Chapter Advisor Monthly Winter 2013, Issue 1
Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life Update Winter quarter is an exciting time for the fraternity and sorority community. The four councils transitioned new officers into their leadership positions. Chapters are beginning to elect and install new leaders which creates an opportunity for reflection on the past year and goal setting for the year ahead. Many of our chapters recently completed a successful winter recruitment and others will participate in recruitment or intake in coming months; we are looking forward to welcoming new members into our community this quarter! In this issue: Intake Update Fall 2012 Academic Report IFC and Panhellenic Recruitment Sexual Assault Protocol Hazing Mid-Year Advisor Check-Up Sigma Phi Epsilon and Sigma Nu Important Dates & Upcoming Events If you have suggestions for future articles or topics, please contact Maggie Heffernan at margaretheffernan@northwestern.edu.
Fall 2012 Academic Report Congratulations to members of Northwestern’s fraternity and sorority community on a successful fall quarter! The all-Greek average was a 3.46, above the 3.43 all- student average. The all-women’s average was a 3.47 and the all-men’s average was a 3.39. Individual chapter reports are available in the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life for the chapter presidents to pick up. We would like to recognize those chapters that achieved the highest averages in their respective council: IFC- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (3.54) MGC- Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc. (3.72) NPHC- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (3.49) PHA- Delta Delta Delta and Delta Gamma (3.61)
Congratulations to the 2012 Panhellenic Executive Board on a successful formal recruitment. The eight board members have been disaffiliated from their organizations since September 1st. They were able to re-affiliate on Bid Night.
MGC Expansion The Fraternity and Sorority Life Advisory Board approved two new interest groups to join the Northwestern th community on November 15 . The Advisory Board is comprised of fraternity and sorority undergraduate members, alumni advisors, Northwestern faculty and staff. The Advisory Board heard presentations from an interest group of Pi Alpha Phi Fraternity and Alpha Iota Omicron Fraternity. The Advisory Board issued a recommendation to Dr. Patricia Telles-Irvin, Vice President of Student Affairs, to approve the colonization process for both groups. The Vice President approved the colonization process for both groups at the end of fall quarter. Pi Alpha Phi is an Asian-American Interest Fraternity founded on academic excellence, Asian American awareness, brotherhood, leadership, and philanthropy. Alpha Iota Omicron believes in brotherhood, networking, community service, and promoting South Asian culture. Though both groups are Asian and Southeast Asianbased, neither are culturally exclusive.
NPHC Intake Update
Each interest group is unique in its values, principles, and organizational structure; together, they will provide undergraduate men pursing fraternity membership a diverse set of options. Northwestern has not had an Asian-interest Fraternity on campus since 2008.
Congratulations to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. for their successful fall quarter intakes. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. welcomed six women into their chapter and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. welcomed one woman.
The interest groups of Pi Alpha Phi and Alpha Iota Omicron have been working with Fraternity and Sorority Life staff and the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) since their approval on policies, procedures, and expectations moving forward. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and MGC are committed to supporting a successful colonization for both groups.
IFC and Panhellenic Recruitment Update This winter the Interfraternity Council (IFC) welcomed 352 new members into their community. Fifteen chapters participated in th th IFC Recruitment which was held January 8 -January 12 . Chapters planned and hosted individual dinners and events th throughout the week and were able to distribute bids beginning on Tuesday, January 8 . The average IFC new member class size is 24 men. Sigma Nu and Sigma Phi Epsilon are currently engaged in ongoing recruitment efforts which will add to the number of new members in the IFC community. Sigma Nu is recolonizing and began their efforts this January. Sigma Phi Epsilon is restarting their chapter this winter. The remaining members of Sigma Phi Epsilon were removed at the end of fall quarter, providing an opportunity for the Fraternity to restart their Northwestern chapter. Sigma Nu and Sigma Phi Epsilon will continue their efforts throughout the winter and spring quarters as they work to develop strong, values-based fraternities. th
The Panhellenic Association completed a successful formal recruitment on January 15 . This year, Panhellenic saw one of the highest registration numbers in recent years, reaching 631 potential new members. 445 women received a bid this year. Quota was set at 29 and all 12 Panhellenic chapters reached quota. Panhellenic implemented a secondary quota in 2010 for upperclassmen women going through formal recruitment. This year, upperclassmen quota was set at eight. The average new member class size is 37 women. Congratulations to the 445 new members of the Panhellenic community! With the addition of the newest members, Panhellenic exceeds 1500 members.
Northwestern University Hazing Policy The start of 2013 marks the beginning of a new year and new members. All of the IFC and Panhellenic chapters have a new member class as of early January. Several MGC and NPHC chapters did intake during the fall quarter and have welcomed those women into their organizations this winter. During this time of growth and excitement, it is important that chapters do not lose sight of their values as they work with their new members. Many chapters have a predetermined new member program, but there is always an opportunity to add personal touches and ideas to those programs which can lead to some challenging conversations. New members deserve to have a positive experience and feel safe and comfortable in the chapter environment around their brothers and sisters. The new member period presents advisors with an opportunity to provide education to the chapter members about hazing. All (inter)national organizations have a policy around hazing, as does Northwestern University. Hazing is illegal in the state of Illinois. See below for a copy of Northwestern’s policy and expectations: The University forbids hazing and all other activities that interfere with the personal liberty of an individual. The University defines hazing as any action taken or situation created, whether on or off University premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation with, or admission to, or as a condition for continued membership in, a group, team, club, or other organization. Such actions and situations may include, but are not limited to, the following: Paddling in any form; Creation of excessive fatigue; Physical and psychological shocks; Quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips, or any other such activities carried on outside the confines of the University; Wearing apparel that is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; Engaging in stunts and buffoonery; Requiring sleepovers or degrading or humiliating games and activities; Late work sessions or activities that interfere with scholastic activities and/or normal sleeping hours; Forced consumption of alcohol; Falsely leading an individual or individuals to believe that they will be inducted/initiated by participating in particular activities; Removing public or provide property; and Forcing individuals to participate in activities that are not consistent with the University’s mission, rules, regulations, and policies or federal, state, or local law. Acceptance of an activity on the part of a new member or individual does not justify participation in or sponsorship of the activity. Any violation of this policy should be reported to the dean of students or the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution. Hazing activities may also violate the Illinois Hazing Act, 720 ILCS §120/0.01 et seq.
2013 Officer Installation Ceremony The newly elected IFC, MGC, NPHC, Panhellenic, Gamma Sigma Alpha and Order of Omega officers were installed into st their leadership positions on Thursday, January 31 . The installation ceremony will be held at Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s Levere Memorial Temple. For the first time, the installation ceremony was inclusive of all councils as 2013 marked the first year that the four councils were on the same election calendar. Now that all councils have turned over and been officially installed, new officers can begin action planning and goal-setting for the upcoming year. Congratulations to all of the newly elected council and honorary officers on their installation! Interfraternity Council John Cowgill, Pi Kappa Alpha, President Any Rodheim, Alpha Epsilon Pi, VP Standards John Taseff, Delta Chi, VP Risk Management Will Ritter, Sigma Chi, VP Recruitment John Geary, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, VP Administration Dan Jacobs, Alpha Epsilon Pi, VP Programming Kevin Gerner, Pi Kappa Alpha, VP Membership Development Killian Young, Delta Chi, VP Public Relations
The 2012 and 2013 Council Presidents doing a candle pass as they were officially transitioned into office on January 31st. From left: 2012 IFC President, Pat Schnettler, 2013 Presidents, Monika Buska (PHA), John Castellanos (MGC), Melissa Brown (NPHC), and John Cowgill (IFC).
Multicultural Greek Council John Castellanos, Omega Delta Phi Fraternity, Inc., President Yomaira Silva, Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority, Inc., VP Operations Lucy Liu, Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., VP Programming Isa Pasbakhsh, Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority, Inc., VP Administration Gio Delgado, Omega Delta Phi Fraternity, Inc., University Liaison National Pan-Hellenic Council Melissa Brown, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., President Amanda Anumba, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Vice President Iboro Ikene, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Secretary Calvin Poku, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Treasurer Ciara Caffey, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., University Liaison Panhellenic Association Monika Buska, Kappa Alpha Theta, President Kelly Saroff, Zeta Tau Alpha, VP Standards Roopali Kulkarni, Kappa Delta, VP Membership Kathryn Thomas, Delta Gamma, VP Risk Management Lauren Hall, Delta Zeta, VP Administration Kallie Culbertson, Alpha Phi, VP Programming Kathryn Ikenberry, Alpha Phi, VP Membership Development Danielle Nash, Pi Beta Phi, VP Public Relations Gamma Sigma Alpha Catie L’Heureux, Gamma Phi Beta, President Christine Daly, Chi Omega, VP Operations James Wang, Lambda Chi Alpha, VP Finance Ali Szemanski, Kappa Delta, VP Membership Order of Omega A.J. Tomiak, Sigma Chi, President Julia Greenberg, Kappa Kappa Gamma, VP Administration Melissa Scholl, Kappa Delta, VP Recruitment Andrew Christy, Phi Delta Theta, VP Programming Lucia Radder, Kappa Alpha Theta, VP Programming
The 2013 MGC Executive Board with advisor, Maggie Heffernan at the officer installation ceremony.
Important Dates and Upcoming Events It is important that chapter advisors are aware of what is going on within the fraternity and sorority community and the greater Northwestern campus community. Please encourage chapter members to participate in community events and attend relevant campus programming. If you have questions about a specific event, please contact an OFSL staff member or speak with your chapter president. As changes are made to this schedule, we will be sure to update advisors via future newsletters or email correspondence.
February 15th- Gone Greek Night February 27th- Winter Omega Experience Dinner February 28th- MGC Banquet March 8-10th- Dance Marathon March 18-22nd- Final Exams March 23-April 1st- Spring Break April 2nd- Start of Spring Quarter April 13-14th- Greek Leadership Retreat April 21st- Greek Scene
Northwestern University Sexual Assault Protocol Northwestern University’s Center for Awareness, Response, & Education (CARE) recently developed a sexual assault response Month DayUniversity. Year protocol for the The mission of CARE is to provide information, advice, crisis counseling, support, advocacy, referrals and education about sexual violence as well as consent, healthy relationships and healthy sexuality to the Northwestern University community. CARE is a free and confidential resource open to any student. It is important for chapter advisors to have information and resources available should students disclose a sexual assault. Please see below for an overview of Northwestern’s protocol, including some “dos” and “don’ts” when talking with a survivor. Northwestern is concerned about the safety and well-being of its students and about incidents of sexual misconduct, harassment, or violence (including sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking), whether on- or off-campus. If a student experiences any type of sexual violation, he/she has options, he/she has rights, and support is available. Survivors have options. Northwestern’s Center for Awareness, Response & Education (CARE) exists to help students explore their options in a safe, non-judgmental and confidential environment. CARE advocates can connect survivors with services including: Academic accommodations Counseling Emergency housing Legal/law enforcement options Medical assistance University complaint process If a student prefers not to seek support from CARE, there are other options available. To learn about other services, including 24-hour services, visit www.northwestern.edu/CARE/get-help. Survivors have rights. Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex (including sexual harassment and sexual violence) at any federally funded education program or activity. The university must respond to complaints concerning Title IX. Because of this, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed when reporting to a Title IX Coordinator. University processes may include internal investigations and/or hearings and may result in disciple of an offender and remedial action, Northwestern prohibits retaliation against anyone for raising complaints under Title IX. As a chapter advisor, if a student discloses a sexual assault or an incident of sexual violence, please keep in mind the following: Do: Give the survivor your complete attention. Tell the survivor: “I believe you;” “This was not your fault;” “You have options.” CARE advocates can inform survivors of their rights and available options. Give the survivor options: to sit or stand, to share more or be silent, to call CARE or other referral agencies themselves or have you call, etc. Tell them they are not alone, that other people of all genders have experienced sexual assault. Tell the survivor that resources are available to help them, provide referrals as necessary. Take care of yourself after dealing with a sexual assault survivor. Get support if you need it. Do Not: Tell the survivor you know what they are going through. Ask them any questions that suggest they are to blame such as: Why were you drinking? What were you wearing? Why didn’t you run? What were you doing out at that time/in that place? etc. Question whether they are telling the truth or show doubt about their story. Touch the survivor’s leg, shoulder, hand, etc. when talking with them, unless they’ve explicitly said it is okay. Talk about your issues, history or personality when working with a sexual assault survivor. It is about them and what happened to them. Panic. Take a deep breath and focus on listening to the survivor. Chapter advisors can contact CARE with questions or concerns about a situation, should something arise. CARE is located on rd the 3 floor of Searle Hall at 633 Emerson Street. The advocates can be reached at (847) 491-2054 or CARE@northwestern.edu.
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