Student Lobbyists Share Their Passion for Passing CHIA

“At the University of Virginia, we are first-years instead of freshmen, second-years instead of sophomores. We do not have graduation; in fact, we have final exercises and I walked the lawn as a fourth-year in May.  We do this because our founder, Thomas Jefferson, inspired that you are never a “senior” in learning and college is only the kickoff to a lifelong education. I share this because it underscores my lifelong commitment to Delta Sigma Phi and my values in loyalty, brotherhood, and dignity.

 The relationships I built as a fraternity man and the values I adopted have expanded my educational experience well past the classroom. My parents taught me the difference between right and wrong and my father taught me how to be a man; however, these values were fine-tuned by my chapter of Delta Sigma Phi. I think it is fair to say that these principles have only begun to impact my life.

 This weekend and our visits on the hill today were another checkpoint on an incredible journey.

 As we ventured through the halls of Capitol Hill, I was reminded of the large scope of our greater mission, not just to impact the people in this room, the students back in our chapter, or our national organizations but the greater brotherhood of mankind, both students engaged in fraternity and sorority life and those who are not. The fraternity experience is priceless; but it is not free, and everyone deserves the experience of brotherhood.

My 17-year-old brother, who graduated from high school this spring, will more than likely not have the opportunity to pledge a fraternity. It is not because he could not gain admission at a four-year university; he is in the top of his class. It is not the fact that he does not want to engage in the treasures of brotherhood; it is much more difficult than that.

 My father is a police officer and my mother is a teaching paraprofessional at my local high school. In tough economic times, families across the country, similar to mine, cannot afford the room and board to send Brendan to that type of institution, the type of school I will be finishing in May. If Brendan lives at home during college and takes on a job, my family saves enough money in room and board to make college a possibility.

 Legislation like the Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act begins to give students like Brendan the opportunity to engage the student experience we all benefited from at our universities and colleges. My brother is making an incredible sacrifice for my family and his maturity is well beyond his years. Brendan would make an outstanding contribution to any fraternal organization. I am comforted to know that we all will continue to work to make room and board, and college overall, more affordable, so that one day he will be able to share this experience.”

Colin Hood, Delta Sigma Phi

University of Virginia