Phi Gamma Delta End of the Slant September, 1999 Letter from the President Calendar of Events Dear Phi Gam Brothers, Homecoming brothers celebrated with teachers at our Fac Oaober29-3l, 1999 See below for itinerary January 12-18, 2000 Norris Pig Dinner April 1-2, 2000 Graduation May 7, 2000 My name is Michael S. McCartney, and I am the current Chapter President for the Mu Upsilon Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta. As we begin this new semester at Mi ami University, I wanted to share our excite ment about this year with the graduate chap ter. I hope that when you look at us as un dergraduate brothers, you feel the same Fiji pride and character that you experienced during your college days. Our accomplish ulty Appreciation Banquet that featured an address fi^om University President, Dr. James C. Garland. Fiji placed third in Greek ments should be your victories and our defi ami University' Chapter Achievement Award and third place finishes in both the Owen Cup and Zerman Trophy(See Awards Arti ciencies should bring you distress. These To add your name to the are the emotions that unite us in brother growing grad email data cle). Currently, we are organizing a cam When I reflect upon the success of pus-wide philanthropy. The Tricycle Relays, to be held on September 24"" supporting the last semester and anticipate our future achievements, I become filled with optimism Alzheimer's Foundation of Dayton. The pride we hold in Phi Gamma Delta is carry and inspiration. Phi Gamma Delta is on an incredible upswing. The chapter enrollment ing over into every aspect of life at Miami. Hopefully these examples of pros stands strong at 70 brothers with 48 mem perity help you to relive your victorious mo bers residing at the chapter house. Last se ments at Miami, but I also challenge you to mester we initiated a class of24 incredible take a moment and try to remember some of men, and we currently have 5 dedicated the challenges you faced as an undergradupledges in the fall class. In the spring, the hood. base, please send an email to Jim Neary at miamifiji@yahoo.com Inside this issue: i Greek Week Update 2| Letter from House Corps ! 3 Awards Story Week last year, and we are determined to improve in 1999. The Gold Cup for Dance Marathon, the largest campus-wide philan thropy, also went to Phi Gamma Delta for the fourth straight year. The brothers brought home many awards both on-campus and nationally last year, including the Mi Continued on Page 2 Homecoming Events & Pig Dinner Date House Information Mark your calendars now for homecoming weekend, October 29-31. The Armual Frank Norris Pig Dinner will be held on Saturday, April Miami Football will battle it out with 1st. Let's end the millennium with some UC on Saturday afternoon. All gradu ates and family are welcome to tailgate at the Phi Gam house on Saturday morning. Come enjoy the weekend with great Phi Gam Spirit. Tentative plans from the chapter include a golf outing where the brothers would caddy for the graduates. If you have any suggestions please call our graduate relations offi cers (Numbers on page 4). new and old brothers! \r\nEND OF THE SLANT ate Fiji. Phi Gamma Delta is perfect, but no chapter can run perfectly. Hardship teaches great lessons to the challenged, and our collective obstacles serve as sources of wisdom that tie us together as Phi Gams. When I look at the future of our chapter, the transition to substance free housing appears to pose a great threat to our livelihood. Although this transfor mation may not occur for more than two years, we must be gin to prepare now to ensure a smooth changeover. The chapter is currently working with the House Corps and Inter national Headquarters to meet requirements for the two-year exemption from substance free housing starting in 2000. In the meantime, we are trying to show the university, parents, media, and new members that there is more to Phi Gamma Delta than the consumption of alcoholic beverages. However, it is disheartening to me to see that one of the greatest resources we have to help weather this storm is also one ofthe weakest aspects ofour chapter life ~ Graduate Relations. This fact should be clear to every brother, gradu ate and undergraduate. You as graduate brothers deserve Frank Norris Pig Dinner. Is Phi Gamma Delta just for col lege days alone? I do not believe so. Our chapter is going to prove that this year. The relationship between graduates and undergraduates is only going to grow stronger through genu ine and frequent contact. I plan to have two End ofthe Slants arrive at your mailbox each semester and an updated Fiji Web page for your instant access on a daily basis. Through these communications, we hope to present you with a more accurate picture ofPhi Gamma Delta and allow you opportunity to guide and support our chapter. Fraternally, Michael S. McCartney '00 Perge! more than one newsletter per year and a sparsely attended 'We are united by FRIEIVDSffiP. It is the basis of our brotherhood. Because of it we accomplish far more than we do as individuals. Friendship is the sweetest influence." Fiji Explodes into Greek Week'99! By Matt Gunzenhaeuser '00 After the first few days ofcom petition FIJI remained in first place among all fraternities. Greek Week started on September 8, and after the first two days of event, we have scored points in every event. This years roster looks stronger than years past! There's no rea son we shouldn't come out on top. Our Speed-Pyramid team came in first place "This years roster looks stronger than years past! There's no reason we shouldn't overall, along with Jim Neary grabbing first place in Jell-O Jump. The FIJI band stand and obstacle course both placed sec ond overall. Mike Talaga added points on the FIJI board for his victories in Racquetball. Greek Week ends on with the infa mous Puddle Pull, and with the teams we come out on top." Left: Brothers cleaning up at the Awards n r r Right: under- grads and grads enjoying old Fijifootage are fielding in the events, we plan to stay on top throughout the week. \r\nEND OF THE SLANT PAGE 3 House Corps Examines Focus Areas Dear Brother, September brings thoughts of Oxford, Ohio, Mi ami University, Redhawks, Slant Walk, The Fresh man Women's Information Center and Phi Gamma Delta. The MU chapter ofPhi Gamma Delta is off to a good start and so are your new House Corpora tion and Board of Chapter Advisors. We are greatly encouraged by the commitment and enthusiasm ofthis current group of undergradu ates. However, those of you who have been in con tact with the House in the last few years know that we fece some major challenges. The last chapter review ofthe chapter by the International Frater nity emphasized three major areas of concern: 1. The physical condition ofthe House, 2. Alcoholfree compliance and related issues, and 3. Gradu ate relations. Capital Improvements ship and other important social skills. It is an initia tive that also includes an emphasis on alcohol awareness, education and risk management. Our undergraduates are going to need our support in making this transition. It does not preclude respon sible, legal drinking off premises. The undergradu ates are requesting a two year extension but this is not guaranteed. As graduates, we need to under stand these issues and get involved. Let's help these young men put alcohol in a proper perspective in their lives. Graduate Relations Over the years the undergraduate chapters have had mixed success in maintaining a good relationship with the graduate brothers. Our current group of undergrads is a iSne group and will make a good effort at graduate relations. However,their time is limited and they will be moving on. We are the consistent thread, not the undergrads. We own the house and have the power and experience to make The Chapter House at 130 East High Street is tired Mu Upsilon a great, lasting fraternity. Having the and worn out. It needs substantial renovations if undergraduates keeping us up to date and entertain ing us from time to time is a nice perk. The respon sibility is ours to make sure that the physical condi tion ofthe house and the traditions of Ae fraternity not a complete rebuild. The House Corp. is being faced with increasing stopgap repair and modifica tion costs. Today's undergrad brings with him in creased demands for upgraded facilities. Refrig erators, microwaves, stereos, computers and extra phone lines are common college gear. We are in competition with the University and other vendors for the housing dollar. The problem is critical and the time to act is now. There is no way to sugar coat it; we are faced with the necessity of undertak ing a major fund raising campaign and/or refi nancing. Preliminary architectural/ engineering plans are being solicited. A feasibility study will be conducted by a professional fund raising organi zation to determine how much can reasonably be raised. are maintained. It is time for us to take back the control, to demand that our property and traditions be respected and to share in the burden ofthis lead ership. In exchange, we will provide for these young men the living and fraternal experience ofa lifetime. Not only do we need to fimd it, but also support it with our experience, leadership and adult guidance. This is graduate relations. Come on back; recapture the feeling. Look for more information from the House Corp and the undergrads. Consider a visit to Oxford this year, especially Pig Dinner. See if it's true..."not for col lege days alone." Alcohol -Free Housing - Julv K 2000 Sincerely, On August 16, 1997, the Archons made the decision that all chapter houses will be alcohol-free by July 1, 2000. It is an attempt to refocus fraternity life from centers of alcohol based entertainment to the origi nal mission ofthe fraternity, which promotes the development of responsibility, leadership, scholar House Corporation and Board of Chapter Advisors \r\nPHI GAMMA DELTA Primary Business Address 130 E. High Street Oxford, OH 45056 Phone: 513-523-1848 E-mail: miamifiji@yahoo.com Graduate Relations Officers Justin Miller '02 Justin Brown '01 513-664-4984 513-664-7827 E-Mail: Mnierj2@pojnuohioedu Brownjk@po.muohio.edu Phi Gamma Delta "Not for college days alone!' •ikii ^ t -M. Norris Pig Dinner April 1-2, 2000 Fiji Awarded for Hard Work By Andre Couvillion '00 The Mu Upsilon Chapter spent most ofthe 1998-99 year working very hard on all fronts, from scholarship to serv ice. At the end ofthe year,the chapter and a few individuals received the acknowledgement they richly deserved. At the Greek Awards Ceremony in April,Phi Gamma Delta's name was called early and often. First ofall, the names ofthe executive boards ofGreek Habitat, Dance Marathon, Greek Week,Interfratemity Council, and Greek Peer Educators were announced. With each group, at least one Phi Gam proudly stood. Greek Habitat alone was run by four Fiji's, in prior year. Brother Russell Todia, who was largely responsible for a massive reworking ofour pledge program in order to make it more effective, proudly collected the Best New Mem ber Education Program trophy. Brother Chris Boyd, our cur rent Treasurer and past Philanthropy Chair, graciously received the trophy going to the chapter with the most outstanding record ofPhilanthropy. Finally, for the fourth straight year, the Phi Gams took home the Chapter Achievement Award, which goes to the top three fraternities on campus. More good news arrived from Nationals over the sum cluding the two founders. mer. The Mu Upsilon chapter was awarded 3"^ place overall A few individuals received awards at this ceremony as well. Senior brother Derek Adye was presented with an award for outstanding contributions to Miami University's community in general. Brothers Matt Sklenka and Aaron Alspach were each recipients ofthe prestigious Outstanding Greek Leader Award,making Fiji the only fraternity with two recipients. (Only five were given out among all fraternities). Though Phi Gamma Delta was proud ofits brothers for the Zerman Trophy, which is awarded to the top chapters in who received individual awards,the chapter awards stood as testament to the amount ofwork the chapter had put forth in the Campus Involvement. In addition, Mu Upsilon received 3"* place overall for the Owen Cup, which is awarded to the chap ters with the greatest improvement in grade point average. Overall, we were proud of our brothers and our chap ter for such a successful year, and we hope to continue this hard work into this year so that the praise may be as bountiful come next April.