During last night's Interfraternity Council elections, Brother Arjun Chavern ’15—currently the Alpha Phi and risk manager of the Pi Chapter—was voted to become the new IFC vice president of risk management. His term is the 2014 calendar year. Congratulations, Arjun! We're very happy to have such an essential position filled by a Zeta Psi brother, and we know you're going to great things in your position!
Sprinkler Installation: Almost Complete!
An email came today via Jim Ljunglin '57, Jay Webb '61, and Chris Geer of Albany Fire Protection detailing that we're very close to having a complete fire sprinkler system! The installer built the riser, drain, and fire department connection yesterday, and it's planned that the dry system/anti-freeze loop will be built and tied in today. After all that is done, required tests will be completed, the alarm company will be notified to install notification sensors, and the city will inspect and certify the whole package.
Like before, as updates come in, we'll post them here!
PiZetes.org Lauded for Info Tech Prestige
Recently, Elder Mike Bruce ’08 joined IHQ's Communications Board. He was told by them that the Pi Chapter excels in online presence and serves as a model for other chapters. The Pi has also been told in the past that they have the most extensive database and back end systems throughout the Zeta Psi world. This will only improve as a result of the planned telecommunications project during RPI's winter break, when the house will get completely rewired for Ethernet and coaxial cable capabilities.
Of course, none of this would be possible without Frank Harrington ’91 and Mike, who built the mailing list database, website, social media pages, and back end all pretty much on their own. Thanks, guys, and thank you to IHQ for the praise! We'd be happy to share what we know with other chapters!
Fall ’13 Pledges Get Big Brothers
The pledgemen of the Pi Chapter of Zeta Psi met their big brothers yesterday, advancing another step on the staircase to becoming brothers themselves. The pledge–big brother pairs are as follows:
- Zach Yakel–Josh Dugas ’15
- Niko Davis–Ryan Belbey ’15
- Pat Harrington–James Jakobek ’15
- Sam Waddell–Alec Vogel ’16
- Pat Ducey–Sean Sanford ’16
- Matt Haering–Mike Scocozza ’16
- Will Lewis–Brian Hatcher ’16
- Andrew Sudano–Dan Bruce ’16
- Sean Carey–Chase Almond ’16
All of the pledges have shown an eagerness to learn about the history of Zeta Psi and the Pi Chapter, and they are all doing quite well in the endeavor.
Pi Zetes Volunteer Over Weekend
Recently, brothers had the chance to volunteer at the Six Flags park just south of Lake George. The following was submitted by Alpha Phi Arjun Chavern ’ 15.
Thanks to Brother Rob Orban III ’16 and the Orban family, a group of brothers were given the opportunity to volunteer at the Six Flags Fright Fest Zombie Run 2013 held at Six Flags Great Escape in Queensbury, NY on October 12. Brothers Josh Dugas ’15, Alec Vogel ’16, Michael Scocozza ’16, Brian Hatcher ’16, Nash Widowski ’16, Chase Almond ’16, Craig Fitzgerald ’16, Bryant Rosato ’16, and I all attended the event—in addition to Rob. We served as course directors, making sure 5K race participants stayed on the designated course path. After the race, several of us stuck around to enjoy the park before heading back to Belle Avenue.
Thanks for the update, Arjun! And to the brothers who volunteered: great job helping out our community!
The Middle of the Semester
As the middle of the semester rolls around, we have found ourselves preparing for many events that all seem to be coming up fast. Tryouts for the varsity and junior varsity men's basketball teams begin this Tuesday, October 15. Sean Dempsey ’14 and Nick Keefe ’14 return as two of the captains on this year's squad. Sophomores Nash Widowski ’16 and Brian Hatcher ’16 return as the only Zeta Psi brothers who made the varsity squad as freshmen last year.
In other news, the pledge process has been underway for a few weeks now. Soon, the pledges will be given their big brothers, and they will be one step closer to becoming brothers of Zeta Psi. This year's group of guys is one of the most diverse group the Pi Chapter has had. For instance:
- Andrew Sudano ’17 currently plays on RPI's JV football team, although he practices almost exclusively with the varsity team..
- Sean Carey ’17 is a legacy, and Patrick Ducey ’17 is his high school friend. Sean plans to play baseball for RPI, and Pat is a runner on Rensselaer's cross country team.
- Matthew Haering ’17 is a friend from high school of and originally brought out to the house by Brother Michael Scocozza ’16. Matt started a street hockey league while in high school.
- Pat Harrington ’14 is a senior captain on this year's varsity basketball team and decided to pledge Zetes during his last year at RPI. Pat went to high school with Brother James Jakobek ’15.
- Will Lewis ’16 is a sophomore student who transferred to RPI this semester trying to make his way into the varsity basketball program.
- Zach Yakel ’17, Niko Davis ’17, and Sam Waddell ’17 are all freshmen from the New York/New Jersey area also trying to make the varsity basketball team this year.
Many pledges have even more diversity in their pasts, presents, and hopeful futures.
Next week at RPI begins Greek Week and Zeta Psi will be participating in full. Alec Vogel ’16 has volunteered to lead Zetes through the Greek Week events such as tie dye, bowling, and softball (against university faculty members).
August, September, and First Quarter Financial Reports Posted
The latest financial reports can be found here: http://directors.pizetes.org/index.php?dir=Treasurer%2FFinancial+Reports%2FFY2014%2F
Please contact Michael Bruce with questions.
Fall 2013 ouRPI Posted!
Frank did a great job, as always. Check it out here! http://public.pizetes.org/ouRPIs/2013%20Fall.pdf
Congratulations to the Fall 2013 Pledge Class!
Fall 2013 pledges: (L-R) Tommy Alappat, Matt Haering, Andrew Sudano, Sean Carey, Will Lewis, Sean Sanford '16 (Asst. Pledgemaster), Dan Bruce '16 (Pledgemaster), Sam Waddell, Pat Ducey, Zach Yakel, Pat Harrington, Niko Davis, Nate Kane
11 of RPI's finest men now proudly wear the pledge pin of Zeta Psi on their chest, to be taught and led by both Daniel Bruce ’16 and Sean Sanford ’16.
The now-official pledges include:
Thomas P. Alappat of Morgantown, West Virginia Sean T. Carey of Levittown, New York Nicholas A. "Niko" Davis of Loudonville, New York Patrick E. Ducey of Levittown, New York Matthew P. Haering of Pleasant Valley, New York Patrick M. Harrington of Florence, Massachusetts Nathan L. Kane of Glenmont, New York William D. Lewis of Potomac, Maryland Andrew B. Sudano of Wilton, Connecticut Samuel J. Waddell of Williamstown, New Jersey Zachary F. Yakel of Cohoes, New York
Congratulations, gentlemen! We're thrilled to have you as a pledge class and look forward to teaching you the rites and rituals of Zeta Psi!
The End of Rush and the Beginning of Pledging
Rush was a great success this year, and now the Pi Chapter has concluded its rush events and switched gears to the pledge process. The Fall 2013 pledge class includes 11 potential brothers, led by Pledgemaster Daniel Bruce ’16 and Assistant Pledgemaster Sean Sanford ’16. All the brothers had a great time during rush and are excited to begin welcoming in the new gentlemen as potential brothers of Zeta Psi. There will be more updates regarding pledging at a later date. In sports-related news, Brothers Nick Keefe ’13 and Sean Dempsey ’13 will be returning Zeta Psi seniors on the RPI men’s basketball team. The team will look to improve on its 17-10 overall record from last year and will have its season opener November 16 against Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Alec Vogel ’16 is continuing his pursuit of the national champion title in the 125 weight class for the school’s wrestling program.
Aside from intercollegiate sports, intramurals start up soon. Zeta Psi is signed up with an A-league soccer team and a football team, and they plan to dominate in both sports. Several brothers also play on intramural hockey teams not organized by the house.
The First Week of Rush
As both classes and extracurricular get underway, so begins rush and meeting potential future brothers. Rush Chairman Daniel Bruce ’16 has done a great job at recruiting a number of freshmen, as well as managing the recruiting process all around. This past Saturday, August 31, we held our first rush event, called “Smokeout”, at the Zeta Psi property. Nine racks of ribs, over 30 pounds of chicken, and a nice big brisket made sure that there was plenty of food to go around. 20+ rushees that came out to the event, met all the brothers, took tours of the house, and left with a very full stomach. We still have many more rush events and therefore opportunities to get our name out there and continue talking to the underclassmen. Our next event is the Zetes-traditional Taco Tuesday, held at the house. Events continue almost every day until a planned overnight trip to Lake George on September 13. Bid Dinner is scheduled for September 17.
All active Pi Zetes are very excited for what is already turning out to be a great group of potential new members.
Repost: Fall 2013 Rush Calendar
If you missed the post, or if you don't want to go to the second page of posts to see it, check out our Fall 2013 rush calendar! [embed]http://public.pizetes.org/Recruitment/2013FallCalendar.pdf[/embed]
Zetes Dominate RPI's Meet the Greeks
Zeta Psi's table at Meet the Greeks this evening was by far the best table in the Union! We had plenty of swag to give away, including laser-engraved bottle openers and Zetes t-shirts. Check out our setup!
At the House After a Summer
Editor's note: The following was written by Alpha Sigma Sean Sanford ’16. There will be regular updates from Sean and possibly Delta Dan Bruce ’16, and they will be posted on this site. If you would like to learn more about any of the updates, contact Dan at delta@pizetes.org. After a long summer, the brothers of the Pi Chapter returned to the house and were ready to get to work before another school year. Brothers Brett Cutler ’15 and Nolan Ceuch G’13 held down the fort over the summer while they were in Troy for work. More brothers started arriving to the house the first weekend on Friday and Saturday, August 16 and 17, and began setting up their rooms.
In addition to the work in individual rooms, all of near wing got completely redone because of all of the additional live-in brothers.. Two of the rooms got brand new carpet, and two got brand new paint.
Each day consists of plenty of cleaning, as the new house manager James Jakobek ’15 finds plenty of "activites" for everyone to take care of. As the guys are finish up their duties during the day, the nights bring some time to relax, work out, or play pickup, all before kicking back for the night.
Aside from getting the house ready for the year, some IHQ staff and even a brother from our Ireland chapter, Theta Omicron, stopped by for a few days and hung out with Pi Zetes.
Update No. 3: Sprinkler Installation
An email came down from above today, from Chris Geer at Albany Fire Protection, Inc., via Jay Webb ’61. Here's where the project stands:
- Two workers are currently installing pipe at the house.
- The main supply pipe in the wing is complete, running from the kitchen to wing head.
- All of the piping on the second floor is complete. All to be done is the installation of the sprinkler heads.
- The piping to the third floor is "stubbed," or stopped off for now. The company is planning on doing the entire third floor and then finishing up the first floor.
Thanks for the update Chris and Jay! Of course, updates will be published as they come out. Stick around!
Update No. 2: Sprinkler Installation
An email sent to directors and actives from Jim Ljunglin '57 provided an update on the fire sprinkler project. Some points are listed below:
- Work began this morning, August 6.
- Dan, the installer, is running 2 1/2" pipe from the communications room behind the kitchen, over the ice maker, and down the wing.
- After the supply pipe is laid out, work will begin on plumbing and installing sprinklers in the rooms.
- While the sprinkler heads cannot be painted, the pipes, which are currently black, and the fittings, which are currently red, can and likely will be painted the next time the respective rooms are painted.
Thanks for the update, Jim!
As updates are sent out from those involved with the project, they will be posted here. Stay tuned!
Update: Sprinkler Installation
A permit has been issued for the internal work of the fire sprinkler project. Work on this phase is slated to begin on Monday. Another update should be out sometime next week. Check back often!
Rush Calendar Now Available
Our Fall rush calendar is now available... check it out here! http://public.pizetes.org/Recruitment/2013FallCalendar.pdf
[embed]http://public.pizetes.org/Recruitment/2013FallCalendar.pdf[/embed]
Sprinkler Work Progressing
The fire service has been installed in Belle Avenue. Now, the work inside our house begins. Pictures can be found below, and more news is soon to come! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.583317781689502.1073741830.160736730614278&type=3
A Pi Zete Spends his Summer in Pearl River
Nick Keefe has been interning at IHQ in Pearl River this summer. We finally caught up to him to see what he's been working on: Right now, I have a few projects that I'm currently working on. One is the creation of a binder for active Phis to use that will cover major topics that all chapters should be aware of. It will include topics such as recruitment, pledging, philanthropy, risk management, ritual, how to budget, and a few others. We should have it ready for convention this year. By creating this, we hope to make the transition for new Phis less daunting, and thus they will become more efficient and effective leaders. Our goal is for this binder is to get passed from current Phis to the next one and so on. I've also been working on the database and convention planning. I'll be attending convention for free so that will enable another Pi Brother to go for less money.
Thanks for the news Nick. We're all very proud of you and hope you bring a lot of good stuff back to Troy!