December 7, 2011
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUCCESSFUL
The Beta-Omicron Chapter of Kappa Sigma will remain on campus at the University of Denver. Following several meetings and discussions between members of the House Corporation and University officials, Chancellor Robert Coombe declared that enough donations and pledge commitments had been obtained to permit lifting the Notice of Default on the chapter house. As a result of the Chancellor’s decision:
The chapter will be allowed to continue normal functions in January 2012 and beyond.
The chapter house will remain under supervision of the House Corporation according to the lease and agreement with the University signed in 2005.
Donations received in 2011 will be released to the University from the escrow account and this account will be closed.
Future pledge commitments through 2015 will be categorized as certified obligations due to the University of Denver. As these pledge commitments are paid, the funds will be released immediately to the University. In the event a pledge commitment is not paid, it will be the obligation of the House Corporation to fulfill the shortage in the year it is due. Therefore, now more than ever, it is imperative for all that pledged to make future donations to the financial campaign to make their payments on time.
Chancellor Coombe was very generous and complimentary toward Kappa Sigma when he made his decision. He has consistently affirmed the University’s desire to have a vibrant Greek community on campus, while citing Kappa Sigma’s 110-year tradition at DU. Speaking personally at the chapter house on November 14, the Chancellor stated that more leaders and benefactors come from the Greek system than any other activity sponsored by the University, and Greeks have substantially higher graduation rates than non-Greeks.
While little is for certain in our lives, we believe these developments put us in position to predict that additional fund raising campaigns will not be needed for many, many years. We have a new chapter house and an agreement with the University for maintenance and improvements that should obviate the need for recurring financial campaigns. Alumni oversight has been bolstered to ensure the house is fully occupied and recurring annual expenses will be borne by the chapter. Therefore, we do not expect to continue returning to the alumni for financial support to keep the chapter operating.
Members of the House Corporation, Alumni Board and active chapter are grateful for the support we received during this financial campaign. We will continue to provide oversight of the chapter house while emphasizing more alumni events and interactions with the chapter. In February, the chapter will mark its 110th year on campus. A celebration with the undergraduates is being planned for the weekend of February 10-11. We want as many alumni as possible to participate in this celebration. We also want to bring back the Chapter Hall of Fame banquets, possibly integrating this with the University’s Homecoming and Parent’s Weekend in October. You can expect to receive more details as plans for these events are finalized.
To all of you who donated to the Save the House Campaign, we say: Thank You. Please direct any questions or comments regarding this matter to any member of the House Corporation.
A.E.K.D.B.
Frank Butcher ’60 – Board President, 720-840-5359, frankbutcher@comcast.net
Dick Mills ’61 – Board Treasurer, 303-770-1678, dmills64@comcast.net
Joe Kloppenberg ’68 – House Overseer, 303-761-1615, joklo@kloppenberg.com
Alex Klein ’85 – Social & Chapter Activities, 303-778-6664, 303-778-6664, alex@omniproclean.com
Tim Harvey ’05 – Board Secretary, 303-885-9414, timadams.harvey@gmail.com
John Wilson ’93 – Alumni Advisor, 303-283-0949, john_brucew@hotmail.com
October 25, 2011
CAMPAIGN PASSES $500,000!
The “Save The House” financial campaign has reached a significant threshold. An alumnus of the Beta-Omicron chapter has stepped forward and committed to a $50,000 donation. Coupled with the matching offer from another brother, this resulted in an immediate $100,000 infusion into the campaign. We have now received donations and commitments in excess of $510,000.
We have until December 1 to meet our goal. If you are able to make a pledge, or increase the amount of a previous pledge or donation, we still have $51,500 remaining in the matching fund offer. Maximizing this 2:1 opportunity will get us so close to the original indebtedness with DU that our success should be realized.
Please consider clicking on the on-line pledge form at this time to help us bring this financial campaign to a successful conclusion.
September 21, 2011
Large Commitment, Concession, Extend Capital Campaign
Fund Raising Deadline now December 15
A $150,000 commitment from an anonymous Beta-Omicron donor and a concession from the University of Denver have allowed the Save the House campaign to be extended. Here are the details.
The agreement between the University and House Corporation required us to obtain donations or pledge commitments totaling $750,000 by June 30. In 2010, our alumni and friends donated $127,741. This amount was released to the University to reduce our indebtedness. Through the first five months of 2011, we obtained an additional $185,201 in donations or pledge commitments. By June 1, it was apparent we would not meet the June 30 deadline with the University and steps to begin closing the chapter house were underway. Then, an alumnus of the chapter stepped forward to make a commitment that gave the financial campaign new life.
This brother, who prefers to remain anonymous, offered to match all contributions and pledge commitments obtained after June 1, 2011, up to $150,000. With this offer there were a few stipulations, which included:
1) The University had to agree to extend the June 30 deadline to December 15, 2011.
2) The donor would match donations or pledge commitments made by other Kappa Sigmas, only.
3) Provisions relating to our escrow account with DU would remain in place; that is, if we are not able to raise enough donations or commitments to satisfy our indebtedness by December 15, all donations received this year would be returned to the donors and the chapter house would be closed.
4) Should conditions described in the preceding paragraph occur, the men living in the chapter house for the first quarter of the school year would be permitted to remain through the spring quarter. Basically, the facility would be operated as a dorm with DU assuming all responsibilities for maintenance and management.
On June 15 the Chancellor accepted these stipulations, guaranteeing that the Save the House campaign would continue and the chapter would remain active. Before December 15, we must obtain additional donations or pledge commitments totaling $437,058. Our first priority will be to raise an additional $150,000 from Kappa Sigmas, ensuring the full commitment from the anonymous donor is obtained. Pledge payments will be allowed to extend through December 2015. No interest will accrue on our remaining indebtedness as long as we meet annual milestones for payment as stipulated in our agreement with the University. This will leave another $137,058 to raise. We intend to turn to the chapter and parents to raise the greatest part of this obligation.
A few experiences during the last two-years should be mentioned to show why, as members of Kappa Sigma, we need to ensure that our efforts are successful.
First, the University wants us to succeed. The Chancellor and members of the administration have been very supportive of Kappa Sigma.
Second, the chapter house was filled to capacity during the past school year and we have sufficient housing contracts to ensure full capacity during the coming year. The men are committed to paying their bills.
Third, current members of the chapter made some difficult, but necessary, decisions during the final quarter of the past school year. Due to conduct that put the chapter’s charter at risk, nineteen members were either expelled or resigned in lieu of facing expulsion. Several of the men that remain in the chapter told us that they understand and appreciate the commitment and sacrifice made by the alumni to provide a chapter and house of which we can be proud. We expect to have 37 committed Kappa Sigma brothers return for the fall quarter. With a good rush effort, our numbers should be sufficient to continue a vibrant chapter at DU.
Fourth, the national fraternity has no intention of revoking our charter. Three members of the SEC visited the house during the past year and offered encouragement and praise for the chapter’s progress and achievements. Members of the chapter, the Alumni Advisor, House Corporation President, District Grand Master and dedicated alumni stood before the SEC during the Grand Conclave in July. The national fraternity is aware of what is going on in Denver and fully supports the direction the chapter is headed.
Our anonymous donor and the University have given us a tremendous opportunity. Our actions between now and December will be critical. The donor has challenged other alumni to demonstrate their commitment to the Beta-Omicron chapter. We must respond or the chapter will be closed. The deadline for obtaining the required commitments has been extended to December 15. The University has indicated this will be the final extension. Either the financial responsibilities incurred to build the new chapter house are fulfilled or we will loose the house. We ask you to make a commitment at this time. Any donation or pledge commitment from a Kappa Sigma brother will be matched, immediately.
To make a commitment, click on the pledge form (pdf), also found at the top of this page. You can make a one-time donation or commit to a pledge period through 2015. Payments can be made by credit card. The University will charge your account for the amount specified on the dates you authorize. Please make your commitment as soon as possible so we can ensure the rich tradition of Beta-Omicron continues at the University of Denver. Then, return to this web site periodically to determine how much money has been raised and review the list of brothers who have made their commitments. The charts have been revised to provide a clearer picture of our progress and the list of donors
We are deeply indebted to the generosity and commitment of the anonymous donor. He wants the opportunities and experiences he gained by becoming a Kappa Sigma to be extended to today’s students at DU. How about you? Can we count on your support and donation? Please contact any of us if you have comments, questions or suggestions.
AEKDB
Frank Butcher ’60 – Board President, 720-840-5359, Frankbutcher@comcast.net
Dick Mills ’61 – Board Treasurer, 303-770-1678, dmills64@comcast.net
Joe Kloppenberg ’68 – House Overseer, 303-761-1615, joklo@kloppenberg.com
Alex Klein ’85 – Social & Chapter Activities Board, 303-778-6664, Alex@omniproclean.com
Tim Harvey ’05 – Board Secretary, 303-885-9414, timadams.harvey@gmail.com
John Wilson ’93 – Alumni Advisor, 303-283-0949, john_brucew@hotmail.com