The Update | March 16, 2021

The Update

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March 16, 2021

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Published

March 16, 2021

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Lorie Land

Industry Update Provided by NPC

This week

Following the death of a Bowling Green State University (BGSU) student last week, national news outlets continue to cover the aftermath. This included coverage of the introduction of new anti-hazing legislation in Ohio and students at BGSU calling for justice. NBC News and Yahoo News also offered coverage drawing connections between multiple recent student deaths with connections to hazing allegations. Finally, The New York Times (PDF version) offered comprehensive reporting alleging serious misconduct in the investigation of a student death following a fraternity event at Cornell University that occurred in October 2019.

In light of recent student deaths, The Chronicle of Higher Education (PDF version) also published an advice column about what campus leaders may do in regards to the surge in fraternity hazing, especially in a post-COVID environment.
The Chronicle of Higher Education (PDF version) reported on the administration at Duke University condemning in-person recruitment events held by the newly formed Durham Interfraternity Council (IFC) and placing restrictions on students from participating in recruitment for this independent IFC. Meanwhile, national outlets are also reporting that Duke University is under a mandatory school-wide lock-down following a surge in cases that the university has linked to fraternity parties. The Washington Post and The News & Observer, among others, offer coverage.

At Indiana University, the Indianapolis Star (PDF version) and the Daily Beast have reported on allegations of hazing at the university’s Kappa Kappa Gamma chapter.

Last week

Following the death of a fraternity new member at Virginia Commonwealth University last week, this past weekend brought news of two additional student deaths on American college campuses. At least one of these recent student deaths is also being investigated as a possible hazing incident. CNN and The Washington Post report that Stone Foltz, 20, a student at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, died after being given “copious amounts of alcohol” at a Pi Kappa Alpha event. At American University, Eli Weinstock, also 20, was found dead at an off-campus residence according to coverage in The Washington Post and The Columbus Dispatch; he is from Bexley, Ohio—near Columbus. The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) released a statement in response to these deaths, urging lawmakers to take up federal and state legislation to increase transparency around hazing incidents and create greater accountability for perpetrators of hazing.

The Washington Post reports that the Biden administration has called for a fresh review of Title IX rules and guidance regarding sexual assault and misconduct on college campuses. President Joe Biden also signed an executive order establishing a new White House Gender Policy Council, which will be charged with developing a government-wide strategy for advancing gender equity and equality.

March 2, 2021

Mirage and Penn State offer coverage of last week’s announcement from the Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research and Reform and the NPC regarding pending plans for companion research studies aimed at evaluating cultural competency within the sorority community and determining best practices regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Numerous national news organizations including CNN and The New York Times offer coverage of the death of Adam Oakes, a Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) student. Oakes, who had recently been offered a bid to join the VCU chapter of Delta Chi, was found dead on Saturday at an off-campus house affiliated with the fraternity.

Grand Council Action

At its meeting Friday, March 12, Grand Council considered the following issues:

A membership termination;
Policy recommendations from the recruitment committee; and
The return of the Zeta Xi/Harvard Chapter charter.

Workforce Opportunity

The risk prevention committee is looking for a risk prevention specialist to work with College Districts VII and IX. If you or someone you know has a special interest/skill in support college chapters with risk prevention, please email riskchair@kappaalphatheta.org.

Note Regarding Headquarters Email

Please know that Theta officers are required to receive emails sent from Fraternity headquarters. Unsubscribing or clicking “opt out” from these emails restricts you from seeing further messaging sent from the Fraternity, Theta Foundation, and Fraternity Housing Corporation. Any officer who unsubscribes from emails will be asked to resubscribe to continue receiving emails. Please remind any volunteers and/or officers you work with to read official communication from Kappa Alpha Theta and not unsubscribe.

The Bulletin

The February issue of The Bulletin has been posted in Theta Portal > Chapter Portal > HQDocs > The Bulletin. The Bulletin is intended for all college and alumnae chapter officers and advisors, and they were notified by email. Workforce members always have access to The Bulletin via Igloo > Files > The Bulletin. The Bulletin is Theta’s main communication source for college chapter officers and advisors and alumnae chapter officers. The Update is Theta’s main communication source for the workforce and should not be shared or forwarded to non-workforce members.