News from the Industry

Sororities from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, are receiving negative news coverage after AnnCatherine Heigl, a cheerleader with Down syndrome was denied a bid from every sorority on campus. Lillie Heigl, AnnCatherine’s older sister told The Mighty, a digital health community publication, that “she’s not sure she can fault the university’s Panhellenic association as a whole because decisions to cut potential new members come from individual chapters.”

Two…

News from the Industry

Dozens of media outlets offered coverage of the new anti-hazing coalition announced Sept. 10 by the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) and parents of students who lost their lives to hazing. Links to some of those stories are below.  NPC Chairman Carole Jones appeared on NBC’s TODAY and ABC’s Good Morning America. The conference was also mentioned in the Sept. 11 POLITICO Morning Education Report and in the Associate…

News from the Industry

U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is preparing new policies on campus sexual misconduct that would bolster the rights of students accused of assault, harassment or rape, reduce liability for institutions of higher education, and encourage schools to provide more support for victims. The New York Times reported that the proposed rules narrow the definition of sexual harassment, holding schools accountable only for formal complaints filed through proper authorities and…

Earlier this week, NPC announced a special collaboration with NIC and the families of hazing victims Tim Piazza, Max Gruver, and Marquise Braham in forming an Anti-Hazing Coalition. The coalition will focus on education and prevention, legislation and accountability, and transparency. 

Staff of NPC and NIC have been working to secure national morning show and print media opportunities to discuss the coalition’s goal to end hazing. A segment for the Today Show will pre-tape on Sunday and air on…

Workforce Contact Update

Please join the college committee in congratulating Ashley Doot on the birth of her daughter, Ella Grace! Ashley plans to take about three weeks off from her Theta role as college district director (CDD) in College District VI. Alicia Lee, CDD in College District IX, is serving as CDD in College District VI until Ashley’s return.

Recent Theta Blogs

• Summer 2018 Issue: A Community of Women

• Theta Spotlight: September 2018

Helpful Links

• Upcoming Important…

News from the Industry

The Harvard chapter of Alpha Phi said last week it was disaffiliating from its national organization and forming a co-ed group called “The Ivy,” The Harvard Crimson reported. Regarding the dissolution of its Harvard chapter, Alpha Phi International wrote, “This decision was made in direct response to the sanctions placed by Harvard University administration on members of single-gender organizations.” Alpha Phi was Harvard’s fourth and final all-female Greek group. The…

As called for by Grand Convention resolution, Grand Council has appointed a special committee to study the nominating process. Thank you to the following who have agreed to serve on the committee:

• Alumnae Chapter Presidents: Anne Besser (Dallas), Ann Kloeppel (Nashville), and Jacqueline Wattigny (New Orleans)
• College Chapter CEOs: Elexa Clement (Gamma Epsilon), Mary Kate Harris (Theta Theta), and Carly Wolnitzek (Gamma Iota)
• Former Nominating Committee Members: Kristen Bruzzese (2018),…

News from the Industry

Inside Higher Ed reported that the parents of Max Gruver, a student at Louisiana State University (LSU) who died from alcohol intoxication after a hazing ritual for Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, filed a $25 million lawsuit against the university alleging they responded with “deliberate indifference” to allegations of hazing at fraternities. The suit is based on a Title IX complaint that the university disparately responds to allegations and reports of hazing in…

News from the Industry

Harvard University’s Delta Gamma chapter has announced it will be closing, according to The New York Times and The Boston Globe. Delta Gamma National President Wilma Johnson Wilbanks cites the drop in the number of women pursuing recruitment as the deciding factor, though the university’s new strict policies on sororities may have affected the decision to close. Kappa Kappa Gamma and Kappa Alpha Theta chapters have also closed. Alpha Phi is currently the only NPC member…