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FSILGs Host Barbecue for Back Bay Friends and Neighbors

BBQ

September 12, 2016

Scattered clouds and light showers couldn’t keep guests away from the second annual Neighborhood Welcome Barbecue for MIT Fraternities, Sororities, and Independent Living Groups (FSILGs) and their alumni and neighbors on Thursday, September 1. The barbecue was hosted by the Alpha Theta chapter of Sigma Chi in their beautifully restored Back Bay fraternity house at 532 Beacon Street.

A number of notable guests graced the event, including Bay State Road Association President Jennifer Battaglino, Kenmore Business Association President Pamela Beale, MIT Government Relations Director Sarah Gallop, Living Group Council Speaker Pravina Samaratunga ’18, and Interfraternity Council President David Dellal ’17. Dean for Student Life Suzy Nelson made a surprise appearance as well. Also among the estimated one hundred attendees were members of neighboring fraternities and sororities, officers of the MIT Police Department, Association of Independent Living Group (AILG) board members, MIT fraternity alumni, MIT Alumni Association members, and a number of Back Bay residents.

Interfraternity Council President David Dellal ’17 said, “This is a really good opportunity to interact with [the community] on a positive basis.” Dellal also noted that the MIT FSILGs—many of which reside in Back Bay—have made concentrated efforts to build good relations with neighbors over recent years.

Throughout the barbecue, Sigma Chi Historian Graham Davis ‘18 led tours of the house, featuring a restored foyer, central staircase, and over thirty framed class photos of Sigma Chi alumni. The renovation, funded by Sigma Chi alumni, won the fraternity a 2015 Preservation Achievement Award from the Boston Preservation Alliance.

The brothers’ dedication to restoring and maintaining the house’s rich history is indicative of the FSILG community’s commitment to the Back Bay. MIT and the FSILG community will continue to foster the positivity and good relations built through events like these throughout the year.

Written by Isabella Dionne, video by Stephanie Tran.

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