Brothers,
First, as I step into my new role as President, I want to thank Mike Jones (Engr ’73) for his years of faithful service to the Xi Chapter. Mike’s contributions to the house and alumni network cannot be overstated, having led the brotherhood through a difficult period over this past year, as the undergraduate chapter lost their status with the University.
Looking forward to the next few years, with the chapter potentially suspended for a considerable period of time, I have three goals for the Xi Chapter Alumni Association:
- Financial Stability. Ensure the Xi Chapter Alumni Association remains financially strong and is able to maintain the house at 600 Preston Place in good condition.
- Return Xi Chapter to UVA. Restore the Xi Chapter’s status with the University as soon as possible.
- Alumni Network United. Keep our alumni network and our brotherhood united, which includes embracing and supporting the undergraduates and recent graduates, despite recent events.
To the first point above, we are pleased to share that we have rented the house for the upcoming 2025-2026 Academic Year for a 12-month lease, which represents an increase in our annual revenue from previous years. For the time being, the house will be managed by MSC, a property management service in Charlottesville. MSC offered the current house tenants, former active Xi Chapter brothers, the opportunity to renew their lease and they accepted. MSC will be responsible for marketing, screening applicants, and filling the house until the Chapter’s status is restored on Grounds.
Regarding the second point above, returning the Xi Chapter to UVA, we remain committed to working with the University to restore the Xi Chapter’s Fraternal Organization Agreement (FOA). In October, we shared a statement with the University signed by over 150 brothers requesting the decision to terminate the Xi Chapter’s FOA be reviewed and that an appeal be granted. The University ultimately granted the appeal. The undergraduates submitted an appeal to the University Judicial Review Board (JRB) in January, and they expect to hear a response from the University in the coming weeks. While we remain cautiously optimistic on the outcome of the appeal, it is possible the suspension will continue until the 2028-2029 Academic Year.
Lastly, we will not let the Chapter’s status preclude our alumni activities. We plan to continue holding alumni events at the house and around Charlottesville for the coming years, including the following upcoming events:
- Quent Alcorn Scholarship Weekend. Since 2016, brothers from the 2010s classes have been gathering to award the Quent Alcorn Scholarship ($10,000) to a deserving member of the UVA Greek Community. This year’s weekend of activities will take place the weekend of April 4-6, 2025. Brothers interested in attending can sign up using this form.
- Reunions Weekend. UVA Reunions will occur May 30-June 1, 2025. See more details in the “Alumni Events” section below.
- Homecomings Weekend. Just as we did this past year, we will again hold our annual Xi Chapter Alumni Association tailgate and annual meeting during Homecomings weekend (October 18, 2025). More details to come on this event.
If you have any questions, comments, or ideas for the Xi Chapter Alumni Association, please do not hesitate to contact me at mileskirwin@gmail.com.
Fraternally,
Miles Kirwin (Col ’13)