clippings, awards, letters of compliment, etc. Get the college or university to write a letter of endorsement.
5. Emphasize the quality of leadership within your alumni organization. Provide names, addresses, and biographical information on the alumni board members so that the lender realizes that he is dealing with solid citizens and men of stature.
6. Check around to see where other fraternities and sororities have their mortgages (the good ones, not those who are likely to be delinquent). Normally, if a lender has success with a specific type of loan, he is interested more. Secondly, fraternity financing may be more "Greek" than the letters to an institution which has never financed such a structure.
7. Rely upon your alumni who are bankers, in real estate, and accountants, etc., for entry to specific lenders. Their connections can often smooth the way to the right person and minimize delays.
8. Do not overlook the possibility of college or university endowments or other funds for chapter housing financing. Many institutions do it, and it may be a possibility that never occurred to your school's investment committee.
9. Private investors may be a source for funds. In some instances, Sigma Tau Gamma alumni have loaned considerable amounts.

1. Quality, finished home construction, excluding property acquisition, runs $85+ per square foot.
2. Institutional fixtures, furnishings, and engineering are musts. Putting one-half-inch plywood behind drywall in public areas eliminates holes.
3. For each man living in the house, $10,000 worth of debt can be managed, as a general rule.
4. Plan your repayment of your loan for 15 to 20 years. More than that, and you are kidding yourself, as the property will require a major renovation, and you will still be paying off the loan.
5. Remember to charge:
   1. Room rent -- Everyone living in house, for their room.
   2. Board -- Everyone eating at the chapter. Try to have as many as possible, a requirement of those living in.
   3. Parlor Fees -- Everyone in the chapter, not just out-of-house brothers/pledges.
   4. Dues -- Everyone shares the cost of chapter activities.
6. Room, board, parlor, and dues must be increased annually. Fail to do so, and you'll fall behind. Remember inflation even if it is only two to three percent.
7. Room and board should exceed or must equal the residence hall fees. We are not supported by tax dollars, so our costs are not subsidized.
8. Ample reserves are a must.
9. A quality environment helps ensure a quality chapter. Quality costs money.