Industry Update Provided by NPC

The Michigan Daily reports the University of Michigan’s transition to winter recruitment, coupled with the struggle to find affordable housing near campus, has created housing anxieties for students. If current freshmen decide to sign leases for their sophomore year in the fall semester, winter recruitment can cause problems for fraternities and sororities on campus that have come to rely on sophomore tenants to fill chapter houses. The university changed recruitment to the winter following a previous two-month IFC suspension of all social activities.

The Chronicle of Higher Education published an article discussing how colleges are reexamining their fraternity and sorority offices’ funding and staffing to better support students. “Despite that Greek life has one of the highest risk potentials on campuses, it is often the lowest priority in terms of allocated resources,” writes Wesley Jenkins. “As colleges nationwide strive to curb abuses within the Greek system, some are recognizing that staff members working with chapters every day are often forced into a reactive mind-set, hindering progress.”

A story in University Business highlights the growth in public scorecards that track fraternity/sorority member behavior on college campuses, citing efforts at Iowa, Maryland, Buffalo, Penn State, Florida State, and UC San Diego. And a story in Inside Higher Ed details efforts made during the “red zone” period at the beginning of fall semester when sexual assaults on campus have historically spiked. The story by Jeremy Bauer-Wolf notes that campuses often fail to give students enough training.

Staff Change

Assistant Director of Collegiate Services Ansley Howze has accepted the director of development position for the American Heart Association in Southeast Georgia and Hilton Head. Effective immediately, please include Director of Collegiate Services Katharine Murphy on messages in which you previously would have included Ansley. Ansley has offered some part-time hours to Kappa Alpha Theta, so you may continue to see her name in your inbox until a permanent replacement has been hired.  

Educational Leadership Consultant (ELC) Applications Open Soon

Do you know a graduating senior who has a high level of professionalism, a strong work ethic, and a passion for the Theta experience? Applications for the 2020-2021 ELC team open Tuesday, Oct. 1, and close Sunday, Dec. 15. Please send the names of potential candidates to elcprogram@kappaalphatheta.org with a brief statement about why you believe the woman would make a great ELC. This full-time, paid position is open to all graduating seniors, and no experience in chapter leadership is required. Don’t hesitate to send questions to elcprogram@kappaalphatheta.org.

Workforce Updates

• Collegiate Finance Manager Christine Lorkowski is pleased to announce that Jess Maurer Foster, Eta Rho/James Madison, has been appointed as budget district director (BDD) in College District II. 
• Fallon Flichtbeil, BDD in College District XIII, will be away from her Theta desk effective immediately as she takes a maternity leave until early next year. College chapter budget committee member Marcia Thompson, Gamma Upsilon/Miami, has graciously agreed to cover for Fallon in her absence. Please contact Marcia or Christine Lorkowski if you have College District XIII finance questions.  

Recent Theta Blogs

• National Hazing Prevention Week: Recognizing the Problem
• There’s No Place for Hazing in Theta

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