Category Archives: Editorial

EtaIota.org Seeks New Webmaster/Developer

Eta Iota is seeking a new Webmaster/Web Developer to take over the reigns from Bill Palmer (’79) who has held the position since its beginning (with gracious help from several others).

The etaiota.org website is not only our web presence but also hosts our chapter’s membership database. This database has been critical in our chapter’s success in maintaining a close connection with out alumni. Therefore, the new webmaster becomes the de-facto database manager as well, and must monitor activity to ensure against misuse, and provide database functions to meet the needs of the chapter and House Corporation. These functions make this position of critical importance.  The membership database also provides integrated content throughout the website, from birthday and anniversary greetings, lost alumni and officer lists contact forms & biography profiles to brother website listings, and  the Eta Iota Family Tree project.

The interested brother should be familiar with modern web architecture, have a working knowledge of a scripting language (e.g., PHP, Python, PERL) and be able to adapt the website to a mobile friendly platform with tools such as Bootstrap, JQueryMobile, or a content management system (CMS). He should also be familiar with the WordPress CMS as our News and virtual scrapbook sections use WordPress.  As webmaster, he will be responsible for the website hosting and domain name accounts. As a developer , he should also be able to execute a transition of the chapter database from its current flat-file format (using PERL scripts) to an SQL based database, and provide the needed functionality to extract data from the database both for display on the website (i.e., through server-side includes), member record addition and updating via web form, and as needed for email and mass communications. A long-term commitment should be expected.

The interested brother should be able to provide for future enhancements including connection to a mass-email platform (e.g., mailchimp), upgrading the password scheme, expansion of database information, and to provide for updated security measures for the website and database.

This opportunity provides the successful candidate the chance to make a long-term positive impact on the future success of the chapter, become a prominent stakeholder in the future success of the chapter, expand the site’s functions with his own creativity, and remain well connected with both the undergraduate and House Corporation ends of the chapter’s operation. Technical assistance in making the transition can be expected.

The position is not an elected one, and therefore does not appear on the officer nominations form. Interested brothers should contact House Corp President John Banta or Webmaster Bill Palmer.

 

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 →

OF HOUSES, HOPES, AND HORRORS . .

There is currently considerable interest and effort being directed to address the deteriorating condition of the Eta Iota Chapter House.  This is admirable and necessary in the short term, and as an ongoing process. Our obligations are mandated by our commitment to the Brotherhood as well as a legally binding fiduciary responsibility and the mandates of Title VI, Chapter 83 of the Florida Statutes (“Landlord and Tenant”).  It occurs to me however; that at some point it would be in everyone’s best interests to explore a long-term solution.  Long-term solutions are just that.  They do not – and should not – happen rapidly.  They do however have to start somewhere.  Thus, I put these thoughts to paper; to discuss, to tear apart, to laugh at, or such other reactions as deemed appropriate.

  Continue reading →