Link to Graduate Response Form
April 1, 2010
Dear Chi Mu Brother,
My name is Jesse Hitt, and I am the Director of Expansion for Phi Gamma Delta. This letter comes on behalf of several Chi Mu graduate brothers and the International Fraternity staff. We have been working with the University, and we feel this coming fall may be a good time to reestablish our legacy in Columbia.
The Chi Mu Chapter was chartered October 12, 1899 and operated continuously until May 2006, when the charter was returned to International Headquarters at the end of the spring semester. Having found no suitable leasers, the chapter house, through the diligent efforts of Larry Marshall ’55, was sold to the Campus Christian organization that owned the property next door.
Graduate brother support is the key to the success of any chapter and especially important for a new colony. The International Fraternity is fully committed to supporting the fall 2010 Chi Mu re-colonization and looks to take advantage of this opportunity. However, the decision to re-colonize must be mutual. We need to make sure there is a commitment from the Chi Mu graduate brothers before we pursue the opportunity. (See the attached information page about the current situation in Columbia)
What would a recolonization look like?
The International Fraternity is firmly committed to bringing Chi Mu back to Mizzou. Two representatives would be on the MU campus conducting a values-based, professional recruitment campaign. During the six-week period, fraternity staff members would recruit colony members, train key graduate advisors, build relationships within the Greek community and hold a retreat and training session for new colony members.
We are excited about the opportunity, and look forward to rebuilding Chi Mu. We feel that it is time to reclaim what has been and remains an important part of prestige in Columbia- Phi Gamma Delta. We will not move forward without the support and guidance of the brothers of Chi Mu.
Please let me know by April 20, 2010 if you are supportive of the re-colonization effort at the University of Missouri and if you would like to be involved. To do so, you can click here to fill out the Chi Mu Graduate Response Form. If you would like, you can also email me the information, as it is convenient.
Should a recolonization occur, it would be helpful to have a prospect list in advance of our arrival, so if you know any current or future undergraduate men at Mizzou who we should contact, please include their contact information.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact any of the brothers below.
Fraternally,
Jesse Hitt (Wittenberg 2007)
Director of Expansion
P.O. Box 4599
Lexington, KY 40504
W: (859) 255-1848 ext. 149
Fax: (859) 253-0779
E-mail: jhitt@phigam.org
Stafford Swearingen XM ‘86
Michael Jones XM ‘82
Craig Bowen XM ‘96
Jeff Kennedy XM ‘89
Kevin Henning XM ‘84
Randy Moehlman XM ‘93
Alan Reser XM ‘83
Lee Rhoads XM ‘91
John P. Robertson XM ‘84
Scott Schieber XM ‘95
Tom Snider XM ‘96
Rick Stauffer XM ‘93
Perge!
Information About Current Columbia Situation
When and why was the Chapter closed?
Fall 2005—The fraternity received allegations of hazing at the chapter house and conducted an investigation which confirmed that hazing had occurred. As an early response, the fraternity placed the Chapter on a graduate trusteeship, giving designated graduate brothers the authority to supervise the Chapter.
January 2006—In a formal hearing, the Archons found the Chapter guilty of hazing and set a number of requirements to address hazing, pledge education, and other operational issues.
March 2006—The Greek Judicial Board at the University of Missouri found the Chapter guilty of hazing and imposed a number of requirements and restrictions.
Early April 2006—The trustees of the Chi Mu Alumni Association voted to rescind the lease to the chapter house effective at the end of the spring term. The chapter’s active membership voted to return the charter to International Headquarters.
What is the situation with the House and Finances?
The Chi Mu Alumni Association does not currently own any property. In 2006 the current Board of Trustees lead by Larry Marshall ’55 tried diligently to find enough money within the alumni to retain possession of the house at 704 College Ave. However, that was not possible. Suitable leasers were then solicited. None were able to pay the rent needed to service the debt on the structure. The house and property were then sold to the Campus Christians at a price well above the assessed value. This afforded the Board of Trustees the ability to repay all debt and still retain approximately enough money for future needs. Those monies were entrusted to Enterprise Bank and Trust in St. Louis.
What is the status of the Greek Community?
There are currently 27 IFC fraternities and 14 NPC sororities on the Mizzou campus, with a Greek involvement percentage of 22%. The Greek community has been experiencing very strong growth both in recruitment and retention in the past 3 years. The all fraternity grade point average is over a 2.9, and has consistently remained above the all men’s average. The average chapter size for the fraternities is a healthy 76 men. The Greek Life Office staff is very strong. They support the recolonization and will play a large role in the future of the Chapter. Their newly renovated offices in the Union will also be a great place for the fraternity staff to meet with prospective students.
Chi Mu Graduates who support the fall 2010 recolonization
So far, we have accumulated a list of over one hundred brothers who support this effort.
