Phi Psi Texas Alpha Welcomes the 2018-19 School Year and Strives for Continued Excellence
Welcome New Members
In today’s campus environment, an unmanaged fraternity will rapidly devolve into a social club focused on entertaining the entire student community. We see these out-of-control fraternities in the media every year. Phi Psi Texas Alpha is proud to communicate that we are a fraternity with structure, governance and values which provides an experience unlike any other at the University of Texas and perhaps nationwide.
Our Texas Alpha alumni boards are working diligently to provide support and education to the active chapter as we implement the combined best- practices from fraternities all across America. Our quest to be the best is swiftly becoming reality.
True Value of US PKP
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND SUPPORT INITIATED
In terms of academic success among IFC members, Texas Alpha went from a GPA ranking of 15th to fourth (out of 30) in just two academic terms. We also improved the relative size of our new member class from sixth to second. There are eight total student members with 4.0 GPAs, three of which were freshman, and two who had a 4.0 both semesters. We have implemented firm academic standards, including a raised minimum GPA to be initiated, increased GPA to be considered for a chapter leadership position, and have removed all Austin Community College students from being active members of the chapter. Our charter and insurance policy forbids non-UT students from being members. Other fraternities on campus have found non-UT students to be disruptive.
Our charter and insurance policy forbids non-UT students from being members. Other fraternities on campus have found non-UT students to be disruptive.
ALUMNI BOARD AND ALUMNI SUPPORT
The chapter is grateful for the continued and generous donor contributions to the Texas Alpha Endowment Fund. With these donations, we are able to support student challenges and accomplishments as well as provide undergraduate members with tutoring services and scholarships. We placed four members on a newly formed Academic Enhancement Probation this past semester and all witnessed significant increases in their GPAs. When we design and execute plans, we have seen an enormous amount of success. We thank you for your support.
SAFE ENVIRONMENT
Texas Alpha also leads in the area of risk management with social events. We were one of the first fraternities on campus to implement registered guest lists, licensed third-party bartenders, licensed security services, and most recently, the banning of hard alcohol on chapter premises. Studies have shown that 84% of student injuries and deaths in Greek organizations are hard alcohol related. We strive to be in full compliance with best practices for providing a safe environment for our members and their guests. And yes, the students still manage to have fun!
PROFESSIONAL & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
The young men have also excelled unbelievably in the University of Texas community with some members founding new campus organizations including the Texas BlockChain Group/ Foundation, Texas ImProv Club, and Sports Radio Podcasts. There have been members who have worked on the campaigns of the student body president/VP and also a high influx of Phi Kappa Psi representation on the Interfraternity Council, including the vice president of finance.
ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT
Our alumni base needs to learn about the differences between Texas Alpha today, a model for the future of fraternities, in contrast to the antiquated fraternity experience of years past. The new fraternity model is designed to provide relevance in the 21st century. Our model is special and we want to expand the alumni experience. We want to build trust and broaden support. To close that gap, we are inviting all of you back to our structured tailgate parties with renowned entertainers. There will be new rules to follow, but the alumni will still manage to have fun!
TEXAS ALPHA NAMED MOST IMPROVED CHAPTER
The undergraduates have accomplished a great deal in a short time. They received awards for Most Improved Chapter at the 2018 Grand Arch Council as well as Chapter in Good Standing Award from the University of Texas Sorority & Fraternity Life Office. Several individual students also received awards and accolades within their programs.
During the 2018-19 school year, we will strive to have the right, caring, engaged, and educated alumni working hands-on with the young men to ensure they have the support and resources around them to help further their personal and professional goals.
“I am excited and enthusiastic regarding the character and strength these young men possess. I am energized by their spirit. They are the perfect young men to return Phi Kappa Psi Texas Alpha to its rightful place as a premiere fraternity on the University of Texas campus. They are quickly becoming the benchmark for compliance, standards, and what it means “to be a fraternity, not a club, run by men, not boys”. -Ralph “Dud” Daniels
Protecting Your Investment
The Austin Limestone Management Group (ALMG) empathizes and agrees with those who have expressed the need to ensure that our investment in Texas Alpha is carefully protected over the years. To ensure our investment is secure, the “best practices” outlined below are being implemented for annual operations.
- We have developed policies and standards regarding property management and the appropriate/acceptable uses of the chapter house. These policies will be adopted and enforced by the ALMG and the undergraduate chapter.
- House bills will be competitive with the other fraternities on campus. Texas Alpha has a premium facility and should plan to charge a competitive rent in order to live there.
- We will continue to have undergraduate rent paid in advance, either on an annual or semester basis. Doing so helps the Texas Alpha Chapter avoid potential collection problems and keep cash flow flush.
- We charge a “parlor fee” from any live-out members to help cover the costs of wear and tear, maintenance and replacement for the chapter facility. This fee shall not be prohibitive, but will help to service some of the maintenance fund depreciation.
- We continue to assess a membership deposit and may considering it from $250 to a minimum of $450. Contracts and membership deposits will be collected from each undergraduate before he is permitted to move into the chapter house. Refunds of membership deposits will not be made until damage and professional cleaning costs have been deducted, the member has properly checked out and graduates.
- We will continue to review the building insurance and property taxes at a minimum of once every other year in order to see if either can be successfully lowered, and to make sure policies are adequate to cover any losses.