&YA Tau Deuteron of Phi Gamma Delta The University of Texas July 1988 Renovation Underway Buen Retiro stands mumvm empty, surrounded by fencing as construction progresses Photograph by John C. Nelson It is with great pleasure that I report that the physical restoration of Buen Retiro commenced on April 18,1988. The house has been closed since May of 1987 when the project was temporarily halted in order to raise more funds and obtain the necessary financing to ensure completion of the project. It has been 38 years since the house was last remodeled. the kitchen and dining room will be completely redone and a central air conditioning system will be installed. To date, the Finance Committee has raised approximately $900,000 in cash and pledges, of which $250,000 has been personally guaranteed. Over the next year, the Finance Committee will raise On behalf of the trustees, Mike Butler ('67, Austin) signed a construction contract with O'Neal Construction Company. It provides for a fixed fee lump sum figure of $850,000. By December, 1988, the house should be completely restored with new furniture, carpets, and draperies. It is hard to believe how much has already been accomplished since work began in April. All of the wiring has been redone and the weak pipes have been replaced. The house is even starting to take shape again inside. Among the important details of the new rennovation. the balance of the funds needed to retire the $1,400,000 bank loan. As one can easilyseSj^great deal of time, effort, and money have been^^t oimin order to reach the point where we now standrThanks to each and everyone of the alums who helped get the restoration project to this stage. It is a real tribute to the Texas Fijis. By: John H. Young ('65, Houston) \r\nFiji Pride money and time to make this project possible. There would obviously be no remodeling without yoif^d we are extremely grateful. Your continued de\^on As summer begins. Phi Gamma Delta can to Tau Deuteron says a lot about the proud heritage anticipate an extremely busy and hopefully equally rewarding three months. The rush captains have of our chapter. We will strive to uphold the image and tradition of Texas Fiji's and represent Tau Deuteron in a way that will to merit your praise and support. I would especially like to thank the House Rennovation Committee that has given so much of been working i^vy hard tyring to coordinate the rush activities for th ^mmer and they seem to have a good handle orr their duties. In addition to the normal rush responsibilities, the house remodeling project will become a major focus. The chapter is very anxious for the completion of this project since their personal time in order to make the remodeling process a success. This committee includes John Young, Sr. ('65, Houston), Mike Butler ('67, the main house has been closed for about a year. I Austin), Bob Coffee ('55, Austin), and Jack Holford ('65, Austin). This committee has been the heart and soul of the rennovation project and we cannot thank them enough. recently toured both the inside and the outside of the house and was pleasantly suprised at the process that has been made since work began on April 18th. I would like to personally extend a word of By; John C. Nelson ('90, Austin) thanks to all of the alumni and friends that gave their Photograph by John C. Nelson Summer Rush Cqr^ear the active chapter of Tau Deuteron has voted and approved a rush assessment of $325.00 per active member to help cover some of the summer expenses. We are looking forward to the summer Another summer of rush has arrived. While we're looking forward to the summer rush program, we are also faced with the expense which comes with program but we need your help. On the final page of it. the newsletter is a return form for rush recom mendations as well as contributions. In order for As you well know a successful rush program is the life blood of any fraternity. Managing and this summer to be a success we need your help in one if not both of these areas. coordinating the recruitment of new members requires effort and expense. The expenses consist of those to meet and get to know potential rushees. Examples of our rush activities include raft trips, mixers, water skiing, etc. The expense to physically communicate with and get to know the approximately 500 potential rushees costs on the order of $25,000. If there are any questions, please contact the office by phone at (512)473-2322 or write to Phi Gamma Delta, P. O. Box 49679, Austin, TX, 78765. By: John Rubi ('90, Dallas) and John Kinzer ('90, Dallas) Page 2 \r\nPhi Gamma Delta Alumni University of Texas Vice President and Dean of Graduate Studies, Dr. William Livingston Fijis hold important positions throughout society, but few work as close to the University of Texas as Dr. William Livingston, Vice President and Dean of Graduate Studies. The responsibilities that accompany his position are many. Dr. Livingston has jurisdiction over admission procedures into the University's graduate school,financial aid programs for graduate students, and the supervising committees that review applicants for the Masters and Doctorate degrees. Because of the decentralization of the graduate program. Dr. Livingston works mainly with faculty advisors who keep him informed and carry out the programs in the departments. He does not see too many graduate students, and most are "those who need something or have found Photo courtesy of University of Texas News & Information Service themselves in trouble." Dr. Livingston also oversees the operation of the libraries and the University morale. "Despite the obligation of a state university to provide an education for a larger number of people press, as well as volunteering as faculty advisor for Tau Deuteron. than private schools, Texas' best students are comparable to the best anywhere," commented Dr. Livingston. He is excited by the commitment of the Dr. Livingston attended Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio where he was a member of the faculty, undergraduates, and graduates to make the University of Texas the best in the nation. Omicron Deuteron chapter. The fraternity house, Lawrence Lodge, was just two blocks from his home. Fond memories of good friends and a strong chapter will be relived this year when Dr. Livingston attends his fifty year reunion with the pledge class of 1938. He came to the University of Texas in 1949 shortly after completing his Ph.D. at Yale. He enjoyed a hearty welcome from Tau Deuteron upon his arrival and was pleased to see both his sons enjoyed the close ties of brotherhood and friendship^ He finds that same brotherhood here at Tau Deuteron, where the strength of the Texas tradition is due to the generations of service to the University and the fraternity. "That's what being a Texas Ex is initiated as Texas Fijis. Dr. Livingston is proud of the caliber of the faculty at the University,"who have really come iato their own in the last ten years." Their rise in Dr. Livingston acknowledges the benefits he has reaped from membership in Phi Gamma Delta. "Being a Fiji has made be a better person, and I hsvc/~^ all about." By: Steve Oldham ('91, Houston) visibility has been bolstered by enthusiasm and high Page 3 \r\nFiji Lake Club; Home Away From Home Fiji Lake Club on Lake Austin Photograph by John C. Nelson campaigns in recent years. States Archer,"Our Lake One of the most valuable assets Tau Dueteron possesses is the lake front property on Lake Austin. Club is available to private organizations for parties. The five and one-half acre tract was sold to the We rent out the club about once a weekend in the fraternity by the widow of a Phi Gam alum for one spring and consistantly stay in the black after the money we spend on taxes, maintenance, and repair." dollar in the 1930's. Purchased when that area was far from old Austin, it now is one of the fratemity's most prized possessions. Springtime brings another busy social calendar for the Fiji's^d the Lake Club is a major part of that fun. There^e plenty of burger and beer parties as The Lake Club has 300 feet of waterfront with a pier that was built in 1976. We have a party pavillion on the other end of the lot that houses a bar, the stage, and bathrooms. We used to have a well as mixers and garden parties planned, and you can always head out there simply to throw around the fiisbee. Summer rush is almost centered at our Lake beautiful home on the land until it was burned by Club with ski boats constantly pulling up to the arson in the 1960's. The old house was home to dock,^ot to mention playing host to one of the many parties of older Texas Fiji's and even had a retired couple who would live in the home in nations premier collegiate parties, Texas Fiji Island. exchange for the upkeep of the land. Today though, members are assessed only five dollars per month for maintenance of the property. Steven Archer, a sophomore business/engineering major from San Antonio is the current Lake Club Manager and has spearheaded one of the most extensive clean-up The Lake Club has been and will continue to be a principal part of the social life of each and every Phi Gam who has walked through the door of our fraternity. By: Mark D. Johnson ('91, Waco) Page 4 \r\nSummer 1988 June 24th and 25th Fiji Island Party July 22nd and 23rd Dallas State Rush Party August 5th and 6th Houston State Rush Party August 26th and 27th Austin Rush Party •s u P "S £ August 29th Formal Rush Week Begins TJ U .SP 0) D Page 5 \r\nBoard of Chapter Advisors Working with the young men of Tau Deuteron by participation on a committee will be most rewarding regardless of age, geographical location, or experience. Please write or call if you would like to serve in the Chapter Advisory programs. The undergraduate chapter has requested advisory assistance from the graduates in a number of areas. In addition, the completion of the restoration of Buen Retiro will require significantly improved management of the fraternity's assets. A Board of Chapter Advisors has been initiated that consists of a number of committees corresponding to the undergraduate committees. Existing committees are: Finance, House Management, Fiji Lake By: Jack Holford ('65, Austin) 9501 Capt. of Tx. Hwy. North Austin, TX 78759 (512) 346-8181 Club,and the most active committee, Buen Retiro Restoration. Additional committees to be formed will be: Career Development, Scholarship, and Rush. Intramural Sports Provide Fiji Fun This year has been no exception to the excellent athletic tradition of the Fiji's. The fall semester play in the All SWC Fraternity Championships to be held in Dallas on April 15-16. Rounding out the kicked off with football. Both the A and B teams spring semester is the Softball season. We have four teams battling for the playoffs at this moment. The went undefeated in the regular season. The A team made it to the semifinals before losing 8-7 in a very close game. The A and B volleyball teams matched the undefeated regular seasons of the football teams before losing in the playoffs. Tests and finals took away many of the players during the playoffs. Soccer ended out the fall semester, and though the team played in a tough division, they still made the playoffs. The spring semester began with high hopes for A-team is looking forward to improving on last yeaU^econd-place finish. This has been an exceptional year in sports for the Fijis. We have competed very hard and have done well in every sport we entered this year. The teamwork has paid off, and we are looking forward to continuing our winning ways. By: Russell Ringo ('89, Amarillo) basketball. We had three teams — A, B,and Independent — make the playoffs. The A team drew the number one seed for the tournament, but was upset in the finals. However, due to their good play through the season, the A-team has been invited to Page 6 \r\nStay in Touch For those of you who have already sent us rushee recommendations, thank you for If you feel that you can help us with a financial contribution, be assured, it will be used wisely. your interest and concem. We are doing our will be pleased with the quality of the newest best to follow up on each of them. If you have any questions about rush, please call us anytime at(512)472-5353, or if you have a financially related question, please feel free to call Bryan Lee at(512)478-9987, or Linda at Phi Gam's. the Business Office at(512)473-2322. To contribute, please fill in the slip at the bottom of the pagej_We feel confident that with a little help^S^i come September you □ Please call me back about rush recommendations. RUSH INFORMATION RUSH CONTRIBUTION: □ $25 □ $50 □ $100 □ Other Name Home Address Linda Hudson Phi Gamma Delta P. O. Box 49679 Business Address Austin, Texas 78765 Please return to: Phone(Home) (Work) ALUMNI INFORMATION UPDATE For each rush information/recommendation (for 1988 and next three years) please include name, address, and high school. Please help us to keep our records up to date, and let us know is you have a change of address or phone number. Name Address City Zip Code State Work Phone (_ -) Home Phone (_ Did you know? The Phi Gamma Delta Business Office is open to serve you. The telephone is answered by an answering machine during non-business hours, so feel free to call at your convience. PHI GAMMA DELTA P.O. Box 49679 Austin, TX 78765 (512)473-2322 Page 7 , \r\nV J-C? Inside: Buen Retiro Restoration Underway An Interview with Dr. William Livingston Fiji Lake Club Revisited Summer Rush Heats Up Intramural Sports and more PHI GAMMA Tau Deuteron ' c>\ P. O. Box 49679\ /33a, Austin, Texas *78765 Shuc CtDtTMjU iCUjn^ J p. o. 6^ ^Jiy]U,yn^^^O(r^ J k>l>j 4054^- (j r--' . sr 1! jj f Address Correction Requested AUQ2 2 1S88 f Forwarding and Return Postage Guaranteed f '•■Viryr Tr,TI.