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March 17, 2020
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The Update | March 17, 2020
Industry Update Provided by NPC
The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) has created a web page to report on NPC news and activities regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). It is being updated as information becomes available.
The Fresno Bee and ABC 30 report that the Fresno State chapter of Kappa Sigma has been placed under interim suspension, one day after a former student in a YouTube video said she had been sexually assaulted at a party at the Kappa Sigma house. Campus police have turned the investigation over to the Fresno Police Department. The fraternity's executive director said the chapter is conducting an internal investigation but declined further comment.
The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and The Chronicle of Higher Education report on the efforts of colleges/universities to stem the spread of COVID-19, including suspending in-person classes and closing on-campus housing. Experts report revenue from tuition will be impacted, budgeting at the university level has become unpredictable, and the length of time that campuses must remain closed will help determine the size of the financial challenge that awaits. The regular progression of enrollment events is projected to be derailed, and fall enrollment itself may be in jeopardy, according to coverage. Additional reporting focused on the emotional toll that sudden closures are taking on students. The New York Times reports a sense of loss and uncertainty among students at Cornell, and The Washington Post reports seniors held impromptu graduation celebrations and annual campus traditions in their final few days on campus. Several universities, including the University of South Carolina, MIT, and University of Tennessee, have closed campus housing for the remainder of the semester, including sorority and fraternity houses.
The Rome News-Tribune reports that Georgia Senate Bill 423—which boosts fines and jail time for students who haze through forced inebriation, physical threats and violence—has passed the Georgia State Senate. Students and others who sound the alarm or help break up dangerous hazing activities would be protected from prosecution under the bill, even if they participated in the hazing. Dubbed the “Max Gruver Act,” the bill has been passed to the Georgia House of Representatives for a vote.
College Chapters and COVID-19
As of this weekend, 100 percent of Theta’s host institutions are operating on a remote-learning model for some length of time. While most schools are remote for a few weeks, usually through early- to mid-April, others are planning to be remote for the rest of the spring term. Chapters are not able to meet in person while their institution is on remote learning.
Theta has sent communication to chapter leaders and some frequently asked questions can be found on the Coronavirus Update page.
Nominating Committee Update
Both the nominating and interest indicator forms are live with a deadline of April 5 and April 26 respectively. We are monitoring the COVID-19 situation with respect to nominating committee business. We will notify members if/when any accommodations are made with the health and safety of our members as the paramount concern. Email boardservice@kappaalphatheta.org with any questions.
Workforce Opportunity
Ashley Doot, college district director (CDD) in College District VI, is resigning. If you are interested in this role, please submit the Volunteer Interest Indicator. Laura Locke, college committee chairman, continues to search for a successor for the CDD role. Please send any questions that would have gone to Ashley to Katharine Murphy, director of collegiate services.
National CASA/GAL Conference Opportunity for Sophomores & Juniors
Current sophomore and junior college Thetas are invited to apply for Theta Foundation individual grant funding to attend the 2020 National CASA/GAL Conference. The conference will be held June 6-9 in Washington, D.C. Applications are due by 3:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 15. Learn more by visiting the Apply for Scholarships & Grants page of the Theta website. Direct any questions to Mary Kate Smith, Foundation programs manager.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Webinar
The February webinar series from the Cross Cultural Fraternal Advisors Institute Collaborative is now available. As a reminder, this is a webinar series in which many NPC groups are participating. Questions can be sent to inclusion@kappaalphatheta.org.
- Creating Inclusive Spaces for LGBQAP+: The default narrative for many Panhellenic members is to assume their chapter sisters are heterosexual. Ignorance around sexual orientation and/or a conflation with gender identity occurs. Many individuals are confident in their identity as non-heterosexual prior stepping onto their campus. Others may not "come out" and own their authentic sexual identity until they get to college out of fear of reactions or necessity in maintaining their home life. They may seek a sense of sisterhood to make their college feel "smaller" or build community and elect to go through Panhellenic sorority recruitment. How are we ensuring our members are equipped with inclusive language? What policy language is needed at the chapter and international organization level? What type of education would be helpful to prepare "big" sisters to support a sister who "comes out"? Why is it important not to "out" a sister? Join us as we discuss these questions and many more with our panelists.
Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI)
*This program is sponsored by Theta Foundation.
Know an emerging leader? Encourage her to apply for Kappa Alpha Theta’s Emerging Leaders Institute! The Institute will provide leadership education and development to undergraduate members. Using the relational leadership model, curriculum will focus on increasing skill development and understanding leadership as a relational process. ELI will take place July 16-19, 2020 (please note only one session this year), at the University of Maryland in College Park, Md. The application will close on March 30, 2020, and is available on the Theta website.
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