Industry Update Provided by NPC

This week

Inside Higher Ed and KRON4 report that a group of Theta Delta Chi Fraternity alumni has filed a lawsuit against Stanford University, accusing administrators of “arbitrarily punishing the organization” after a fraternity member died from a drug overdose two years ago. The student, Eitan Weiner, died of an accidental fentanyl overdose at the Theta Delta Chi Fraternity house in January 2020. In response to Weiner’s death, Stanford imposed a six-year suspension on Theta Delta Chi. The alumni group, called #SaveStanfordTDX, alleges Stanford suspended the fraternity to shift blame for Weiner’s death away from the university, arguing that the fraternity did not deserve a six-year ban.

American Press reports that a hazing investigation at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette has resulted in the suspension of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity from campus for three years. The suspension comes after a hazing incident involving sleep deprivation and the performance of calisthenics. Eric Maron, a spokesman for the university, said the incident was first reported in March. In addition to the chapter’s suspension, the university said eight men have been issued misdemeanor summonses by the campus police department for charges related to the alleged hazing.

Last week

According to CNN and The New York Times, two Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity members charged in the 2021 hazing death of Bowling Green State University (BGSU) student Stone Foltz were acquitted of involuntary manslaughter and reckless homicide by a jury on Friday. The two, Jacob Krinn, 21, and Troy Henricksen, 24, were convicted of hazing, obstructing official business, and violating underage drinking laws for their roles in the fraternity event that preceded the death of Stone Foltz. Sentencing for Krinn is scheduled for July 8 and for Henricksen on July 29. Krinn faces up to 11 months in prison, and Henricksen faces a maximum of 18 months. Foltz's death has also led to a wrongful-death lawsuit against the fraternity, the expulsion of three students, the suspension of 17 students, and the permanent expulsion of the fraternity from BGSU.

Workforce DEI Roundtable Discussions

The DEI committee will host roundtable discussions for workforce members on different topics about some of the most asked questions we receive. The goal of these roundtable discussions is to provide content and answer questions workforce members may have. Our first session will take place Tuesday, June 21 at 11:00 a.m. PDT/2:00 p.m. EDT and our topic will be gender identity. We will discuss the ways in which gender identity may impact our work in Theta as well as how it might impact our chapters. Registration is open to all workforce members.

Year-End and Expense Reports

The Fraternity’s 2021-2022 fiscal year ends June 30. Because some of your expenses may be for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, please note on your submitted expenses if they are for the 2020-2021 or 2021-2022 fiscal year.

2021-2022 expenses will be accepted until, but no later than, July 31. No exceptions to this deadline will be granted, as the Fraternity’s audit begins in August. Please submit your invoices in a timely manner. Also remember that, 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.

Theta Blogs

• Mental Health Matters: The Jed Foundation  
• Reading Women Book Review: The Midnight Library 
• Our Spring 2022 Issue

Helpful Links

• ThetaConnect
• Workforce Contact Information
• Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
• New Volunteers
• Previous Updates