Remember this?
There was a time of the year at SDSU when getting done with your finals meant packing your car and heading south with your brothers to San Felipe, Baja California.
Life at that time was not very expensive. Most of us had already planned to have a couple brothers to share in the gas money. And all you really needed was a tent, sleeping bag and an ice chest. A simple diet of fish tacos and beer would be plenty of food to get you through the day. The sun was always bright early and the evenings were always cool and welcoming. “Bowling Party’s” at the local Cantina and camp fire dancing was a nightly ritual.
Do you remember?
Post your best memories of San Felipe on our Facebook DU Alumni Page HERE.
Spoiler Alert:
The Alumni Board has set a goal to organize “SPRING BREAK 2022” event…here in San Diego. We also want all Ducks to keep an eye for some “Impromptu” gatherings including a Wiffle Ball Tourney in front of the Catamaran Hotel… so keep a look out and join in the fun this summer. Stay tuned.
Dire Straits – Brothers in Arms
I hope this edition of our Duck Talk newsletter finds all of you healthy and probably a few COVID-19 pounds heavier after all that indoor confinement we have experienced. Our Alumni board has been busy as well as our Chapter House here at San Diego State, let’s bring you up to speed on everything DU….Since I was an undergraduate at SDSU during the mid-80’s, I hope I don’t offend anybody by selecting some album covers to address the various topics of discussion. I hope you enjoy!
Back in 2016, DU Alumni initiated a major fund-raising effort to build a new chapter house. Approximately $233,000 was raised to initiate and complete the new building. These funds were held in the DU International “Housing Fund” custodial account specifically for the construction.
As the story goes, the chapter house was built as a 30+ plus bed fraternity which we occupied for over 2 years. In early 2019, it was determined by the Alumni Board that the house was economically unsustainable had to be sold due to the following:
- Then present economic feasibility
- Lack of additional fundraising
- Greek life and University relations were unstable.
The chapter house was sold in November of 2019. The Delta Gamma sorority bought our building and our DU Chapter relocated across the street into the University Housing, also known as “The Stacks” on fraternity row. Our Alumni Board was no longer in the Property Management business; all chapter members signed a lease with the University for their new housing.
COVID-19 began in March of 2020 and we all look brilliant selling the chapter house because the entire campus and related university activities such as Greek life went on shut down for the next 14 months.
Our DU Alumni Board netted approximately $950,000 from the sale of the building. As part of our agreement with DU International; our initial fundraising account of $233,000 had to be returned back to the custodial account and can only be used for the future Chapter House purchase. No refunds could be issued to the donors because those funds are secured to be used for the next chapter house purchase.
Our Alumni Board completed the transfer of funds back to DU International Housing Account of $233,000 and we have approximately 3 years to purchase a new building or take the tax hit on capital gains. We have time to look for a new chapter house. Current financials will be posted on this news letter and can also be found on our website, DuckTalk.org
DEVO- Are We Not Men?
All fraternities rely on recruitment as their life blood. Without new members, a house will die out. During our COVID period, SDSU had enforced strict restrictions on how to conduct recruitment during RUSH week. This past winter, our experience was a little frustrating at best. There was low campus interest in fraternities because there was a low population of students on campus. RUSH has always been a “face to face” experience and we all realized that it’s pretty hard to recruit someone over a ZOOM video. Our allotted four online events yielded 10 new recruits. 8 received bids.
With that said, our recruitment numbers were low and I have taken it upon myself to engage with the chapter executive board and hold a workshop to get a better understanding of what’s working and not working. Overall, all fraternities are experiencing low numbers due to the limited contact on campus..
We all realize that recruitment does not start during RUSH… It’s all year around and we need to do a better job of having our chapter members recruit all year long. It’s all about telling our story DU history at SDSU.
In Summary, it appears that SDSU will have a “Hybrid Campus” coming soon which may bring more social interactions for the next round of fraternity recruitment activities.
Stay Tuned.
Mentorship Matters
Our Alumni Board has teamed up with some of our new pledges and have offered a mentorship program. Just keeping an eye and keeping it real with them on the facts of life. I would like to thank and acknowledge the following Alumni for participating in this “Adopt a Duck” program:
- Maurice Saldebar (Fall 83) and John Gunner (Fall 83)
- Joe Duffel (Spring 84) and Erik Stroman (Fall 82)
We have plenty of Chapter members looking for mentorship. You do not have to be local to be a mentor. (Zoom, Text, Email or FaceTime)
If you are interested in joining this program, please email: Info@DuckTalk.org
Class of 2021: Senior Ducks.
We have nine graduates this year.
Duck for Hire: AJ Boline, Finance Major
I am a graduating senior excited to start my career. I possess a solid foundation of financial knowledge and carry experience from serving on four student executive boards. My goal is to learn new skills that will push me further into a career in finance.
Cell: (562) 665 4770
Email: ajboline9@yahoo.com
Membership Drive / DU Shirt Giveaway
As part of our 2021 Plan, we are testing all areas of engagement. We need your help to share this newsletter and promote DU Alumni. If you know a Duck, share our newsletter link to a Duck: www.sdsuducks.com/du-newsletter-san-diego-summer-2021/.
We are trying to add as many Alumni to our flock and your efforts are appreciated.
Speaking of efforts, Our Alumni Board has started our membership drive. This drive is to help continue to feed our scholarship fund for our active members as well as getting in touch to our SDSU DU Alumni all over the nation. For your $50 donation, we will throw in our “Summer” DU Alumni Tee Shirt
Shirt Sizes: L, XL and 2XL (aka more to hug size)
Please send in your T-Shirt Size order and $50 donation to info@sdsuducks.com.
Annual DU Leadership Event (LI):
The annual Delta Upsilon Leadership conference will be held in New Orleans, LA. July 30th thru August 1. I plan on attending and reporting back to all Alumni on the current state of DU. I will also carry my, “Free Pass” to avoid any conflict on Bourbon Street and will be bringing, Jim Swartout as extra protection.
Summary
In summary, The DU Chapter at SDSU has a lot to be thankful for. We are smart, strong and financially stable in a time where most fraternities are shutting down. Our house will continue to be in good standing with the university and will grow with the right men who understand our culture of leadership.
Dikah Upithaka.
