Author name: psiupsilon

01.23.25 – Learning from Fall 2024: What has been working in Recruitment Roundtable

As the recruitment landscape continues to evolve, fraternity chapters are redefining success through innovative approaches that enhance membership pipelines, leverage effective marketing strategies, and carve out unique identities on campus. This roundtable invites a discussion on the current year’s successes in fraternity recruitment, focusing on pipeline development, impactful marketing, and the creation of distinct organizational identities. Join us on Thursday, January 23rd at 7PM Eastern if you are a chapter’s recruitment chair, a part of a recruitment team, or would just like to brush up on your skills as we look to making an impact in 2025.

Zoom info: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89096567443?pwd=3Z0eWZDXfRRPRC6pHkO6tuRaHGQD3g.1



Join Zoom Meeting

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Announcing the 2025 Chapter Roundtable Discussions

In an exciting initiative to support our undergraduate leaders as they transition back to campus this winter, we’re thrilled to announce the renewal of our online Roundtable discussions! Our Chapter Services staff has pinpointed 9 key areas to explore, and each session will specifically invite relevant officers and chairs to ensure a focused and productive experience. This tailored approach will prevent overwhelming our leaders while providing role-specific guidance.

These sessions are designed to be a platform for chapter leaders to exchange best practices, tackle current challenges, and seek valuable advice. Most importantly, this is a wonderful opportunity for leaders to connect and network with one another, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.

Alongside the Roundtables, we’re also hosting a Thesauristes (Treasurers) Academy on Wednesday, January 22nd, and you can find additional details below. The topics and times for each session are outlined, and you can click on a session for more descriptive information about the audience and Zoom access. All times are listed in Eastern Time. We can’t wait to see you there!:

Tuesday, January 21st @ 5PM
Epistolographos and Grammateus: A Discussion for Chapter Secretaries

Tuesday, January 21st @ 5PM
Psi U Cares: Maintaining a Health and Wellness Program

Tuesday, January 21st @ 6PM
Our Ritual: More than the Gold Book

Tuesday, January 21st @ 7PM
Brotherhood Development: Creating Events to Engage Members

Wednesday, January 22nd @ 5PM
Service to Society: A Discussion for Philanthropy and Service Chairs

Wednesday, January 22nd @ 6PM
Intellectual Engagement: Academic and Scholarship Chair Roundtable

Wednesday, January 22nd @ 7PM
Thesauristes Academy for Chapter Treasurers

Thursday, January 23rd @ 5PM
House and Kitchen Managers Roundtable

Thursday, January 23rd @ 6PM
Managing and Delegating: The Role of the Vice President

Thursday, January 23rd @ 7PM
Learning from Fall 2024: What has been working in Recruitment Roundtable

Since the Covid-19 Pandemic we’ve greatly redesigned our Chapter Leadership Program, some by necessity and some due to lessons learned from a remote workplace. Specifically we’ve been focused on doing a better job of measuring chapter performance and improving our online support to meet the specific needs of chapters.
These changes include:
In 2020 we improved our online education by moving to the Tightrope Risk Management Program, introduced the Inclusive Practices Cultural Competency Program for New Members, Adopted the Phired Up Recruitment Certification Program for chapters and moved our support model to increased virtual meetings and started having monthly Town Hall meetings for Chapter Archons and Alumni Presidents and Advisors to better connect these cohorts as well as first introduced programming like our Summer Leadership Series.
In 2021 our staff was able to grow in size so we were able to return to in person visits while keeping our regular virtual meetings. We also began the Psi U Cares Program to better encourage ways our chapter members could support one another’s mental wellness as well as introduced the Treasurers Academy to compliment the Archons Academy.
In 2022 we began building our Chapter Classification Program, where we improved measuring our chapters performance and providing that feedback to Alumni Presidents, Advisors and Chapter Presidents so they can better understand their chapter’s performance over time and in relation to other Psi Upsilon Chapters.
In 2023 we introduced Spring Roundtables to our virtual meetings, focused on chair positions that were sometimes being overlooked by our traditional programming and introduced our new Project Management tool Asana to our chapters, to help them delegate tasks to other officers.
In 2024 we continued to build out our Asana Projects to include videos like Summer Leadership Series and Officer Introductions so chapter leaders can receive training on their own schedules.
In 2025 we’re introducing an additional component to our online educations – Aboveboard for Chapter Officers which will focus on running meetings, committee work, and goal setting.

Announcing the 2025 Chapter Roundtable Discussions Read More »

Fall 2024 Recruitment Update

In recent years, Psi Upsilon has been exploring effective strategies to enhance the growth and support of its chapters, focusing on recruitment efforts, revitalizing dormant chapters, and establishing new ones. To advance these objectives, we appointed a Director of Growth in 2021, who has been instrumental in steering these initiatives. Additionally, we have collaborated with Phired Up, the nation’s leading authority in Fraternity Recruitment, to develop a comprehensive recruitment certification program designed to better equip our members.

This initiative has been made possible due to the generous support from the Annual Fund, particularly those who participated in the March Challenge, which emphasizes contributions toward the Fraternity and the expansion of Psi Upsilon.

This Fall we saw a healthy increase, just above 10%,  in new members from the previous year and the below table shows the numbers that have been reported to us.

We are thrilled this isn’t the extent of our growth and the exciting opportunity to revitalize several of our dormant chapters and begin new ones are growing. A group of students recently created an Owl Club at Columbia University, reinvigorating the Lambda Chapter. Additionally, our Provisional Chapter at Purdue University has submitted its petition for full chapter status, which will be circulated among our chapters for voting in January. We are currently speaking with students at Kenyon College who are interested in restarting that chapter and have been invited to return to the University of Minnesota in the Fall of 2025.

If you know of a college student who would be a great member of Psi Upsilon, or even may be interested in starting a chapter of Psi U, please be sure to reach out to us and let us know as we hope this success continues into 2025!

Fall 2024 Recruitment Update Read More »

1.10.25 – Social Impact Fellowship and Archons’ Academy Reception

Join us on Friday, January 10th, in Alexandria, VA for our annual reception for the 2025 Social Impact Fellowship and Archons Academy!

The Psi Upsilon Social Impact Fellowship is an annual program that brings together alumni who are engaged in professional or volunteer work aligned with the fraternity’s value of Service to Society. Over the course of the year, fellows participate in in-person and remote training sessions to enhance their professional skills, and are also eligible for grants to support their ongoing community impact initiatives.

The Archons’ Academy is Psi Upsilon’s annual leadership program for its elected chapter presidents. The academy curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including the fraternity’s history and values, personal leadership development, conflict resolution techniques, and organizational governance.

In 2024 we combined the in person portions of these programs to allow the Fellows and Archons to work with one another and that gave us the opportunity to have a reception where alums could meet both our Fellows and elected Chapter Presidents in person.

The reception is scheduled to commence at 6:30 PM. During this time, we will be providing a selection of heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages. The evening will include brief remarks as well as an introduction of our Fellows and Archons, followed by ample opportunity for networking and social engagement. All members of Psi Upsilon are welcome as well as spouses and guests.

So please register today and join us on January 10th at the Sheraton Suites in Alexandria, VA for this great evening!

When: Friday, January 10th at 6:30 PM

Where: Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria 801 North Saint Asaph St., Alexandria, VA

Who: All Psi Upsilon Members, spouses and guests are welcome

Business casual attire

Register

1.10.25 – Social Impact Fellowship and Archons’ Academy Reception Read More »

1.10-12.2025 – 31st Archons’ Academy

The purpose of the Archons’ Academy is to help our chapter presidents better understand Psi Upsilon and their role Fraternity, know what resources they have at their disposal, and better develop their personal leadership style.

If you are a chapter president or officer looking to register for the event please use this link.

When: The Academy will take place between Friday, January 10th and Sunday, January 12th. All attendees are asked to arrive by 2PM and the academy will finish by noon on Sunday. For those traveling by plane or train staff will book your travel.

Travel: Fraternity staff will be following up with Archons about travel after your registration is complete, any tickets will be purchased by the International Fraternity using the information you provided and we will do our best to accommodate any requests you have made. The International Fraternity only pays for airfare within the United States and Canada, not any upgrades, changes, baggage, or parking unless arranged prior to the Academy. Archons within a 300 mile radius to Alexandria will have the option to drive and be reimbursed or we will purchase train or bus fare depending on cost and availability. An airport shuttle between the hotel and Washington National airport is available – follow this link for more information.

Location and lodging: The Academy will be located at the the Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria. You will be paired with another attendee and share a room on Friday and Saturday night, the lodging will be taken care of after you complete registration.

Curriculum: The Archons’ Academy will help prepare you for many challenges that you face as Archon as well as review the necessary information from Psi Upsilon about our policies and procedures that you will need to be successful. One of our goals of the academy is to help you build a familiarity will the staff and one another. Topics include: Psi Upsilon’s History and Values, Organizational Leadership, Conflict Resolution, Running a chapter and delegation, Resources and where to get help, and much more. The academy is structured between large and smaller breakout sessions.

One important piece of curriculum is the Birkman Assessment, which must be completed prior to attending. Instructions on how to access the assessment will be sent to the attendees in advance.

Dress Code: The Dress Code for the academy is business casual – this means coat and optional tie for men and equivalent for women. No t-shirts, jeans, or other casual clothing. On Saturday evening we will be holding a more relaxed dinner and casual clothing is appropriate then.

Schedule: Sessions will begin at 3 p.m. on Friday and conclude noon on Sunday. A schedule for the academy can be found here:

2025 Archons Academy ScheduleDownload

Questions: If you have questions about the academy please contact the Director of Member Services, Keith Willard at Keith@psiu.org or Executive Director Thomas Fox at tfox@psiu.org.

1.10-12.2025 – 31st Archons’ Academy Read More »

Thomas T. Hanford, Gamma ’62 (Amherst) receives Distinguished Alumni Service Award

On December 4th, several Psi Upsilon alumni gathered at the Woodcliff Hotel in Rochester, New York, to present Thomas T. Hanford, Gamma ’62 (Amherst), with the Distinguished Alumni Service Award. This award recognizes alums whose service and dedication to the fraternity and their chapters bring great honor to the organization.

For nearly 50 years, from 1973 to 2022, Tom served as an officer on the Gamma alumni corporation’s board, including as President from 1994 to 2011. In this role, he diligently educated undergraduates on the Gamma’s history and guided them through the chapter’s years of off-campus operations after Amherst College compelled the sale of their chapter house. Demonstrating his steadfast commitment to the broader Psi U fraternity, Tom also provided counsel to the Upsilon Chapter in his hometown of Rochester, NY, and assisted in reestablishing that chapter in 2013.

In 2003, Tom became a member of the Psi Upsilon Foundation’s board, and from 2004 to 2008, as its Chairman provided critical leadership to the Foundation and Fraternity. Tom helped Psi U make tough decisions that sustained the fraternity through a period of financial existential crisis. Tom has been a very generous donor to the Annual Fund, is a member of the Pillar Society, and was one of the first brothers to offer a substantial match of contributions to the Annual Fund, starting a trend that is part of the lifeblood of Psi U’s finances today.

A true gentleman, Tom has served Psi U selflessly and expertly in many capacities, while greatly enjoying the fellowship of his brothers. Tom Hanford has truly represented the life of a distinguished Psi U alumnus and brother.

Pictured: Thomas Fox, Omicron ’00 (Illinois), Richard Rasmussen, Upsilon ’72 (Rochester), Sam Andrews, Gamma ’80 (Amherst), Thomas Hanford, Gamma ’62, Martin Brayboy, Gamma ’84, Jay Riemenschnieder, Beta Alpha ’90 (Miami OH)

Thomas T. Hanford, Gamma ’62 (Amherst) receives Distinguished Alumni Service Award Read More »

7.25-28.2025 – 181st Psi Upsilon Convention

The 181st Psi Upsilon Convention will be held in Syracuse, NY and is hosted by the Pi Chapter to celebrate its 150th Anniversary from Friday, July 25th with all events ending the evening of Sunday, July 27th and guests departing Monday, July 28th.

The 181st Convention website has more details, including a schedule of events, registration, and information on booking hotel rooms.

181st Convention Website

7.25-28.2025 – 181st Psi Upsilon Convention Read More »

07.26.2025 – Greek Housing Conference

The Greek Housing Conference is a great resource for all alumni volunteers and the programming goes beyond just managing a facility and includes topics such as: volunteer engagement, finance and fundraising, and risk management trends.

Are you looking for expert insights and practical tips on fraternity and sorority house management and alumni involvement? Look no further than the Greek Housing Conference (GHC), designed specifically for volunteers and campus and headquarters professionals.

On July 26, 2025, on the Ohio State University campus in Columbus for a FREE one-day educational conference, featuring a lineup of industry experts ready to share their hands-on knowledge. Whether you’re a local house-corporation board member, chapter advisor, regional or national volunteer, fraternity or sorority professional staff member, or campus professional, the GHC has something valuable to offer you.

You can view the website for the 2025 Conference Here, including a schedule and registration link: https://greekhousingconf.com/

***Psi Upsilon does realize this conflicts with our annual Convention, and we hope every alumni association is well represented at our event, but this conference is also a valuable resource that we want to be sure every chapter is aware of***

07.26.2025 – Greek Housing Conference Read More »

10.18.2025 – Phi Beta (William & Mary) Homecoming

From the Phi Beta Alumni Association:

Please join us for the Phi Beta Alumni Association’s annual homecoming tailgate, an event that has fast become a tradition for our chapter! Mark your calendars and buy your tickets today!

We’ll gather on the Alumni House lawn for an afternoon of great food, cold drinks, and even better company. It’s the perfect chance to reconnect with brothers across generations, swap stories, and welcome new faces to the Phi Beta family.

This event is family-friendly—guests and children are warmly invited. Come hungry, bring your Tribe spirit, and get ready to celebrate Homecoming!

Please RSVP here: https://mp.gg/cpznos5s

Tickets are $20 per person (kids 12 and under admitted free of charge). In addition, please consider making an additional contribution to support the Phi Beta Alumni Association’s operating costs, programs, and long-term mission.

We hope to see you there!

YITB, The Phi Beta Alumni Association

10.18.2025 – Phi Beta (William & Mary) Homecoming Read More »

10.18.2025 – Delta Omicron Chapter (Purdue) Installation

Join us on the Purdue University campus on Saturday, October 18th for an Installation ceremony and dinner to celebrate Psi Upsilon’s 50th Chapter. All Psi Upsilon members are encouraged to attend.

You can register for the Installation, Dinner and After event here: https://psiu.crowdchange.co/50402 ($50 for alums and $30 for undergrads under 21)

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Installation Ceremony – Stewart Center, Purdue Campus (128 Memorial Mall Drive, West Lafayette)

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM – Dinner and Speakers – Stewart Center (Room 302), Purdue Campus

8:00 PM – 11:00 PM – After event for 21+ at 648 Bourbon and Cigar

We have a hotel block for rooms at the Hampton Inn and Suites in West Lafayette (160 Tapawingo Dr, West Lafayette, IN 47906) for $179 per night. Please use this link to book a room. The Room Block will be open until September 15th.

Register

10.18.2025 – Delta Omicron Chapter (Purdue) Installation Read More »

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