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March 1, 2022
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The Update | March 1, 2022
Industry Update Provided by NPC
This Week
The family members of Adam Oakes, a Virginia Commonwealth University freshman who passed away after a fraternity hazing incident in 2019, are concerned as their efforts to strengthen hazing penalties are being contradicted by two different versions of an anti-hazing bill passed in the Virginia House and Senate, reports CBS 6 WTVR-TV. The two chambers differ in whether the penalty for hazing resulting in death or serious bodily injury should be increased from a misdemeanor to a felony. The House version makes this situation’s penalty classified as a class five felony, while the Senate version keeps hazing classified as a misdemeanor with the option to add other charges without that person being in double jeopardy. The Oakes family is in support of the House version, and the two sides will confer to come to a common agreement. (Note: National Panhellenic Conference [NPC] continues to monitor this legislation.)
Last Week
The College Heights Herald reports that a student has filed a lawsuit against Western Kentucky University (WKU), Kappa Delta Sorority, Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, and 17 other defendants alleging she was forced to drink at a fraternity event and later raped in a dorm room on Feb. 6, 2021. The plaintiff, a WKU student who was under 21 at the time of the assault, claims WKU President Timothy Caboni, the university, and the two fraternity/sorority chapters failed to properly act in her defense following the incident. According to the document, the plaintiff resigned from Kappa Delta on June 3, 2021, stating that she “could not recruit young women into a system that is currently perpetuating rape culture.” The suit also states that Kappa Delta’s culture promoted excessive drinking of alcohol.
On Tuesday, Feb. 15, legislation that would expand the definition of hazing on- and off-campus at colleges and universities across the state of Washington moved one step closer to becoming law after passing the state House of Representatives on a 97-1 vote, reports The Spokesman-Review. The bill would require colleges and universities to provide hazing education, mandate that their employees and volunteers complete a yearly hazing education program, report all hazing instances and investigations on their website, and require a hazing prevention committee consisting of students, institution faculty, and at least one parent or guardian of a student.
Workforce Opportunities
Ashleigh Renteria, college district director (CDD) in College District VIII, has resigned from her position. Olivia Epps, CDD in College District IV, will resign after her replacement is transitioned. If you are interested in the CDD role or know of someone who would be a good fit, please submit/encourage them to submit the Workforce Volunteer Interest Indicator in Theta Portal under Forms. Questions about the role and responsibilities can be forwarded to College Committee Chairman Mandy Womack or Director of Collegiate Services Katharine Murphy.
Eta Mu/Occidental Closing
Members of Grand Council have accepted the charter of the Eta Mu Chapter at Occidental College, relinquished by a unanimous vote of the chapter members on Wednesday, Feb. 9 and effective on Friday, Feb. 18.
Sixth Annual Undergraduate Survey
Our annual undergraduate survey has launched and will be open until mid-March. Please direct any questions to Melissa Shaub, director of education & leadership. Thank you to Theta Foundation for helping us make this important assessment project possible.
2022 Theta Foundation Scholarship Application Deadline Tomorrow
Please remind potential applicants that the deadline for Theta Foundation's 2022 Scholarship Application is tomorrow, Wednesday, March 2 at 6:00 p.m. EST/5:00 p.m. CST/4:00 p.m. MST/3:00 p.m. PST. All application resources, including the 2022 Scholarship Application Guide and Scholarships FAQ, can be found on Theta's website. Applicants with questions can also contact Foundation Programs Director Mary Kate Smith.
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