News from the Industry

The Harvard Crimson has coverage of correspondence between University President Drew G. Faust and U.S. Rep. Elise M. Stefanik, a key proponent of legislation that could threaten university-issued sanctions aimed at members of single-gender groups. In the letter, Faust expressed concern about the legislation, emphasizing a belief that Harvard’s penalties are necessary to ensure undergraduates have "the experience of full citizenship" at Harvard. 

At Penn State, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has coverage of the latest phase in the trial of the fraternity brothers charged in the Timothy Piazza case, including video footage shown in court proceedings on Wednesday from the party held on the evening of Piazza’s death. NBC Philadelphia is also reporting that the state’s attorney general wants involuntary manslaughter charges reinstated in the case. WTAJ-CBS has reporting on the judge presiding over the latest phase in a trial for members of the campus’s former Beta Theta Pi chapter. Finally, the Daily Collegian reports that Penn State has suspended Zeta Psi Fraternity and Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority, resulting from a student-conduct investigation of new member hazing and alcohol use, respectively.

Capitol Hill Visit Report

Kappa Alpha Theta again participated in the annual Capitol Hill visits planned by the Fraternal Government Relations Coalition, which comprises National Panhellenic Conference/NPC, North-American Interfraternity Conference/NIC, Fraternity and Sorority Political Action Committee/FSPAC and Fraternity and Sorority Action Fund/FSAF representatives.

Our focus this year was to educate and inform Congressional staff and representatives about the importance of the single-sex experience, freedom of association, and due process. In the House, we concerned ourselves with proposed language in Sec. 118 Single-sex social student organizations, which is part of H.R. 4508, the PROSPER Act. PROSPER stands for Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity through Educational Reform. It is part of the Higher Education Reauthorization Act process.

In addition, we spoke about H.R. 2926 the REACH Act (Report and Educate About Campus Hazing), which was introduced in 2017. Neither of these proposals has a corresponding Senate proposal yet.

One hundred and thirty-five alumni from 21 NPC and 17 NIC groups and 102 collegians completed 457 visits on Capitol Hill. We were honored to have two members of our Zeta Xi Chapter present. And we were proud to be recognized at the annual FSPAC dinner for our achievements in participation (Platinum level) and dollars raised. Contact Laurie Connor, director of government relations, for more information.

Staff Update

We are pleased to report that Katharine Murphy, Gamma Zeta/Connecticut, has accepted the director of collegiate services position! Katharine has served Theta for eight years, first as an educational leadership consultant and most recently as associate director of chapter services. Although there will be transition time into the role, this change is effective immediately. Congratulations, Katharine!

Workforce Update

Join Recruitment Committee Chairman Kara Van Duzee and committee members in welcoming Brittany Scancarella, Lambda/Vermont, as recruitment and Panhellenic district director (RPDD) in College District III! We thank outgoing RPDD Laura Arena for her service on the recruitment committee.

Summer Service Trip

We are sorry to inform you that due to unforeseen circumstances, there will be no summer service trip this July. Any questions can be directed to Assistant Director of Education & Leadership Ellen FitzGerald.

Seeking Parliamentary Procedure Expert

The college chapter compliance committee wants to add a parliamentary procedure volunteer. If you are interested in this role, please submit the Volunteer Interest Indicator, and reference the new role within your responses. If you know of someone who may be a good fit, please encourage her to complete the interest indicator. Questions about the role and responsibilities can be forwarded to Katharine Murphy. The deadline for interest indicator submissions is Tuesday, May 22. 

Theta Foundation Scholarship Notifications

Those who submitted applications for 2018 Theta Foundation scholarships will be notified of their award status by the end of the day on Thursday, May 10. Award status notifications will be sent to the email address on applicants’ official Theta membership records. Page five of the 2018 Scholarship Application Guide outlines instructions for verifying/updating contact information on file with the Fraternity. Please contact Theta Foundation Programs Manager Mary Kate Kronzer with questions.

Helpful Links

• Upcoming Important Dates and Visits
• Workforce Contact Information
• New Volunteers
• Previous Updates
• Grand Convention website