Home. Webster’s defines a home as one’s place of residence, a familiar or usual setting, a place or origin. Up until now our chapter has never had a permanent home. 910 Union; 80 S. Elm; 440 West Pine; and 405 W. Main. These are all places where we have struggled and grown as a chapter, made memories, forged friendships, and for some maybe even met a future spouse. Through it all there has always been this cloud hanging over our heads that it was never permanent.
These past chapter facilities have never been perfect. We have lived through leaky windows, collapsing garages, insects, and pesky landlords. Through it all we have always made more of a facility than what it’s physical walls would normally allow. We have innovated, adopted, and made the best use of these places that we could. They will forever be a part of our story; but the time has come to start a new chapter.
COVID has no doubt been a challenge for us all. Personally, and professionally. We have had to adapt and live with a new normal. The chapter was no exception to this. But in times of adversity, we find strength and redirection. A little over a year ago we took a step back and reevaluated our housing situation. Through a clearer lens one thing became very clear. Our housing status quo was not sustainable. In the past ten years alone, we had spent $425,000 in rent. So as the undergrads took the bull by the horns with COVID, so did the AVC with our future housing.
A housing research committee comprised of undergrads and alumni sought out and evaluated many properties in the area. The AVC was able to successfully negotiate out of the current lease. A formal housing business plan was drafted, reviewed, and adopted by the Board of Trustees. Inspections and negotiations commenced, and in May of this year the AVC took the historic steps of going under contract to purchase 520 Southwest Rd.
520 Southwest Rd. is at the corner of Hickory and Southwest road just 1 block from the football stadium and Valley View Park. We are currently under contract for $165,000 scheduled to close on June 1 of 2022. This property has already been split and registered as a duplex, providing housing to 5 undergrads. This multi-family designation along with the proper road frontage means the AVC will be able to completely control its own destiny for future housing endeavors. Funds collected during the 2002-2003 housing campaign and the chapter investment fund held at headquarters hold the funds needed for the down payment and closing costs.
Home. This word will soon take more meaning for us as a chapter. While we envision grander endeavors; we are confident in thinking this location will become the permanent home for Wisconsin-Theta that we have all dreamed about. Home means future. Home means stability. Home means we are finally gearing up to provide the physical space conducive for our undergraduate brothers to grow as balanced men. Home is the sacred space where we all have commitment ourselves to each other through the oath that binds us; the embracement of our Cardinal Principals. Home is fulfilling our founding mission of gentlemen united, unconditionally, in the pursuit of realizing each other’s greatest personal potential.
The Red Door is coming…
Chris Yerges
AVC VP of Housing