ATO Father Seeks a Tipping Point for Sewanee Chapter

Merrill Stewart, Jr. is an alumnus of another fraternity. However, when his son Merrill Stewart, III became president of the Sigma Nu chapter at The University of the South, affectionately known as Sewanee, an ever-present need to repair and remodel the chapter house came to fruition because of the good will and inspiration of one man who isn't a brother but who cares about brotherhood. Stewart, Jr., a graduate of Auburn University Class of 1974, is a member of Alpha Tau Omega. He says his son's

experience at Sewanee and in Sigma Nu has been exceptional. Upon first visiting the campus and the Sigma Nu house, Stewart, Jr. was dismayed by the condition of the house. He says, "It didn't send the right message or foster the right spirit." The electrical/heating/air systems and bathrooms were all in disrepair. Many aspects of the house needed some type of repair as a result of having no established maintenance program.

One of the nation's top liberal arts colleges, Sewanee has 1500 students and a beautiful campus with 150-year-old stone buildings reminiscent of Oxford, England. Fraternities play an important role in campus life because of the university's remote location between Nashville and Chattanooga, Tennessee. And while the Sigma Nu house remains a permanent fixture of this charming campus, Stewart points out that the ever-changing group of 18-22 year-olds passing through for a few short years necessitated a significant overhaul of the entire property.

With his vision in mind, Stewart, Jr. began to work with the House Corporation to provide a better educational and living environment for the men of Beta Omicron chapter. "When Merrill became President of the chapter, I told him that the house needed to be put into shape so guests, parents and brothers could enjoy it and have reasonable accommodations," he says. And with that he sent a superintendent and crew from his Birmingham-based construction company last summer to do the job. What began as a two-week project turned into six weeks. The crew went through the house from top to bottom to repair every system, repaint, clean and revitalize the home. In addition, a blacksmith installed a set of fireplace screens for the beautiful stone fireplace. The crew poured concrete stoops that were necessary for safety, trimmed trees, steam-cleaned the stone work, repainted all the cornice work and

added maintenance-resistant finishes throughout the house.

But that's not all. As a parent, Stewart quickly understood that these young men are at a phase in life where they are still learning wisdom and maturity. Repairing the house was only the beginning; they also needed motivation to properly maintain it and keep it in its best condition. Thinking of Malcolm Gladwell's book, The Tipping Point, Stewart recalled the "broken windows theory" which states that a broken window left in its state of brokenness only breeds disrespect for the property. It shows that the owner doesn't care for what's his, and it sends a message of apathy to everyone who sees it.

Hoping for a tipping point of their own, Stewart personally met with chapter members to explain why he took on the task of repairing the house: out of love and respect for the fraternity system, for Sewanee and what it stands for. Then he expressed to them his wish that they maintain the house after the repairs were completed. Following the example of the university honor code, he met with the House Corporation to suggest a partnership agreement whereby each member of the chapter, the House Corporation and the Dean of Students would sign an agreement listing each

party's expectations on upkeep of the house. As part of that document, chapter members agreed that if they (or their guests) damaged a portion of the house that they would, with honor, pay to have it repaired. In turn, the university agreed to maintain the formerly overgrown lot next door that is commonly perceived as part of the fraternity's property but actually belongs to the university. The House Corporation agreed to maintain standards where they were at the beginning of the fall semester.

"If we can teach them wisdom, maturity and respect for one another and the house, when new freshman come to Sewanee and become Sigma Nus, they will not only receive a good education and have a positive recreational experience, they will also learn respect and how to maintain a home. It raises the bar," says Stewart, Jr. "If you hold people accountable, raise the bar and replace that broken window, you begin to change attitudes. Pretty soon they start to feel better about themselves and grow to reach that tipping point. They will learn that it's not right to break a window and not fix it or spill something and not clean it up. In doing so, they gain wisdom and character," he explains.

So far, the agreement has worked. At the end of every semester the House Corporation meets with the chapter to discuss what went right and what went wrong the previous semester. "My goal is sustainability," says Stewart, Jr. "We all want a house that will be accommodating and welcoming to guests and especially alumni and their wives/girlfriends. It should be a place where they can come back to rekindle old friendships and reestablish a relationship with the chapter. It should be a place that brings back fond memories of their four years in college." He also aspires for Sigma Nu to be the leader on campus--the "beta test"--for the other ten fraternities. He shared this vision with the VP of University Relations explaining that Sigma Nu's prominent position on campus provides visibility. "I want to show other groups how it can be done and,

as a result, hopefully influence a system-wide change in thinking," he says.

He's also met with University President Joel Cunningham to seek buy-in. "The Sewanee campus, with all of its beautiful buildings, is a wonderful place, and we need to bring the other fraternity houses along to match the level of quality of the institutional buildings," he says. Since that conversation, the university has taken some of his suggestions to heart and is acting upon them.

Even though his son will have graduated, Stewart, Jr. has plans next year to install a new slate roof for the fraternity house and landscape and replace the beaten lawn in the front yard. He also wants to build a fire pit for outdoor campfires, creating an environment that is inviting to all.

You may be asking yourself why an ATO would invest so much to improve the Sigma Nu house when there's an ATO chapter on the same campus. "Where you send your child and your money, there goes your heart," says Stewart, Jr. "I share this story to motivate and energize other parents and alumni. I want them to see what's possible if you just try. In addition, these young men just need a little encouragement and guidance. They want to be disciplined and held accountable. They may not acknowledge it, but they need it. And in order for this to work, they need to be a part of the plan. I believe in sharing the load and if we all do our part, then we have a chance for success."