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January 7, 2020
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The Update | January 7, 2020
Industry Update Provided by NPC
Fox News, CNN, and local stations report that a Texas State University fraternity has been suspended and two men face charges after members of the fraternity allegedly attacked another student. The student was left with a fractured skull and a traumatic brain injury. He was allegedly attacked by a group of Pi Kappa Phi members who mistook him for a member of another fraternity, according to a lawsuit filed in Travis County on behalf of the student. The incident occurred outside the fraternity house and was captured on video.
Advisers to Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity Inc. face claims of negligent supervision involving a sexual assault at a local chapter’s party where the victim was over-served alcohol, the District of New Jersey held Dec. 18. According to Bloomberg Law, sufficient allegations were presented that their inaction could have been a substantial factor in causing the woman’s injuries.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published an editorial calling for congressional action and greater transparency at institutions to combat hazing. The editorial board says “Supporters of Greek life have long defended the groups’ contributions to campus life, tradition and alumni networking. But, as more students are injured and killed, this argument is quickly running out of runway. Some colleges and universities, like Ohio University, have taken drastic measures, such as suspending all fraternities and sororities, as a means of protecting students. Passing the REACH and End All Hazing acts will not solve the problem overnight. But federal involvement will signal to colleges and universities, frats and sororities, and, most important, to students that hazing is an unacceptable danger that will be met with significant punishment.”
On Thursday, an appeals court ruled that a former Florida State University fraternity president and two other men can face felony hazing charges in the 2017 death of student Andrew Coffey who drank heavily at an off-campus party. A divided panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal overturned a Leon County circuit judge’s ruling that dismissed felony charges against former Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity chapter president Anthony Petagine and fraternity members Luke Kluttz and Anthony Oppenheimer, according to the Sun Sentinel. Local stations FOX 13 and WCTV also reported on the ruling.
Happy 2020!
In celebration of Theta’s sesquicentennial, we have an updated email signature for Outlook users! Instructions on how to update your email signature to reflect Theta’s 150th year are in Igloo > Files > Resources > Sesquicentennial Resources.
2020 Theta Foundation Scholarship Application
Theta Foundation is excited to announce that the 2020 Scholarship Application will be available this week! Theta collegians and alumnae who will pursue undergraduate or graduate study during the 2020-2021 academic year are eligible to apply. Please contact Theta Foundation Programs Manager Mary Kate Smith with any questions.
Social Media Snapshot: Celebrating Theta’s Sesquicentennial
We are just three weeks away from celebrating the 150th anniversary of Theta‘s founding! As you may have seen, we kicked off 2020 by sharing a very special preview of The Kite, a film that takes us back in time 150 years to imagine Bettie and our founders taking that bold leap to create something new.
If you have not already done so, please share The Kite trailer on Facebook and Instagram! Please also take a moment to leave a comment with your thoughts and reaction to the preview.
You may have also seen the first video of our In the Valley series shared in December. This series features story cards anonymously written by attendees at Grand Convention 2018 about the incredible support of sisterhood during life’s darkest moments. The piece has received a tremendous response, with many Thetas sharing their own “in the valley” moments. Be on the lookout for another installment of the series soon!
Lastly, you may have heard about our “Telling Your Theta Story” campaign. Please take a moment to participate with a post on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Share a photo from a particularly memorable moment in your Theta story, or simply an anecdote that really captures what Theta sisterhood has meant to you, using #Theta150 in the post. You can also submit your story on the Theta website.
Leadership Academy
Last weekend, the chief learning officer (CLO) and an advisor from nearly every college chapter gathered in Phoenix for Theta’s Leadership Academy. Formerly, this event was for college chapter chief executive officers (CEOs) only and was called CEO Leadership Academy. We are pleased to have offered the program to a different officer and included an advisor. Student and advisor sessions ran concurrently, although had some of the same themes, such as StrengthsQuest and diversity and inclusion. Student participant curriculum is based on the Emotionally Intelligent Leadership model, which focuses on leadership concepts in three areas: consciousness of self, others, and context. Students also concentrated on conflict resolution and creating plans for change. Advisors discussed general advising and coaching best practices and change management.
We are grateful to the staff and volunteers who made this weekend such a wonderful experience. Thanks to our facilitation team, Melissa Rocco, Mandy Womack, Natalie Padron, Kendall Dunovant, Katharine Murphy, Laura Stelsel, Madison Cannon, Carley Stone, Samantha Moy, Caitlin Soltesz, Riley Cluxton, Rachel Bontempi; our on-site logistical support, Meghan Oakley; and our HQ support, Mindy Marshall, Ruth Charles-Myers, Lorie Land, Laura Heinekamp, Lisa Thibault, and Claire Bowles. Special thanks to Theta Foundation for supporting this program.
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