The alumni board of Mu Chapter has been working closely with the undergraduate e-board during these unprecedented times to implement the directives from Cornell University regarding the shutdown of the campus and transition to virtual classes this spring. We agree with Cornell that the highest priority must be the health and welfare of students and the larger Cornell community. Mu Chapter followed Cornell’s directive to close the fraternity during this health crisis.
Cornell canceled all academic instruction on March 13, requiring students to leave campus and to return to their permanent residences to complete their semester online. Online classes and instruction began on April 6.
A special thanks to Chris Cavanaugh, sage, Mat Pullano, VP, and the e-board members whose leadership was key to a successful and orderly move-out process in a very difficult and challenging environment. They were assisted by Elevate, our fraternity services partner, in the room check-out process.
Alumni Kitchen and Dining Committee chair, Steve Pirozzi ’80, in partnership with Drew Mangan, the house steward, and the cook, Pat, worked diligently to wind down, clean, close, and secure the kitchen and dining operations.
John Haggerty, alumni corporation treasurer, worked with Adi Ramachandran, house treasurer, and our accounting firm to ensure that undergraduates who lived and/or took meals in the house will receive appropriate financial credit for the shortened semester. Rent refunds of 40% of the semester cost are being processed through the Cornell bursar.
Many of the undergrads dealt with various challenges in terms of getting home safely only then to face challenges in their local communities and, in some cases, families dealing with the serious risks from COVID-19.
A number of the undergraduate brothers were finalizing summer internships or, in the case of seniors, jobs post-graduation. The Sigma Pi Educational Foundation and the Alumni Career Committee have sent out a survey to all undergrads on the status of jobs or internships impacted by the pandemic. No surprise that there were a number of students who need assistance due to jobs/internships being cancelled. If you are interested in possibly speaking with undergrads about internship and career opportunities etc., please email Sackett Terry: swt53@cornell.edu.
For the seniors in particular, we understand this is an especially difficult time, with the loss of senior spring at the Pi house and graduation on Memorial Day weekend. Cornell is hoping that the health crisis will not impact scheduling graduation at some unspecified future date. Once things are clarified, we will make efforts to reopen the house for the seniors and their families.
Reunion 2020 was also cancelled. Mu Chapter is offering the Reunion classes of 0s and 5s to either celebrate at fall Homecoming, September 25–26, or to join with the Reunion classes of 2021 next year, June 10–13, 2021. For more information, see our page on Reunion.
The Mu Chapter alumni board would like to thank the undergraduates, parents, alumni, and friends for your cooperation and assistance during this challenging time. We would also like to express our hope that each of you and your loved ones remain safe and healthy.
Sigma Pi Mu Chapter Alumni Board