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January 14, 2020
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The Update | January 14, 2020
Industry Update Provided by NPC
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports West Virginia University and the foundation created by the parents of Nolan Burch, an 18-year-old who died of alcohol poisoning during Kappa Sigma Fraternity hazing in 2014, are launching a campaign to promote student safety. The campaign, titled “Would you?” asks students if they would do what’s needed to help someone in crisis, even dial 911, rather than stand idly by. A central aim of the campaign is to stop hazing and alcohol abuse, and to call attention to amnesty law in West Virginia that lets people seek emergency aid for someone without penalty—even if they, themselves, were drinking. The safety campaign will employ social media messages, print posters, and leadership training for fraternity members and for others, including the 5,000 or so freshmen arriving each fall.
Insider NJ and New Jersey Law Journal report that bipartisan legislation to crack down on hazing is heading to the full state Senate, following passage by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. The bills would broaden the scope of how hazing is defined, as well as increase punishment of participants when injuries occur. Additionally, immunity for those who report hazing to emergency services would be established. “For too long, hazing has been used as a rite of passage into college fraternities and sororities. It is dangerous, it is irresponsible, and tragically, it is sometimes deadly,” said New Jersey State Senator Troy Singleton (D-Burlington). “However, as a member of a Greek organization, I am saying ‘enough is enough.’ If students are found guilty of hazing another student, they should fully understand the seriousness of this illegal practice and what’s at stake. If we want students to stop hazing, there needs to be real consequences for their actions.”
Grand Convention 2020
Plans are well underway for Grand Convention 2020. What a celebration it’s going to be! We hope that many of you are able to attend this historic Convention.
If you are a Convention delegate, or are attending at Theta expense in another role, you will receive an email with a registration link on Monday, Feb. 3. Registration for all delegates will be open Feb. 3-28. Due to the anticipated size of this Convention, it is extremely important that all registrations are received by Feb. 28. If you are an ADD or CDD, please help your chapters meet this deadline. The Grand Convention Website is live and will be listed in the Helpful Links section at the bottom of The Update.
As a thank you to those of you who are not delegates but do so much for Theta, we are offering you a $150 (10 percent) discount off the price of full-time attendance; please simply enter THANKYOU in the promo code field when registering. This is a special gift for you; please don’t share this code. Registration for non-delegates will be open March 2-April 30. An additional early-bird rate is available through March 31, so be sure to register early.
What to Expect at Grand Convention 2020
If you have attended past Conventions, you’ll see a few changes this year. First, our big event will open on Wednesday instead of Thursday. We will spend these three and a half days celebrating Theta, past, present, and future, and have a fabulous speaker lineup, meaningful programming, and educational sessions for our officers. As always, we will offer full-time registration packages as well as a la carte options.
Due to declining participation, breakfasts are not included in the Convention program. There will be several options available to meet everyone’s needs, including a full-service onsite restaurant, an onsite Starbucks, kiosks in the main meeting areas with grab-and-go breakfast items for purchase, as well as several restaurants within walking distance to the JW Marriott.
We will offer optional tours of headquarters, including our new heritage museum generously funded by Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation and several additional newly renovated spaces.
Alpha Chapter will offer optional tours throughout the week of Convention and we will provide guide maps to attendees interested in visiting Greencastle sites associated with our founders, including Bettie Locke Hamilton’s gravesite. We will not host an event on the DePauw campus for the Convention body because the facilities available for a group of our size won’t allow us to execute an event that would be meaningful and impactful.
If you have any questions about Convention, please contact Laura Heinekamp, marketing project manager.
Theta Foundation Opportunities
Theta Foundation’s Quarter 3 Chapter & Individual Grant application deadline is tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan. 15. We are also excited to announce that the 2020 Scholarship Application is now available! The application and recommendation forms are due by Wednesday, March 4. Both applications are posted on Theta’s Apply for Scholarships & Grants page. Thank you for spreading the word about these opportunities! Please direct any questions about Theta Foundation programs to Foundation Programs Manager Mary Kate Smith.
Workforce Updates
The member orientation program has been officially transitioned to Assistant Director of Collegiate Services Madison Cannon. Memberorientation@kappaalphatheta.org emails go directly to Madison or feel free to email her directly at mcannon@kappaalphatheta.org. The Workforce Communication Guide, in Igloo > Files > Resources > Volunteer Resources, has a list of which staff and workforce answer questions in different program areas.
Elizabeth DiMaria, budget district director (BDD) in College District IV, is resigning from her position. Elizabeth will remain in office until Grand Council appoints her replacement and will assist in the transition of the new BDD. If you are interested in this role, please submit the Volunteer Interest Indicator. Questions about the role and responsibilities can be forwarded to Collegiate Finance Manager Christine Lorkowski.
Recent Theta Blogs
- January 2020 Heritage News: Celebrating 150 Years!
- Announcing the 2020 Theta Foundation Scholarship Application Help Sessions
Helpful Links
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