Undergrad Updates

House Improvements

Over the summer 122 South Campus underwent the most significant facelift and construction since the installation of the fire suppression system 5 years prior. The kitchen was completely removed and was transformed into a new area of which the brothers are now using for formal chapter meetings and as a study area. In addition the old chapter room/eating area was repainted and updated to match the old kitchen. Plans are in the works to update the apartment bathrooms and formal living room this summer.

The House

We currently have 133 active members in the fraternity. The house has held a total of 39 brothers this year, 17 in the main house and 25 in the apartments. The dues paid by the 39 brothers living in the house plays a large role in helping with social parties, weekend events and any necessary capital improvements.

Miami University has passed a new rule requiring all sophomore students to reside on campus. As a way to continue the tradition of having all (N)ewly (I)nitiated (B)rother(s) live in the house, the brothers have applied for an exemption to the rule. To become eligible for this exemption fraternities must have in place a fire suppression system, a dry house and a live in student advisor.

RUSH

Second semester began with yet another great rush. Although the number of those who rush has gone down across Miami’s campus, our numbers were very strong this year. We gave out a total of 36 bids and had a total of 35 accept. After a six-week pledging period all 35 were initiated on March 7, 2008. The 35 new members are a great addition to Phi Kappa Psi and each member has a deep appreciation for the fraternity. We are all extremely excited to welcome in the new pledge class and know that a promising future is safe in their hands as the tradition of our brotherhood is passed down from class to class, generation to generation. Most of the new members have plans on living in the fraternity house next school year.

SPORTS

One of the strongest suits of our fraternity today is our athletics continuing the tradition of participating in division 1. We held a close second throughout Greek Week, falling to fourth in the overall standings, but we still represent with great numbers and support at every sporting event, supporting one another in a manner that is unparalleled on the campus. The highlight of this sport’s season is our basketball team who is undefeated with a head of steam as no game has been decided by less than 15 points. Many of the other sports have also made the playoffs while those that have not, barely missed.

BROTHERS

The brothers of Phi Psi are extremely involved in a variety of organizations and activities on the Miami Campus. Phi Kappa Psi is well known around campus is a fraternity that has very diverse brothers that have a very wide range of interest. For example, there are brothers on the IFC, Greek Habitat, Pre-Law Fraternities, Business Fraternities, Miami University student ambassadors, Miami Club sports teams such as Rugby, Hockey, and Lacrosse, Advertising groups, various community service activities such as the Big Brother program and a tutoring program. We have member of our fraternity in the Miami men’s Glee Club (a nationally recognized group). We have members who worked for the Miami Health Education office as peer educators. We have had multiple brothers work for the Outdoor Pursuit Center at Miami, which is responsible for organizing outdoor adventure trips around the world. We have a number of brothers that are involved in bands that play uptown almost every weekend. We also have a brother that is a tour guide for perspective Miami students that come to visit. Those are just a few of the examples of the involvement around Miami’s campus and activities the brothers at Phi Psi participate in. Furthermore we have had a great deal of brothers go abroad this year to places such as Australia, Costa Rica, Luxembourg, and London. Brothers have also been participating in summer programs where they travel throughout Europe, South America, the Greek Isles, and Asia.

Philanthropy

We are partaking in philanthropy in several weeks helping to clean the blocks of the fine city of Oxford, Ohio, wanting to help the community that we live in become a cleaner and more attractive place. Many of the active brothers participate in Adopt-A-School as well, helping tutor and mentor kids of all ages in an effort to give a little back after all that we have all been afforded.

The second philanthropy we are planning is to bring back the 20/20 Bike Race for the fall semester of 2008.

Social

With parties with several sororities every weekend at different bars on campus, our social scene has been very entertaining and lively. The main theme for our fraternity this year has been jerseys. No matter the occasion, even in the cold of this winter, we suit up for another jersey party this Saturday with Kappa Kappa Gamma. Another big event that we are all looking forward to is Mom’s weekend, which comes in April. It is always such a good time getting the mothers together that raised each of us into the men that we are today.