The Housing Agreement

Please read this agreement before signing up with Phi Chi.

The basic purpose of this agreement is to inform all residents of what will be expected of them as members in Phi Chi.  Included within this contract you will find a summary of the rotational cooking duties already mentioned on the page "Incoming Students."  So that's not really new.   You will also find a summary of the biweekly house chores assigned to each member.  These chores are not difficult.  They may take 10-30 minutes every two weeks.  Lastly, please notice the emphasize on community and respect for your fellow members.  We like life here at Chi Upsilon (our chapter) to run smoothly.

And finally, please note that....

You will be expected to send in a signed copy of this form if you want to live at Phi Chi.

Phi Chi Fraternity Housing Agreement

I. Mission Statement:

-The mission of Phi Chi, Chapter Chi Epsilon is to provide a safe, friendly, co-operative living and learning residence for the Creighton University Phi Chi members. As a group of colleagues, members agree to uphold the mission and demonstrate respect and support for one another.  Members agree to the following:

II. General Terms:

-With this contract, Phi Chi needs to maintain the atmosphere, personality of the house and living conditions. To maintain this a few rules need to be put into place.

-This contract may be amended at a house meeting by a ¾ majority vote by members as needed in the future. 

-Only enrolled Creighton Medical Students may reside in Phi Chi.

-This contract covers the entire academic year.  All house members must agree to these terms before joining Phi Chi.  They must sign and abide by these terms for each year of residence.

-By signing, members agree to abide by the terms of this agreement, namely respect your fellow house members and help maintain a safe living environment.

III. Specific Terms:

A. Deposits and Rent:

-An initial deposit of the first month’s rent plus one-time national initiation fee is required.

-In addition, there is a house damage deposit of $100. It is expected that people maintain the house and shared space while living at Phi Chi. Upon leaving, their room must be in the same shape or better than when they first moved in. The deposit will be returned upon this condition as determined by the house president.

-If a new resident decides to cancel, they will be refunded all but $100 of the original deposit. 

-Upon receipt of the initial deposit, new residents will be put in order to choose rooms in the order in which the deposits are received.

-Rent for each semester is due to the treasurer by two weeks after the semester has started.

-Rent is $400 a month for food, cable, local phone, rent, utilities. Rent is subject to change.

-If you live in the house over the summer, rent will be a reduced price set by the house (it has been $100/month).  If you do not stay at the house during summer, no rent is charged.

B. Money Issues:

-If a student has lived at Phi Chi every year that they have attended the Creighton School of Medicine, then they are excused from paying rent during their 4^th year externships.

-Students who have not lived at Phi Chi every year that they have attended the Creighton School of Medicine will be assigned a reduced rent rate during the months they are not residing in the house.

-If a student has signed a contract for a given school year in the house, they will be charged a fee if they voluntarily move out of the house early.  The fee will be for $100/month left of the contract. (Contract is Aug-May for 1^st years, Aug-June for 2^nd years, July-June 3^rd years, July-May 4^th years).

C. Job assignment/chore agreements

-All members are subject to cook and shop as scheduled.  If they need to trade cooking or shopping days, they must notify the scheduler.

-At the beginning of the year, each resident will be assigned to certain jobs and chores.  The chores must be completed every two weeks by 8pm Sunday night or a penalty will be incurred as described in Section IV of this agreement.

-Dishes must be washed and put away within 36 hours after use.  This applies to personal or cooking dishes.  If dishes are not washed within the allotted time, a penalty will be incurred (Section IV).

-All house members must participate in group cleanup and group chores (approx. once a semester- Fall and Spring cleaning, after parties, and other extra projects as needed).  If a member does not participate, a penalty will be incurred (Section IV).

D. Environmental

-No pets allowed unless approved by house (in case of allergies).

-No smoking inside the house. 

-No illegal drugs inside the house.

-Candles and incense may be used with extreme caution and in moderation in the house.

-The house will have a fire drill during the academic year.  (The city's fire safety standards require it).

-Common areas should be kept clean. 

-Room and house improvements (as approved by house members), maybe be submitted to be refunded in full (within reason).  These supplies can include paint, tools the house does not own, etc.

-Members are expected to respect other students’ schedules with respect to noise levels.  Keep in mind people could be studying at any time of the day, and M3s and M4s may be waking up as early as 4am and need their sleep (even on weekends).

-Please respect the house’s equipment and possessions- don’t abuse them.

E. Social

-Attendance at all house meetings is mandatory, unless on externship or absence is excused by the president. (Members must participate in 60% of house functions - this includes house meetings, socials, and parties).

-Visitors of Phi Chi residents are permitted to eat a meal at the house twice per month.  You must let the person who is cooking know prior to Sunday shopping OR check with them that day to make sure they have made enough food.

-There will be no rush, pledge period, or hazing.  There is an initiation ceremony for new members and residents are required to register with the national Phi Chi organization.

IV. Shared Governance and Voting Procedures

-If biweekly chores are not completed by 8pm Sunday, a strike will be issued and the resident will be charged $5.  (Exceptions will be made for those on externships).   During major exam weeks, members will have extra time to get chores done. (Note: after one or two strikes, new job arrangements may be made if you need to switch chores to avoid getting another strike).

-If dishes are not washed and put away in the allotted time, a strike and a $5 fine will be applied. 

-If a member does not participate in group-cleanup and group-chores without a valid excuse, a strike and a $10 fine will be issued. 

-A member not living up to house standards, disregarding this contract, or exhibiting disrespectful behavior towards other members can be issued a strike. 

-If a member accumulates three strikes, the issue will be brought up in a house meeting.  If the member is a continuing disruption to the community life at Phi Chi, or shows continuing disrespect towards other house members, the member in question may be considered unworthy of house membership and can be removed from Phi Chi with a three-fourths majority vote by ALL members.  The member may appeal.

Signature:                                                                                        Date:

If you have already talked with a recruiter, and are ready to sign the agreement and send in a check, get the PDF version here.