The Update | September 14, 2022

The Update

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September 14, 2022

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Published

September 14, 2022

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Lorie Land

Industry Update Provided by NPC

This week

As reported by the Wall Street Journal (among others), the documentary called Hazing, which premiered Sept. 13 on PBS, addresses the negative and sometimes fatal hazing rituals that occur at colleges and universities around the country. Although the documentary acknowledges that hazing can occur in a variety of institutions outside of colleges and universities, the documentary’s creator, Byron Hurt, specifically focuses on hazing within Greek-letter organizations. HuffPost notes that the documentary includes compelling interviews with surviving family members and friends, as well as psychologists, scholars, and activists.

Higher Ed Dive reports that advocacy is ramping up on a bipartisan federal bill that would require colleges to include hazing incidents in federally mandated security reports made public each year. The Report and Educate About Campus Hazing Act, or REACH Act (which has been a key priority for the National Panhellenic Conference [NPC]), would also require institutions to develop hazing prevention programs. A coalition of nearly 40 national campus security organizations recently reiterated support for the measure, which lawmakers introduced last year.

Last week

In an interview with Inside Higher Ed, filmmaker Byron Hurt discusses how his new documentary, Hazing, explores the abusive rituals of hazing culture in fraternal life and how they reflect the powerful human desire to belong. Hurt explains the dangers of hazing and the work that college, university, and national leaders need to take to prevent future harm to students.

In an opinion piece by the Wall Street Journal, students from a variety of campuses across the country discuss the pros and cons of fraternity and sorority life and how it has become so deeply ingrained in American college and university culture. Students highlight that participation in fraternal life provides them with a sense of identity in their new environment, an opportunity to make lasting connections, and a space to build a community with people in your institution. Some also acknowledge that fraternity and sorority life’s connections to hazing, parties, and alcohol are harmful and need to be addressed.

Workforce Updates

Please join Grand Council in welcoming Jennah Jones, Eta Iota/San Diego, to her new role as alumnae committee chairman.
Please join the academic development committee in welcoming Julia Cline, Beta Chi/Alberta, as the new academic development committee chairman.

Workforce Opportunities

After six years of service, Chapter Compliance Committee Chairman April Brown’s term will end at the end of 2022. To allow for a transition period, we would like to identify her successor this fall. If you are interested in the role or know of someone who would be a good fit, please submit or encourage them to submit the Workforce Volunteer Interest Indicator, found under Forms on Theta Portal’s home page. Questions about the role and responsibilities can be forwarded to April Brown or Director of Collegiate Services Katharine Murphy.
The college district director (CDD) role in College District X is now vacant as Julia Cline has accepted a new Theta role. Julia has agreed to continue serving as CDD until her successor is appointed and transitioned. If you are interested in the CDD role or know of someone who would be a good fit, please submit or encourage them to submit the Workforce Volunteer Interest Indicator, found under Forms on Theta Portal’s home page. Questions about the role and responsibilities can be forwarded to College Committee Chairman Mandy Womack or Director of Collegiate Services Katharine Murphy.

FSPAC Webinar

This week, the Fraternity and Sorority Political Action Committee (FSPAC) is hosting a Days of Giving campaign. Today, Sept. 14, at 8:00 p.m. EDT/5:00 p.m. PDT, join leaders of the FSPAC and VIP special guests, including Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH and member of Delta Sigma Theta), for a complimentary webinar as we celebrate the FSPAC’s Days of Giving, the Constitution, and Election Day. Registration is required. The FSPAC is a bipartisan organization that contributes to federal candidates. If you have any questions about the FSPAC, please contact Director of Government Relations Alicia Lee.

Day of Service

Day of Service is on Wednesday, Oct. 19! Since its inception more than 12 years ago, the core purpose of Day of Service is to do something meaningful and impactful for each of our respective communities. It is a day that honors our founder, Bettie Locke Hamilton, on her birthday and brings Theta collegians and alumnae together in service. We hope some of the ideas below help you decide where you may want to make an impact:

Volunteer at a local food pantry.
Spread social media awareness for an important cause.
Pick up trash in a local park.
Reach out to people in your community who might be struggling emotionally.
Pack school supplies for an elementary school.
Mentor a student.
Write notes or provide crafts for senior living communities.

Day of Service is a day to decide where you want to make an impact. If you have trouble finding an organization in your area, use VolunteerMatch to help connect you to a local organization. Thank you for helping us spread the widest influence for good. Please send all Day of Service photos to philanthropy@kappaalphatheta.org.

The Bulletin

The September 2022 issue of The Bulletin has been emailed to all college and alumnae chapter officers and advisors and posted in Theta Portal > Chapter Portal > Chapter Resources > HQ Communications Resources > The Bulletin. Workforce members always have access to The Bulletin via Igloo > Files > The Bulletin. The Update is Theta’s main communication source for the workforce, and The Bulletin is Theta’s main communication source for college chapter officers and advisors and alumnae chapter officers.