Industry Update Provided by NPC

All sorority and fraternity activities at the University of Buffalo (UB) have been suspended following the death of 18-year-old Sebastian Serafin-Bazan, a freshman at UB, who had been ordered to perform exercises during a suspected hazing incident inside a house associated with the Sigma Pi fraternity. Serafin-Bazan suffered cardiac arrest. He had recently been treated for a respiratory ailment, possibly the flu. Preliminary toxicology reports stated Serafin-Bazan had no alcohol or drugs in his system. The Associated Press, The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, TIME, FOX News, The Hill, and local outlets covered this story.

The Harvard Crimson covered recent advancements in the legal challenge to Harvard’s sanctions on single-gender social organizations. Harvard filed documents on April 19 defending its motions to dismiss state and federal lawsuits alleging the university’s policies on single-gender social organizations are discriminatory. Dani Weatherford, CEO of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), was quoted in the same article, noting that it is a ‘critical time’ for advocacy given the potential reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. “Part of our focus is on ensuring that we protect freedom of association rights for college students. And we particularly want lawmakers to understand that threats to free association have had real consequences for women’s organizations and women’s spaces at Harvard,” Weatherford said. “Whether it’s at Harvard or on any other campus, we will always advocate for freedom of association.’” 

In addition, Senator Michael K. Braun (R-Ind.) wrote an open letter to Harvard University that says he hopes Harvard “reconsiders” its sanctions on single-gender social organizations and the policy constitutes a “senseless decision” that is “harming” students.

2019-2020 ELCs

We’re pleased to announce the 2019-2020 educational leadership consultants (ELCs)! All six consultants are new to the team and will be full-time travelers.

• Rachel Bontempi, Zeta Rho/UC San Diego 
• Riley Cluxton, Beta Gamma/Colorado State 
• Samantha Moy, Delta Epsilon/Arizona State 
• Caitlin Soltesz, Alpha Nu/Montana
• Courtney Sprouse, Zeta Omega/Loyola Marymount
• Carley Stone, Alpha Nu/Montana 

Year End & Expense Reports

The Fraternity’s 2018-19 fiscal year ends June 30. Because some of your expenses may be for the 2019-20 fiscal year, please note on your submitted expenses if they are for the 2018-19 or 2019-20 fiscal year.

2018-19 expenses will be accepted until, but no later than, July 31. No exceptions to this deadline will be granted, as the Fraternity’s audit begins in August. Please submit your invoices in a timely manner. Also remember that, in accordance with the Fraternity’s travel policy, only expenses submitted within 90 days of expenditure will be reimbursed. If you have any questions, please contact your staff partner.

Fraternal Government Relations Coalition Visits

The annual visits (Lobbying Day) by the Fraternal Government Relations Coalition (FGRC), which comprises the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC), and the Fraternity and Sorority Political Action Committee (FSPAC), took place on April 10. Students and alumnae visited 475 Congressional offices offering our perspective on the need for and benefits of single-sex organizations. Our efforts focused on the Collegiate Freedom of Association Act, which we hope will be incorporated in the Higher Education Reauthorization Act. In the 115th Congress, it was part of the PROSPER Act. There is no bill number assigned yet.

The Act preserves student choice, protects the single-sex experience and provides equal treatment for all student organizations. We also advocated for the END ALL Hazing Act which hasn't been introduced yet. The REACH Act (Report and Educate About Campus Hazing) (H.R. 662/S. 796) has been re-introduced in this 116th session.

Thank you to our team, collegians Charlotte Boyd, Gamma Delta/Georgia; and Syreen Goulmamine, Epsilon Omicron/Randolph-Macon; and alumnae Kristin Anderson, Eta Tau/Tampa; Laurie McGregor Connor, Gamma deuteron/Ohio Wesleyan; and Cindy Heine Stellhorn, Beta/Indiana. Our collegians were two of the 110 students chosen from 1,200 applicants from all NPC and NIC groups.

Kappa Alpha Theta was again honored at the FSPAC dinner at the Platinum level (the highest) with 100 percent of our governing board members donating, $15,000 or more in total contributions, and $5,000 in additional contributions to the FSPAC Independent Expenditure Account or Fraternity and Sorority Action Fund.

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