Industry Update Provided by NPC

Recent coronavirus outbreaks have been linked to fraternities at universities in Washington, California, and Mississippi, and experts say it is an example of what’s to come as many colleges reopen for in-person classes beginning in August. TIME reports that while colleges can enforce certain safety changes on campus—adding dividers between library desks, limiting the number of students assigned to each dorm room, requiring masks in classrooms, only serving takeout in dining halls—they have little to no control over how students behave in group living situations and when they’re socializing.

Good Morning America reported on the experience of Kyla Brinkley, a former member of the Alpha Gamma Delta chapter at the University of Georgia (UGA). Brinkley explained she dropped out of the sorority after she experienced multiple racist incidents. The article also includes mention of an online petition detailing racism within UGA fraternity/sorority life. The petition, which launched in June, demands the inclusion of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) in the university's Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council organizations on campus. (Note: National Panhellenic Conference  is engaged and in regular communication with the campus on this topic.)

University of Texas at Austin students, including many members of fraternity and sorority life, who participated in group travel to Cabo for spring break—62 of whom tested or were presumed positive for COVID-19 upon their return—were interviewed by Cosmopolitan, discussing their decision to travel and the public scrutiny when they returned to the United States.

A TikTok video posted by JJ Jordan, a Florida State University student, in which she shares her story about being pushed out of Kappa Delta Sorority for a reported violation of the organization's standards has gone viral, BuzzFeed News reports. The article notes the student hoped to open a bigger conversation about the systems of oppression and toxic values in sororities. Kappa Delta told BuzzFeed News they had reached out to the student and conducted an internal review of the incident.

Legacy Policy Change

Over the past month—through emails, an online petition, and organized listening sessions—Thetas encouraged Grand Council to modernize our policies and practices regarding legacies. A Theta legacy is defined as a daughter, granddaughter, great-granddaughter, or sister of a Kappa Alpha Theta member. Stepdaughters, step-granddaughters, step-great-granddaughters, and stepsisters are regarded as legacies if their family considers them as such.

At their meeting on July 10, Grand Council voted to eliminate the legacy policy. This change is designed to allow for greater opportunities for membership, to make Theta an inclusive, representative, and therefore stronger organization. While legacies will no longer receive special consideration (bonus points, courtesy invitation to the second round, recruitment and Panhellenic district director [RPDD] approval before releasing, automatic spot on the bid list), the definition of a legacy is not changing. Legacies should be identified on the reference letter, and any Theta relative should be warmly welcomed and recruited.

Over the next two days communication regarding this change will be rolled out to the following stakeholder groups:

• July 22 – College chapter recruitment officers/advisors (a.m.), alumnae chapter presidents (p.m.)
• July 23 – All Thetas with good email addresses

This information should be kept confidential until the communications to those stakeholders are sent.

Direct any questions about the change to Chief Operating Officer Jenni Schmaltz, while any questions about changes to the recruitment process should go to Assistant Director of Collegiate Services Brittany Booth. In addition, a FAQ document can be accessed here.

Theta Foundation Pansy Patch 2020

More than 3,000 pansies have been sent to honor sisters who have made an impact! Across the globe, Theta sisters are positively impacting every community of which they are part. Your generosity enables Theta Foundation to support sisters in their pursuit of the widest influence for good. On behalf of the countless Theta sisters around the world touched by your thoughtfulness, thank you to those who have already sent pansies. 

There are less than two weeks left to send pansies to the special Theta sisters in your life! Amid the challenges we face as a society today, there is nothing quite like the reminder of the thoughtfulness of our sisters and the power of Kappa Alpha Theta sisterhood. Visit pansypatch.org to send a pansy today!

Don't forget to check out the Pansy Patch GIPHY stickers. You can use and share them on multiple platforms: texts, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and more.

Virtual Memorial Service

As part of our Thetas Making a Difference Month, and in lieu of presenting the service as is normally done at Grand Convention, we have prepared a virtual celebration for those members who served Kappa Alpha Theta at the international and district levels and passed away during the last biennium (April 2018 – June 2020). We remember these sisters with love. Even when our sisters are no longer with us, our hearts are forever joined. View the 2020 Memorial Service here.

Sad News

We regret to announce the recent death of Eleanor Conly Hunt, Alpha Theta/Texas. Eleanor served Theta as a college district president and then as a Grand Council member-at-large from 1962-1970. Notes of condolence may be sent to her son, Frederick D. Hunt Jr., zazu102@hotmail.com.

Workforce Updates

Please join Natalie Padron, risk prevention committee chairman, and existing committee members in welcoming many new risk prevention specialists to the committee! 

• Diane Borden, Beta Nu/Florida State
• Rachel Bontempi, Zeta Rho/UC San Diego 
• Ashley Cafasso, Zeta Lambda/Charleston
• Taylor Fugere, Omega/UC Berkeley
• Ashley Schneider Gang, Eta Xi/Quinnipiac
• Kira Hofflemeyer, Alpha Xi/Oregon
• Lauren Horner, Alpha Xi/Oregon
• Katrina Jagodinsky, Alpha Psi/Lawrence
• Elizabeth Lee, Eta Iota/San Diego
• Haleigh Newman, Epsilon Zeta/Mississippi
• Sarah O'Hanlon, Eta Phi/Belmont
• Maren Schludecker, Gamma deuteron/Ohio Wesleyan

Monthly Workforce Live Discussions

We will be hosting a monthly training or live discussion for workforce members this year. These will occur the second Tuesday of each month beginning in August. Our first topic will be to provide updates on how the organization is responding to COVID-19 as well as information about the current efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion. You can register here to join us on August 4.

Year-End Expense Reports

The Fraternity’s 2019-20 fiscal year ended June 30. Expense reports for 2019-20 expenses will be accepted until, but no later than, July 31. The Fraternity’s audit begins August 17. In accordance with the Fraternity’s travel policy, only expenses submitted within 90 days of expenditure will be reimbursed. If you have any questions, please contact your staff partner.

Please note on your submitted expenses if they are for the 2019-20 or 2020-21 fiscal year.  

Helpful Links

• Upcoming Important Dates and Visits
• Workforce Contact Information
• New Volunteers
• Previous Updates
• Coronavirus Update
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion