Who owns the Mu Chapter of Sigma Pi property?
The “owning entity” of the 730 University facilities and property is Mu Chapter of Sigma Pi Fraternity of The United States, also called the housing corp. The all-volunteer unpaid alumni board of directors is the “governing entity” of the property compound. The board advises, oversees, and legislates policy decisions regarding the property. Such decisions include (but are not limited to) establishing the amount of charges and overseeing the financial management of the property.
What is the policy on security codes for the Sigma Pi property?
Security codes for the property are changed annually, and the security code should never be shared with non-members of the fraternity.
What is the policy on guests at the Sigma Pi property?
Guests are allowed within reason, but you are responsible for the conduct of your guests when they are present at the fraternity facilities. Each year, cases of vandalism and policy violations occur as a result of visitors who lack respect for facilities. If you intend to have visitors or guests in our facility, be aware that you might be subject to disciplinary action for their behavior. Additionally, we reserve the right to ask any individual who is not a resident of the property to leave the facility at any time.
How are room occupancy fees established for the chapter house?
The housing corp. benchmarks these fees in correlation to Cornell University’s on-campus room rates annually. Room occupancy fees are the fraternity’s primary source of income. It is used to pay the fraternity’s ongoing financial obligations: insurance, property management, and maintenance, renovations, upgrades, etc. The fraternity operates on a “break even” basis after paying these expenses. Room charges are further based on the number of beds in the room.
What costs are brothers responsible for if they damage walls, furniture, or other house property?
The housing corp. pays for ordinary maintenance, repairs, and remodeling out of the general operating fund. Maintenance is extensive and is done almost daily by the manager’s maintenance team. Vandalism damages, such as breaking furniture or windows, is the financial responsibility of each brother, just as it is for the occupant of any other property. If no one steps forward and claims responsibility, charges for repairs or property replacement are shared equally among all brothers living on the property and shown as additional charges on the appropriate invoice.
Why is there a surcharge added to damage repair and replacement costs?
Due to an unusual amount of damage in recent years, an additional surcharge is added to repair and replacement costs to discourage property damage. Surcharges are put to good use and are deposited into a fund for future property repairs and renovations.
Why are brothers responsible for the cost of clean up after a party?
Broken glass on the lawn, tables covered in empty beverage cups, and couches blocking hallways are all viewed as fire, safety, health, and environmental hazards by the Ithaca fire, health, and police departments. Penalties can include severe fines and chapter suspension. As such, it’s critical that brothers clean up immediately after parties. Otherwise, the property management company has no choice but to clean up the property themselves and pass the charges on to brothers and parents.
Who should contact contractors for room repairs or improvements?
Under no circumstances can a member hire outside vendors for room or facilities repairs, improvements, etc. Penalties for this violation of this requirement include being responsible for all associated expenses and possible termination of your housing occupancy agreement and vacating the room. If you notice damages to your room or the common space, notify the resident advisor.
What is the move-in and move-out process?
The process is run through the resident advisor.
All account statements must be current.
Move-out and move-in dates are provided in the housing occupancy agreement. Typically, the move-out date is at the end of May, and the move-in date is in mid-August. During the summer, all fraternity members must vacate the property and arrange alternative housing. Because virtually every room in the building changes fraternity members in the new school year, moving out is necessary in order to prepare each room for its new resident, including changing all door locks.
Can I store my personal items over winter and summer breaks?
Fraternity members must store their personal items off site so their rooms can be cleaned and a room inventory can be accurately recorded (e.g., furniture owned by the fraternity vs. the member) over the summer break. One common solution is for members to rent storage pods that can be delivered to the property. Check local storage companies for pod sizes and pricing. Generally speaking, “pod” rentals are economical and extremely convenient, because items can be stored right on the property. If items are left in common spaces, including the beach, the front porch, and outside the chapter house without proper signoff by the housing corp., they will be discarded over the summer breaks. Members may leave items in their rooms during the winter break, but they do so at their own risk (which is one reason we recommend adequate insurance). Even with approval, if stored items are damaged in any way during winter or summer break, the housing corp. will not accept responsibility.
What is included in a standard room?
Each room comes with a bed frame, mattress, bookshelf, chair, drawers, study lamp, wastebasket, and window coverings. Individual air-conditioning units were purchased by brothers in the past and left behind, but the housing corp. is not responsible for maintenance of these AC units that were purchased by brothers. Also, the housing occupancy agreement states that the AC units need to be professionally installed or removed. The housing corp. reserves the right to remove any AC units that present a hazard. HVAC is a long-term goal for the chapter house and is part of the reimagine campaign, but that’s something for the future.
Why don’t I have a document assigning me a specific room?
Signing the housing occupancy agreement and paying the initial room rate and security deposit secures a room “on the property” for each member. The chapter itself assigns specific rooms to each member based on seniority and “participation points” earned through the year. The more leadership roles and activities (e.g., philanthropy events, study tables, etc.) a brother participates in, the more points he earns. This encourages strong involvement in fraternity life and allows each brother to be rewarded with a better room. The chapter assigns rooms near the end of the spring semester.
Why are there terms about “replenishing” the security deposit each year?
Every member is required to pay a security deposit no later than the first of the month in which they start occupying the premises (i.e., August 1 for the Cornell fall semester). This deposit is held until the member leaves Cornell. The security deposit is used to pay for any damages during occupancy or for end-of-term repairs and/or cleaning or, if damages cannot be apportioned to individual members, an assessment for communal damage to the premises.
If a deduction is made from the security deposit at any time, the member is expected to promptly replenish the security deposit via a bill sent by the manager so that the amount of security deposit is $400 at any time.
Members generally change rooms each year (see our description of that process). The security deposit follows the member from room-to-room, and as room assignments change, the manager will credit what’s left of the security deposit and bill the member for any difference in the second year. So, if a member had no assessments made, he will not be required to pay more of a deposit, because the existing deposit for the old room will cover the deposit for the new room, so long as the member’s bills are paid in full and there are no other outstanding debts to the fraternity. If, however, assessments are made or there are bills outstanding, the member will need to replenish the security deposit.
What is normal wear and tear versus damage?
Normal wear and tear includes deterioration of the premises that occurs during normal conditions: for example, paint might fade, electrical switches might wear out and break, pull strings on blinds might fray or break, carpet and tile might wear down. These things happen even if the brother cleans regularly and cares for the premises reasonably. Damage, however, occurs from unreasonable use, accidents or intentional alterations. Damage can include extreme buildup of dirt, mold, etc., stains on carpets, and broken windows. For example, the undergraduate brother cannot leave large holes in the walls from shelving or hanging pictures and cannot repaint the walls to significantly change the color. If an undergraduate brother wants to make changes to the premises that will remain after the undergraduate brother moves out, the undergraduate brother should do so only with the written permission from the president of housing corp. or his designee.
I’ve moved into my room, and I’ve noticed damage. Who do I report it to?
Damage noticed after move-in should not happen, because you should review your room and provide notice of any damage before moving in. All damage should be reported in writing as soon as possible to the undergraduate steward and the resident advisor with a copy to the president of the housing corp.
Contact the resident advisor upon check in. Please highlight the problem with photos in an e-mail to the undergraduate steward and the resident advisor with a copy to the president of the housing corp.
Below are some examples of normal wear and tear versus damage.
- Worn out keys
- Loose or stubborn door lock
- Loose hinges or handles on doors
- Worn and dirty carpeting
- Carpet seam unglued
- Scuffed up wood floors
- Linoleum worn thin
- Worn countertop
- Stain on ceiling from rain or bad plumbing
- Plaster cracks from settling
- Faded, chipped, or cracked paint
- Balky drapery rod
- Faded curtains and drapes
- Heat blistered blinds
- Dirty window or door screens
- Sticky window
- Loose or inoperable faucet handle
- Toilet runs or wobbles
- Lost or unreturned keys
- Broken or missing locks
- Damage to a door from forced entry
- Torn, stained, or burned carpeting
- Rust or oil stains on carpet
- Badly scratched or gouged floors
- Linoleum with tears or holes
- Burns and cuts in countertop
- Stain on ceiling from overflowed toilet
- Holes in walls from carelessness
- Unapproved (bad) paint job
- Broken drapery rod
- Torn or missing curtains and drapes
- Blinds with bent slats
- Torn or missing screens
- Broken window
- Broken or missing faucet handle
- Broken toilet seat or tank top
Who is responsible for maintenance and upkeep?
The housing corp. is responsible for and pays for all routine inspections and maintenance, any repairs considered to be due to normal wear and tear, and major repairs and upgrades and extraordinary maintenance. The housing corp. is responsible for making required repairs caused by abuse or misuse.
The undergraduates are responsible to pay for repairs determined to have been due to abuse or misuse.
The housing corp. president is the decision maker regarding an item being normal wear and tear paid by the organization or abuse or misuse to be paid by undergraduates. The undergraduate may appeal that decision to the full board of the housing corp.
- If the item is specific to an individual bedroom, then the housing corp. will make appropriate billing directly to the occupant(s) or withhold the applicable amount from the occupant’s security deposit.
- If the item involves “common” rooms, or areas, the housing corp. will make appropriate billing to the undergraduate account and inform the chapter president (also called the “sage”) and the chapter treasurer of the issue.
Who is responsible for housekeeping?
The undergraduates are responsible for maintaining proper housekeeping and cleanliness of individual bedrooms, common areas, and the property in general.
If the housing corp. determines that cleanliness or housekeeping is unsatisfactory, it might arrange for the applicable issues to be addressed and pass that cost on to the undergraduates.
The housing corp. president is the decision maker regarding cleanliness and housekeeping being unsatisfactory, the need for it to be addressed immediately and to be paid by the undergraduates. The chapter may appeal that decision to the board of the housing corp.
- If the item is specific to an individual bedroom, then the housing corp. will make appropriate billing directly to the occupant(s) or withhold applicable amount from the occupant’s security deposit.
- If the item is in common rooms or areas, then the housing corp. will pass the bill to the chapter’s account and inform the chapter president and chapter treasurer of the issue.
- Will simply be paid by the member account, or
- Will be paid by the member account, and the member account will be reimbursed by the member and/or members responsible for all or part of the issue. It is the sole responsibility and authority of the chapter-leadership team to identify such individual(s) and allocate appropriate share of the expense. Note that for purposes of this section, a senior who has recently graduated will be considered an “undergraduate member” until all applicable “end-of-year and/or semester” inspections have been completed, all repairs and cleaning have been dispositioned as to who is responsible to pay, and, if applicable, the graduated seniors’ accounts have been fully billed and paid.
After paying utilities, taxes, insurance, repairs, and other house expenses, how much is left over and what is it used for?
Mu Chapter is not a profit-making operation. We plan appropriate profits every year to fund necessary short-term and long-term repairs and to have an appropriate amount of funds available for unexpected contingencies.
Still have unanswered questions?
Feel free to contact us regarding any questions you might have. We’ll be sure to get back to you promptly with an answer to your question!
Senior week: In the week after exams and before graduation, seniors and family members who register with the RA will be permitted to utilize a room in the chapter house. However, the RA will designate specific room assignments. There will not be a room charge assessed for the week; however, the group will evenly divide the total cost of having the house cleaned after move out.
Reunion: Coordinated with the alumni relations chair, in partnership with the RA. Rooms will be assigned by the RA for a modest fee.
House Policies: Inquiries need to be directed to the sage and steward.
House Security Policy: No outside persons are permitted in the fraternity house during winter breaks, summer breaks, or holidays except by previously arranged written authorization by the housing corp. president.
Break Between Semesters: The house traditionally is closed for maintenance during breaks. No one is permitted to stay in the house unless permission is granted in writing by the housing corp. president. Please contact the sage and the chapter treasurer to understand this process.