The students lobbied members of Congress to support the Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act (CHIA), which would provide relief to chapters by allowing donations to fraternity and sorority housing corporations to be tax-deductible.
Sweatman and Olivieri joined over 100 fraternity men and sorority women from universities across the country in late April to participate in the visits. The student lobbyists were able to secure more than 50 new congressional sponsors for CHIA, which has been promoted for several years as a way to support Greek chapters across the nation.
CHIA eliminates an arbitrary distinction in the current tax code that allows colleges and universities to use charitable contributions to build and maintain student housing but prevents other nonprofit student housing entities from doing the same. CHIA is one of the most cost-effective solutions to the college affordability crisis and enjoys a strong measure of bipartisan support.
Sweatman said he appreciated the opportunity to represent Pi Kappa Phi on the national level.
“It was really incredible to be able to share my Pi Kappa Phi experience with members of Congress and encourage them to pass this important legislation,” Sweatman said.