There to Listen
BOAA advising the future of Upsilon - the undergrads
By Adam Nekola
January 16, 2009
As a person grows up there are always certain things he wishes he could have done better. Differently. Not done at all.
The same can be said for a fraternity, but with the Board of Alumni Advisors (BOAA), the Upsilon Chapter hopes to avoid some of that regret. After all, why try something that doesn't work if someone already tried it?
"BOAA provides an avenue for the EC, and by extension the whole undergraduate chapter, to ask questions and gain insight from a group of alumni that are always available," said Mark Peluse (Y997), the current chair of BOAA.
"As the relationship continues to grow, BOAA will be able to grow our interactions to provide proactive suggestions and recommendations in addition to our responses."
The Upsilon Chapter BOAA has existed unofficially since the chapter was recolonized in 2003. The chapter had a recruitment adviser, a financial adviser, an academic adviser, and a chapter adviser - but they never worked together, and the chapter was unsure how to use them.
Thanks to the out-going Archon, Alex Stezkel (Y1055), the chapter is poised to never be without good advice.
"Unfortunately even in its first full semester, BOAA got a little fuzzy towards the end," Stezkel said.
But the groundwork is always the most important. Now, each new Executive Council will revisit the current Alumni Adviser and appoint the alumni they feel they can trust the most.
"I felt creating BOAA was a great way to keep alumni involved but also to ensure that we don't loose traditions and avoid repeating mistakes made in the past. Their experienced opinions on chapter issues is greatly appreciated," Stezkel said.
Peluse was one of the first recruited by Stezkel, together they made sure it became a reality.
"Undergrads have dealt with the strains that can come with having a house - parties, alcohol, clean-up, etc. There have been questions regarding the best way to handle these situations. But the door is open for questions to be answered on any topic," he said.
According to the undergrads' bylaws, the Board consists of seven members that must be Upsilon alumni. Their existence is now enforced by the bylaws, but their members are determined purely by undergrad EC.
"BOAA members cannot volunteer as they are selected by the UG chapter. However, if someone would like to become a BOAA member, they need to take an active role in the success of the chapter as an alumni," Peluse said. "Having been active while an undergrad also helps, but someone who goes to alumni events, participates with the undergrad chapter, and is genuinely interested in staying involved and seeing the chapter succeed is someone that the EC will more strongly consider for future BOAA appointments."