Alumni Tailgate October 23rd Ohio State Game - Update September 22nd, 2021
The Beta Lambda chapter is planning an event to develop bonds between past and present members of our great organization. There will be a watch party for the game and a great chance for alumni to see the house and meet the brothers. This event will also coincide with our dad's weekend, so expect a good time. If interested contact our current VP of Alumni Relations, Andrew Hofstetter at +1 (219) 221-0809.
Association and Canned Food Drive - Update February 21st, 2021
The chapter is settling in for the spring semester. We recently had virtual rush through Zoom, and have so far signed 22 potential new members. To boost the numbers of this class, our recruitment committee is hosting informal rush this Wednesday. We are hoping for a class of 30, bringing the chapter to a total of 160 members. This group will be associated to the chapter this weekend at noon. In regard to community service, Phi Kappa Tau was selected to be the Third Street delegate for the IFC canned food drive. Lambda Chi Alpha, Delta Upsilon, and Acacia fraternities picked up their collection bins from our house today. All IFC chapters at Indiana are participating to help feed Bloomington's needy. Our housing manager is hard at work clearing the bike room of clutter, and installing rollers and a squat rack for the brothers to stay in shape.
Rush and Super Bowl Sunday - Update January 31st, 2021
We are holding a super bowl watch party on February 7th outside to meet some possible new recruits. This event will be held on the basketball court. We're being super careful to follow Monroe County guidelines by hosting outside with a maximum of 15 people at a time. It'll be cold out and might snow, so our recruitment chairmen have invested in.a large tent and electrical heaters! Unfortunately, it looks like we'll be unable to hold a founders day event in person so, so this will be held over zoom on March 17th. Check this page on the 17th for a zoom link. Our VPAR is still hard at work planning the First Annual Phi Kappa Tau Open in April. Be sure to sign up here to reserve your spot on IU's new Pfau Golf Course. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-MumRNdi79G0TGafiGzN9KneFSHfwJawQB_KgdxhEPc/edit#gid=0.
Back On Campus - Update January 24th, 2021
The brothers have returned to the house and are already busy with classes. Our house GPA was a 3.24 for the fall semester, our scholarship chair Nick Wexler is working to increase this to an average of 3.35. We are also in the process of hiring contractors to build a large 40 foot long stage for our courtyard. Rush is coming up on the 8th of February, if any alumni have recommendations to make they should contact Buzz Roth at (580) 628-0718.
Happy Holidays and the Phi Tau Open - Update December 27th, 2020
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Classes at IU start on the 18th, and most of our live-in members will be moving back in on that date. Our plans when we get back include the initiation of the Alpha Nu class, mounting our new pin-light above the front door, and designing our courtyard for outdoor social events. Our chapter has raised $590 for the Seriousfun 25 For 25 campaign, placing us second out of all the Phi Tau chapters that participated. If you'd like to donate, you can find our team page at https://fundraise.seriousfun.org/team/332668. James, our Vice President of Alumni Relations, is hard at work planning the First Annual Phi Kappa Tau Open. If you'd like to play a round of golf, have a meal at the house, and meet our newest brothers, contact James Hevron via email jrhevron@iu.edu or by phone at (812) 454-1133.
We have scheduled the First Annual Phi Kappa Tau Open alumni event for Saturday, April 10th, 2021. The event will be held in the afternoon at the brand new Indiana University Pfau Golf Course. Cost to cover carts and greens fees will be $95 for alumni and $55 for active brothers (the student rate). This includes greens fees and a cart for 18 holes. Afterwards alumni will be welcome to come back to the house for dinner and to hang out with brothers. Any alumni or brother wishing to signup should contact James Hevron via email jrhevron@iu.edu or at (812) 454-1133. Thanks and hope to see you there!
In an effort to increase alumni outreach, our Vice President of Alumni Relations will be posting regular chapter updates on this page. As of this week, Monroe county guidelines still do not allow any non-residents to visit the chapter house, but that's not stopping our plans for the future. We're hoping that guests will be allowed by March 17th for our founders day celebration. Regardless, any of our alumni will be able to attend via zoom. Our philanthropy Chairman and Community Service Chairman, Jackson Phelps and Jason Byrne, have been busy organizing and fundrasing for the 25 for 25 campaign to celebrate Phi Tau's 25 year partnership with SeriousFun Children's network. Our goal is to raise $1,000 to help children in need.
General Update
The Beta Lambda chapter has seen unprecedented growth in the past few years, our number of active members totals 130 and we expect to be 165 members strong after the 2020 spring recruitment session. Great leadership, a heavy focus on recruitment, and the acquisition of a home on Third Street has resulted in the Beta Lambdas to become one of the largest Phi Tau chapters in the country. Our chapter wide GPA has risen 5 spots among greek houses in the past year and we've raised $10,000 with our most recent philanthropy event with Camp Kesem.