Collegiate Member Finances: Fall 2020
Dear Sisters,
The spread of COVID-19 across North America continues to present unprecedented challenges for all of us as we face returning to school in the near future. As you make plans for the Fall 2020 term, we know that sisters may be experiencing profound financial hardships. Alpha Omicron Pi is called to always be of value to our members, and while we know that the value of supportive friendships is priceless in these times, we are also working hard to ensure that we recognize the economic uncertainty we all are facing. Please read below for information on the Fraternity’s actions to reduce member costs in the coming year.
I am hopeful that these actions provide some relief for the different and challenging economic circumstances our collegiate members are facing. As a reminder, for those sisters in dire need, our AOII Foundation’s Ruby Fund has expanded eligibility and offers emergency assistance. More information can be found here.
Amidst all the uncertainty of this fall, know that all of us at Alpha Omicron Pi are here to support our members as you inspire an exceptional membership experience in your chapter. I look forward to a safe and healthy academic year for all of our sisters.
Sincerely,
Kaya Miller
AOII Executive Director
FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR ALL CHAPTERS
Every AOII chapter should plan to reduce chapter expenses and thus member dues as much as is feasible to support chapter operations with reduced or eliminated in-person interactions this fall.
Recommendations, resources, and training materials related to how to do so will be distributed to every chapter via our Collegiate Finance Work Group and the liaisons to each of our networks. Budget revisions must be submitted by each chapter no later than October 15, 2020.
In addition to reduced or eliminated costs associated with changes to or cancellation of chapter events, AOII is also providing the following expense or fee reductions from the International Fraternity:
- Leadership Academy will be a Virtual Experience in 2021, and key officers and advisers will be selected as participants in the near future. Chapters should budget a total of $400 for Leadership Academy and can disregard the travel, room and board, and registration expenses previously distributed to chapters. This is an expected savings of approximately $2,000 or more in most chapter budgets.
- Fees associated with membership suspensions have been reduced by 50% per a revision to AOII’s Standing Rules and Book of Policies.
AOII Properties will reduce Development Fees for all chapters. Please see below for the message that applies to your chapter facility type and residential status.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR CHAPTERS WITH AN AOII FACILITY
Many campus plans for academic instruction, campus activities, and residence life continue to be amended. Alpha Omicron Pi will strive to open all of our housing facilities with reduced capacity and new health and safety guidelines for all members.
If or when local circumstances do not allow for the safe operations of housing facilities, our professional staff and volunteer team will work to adjust our plans with the safety of our members as our greatest priority. We will repeat our decision from the Spring 2020 semester in providing a 50% reduction to the meal portion of the Development Fee for the time frame that it affects consecutively if facilities close.
Financial Information for In-House Sisters:
For our sisters that live in an AOII facility, those expectations, guidelines, and resources can all be found here and here. AOII Properties is committed to providing increased services specifically with regards to professional cleaning, cleaning supplies, and meal distribution, but with no additional incurred expenses for our members.
Financial Information for Out of House Sisters:
For our sisters who do not live in their chapter facility, the expectations and new health and safety guidelines will also apply. Out of house sisters will be provided any chapter dinners or meals you were previously receiving, though the distribution may be altered depending on changes by local, state, provincial, or federal health officials. Even if we are not able to sit around the same table, we will assure sisters that food service will continue. We will also, at this point in time, provide access to the house as normal with the exception of residential areas.
Truly, though our value that we consistently aim to provide will not change significantly, we will provide a 10% reduction in the Development Fee for the 2020-2021 academic year for all non-resident members.
The Development Fee will be billed as normal (typically starting in August or September), but a discount credit will be provided on your Billhighway account which will be reflected by September 1st as this will be individually applied to each out-of-house member’s account.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR CHAPTERS WITHOUT A RESIDENTIAL FACILITY
AOII Properties will continue to find innovative solutions to chapter needs and to support added value to your chapter experience by financially supporting storage units, purchase of ritual supplies, chapter meals & catering for events (if these can be hosted), purchase of branded items, and other chapter needs as they are identified.
Truly, though our value that we consistently aim to provide will not change significantly, we will provide a 10% reduction in the Development Fee for the 2020-2021 academic year for all members at chapters without an AOII living facility.
The Development Fee will be billed as normal (typically starting in August or September), but a discount credit will be provided on your Billhighway account which will be reflected by September 1st as this will be individually applied to each member’s accounts.