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May
27, 2004
Dear South Carolina
Alpha Alumni and Brothers:
The University
of
South Carolina
has mounted perhaps the most aggressive fraternity and sorority housing
programs of any campus in the nation. The new Greek
Village
in Columbia
has suddenly burst onto the national college scene as a premier example of what
can be done to embrace and enhance the Greek community and student housing. We
are at a great turning point for South Carolina Alpha, but we must move swiftly
and deliberately to capitalize on the opportunity.
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Right now in Columbia
:
- The university administration has recognized
Sigma Phi Epsilon nationally and the chapter on campus for its performance,
its initiatives, and is supporting our effort by providing a lot on which to
build.
- The undergraduate chapter is at the top of its
game, having recruited the last two consecutive largest new member classes
on campus (formerly "pledge classes"), indicating student recognition of
the chapter's standing among the best on campus and finishing third in
grades with a 2.95 chapter average - all at a time when the chapter had no
housing and on the tails of a major chapter re-organization.
- The Alumni and Volunteer Corporation Board
("Alumni Board") is in the strongest position we have seen at South Carolina
in many years.
- The Sigma Phi Epsilon National Housing
Corporation has committed national resources to assure acquisition of
property, planning, construction and fund-raising assistance.
It is rare to have such a unique
alignment of support and resources to virtually assure success. I can think of
no better place than the University
of
South Carolina
where we just celebrated the chapter's Centennial. USC is a flagship campus
for SigEp where we must be strong. The new SigEp house at USC will be a beacon
residence for all of SigEp to be proud.
This will require a huge
combined effort from the undergraduate chapter, national Fraternity, the
university and the South Carolina Alpha alumni. You will be hearing a lot more
about this effort over the coming months. We are committing tremendous resources
to assure SigEp remains the strongest fraternity in Columbia
. I hope you will do your part, however great or small, to assure the alumni
board is able to carry its share of the load. It won't be possible without
adequate alumni support and involvement.
I look forward to watching another magnificent Sigma Phi Epsilon Residential
Learning Community rise up with a commanding presence in the USC
Greek
Village. I hope to see many of you there for the opening. In the meantime, we're in
for an exciting period of much activity and progress. Please keep in touch so
you are part of a new second century at the University
of
South Carolina
for SigEp.
Fraternally,
Craig D. Templeton
Executive Director
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