Author Archives: Seth Downs

Collegiate Housing & Infrastructure Bill

The easy way to generate a letter/email to your representative is at this website:www.fraternalcaucus.org Then click on the “register” button on the left side.

Chapter houses seem to have an insatiable need for renovation. As the houses age and are subjected to “accelerated depreciation” by the residents, house corporations are challenged to keep the housing safe and competitive with other forms of university housing. Universities have long had the advantage of being able to use tax deductible contributions to maintain their property.

The Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act (HR 1547/S 781) would level the playing field by Continue reading →

We have lost a brother today

Brothers and Friends,

Drew HunterI’m sorry to have to be the one who give everyone the bad news, but our Brother and friend Drew Hunter has passed away in a kayaking accident.  He was with friends yesterday afternoon when he became stuck in the river.  They tried to help him but it didn’t work.  The search party found our brother Drew this morning.

This is the link to the news story from Vail, CO.

As of now there are no plans for a funeral.  As soon as I find out the information I will pass it on.  I am out in Denver with Drew’s fiance and family and will keep everyone up to date.  Please use me as a contact, 603-630-4181.

Guard Well and Strong Arms Brothers,

Brad Vomacka

The 1855 Club turns 9 years old!!!

That’s right the 1855 Club was created in May 2000.  I asked John Banta to share some of his early thoughts in creating the 1855 club:

I took on the role of House Corporation President back in 2000 along with Brian Lojko as Vice President and we knew right away that Eta Iota was facing a challenge with long-term capital improvement savings.  Rental income from the undergraduate chapter covered mortgage payments, RMF Insurance premiums and the increasing maintenance costs but not much more.  Past fund-raising initiatives of the chapter such as the Eta Iota Honor Wall demonstrated what we already knew – Eta Iota consists of very generous members who want to support the chapter but a vehicle was needed to facilitate the process.
The idea for the 1855 Club originated as we explored the various fund raising options for Eta Iota’s capital improvement reserves and I wanted a solution that would meet several key criteria:

Continue reading →