The Phi Kappa Sigma Housing Corporation is a separate legal entity from Skullumni, although both share in the goal of supporting the undergraduate chapter at the University of Maine. Reinvigorated with seven new members in October 2023, the Housing Corp's mission is to provide and maintain the chapter house at 89 College Avenue, Orono, Maine. Further, the Housing Corporation will ensure that current undergraduate Phi Kappa Sigma members have a safe, affordable, and desirable living environment to enhance the college and fraternity experience; and foster the affinity of alumni; and support the health, heritage, and future of the Alpha Delta Chapter of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity.
Current Officers
President - Chris Hopper '95 (email: [email protected])
Vice President - Ryan Demeny '01
Secretary - Jerome Graffam '03
Treasurer - Scott Cummings '93
Current Trustees
Patrick Penley '91
Derek Jones '11
Scott Morelli '99
Documents
- Click here to be taken to a Google Drive repository containing various Housing Corp documents such as meeting minutes, financials, etc.
- Housing Corp's Facebook page
Future of the Chapter House
The Corporation hosted a meeting at the Chapter House (and concurrently via Zoom) on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Over 20 alumni from the 1950s to 2010s attended either in person or online (thank you!) At the meeting, alumni got a tour of the house to see firsthand the repairs needed in order for the chapter to return in January 2025. (More information about these repairs and the purpose of this meeting can be found here in a comprehensive letter from Corporation President Chris Hopper.) Alumni also discussed and debated for over three hours on which options to present to ALL alumni to determine the future of the Chapter House. Click here to view the video of the house tour from June 15, 2024. Click here to listen to the audio from the June 15, 2024 house meeting.
It was decided the following options would be send to alumni for a vote to help guide the Corporation as to how to proceed:
- Raise nearly $175,000 in alumni donations between now and September 15 in order to repair the house for a January 1, 2025 move in date for the chapter (assuming their petition to return is approved AND they have enough members left after a membership review to sustain the house financially); or
- Lease the house to another Greek organization, who in exchange for a long-term agreement (10-15 years?), would fund the needed initial repairs ($175,000) and then other renovation costs to make the house liveable, with the chapter's eventual return after that time period; or
- Sell the chapter house to the university or another Greek organization, and either seek to buy a smaller, cheaper house (although it might not be able to be an officially sanctioned chapter house) after all debts are settled, or not buy a house and have the chapter meet in a building on campus, if they would even return without a house.
These options were sent to alumni and responses were collected through July 14, 2024. Out of the 93 ballots cast, the results are as follows:
- 47 to retain & repopulate the house (51%)
- 32 to lease to another organization (34%)
- 14 to sell the house (15%)
A total of $36,526.00 in pledges were made in support of option 1 (again, at least $175,000 is needed for basic work).
Members of the Corporation are now reviewing the results and plan to send an updated communication to alumni in the near future regarding next steps. As the clear preference (85%) was to retain the house via repopulation or leasing to another group, selling the house has been ruled out.
Regular Housing Corp Meetings
The Corporation board meets regularly via Zoom and alumni are invited to join in these discussions. Below please find the upcoming meeting dates/times and Zoom participation info.
Oct 6, 2024 - 5:00 PM
Nov 17, 2024 - 5:00 PM
Dec 15, 2024 - 5:00 PM
Jan 19, 2025 5:00 PM
Feb 16, 2025 - 5:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85769606522
Meeting ID: 857 6960 6522
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