The Update | February 11, 2020

The Update

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February 11, 2020

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Published

February 11, 2020

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Lorie Land

Industry Update Provided by NPC

Seven Gamma Phi Beta alumnae from Iowa State were featured on the TODAY Show, recognizing their letter-writing tradition that began in 1956. For the past 60 years, the women have corresponded in a round-robin style, with each sister receiving a yearly package of letters with updates on everything from careers to families. This tradition was first reported by the Wall Street Journal in 2019.

USA Today reports the mother of a Rutgers University student who was struck and killed by an Amtrak train after becoming intoxicated at a fraternity party has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the university, its police department, and the fraternity. Kenneth Patterson, a freshman, was walking back to his dorm following a party at Theta Delta Chi when he was struck and killed. According to the lawsuit, Theta Delta Chi at the time was prohibited from sponsoring or hosting events.

The New York Times and the Yale Daily News report a federal judge has dismissed nearly all claims in a lawsuit that sought to force all-male fraternities at Yale University to admit women, saying both fraternity and sorority membership practices are specifically excluded from federal Title IX gender equality law. The defendants included the local and national chapters of fraternities including Alpha Delta Phi, Alpha Epsilon Pi, Chi Psi, Delta Kappa Epsilon, Sigma Alpha Epsilon/LEO, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu, Sigma Phi Epsilon and Zeta Psi, along with Yale. "All students should have the right to join organizations, co-ed or single-sex, that enhance their collegiate experience and make positive contributions to the local community,” said Judson Horras, president and CEO of the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC).

The judge allowed one claim against Yale to continue forward toward trial: an allegation that school officials failed to act when informed by one of the plaintiffs that she and other women had been groped at a fraternity party in 2016.

Workforce Opportunity

Maddie Joerger, recruitment & Panhellenic district director (RPDD) in College District VI, is resigning. If you are interested in this role, please submit the Volunteer Interest Indicator. Please share this opening with others who may be interested. Questions about the role and responsibilities can be forwarded to Recruitment Committee Chairman Kara Van Duzee.

Capitol Hill Visit Participants

The Fraternal Government Relations Coalition (FGRC), comprising the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC), and the Fraternity and Sorority Political Action Committee (FSPAC), has chosen outstanding campus and chapter leaders to serve as advocates for the fraternity and sorority community in Washington, DC, during Lobbying Day on April 1. It is important for Greek organizations to be involved in legislation, especially as the re-authorization of the Higher Education Act works its way through Congress. Theta undergraduate participants were chosen from an applicant pool of 26 applicants from 22 chapters. Thanks to workforce members, advisory board chairmen, and previous participants who suggested candidates.

Congratulations to these leading women who will travel to Washington to advocate for Greek issues.

Hailey Markt – Alpha Mu/Missouri
Naomi Reeley – Zeta Nu/UC Davis

Our alumnae FSPAC representatives are

Kristin Anderson – Eta Tau/Tampa
Laurie McGregor Connor - Gamma deuteron/Ohio Wesleyan
Cindy Heine Stellhorn – Beta/Indiana

It is vital for Greek organizations to be involved in legislation to defend and protect our single-sex status as well as our members’ freedom of association rights.

Expense Reports

As a reminder for our workforce volunteers, the Workforce Volunteer Handbook is in Igloo > Files > Resources > Volunteer Resources. This resource was recently updated to clarify that only itemized receipts will be accepted and reimbursed on expense reports. Itemized receipts are necessary for a variety of reasons but especially for grant-funded programs and billing back to college chapters to ensure we’re following policy. Thank you for your compliance.

Epsilon Zeta Facility News

To fulfill our promise to be more responsive and transparent in our communication with Epsilon Zeta members, all Epsilon Zeta alumnae and unaffiliated members will be receiving an email today informing them of the status of the Epsilon Zeta facility. A posted PDF of the letter and FAQs is available if you are interested.