Industry Update Provided by NPC

This Week

According to The Roanoke Times, a Virginia Senate subcommittee has approved legislation that would enhance preventative measures and strengthen penalties for hazing. Known as Adam’s Law, the legislation follows the death of Adam Oakes, a Virginia Commonwealth University student who died in an alleged hazing incident. The legislation would affect both fraternities and sororities and make hazing education a requirement, require universities to post all instances of hazing on their official websites and give students immunity for reporting hazing offenses. Advocates are also seeking support for a second piece of legislation that would make hazing a felony. Note: National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) and North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) are working closely with the Oakes family to edit and strengthen the bill. For example, an edit has already been made to the originally proposed legislation, including removal of a requirement for a non-member advisor to be present during new member activities.

NBC News reported that new preventative measures have been put into place at the University of Southern California (USC) to address documented increases in instances of drugging and sexual assault. These new guidelines require each fraternity and sorority chapter to complete prevention education workshops, conduct pre- and post-event risk management planning reviews and post security guards at every building entrance and in each hallway leading to a bedroom during formal social events. With several men’s chapters at the university already suspended, the other remaining chapters must adhere to these new guidelines to continue social activities. 

Last Week

Columbia Basin Herald reported on pending legislation in Washington state that would expand the definition of hazing on and off campus, require Greek Life organizations to list all hazing instances and investigations on their websites and mandate that new members complete a hazing course prior to initiation. The legislation follows calls for increased accountability and transparency following the 2019 hazing death of Sam Martinez, a student at Washington State University and Alpha Tau Omega new member. Note: NPC is reviewing this new anti-hazing legislation in Washington state and the need to engage in advocacy regarding provisions that run counter to the Anti-Hazing Coalition model legislation.  

The Bulletin

The January issue of The Bulletin has been emailed to all college and alumnae chapter officers and advisors and posted in Theta Portal > Chapter Portal > HQDocs > The Bulletin. Workforce members always have access to The Bulletin via Igloo > Files > The Bulletin. The Update is Theta’s main communication source for the workforce, and The Bulletin is Theta’s main communication source for college chapter officers and advisors and alumnae chapter officers. 

NPC Standing Committees Accepting Applications

NPC is recruiting individuals to serve as members of NPC standing committees. The volunteer interest and application form is now live through Feb. 20. Read short descriptions of the standing committees or watch a recording of the NPC standing committee volunteer interest session to learn more. 

Theta Blogs

• Celebrating Membership Anniversaries
• Theta's Admin Department Cares for Our Staff and Facility
• Founders Day & Friendship Fund Message 2022 
• What Is Your Theta Story? 

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