Industry Update Provided by NPC

The pair of lawsuits filed by four sororities (including Kappa Alpha Theta), two fraternities, and three male students against Harvard University regarding their policy of sanctions for members of single-sex organizations continued to receive coverage in many national and campus outlets. 

• Can Harvard punish its students for their off-campus behavior?(The Los Angeles Times)
• EXCLUSIVE: Harvard frat student says same-sex club policy ‘undermines’ individualism(Campus Reform)
• Harvard single-sex ban insults tradition, members suffer(The Nevada Sagebrush) 
• Greek groups are suing Harvard over its sanctions. Here’s what happens next.(The Harvard Crimson)
• Responding to #StandUpToHarvard, written by Morgan Lucey, Epsilon Mu/Princeton (The Daily Princetonian – Princeton University)
• New lawsuit raises old question: Is it time for single-sex clubs to go?(BU Today – Boston University)

The Associated Press reported on the sentencing of a former fraternity president at Baylor University accused of sexual assault. Based on the terms of his plea deal, Jacob Walter Anderson will receive no jail time. This story has received significant media attention and was covered by CBS, USA Today, and the Waco Tribune-Herald among others.

ChapterSpot Migration Update

We are looking forward to “flipping the switch” on our new database and member portal Jan. 7! We wanted to provide some updates on accessing member information over the holiday break and what training has taken and will take place for volunteers. The Officer Portal will be unavailable to officers and volunteers, including you, beginning Dec. 28. The current Member Portal, reached by logging in to the website, is available through Jan.6.

Fraternity committee members are receiving training from ChapterSpot via GotoMeeting on Dec. 18 (alumnae committee) and Dec. 19 (college chapter budget, college, recruitment, risk prevention, and chapter compliance committees). The training sessions will include a general overview of the experience, screensharing, and a Q&A. All trainings will be recorded. All alumnae chapter officers have received an email invitation to training opportunities that will take place from next week through the new year, which will also be recorded. College chapter officers and advisors will be trained after launch, at the beginning of the new year.

If you have any questions about your access to data between now and Jan. 7 or training, please contact your staff partner.

Office Name Changes

Three office names will change—to better reflect the officer’s role—on Jan. 7. 

• Fraternity facility consultant (FFC) will be facility corporation consultant (FCC).
• Permanent alumnae secretary (PAS) will be alumnae contact officer (ACO).
• Information contact for a chapter will be alumnae circle contact (ACC).

Workforce Updates

College district directors (CDDs) in College Districts XII and XV are resigning. Many thanks to Kateri Broussard and Sarah Sciarani Polito for their service. If you are interested in this role, please submit the Volunteer Interest Indicator. Questions about the role and responsibilities can be forwarded to Director of College Chapters Laura Locke. 

Office Holiday Closing

The Fraternity, Theta Foundation, and Fraternity Housing Corporation (FHC) offices will be closed for the holiday break from Dec. 24, 2018, through Jan. 6, 2019.

Updated Workforce Communication Guide & ELC Directory

• The updated Workforce Communication Guide is available in Igloo. This handy reference on who to call is available to all members of the workforce but should not be shared with chapter-level officers or advisors.
• Also in Igloo, the 2018-2019 ELC Directory has information about, and pictures of, the ELCs. It has been updated to new ELC roles for the spring 2019 term! 

Expense Report Form

The Google Maps API previously used on the expense report form to calculate mileage is retired, and because we are redeveloping the form to be used beginning Jan. 7, it is not being renewed. Between now and Jan. 7, form submitters will need to enter their own mileage (now a required field) as opposed to the form calculating it for them. Also, mileage calculation documents will be required for all mileage reimbursements during this time period. Please include a copy of the map(s), direction(s) and mileage total(s) when submitting your expense report to your staff partner. Contact webmaster@kappaalphatheta.org with any questions.

Staff Responsibilities

Digital Media Manager Lauren Palmer will be on maternity leave beginning Monday, Jan. 7. Marketing Coordinator Jordan Qaddourah will be covering Lauren’s responsibilities during her leave, and she can be reached at jqaddourah@kappaalphatheta.org. Lauren’s tentative return date is Monday, April 1, 2019. (No fooling!)

2019 Theta Foundation Scholarship Application Coming Soon!

Theta Foundation is committed to helping Thetas achieve their dreams and make a positive difference in the world through our scholarship program. The 2019 Scholarship Application will be posted on Theta’s website in early January. If you have any questions about the scholarship program, please contact Theta Foundation Programs Manager Mary Kate Smith.

Theta Foundation Chapter & Individual Grants

The deadline for Q3 Theta Foundation Chapter & Individual Grant applications is Jan. 16, 2019. Learn more on Theta’s Apply for Scholarships & Grants page. Please direct any questions to Theta Foundation Programs Manager Mary Kate Smith.

Winter Collegian Service Trip

Ten Theta collegians from ten different college chapters will participate in our 2019 Winter Collegian Service Trip from Jan. 7-12 in New Orleans. The trip is a service immersion experience for collegians seeking to learn more about the impact of service and how serving others can change and develop each as a person

We would like to acknowledge and thank the facilitators who will be joining us on the trip:

• Natalie Padron, Zeta Eta/Wofford, advisory board trainer, administrative advisor for Beta Gamma/Colorado State
• Amy Ferree, Beta Gamma/Colorado State, scholarship committee volunteer and permanent alumnae secretary/alumnae contact officer for Beta Gamma

Follow along on Theta’s social media outlets with #ThetaService! If you have any questions regarding the Winter Collegian Service Trip, please contact Victoria Stankus, assistant director of education and leadership. 

Helpful Links

• Upcoming Important Dates and Visits
• Workforce Contact Information
• New Volunteers
• Previous Updates