If you haven’t seen Rockledge in a while, you might be surprised at how much has changed, and how much it costs to keep the house running. Operating a fraternity in Ithaca today is far more expensive than most alumni realize. The days of “nostalgia pricing” are long gone. Costs for utilities, insurance, maintenance, and compliance have skyrocketed since the ’90s, and contractor rates in Ithaca are among the highest in the region due to limited supply and high demand.
Last year’s operating numbers tell the story:
- Over $190,000 to operate the fraternity house (utilities, taxes, insurance, mortgage, maintenance, etc.).
- Over $100,000 to service the kitchen and meal plan.
- Over $35,000 in other alumni corporation expenses (alumni activities and communications, accounting, legal fees, etc.).
This doesn’t include the capital projects we’ve funded through the capital campaign. Additionally, most of these expenses are fixed, regardless of how many tenants live in the house.
We’ve taken significant steps to reduce costs over the past five years: - Alumni volunteers now handle accounting tasks that once required paid professionals, saving $5,000 per year.
- We’ve lowered utility and trash removal costs, saving $6,000 per year.
- We’ve found alternate ways to manage snow removal and landscaping, saving $5,000 per year.
- Alumni-led work weeks have replaced expensive contractors for many projects, saving tens of thousands of dollars since 2020 when compared to contractor pricing.
Despite these efforts, deferred maintenance remains a reality. Every improvement you see (new kitchen, bathrooms, sign, deck, driveway) only happens because alumni step up. Without alumni support, the house physically declines.
Here’s what’s important to understand: - Undergraduates paying rent cannot sustainably shoulder house expenses alone. Alumni support is essential to keeping Rockledge safe, functional, and competitive with Cornell housing and Collegetown rentals.
- Consistent giving is critical to our success. Predictable annual support allows the Corporation Board to plan responsibly and avoid crisis spending.
- If you value the experiences Rockledge gave you, now is the time to reinvest. Today’s students deserve the same quality environment and opportunities you remember.
The Greek environment at Cornell is changing, and our undergraduates are doing everything possible to maintain a strong brotherhood. As an alumni corporation, we’re working hard to make living in the fraternity a fun experience and opportunity for growth and self-governance, but we can’t do it alone.
Your support, especially recurring annual contributions, makes the difference between a house that thrives and one that struggles. Rockledge has always been more than a building; it’s a community and a legacy. Let’s keep it that way for the next generation.
Ready to help? Visit rockledge.org/ways-to-give to set give your annual gift today