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January 9, 2018
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The Update | January 9, 2018
News from the Industry
Social activities are starting to return to fraternities on the campus of the University of Michigan following a two-month suspension. The suspension went into effect in early November amid allegations of sexual harassment, hazing and drug use. The Interfraternity Council (IFC) said in a statement that the self-imposed suspension allowed it to "conduct an extensive review ... to identify the policies and practices needing improvement within the community." It said that "reforms" will be enacted on a chapter-by-chapter basis, but it didn't release specifics. The council, which governs fraternity chapters at the Ann Arbor school, announced the suspension in November 2017. The return of social activity to University of Michigan fraternities has been covered in CBS Detroit, The Detroit Free Press, M Live and the Associated Press.
Coverage continues of the death of Maxwell Gruver, the 18-year-old LSU freshman, who died in September 2017, after an alleged hazing incident at the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Following Maxwell's death, LSU suspended much of the Greek life on campus. Profiles of Gruver’s family have been in the Advocate. The family has started the Max Gruver Foundation to combat excessive alcohol consumption, bullying, and hazing in college. The Advocate also reports that the Phi Delta Theta house had cameras, but none was working at the time of Max’s death.
The Washington Post reports that after years of increased tension at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga between historically black and white Greek organizations over step show appropriation and national attention to race relations, leaders of black sororities and fraternities held an off-campus step show performance as a means of reclaiming a tradition they feared had been adulterated by white sororities and fraternities. The dean of the university, Jim Hicks, attended the show and is working with black and white Greek leaders to bridge the divide and create a campus of inclusion and understanding.
Staff Title Changes
The following title changes have been made to more accurately describe the staff leadership positions serving all three Theta corporations (Fraternity, Foundation, Housing Corporations):
- Chief Administration Officer Mindy Marshall
- Chief Financial Officer (Fraternity & FHC) Jeff Risser
- Chief Information Officer Rob Jacobs
- Chief Marketing Officer Julianne Butler
Please direct any questions to CEO Betsy Corridan.
Workforce Update
Join Stephanie Sciarani and the risk prevention committee in welcoming Elizabeth Lee, Eta Iota/San Diego, as the newest committee member.
Workforce Communication and Contact Information Updates
Both the workforce communication guide and workforce contact information documents have been updated to reflect the new standing committee chairmen. They are both located in Igloo > Files > Resources > Volunteer Resources. A link to workforce contact information is included at the bottom of each issue of The Update.
Second Annual Undergraduate Survey
As part of Theta’s Plan of Aspirations aiming to optimize the member experience, we embarked on a data collection and assessment project. This project includes an annual survey of undergraduate members over four years, with the first survey conducted in 2017. Our second annual survey is scheduled to begin next month. Chapter chief executive officers (CEOs) and advisors will receive emails later this month with information and instructions for the survey (extensions are available for chapters with deferred recruitment). The survey will launch Feb. 4 and run through early- to mid-March. We look forward to sharing our results with you later in 2018. Please direct questions to Melissa Shaub, director of education and leadership.
CrowdChange Online Fundraising Platform
Over the last several months, Theta staff and volunteers have been involved in conversations around improving resources for chapter philanthropic initiatives. This led to the creation of the Philanthropy Handbook; Theta’s philanthropy philosophy; a new definition of philanthropy encompassing service, fundraising, and advocacy; and changes in officer titles. We were also challenged to find and secure a safe, user-friendly online fundraising platform to replace usage of risky sites, such as GoFundMe and Venmo. We are pleased to announce that Kappa Alpha Theta has launched a partnership with CrowdChange, an online fundraising platform made especially for fraternities and sororities. CrowdChange is particularly exciting because it connects directly to chapters’ BillHighway bank accounts, avoiding the risks associated with other fundraising sites chapters have used in place of a workable online platform.
This week, chapter officers who work with chapter fundraisers, including those who work with chapter finance, will receive communication from Kappa Alpha Theta announcing the partnership. In the next few weeks, CrowdChange will communicate with these officers to encourage participation in online training opportunities regarding the functionalities of the platform, as well as other resources. The platform is live right now. If you wish to look at the site as it will appear to the public, visit https://theta.crowdchange.co/. Please note, all online fundraisers will be approved via the CrowdChange site by Ellen Barlow, assistant director of education & leadership, and creation of the online fundraiser will not negate submission of chapter pre-event checklists for fundraisers. Email Ellen Barlow with any CrowdChange questions.
2018 Theta Foundation Scholarship Application
Theta Foundation is excited to announce that the 2018 Scholarship Application will be available this week! Theta collegians and alumnae who will pursue undergraduate or graduate study during the 2018-19 academic year will be eligible to apply. For answers to questions regarding Theta Foundation’s scholarship program, please contact Theta Foundation’s Programs Manager Mary Kate Kronzer.
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