Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the house renovations effort.  If you have further questions, please email us or call Committee Chairman Shawn Harris '91 at 704-998-9063.

FAQs

Why are repairs/renovations needed now?

The house looks worn and run down, why should I donate?

Why the chapter is worthy of our support.

How are the university and national fraternity supporting this effort?

Is the current live-in population adequate to justify and/or support renovations?

How will the undergraduates benefit from this in the short and long term?

How many brothers will the house support once the renovation is complete?

How will the renovated house meet the needs of current and future Phi Kaps?

Who will oversee the renovation process and who will do the work?

How much will the renovations cost and what will it cost to maintain once completed?

How can I contribute?

How will my money be spent?

How will I be recognized for my gift?

 

1) Why are repairs/renovations needed now?

Our chapter house was built at the turn of the 20th century in 1903. It has been 57 years since the house has seen any major repairs or renovations. During this time, some needed maintenance has been performed by the Housing Corporation, such as new hard wood flooring on the first floor and a replacement of the boiler. However, after a century of use by hundreds of Brothers and hundreds more of their guests, the house is showing her age: the roof is leaking, the heating system is inefficient, the wiring is old, the life safety systems need updating, the building code has changed, and the layout is designed for an earlier era of student. In order to provide a safe living and learning facility for the undergraduates - and to help them recruit the top new members - an immediate renovation is required.

2) The house looks worn and run down, why should I donate?

Each alumnus will need to ask himself what value he placed on his time as a member of Phi Kappa Sigma at UMaine and how that experience positively affect his life. Alumni also need to ask themselves whether or not they want to help enable future generations of young men to share a similar experience. Thus far, we have found the overwhelming response to this question to be yes. The truth is, our house is 107 years old and has not seen significant repairs since 1953. We have to remember this when we compare the recent condition of the house to our memories of it when we lived there. Any home, no matter how many times you try to paint or clean it, will show its age over the course of several decades, especially one that sees 20-40 young men living in it per year. Despite the best efforts of the undergraduates over the years to do work themselves, maintain daily house chores, and have major monthly “house cleanings”, the house now requires more than just superficial cleaning and updating. If we are to see this change, alumni will need to step up and take significant ownership to reverse the many years of deferred maintenance on the house, just as alumni did in the 1950s. We have the ability to recapture what was good about the house and also make it so it meets the needs of students in the 21st century. Once renovated, the undergraduates will adhere to a strict maintenance schedule and the Corporation will invest money into routine maintenance as needed.

3) Why the chapter is worthy of our support.

Here are some reasons why the Housing Corporation, Skullumni Alumni Chapter, University of Maine, International Fraternity, and House Renovations Committee all believe that the undergraduates are worthy of your support:

Our chapter ranks 4th out of the 16 fraternities at UMaine in terms of total number of members

Our chapter has more men living in the house (22) than the campus average (20) 

Our chapter ranked 6th out of 16 fraternities in grade point average (GPA) last spring

Our chapter recently won the following awards from the university and/or national fraternity: Chapter Excellence Award, -Community Service Award (Runner-up), Best Display of Traditionalism, 100% Pledge Retention Award, & Greek Talent Show

Our chapter has members involved in the following campus groups: Senior Skulls, Order of Omega Honor Society, Student Senate, Interfraternity Council (IFC), American Marketing Association, SPIFFY, and Reach

Our chapter raised over $1,000 last October for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America through their annual haunted house, an event which has raised nearly $2,000 in each of the past several years

Our chapter recently received trophies for the following intramural sporting events: Flag Football, Black Bear 5k, Kickball & Dodgeball

Our chapter has been actively involved in the house renovations effort and have maintained excellent communication with alumni, including the Housing Corporation and Skullumni

4) How are the university and national fraternity supporting this effort?

In addition to receiving a letter of support from Joseph Moidl, Phi Kappa Sigma Grand Alpha, we have also received letters of support from Dean of Students Dr. Robert Dana and from the President of the UM Alumni Association, Todd Saucier. Also, the university and Housing Corporation recently entered into a new 30-year lease for the house to remain on university property through at least 2038!

5) Is the current live-in population adequate to justify and/or support renovations?

Yes. While the number of young men joining Greek-letter organizations is down significantly from the hey-day of the 1950s and 1960s, our chapter is currently one of the largest fraternities at the University of Maine. In 2008, the chapter had the fourth most members out of the 16 fraternities at UMaine. In the past few years the chapter has averaged over 40 members and had 20-24 members living in the house, which is more than the campus average of 20 men living in their respective fraternity houses. Recent changes to the chapter’s bylaws requiring every member to live in for at least one year, bringing back a cook, and the renovations will all increase live-in numbers. Capacity of a renovated house will provide space for at least 28 members. The chapter currently operates with a break-even point of approx. $85,000 annually. Pro forma financials indicate that a renovated house will be in the black with a small operating surplus with as few as 20 members. Clearly, the intent will be to fill the house which would provide annual operating revenues of $140- $190,000. This will create a healthy operating surplus, reserves for future work and amenities to make the house even more appealing for future members.

6) How will the undergraduates benefit from this in the short and long term?

Membership, live-in numbers, and morale will all increase. Living in a house that is clean but severely run-down negatively affects the perception of the chapter, both to members and non-members alike. It has discouraged potential rushes from pledging Phi Kap and has made the house unattractive for members to live in. A renovated house will spark interest in Phi Kap across campus and lead to a higher number of quality pledges. It will also increase the amount of members wishing to live in the house (at least 20% by our estimates) and these members are likely to live in for longer than a year given the amenities that the newly renovated house will offer. This will provide an immediate boost to numbers, finances, and chapter strength. By way of comparison, Phi Eta Kappa recently performed renovations to their chapter house and saw their membership increase 23% (from 30 to 37) and their live-in amount increase 25% (from 16 to 20) in a two year period. Given the broader scope of our renovations and the strength of our undergraduate chapter, we expect to at least equal but likely surpass the success of Phi Eta. The long-term benefits are many but the most significant benefit will be the funds set aside semesterly by the Housing Corporation so that future repairs/ renovations can be self-funded without the need for major fundraisers. Also, since the house will be more heat efficient, it will be warmer, less drafty, and less costly to heat.

7) How many brothers will the house support once the renovation is complete?

At least 28. By converting the underutilized third floor area (“the Ram”) into living quarters, an additional 14 beds are created. If needed, the use of bunk beds can increase the capacity.

8) How will the renovated house meet the needs of current and future Phi Kaps?

When working with Carla Haskell, our architect, we placed a premium on creating an environment that would promote interaction and brotherhood, and retain the feel of the house while providing updates that current college students seek. The second and third floor will be the primary living quarters for the members. The floors will include some single rooms (at an additional rent premium) and double rooms. Members will sleep and study in these rooms. There will also be suite areas added to these floors to provide open areas where brothers can congregate. The first floor will have an improved layout with a renovated living room, dining room, and a newly added library. The kitchen will also be moved from the basement to the first floor and a cook will be hired.

9) Who will oversee the renovation process and who will do the work?

The Housing Corporation owns the chapter house, signs the lease with the university to keep the house on university land, and is the entity that is legally responsible for overseeing the renovations to the “Skull House.” As such, the Corporation will sign any and all contracts with contractors to perform work on the house. The committee charged with spearheading the renovations campaign is comprised of alumni of eras spanning from the 1940s-2000s. Once funds are in hand we have a core of brothers with engineering and construction experience to work with the selected contractor.

10) How much will the renovations cost and what will it cost to maintain once completed?

The complete renovation plan, consisting of three separate phases, will cost over $600,000. Through in-kind work from semi-skilled alumni, some of the easier but more labor-intensive activities will be done for free, thus reducing the overall cost. As work is completed rent will also be increased so that the undergraduates will be contributing toward the costs, as well. Thus, the total donation amount that we will be seeking from alumni is $500,000 - 600,000. Once the renovations are complete, we would like to see at least $20,000 set aside annually from rent for future capital projects. Currently, the chapter pays the Corporation $15,000 per semester. This revenue goes toward necessary repairs and maintenance to the building, furnace, wiring, property taxes, insurance, and water and sewer rates.

11) How can I contribute?

Alumni will be asked to make contributions in either a lump sum or by contributing installments over the three year construction period. Because alumni can spread their contribution over the three years we can accommodate alumni who desire to contribute generously with a payment structure that will not strain personal finances. Donations can be made by check (payable to the House Renovations Committee), debit or credit card. Contact use if you wish to make a gift of stock or your donation qualifies for a matching contribution from your company.

12) How will my money be spent?

97% of your donation will go toward the renovation. Since the Chapter House Renovations Committee is alumni-run and there are no fundraising consultants involved, the vast majority of your donation will go toward brick and mortar work. A small amount of funds will need to be spent on plans and designs, as well as fundraising outreach to alumni, however our goal is to maximize the highest portion of your dollar to go towards actual work. We have received initial donations from alumni and money from the Housing Corporation to fund the engineering studies and architectural plans.

13) How will I be recognized for my gift?

All alumni will be recognized for their gift by: 1) having their name inscribed on a plaque to be placed near the entrance of the renovated chapter house for perpetuity, 2) having the opportunity to have one of the newly renovated rooms named in their honor or according to their wishes, 3) receiving a thank you letter from the committee, and 4) having their name published on the house renovations website and in Skullumni’s annual newsletter. Alumni who donate larger gifts will be recognized by: having a room named after them (name inscribed on a plaque and placed by the door), including living quarters, library, kitchen, dining room, and living room; having their name listed prominently on the donor plaque; and being recognized at the ribbon-cutting banquet when the renovations are officially unveiled. You will also have the lifelong knowledge that your gift has enabled future generations of young men to have the Phi Kap experience that so many of us were able to enjoy and learn from during our time at the University of Maine.