The Update

Published

May 23, 2023

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Published

May 23, 2023

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Lorie Land

Industry Update Provided by NPC

Last week, HBO Max released the trailer for its upcoming documentary “Bama Rush,” which follows the social media phenomenon that grew out of University of Alabama students documenting their sorority recruitment experience in 2021, reports Variety, Huffpost, Brit + Co, and E News. The students’ footage provided a glimpse into the week-long recruiting event, making it a viral social media sensation that garnered more than 2 billion views online. The documentary will explore Greek life as an institution and at the University of Alabama, and the experiences young women have participating in a sorority. The documentary premiered today, May 23. (NOTE: The National Panhellenic Conference [NPC] has worked with outside public relations counsel VOX Global prior to the release of the documentary. Vox has been trying to secure an advance screening. NPC will share guidance to member organizations following the release, as needed.)

On Monday, The Seattle Times reported that Washington’s laws against hazing were stiffened, making hazing a gross misdemeanor or a felony if resulting in bodily harm. Known as the Sam Martinez Stop Hazing Law, it passed both the House and Senate unanimously. The law was created in honor of Sam Martinez, a student who died of alcohol poisoning after he was hazed at a fraternity event at Washington State University.

Staff & Volunteer Support Surrounding the Bama Rush Documentary on HBO Max

Earlier this month, HBO Max announced a documentary about recruitment at the University of Alabama, premiering today, May 23, called “Bama Rush: Acceptance Is Everything.” Rest assured that pertinent staff and volunteers are not only aware of the existence of this documentary, but they are also in constant communication with one another and with NPC and our peer organizations. Delta Omicron Chapter at the University of Alabama has support and open contact with these staff and volunteers. If you receive inquiries about the documentary, please direct them to Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Julianne Butler, Director of Collegiate Services Katharine Murphy, or Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jenni Schmaltz. If you have further questions, please contact Katharine Murphy.

In Memoriam

We are saddened to share the news that former Kappa Alpha Theta staff member Phyllis Barnaby passed away on May 2. Phyllis worked for the Fraternity and Theta Foundation from 1992-2015 and was a member of Alpha Chi/Purdue. Her obituary provides more details. Former Theta Foundation trustees Kathy Tonkel, Cathie Cardelucci, and Lyn Simensen are soliciting funds to endow a Kappa Alpha Theta scholarship in Phyllis’ name. If you are interested in contributing to this scholarship, you can make an online donation to Theta Foundation (at the prompt “Direct my donation to” select “Other Grant or Scholarship Fund” and type in “Phyllis Barnaby Memorial ESEF”). You can also send a check directly to Theta Foundation, 8740 Founders Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268. Please include the following in the memo: Phyllis Barnaby Memorial ESEF.

Memorial Day Closing

Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity, Theta Foundation, and Fraternity Housing Corporation (FHC) offices will be closed Friday, May 26, and Monday, May 29, in recognition of the (U.S.) Memorial Day holiday.

Year-End and Expense Reports

The Fraternity’s 2022-2023 fiscal year ends June 30. Please submit your invoices in a timely manner. 2022-2023 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. 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. Please note on your submitted expenses if they are for the 2022-2023 or 2023-2024 fiscal year.

Grant-Related Expenses

If you have grant-related expenses, they are due no later than July 10, 2023. Please submit them immediately and contact Director of Education and Leadership Melissa Shaub if you have any outstanding invoices so we can ensure they are included in our grant request.

ThetaConnect Update

ThetaConnect, our members-only app, is growing! We are less than 500 users away from 10,000!

158 groups in total, with 81 college chapter groups
The group with the most members is Virtual Thetas with 6,182 members
72.63% of users are alumnae, and 28.28% are students
24 college chapters have more than 90 members in ThetaConnect

Our top five chapters with the most members in ThetaConnect are:

Delta Theta/Florida - 288
Delta Kappa/LSU - 236
Beta Delta/Arizona – 235
Alpha Mu/Missouri – 227
Delta Omicron/Alabama – 194

Please contact Digital Marketing Coordinator Madi Leger or Digital Engagement and Alumnae Marketing Manager Lisa Thibault regarding general ThetaConnect questions or how you can use ThetaConnect for member programming.

The Update | May 23, 2023