Undergraduate Survey Report

As a part of Theta’s Plan of Aspirations aiming to optimize the member experience, we have embarked on a data collection and assessment project. This project includes an annual survey of undergraduate members over four years, with the first year being 2017. We identified several items to measure, and our survey company found credible and reliable scales to measure these areas. While we received a lot of great data over the summer, we are currently focusing on the following areas: creating and fostering positive relationships (sisterhood), promoting member wellness, and building leadership skills and capacity.

Individual chapters received reports with their chapter data in sisterhood and wellness, as compared to Theta’s average and our peer average when applicable. Chapters are encouraged to use this data as they set goals and objectives for the upcoming year. Over 16,000 undergraduate Thetas participated in the survey in 2017, which was a 73 percent response rate. Our peer organizations also receive high response rates on their surveys, usually in the high 70s to low 80s.

Survey Highlights

• Theta measures significantly higher on sisterhood based on belonging than the international dataset, and observes a less steep decline from freshman to senior year on belonging compared to the average sorority internationally. (People who conceptualize sisterhood based on belonging would include a feeling of being accepted and valued for who you are, the ability to be your “true” self.)
• Theta members report significantly higher likelihood to donate to the organization, higher likelihood to recommend a PNM to the Fraternity, and higher frequency of alumna contact compared to sorority members internationally.
• Theta members score significantly higher on openness to diversity and challenge than the average sorority member internationally.
• Theta members have more positive attitudes related to sexual assault compared to the average sorority member internationally, measuring significantly higher on survivor support and significantly lower on victim-blaming, social pressure, and minimization.
• Theta members measure significantly higher than the average sorority member internationally in several key areas connected to risk management and social culture, including:
  • sisterhood based on shared social experience (this type of sisterhood is conceptualized as doing something fun together and is usually tied to the chapter’s hierarchy/social status on campus),
  • social status importance (measures the extent to which members are concerned about their place in the social hierarchy within an organization and their organization’s place within the campus social hierarchy),
  • alcohol use,
  • moral disengagement (the degree to which people can rationalize their unjust or unethical behavior), and
  • hazing tolerance (measures the extent to which members would tolerate hazing of varying degrees of severity within their organization).
• Theta measures significantly lower than the international average on sisterhood based on accountability (defined as holding one another to high standards based on shared expectations).

Theta Connect News

Last year we launched the ThetaConnect app, a fun way for Thetas to connect using the most up-to-date technology. The idea was great, but—unfortunately—the technology failed us. The last thing we want to do is continue offering an app to our members that doesn’t work well and doesn’t meet the expectations promised by the developer. So, for now, we are shelving the app and taking it out of the Android and Apple stores. If anyone speaks with a member trying to use the app, please tell her that app is no longer available due to technical issues.

Social Media Snapshot

Day of Service: It’s an exciting week for Kappa Alpha Theta: Our ninth annual Day of Service is Thursday, Oct. 19, the 167^th anniversary of Bettie Locke Hamilton’s birth. It’s wonderful to see Thetas all over the world coming together to spread the widest influence for good in Bettie’s name. Share photos of your service work on social media using hashtags #ThetaDayofService and #ThetaService. Remember the Day of Service photo contest! Each year, we select a winning photo from a college chapter, alumnae chapter, or individual service project that captures the spirit of this day. Please email photos and a description of your service project to dayofservice@kappaalphatheta.org by Friday, Nov. 3. The winner will be featured on social media and in the Theta magazine!

FHC 10-Year Anniversary Celebration Design Giveaway: Be sure to enter the Fraternity Housing Corporation’s incredible giveaway! One lucky alumna will receive a design consultation with one of FHC’s interior designers to bring the beauty of Theta designs to her own home, along with a $250 gift card to get the project started. Ten runners-up will receive $25 Home Goods gift cards. Enter on FHC’s Instagram or Facebook pages! Find further instructions within the posts. Help us wish FHC a happy birthday using #hbdFHC! 

Recent Theta Blogs

• The Kappa Alpha Theta Magazine’s “Chapter Letters”
• October 2017 Volunteer Spotlight: Karen Pryor

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