Chapter Advisor Monthly Fall 2012, Issue 3
Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life Update As fall quarter comes to an end, we have a lot of exciting updates from Fraternity and Sorority Life. All of our councils have hosted wonderful events this quarter and are beginning to elect new council leaders. We hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving holiday and found some time to relax and celebrate family, friends, and good food! Thanksgiving is a reminder to the OFSL staff of how thankful we are for all that you do as chapter advisors to help develop and lead the students in our community! In this issue: IFC and Panhellenic Election Results MGC Week Honor Societies Initiations Recruitment Preview NUIT Guest Log-in How to Be Happy Though Surrounded by College Students Important Dates & Upcoming Events If you have suggestions for future articles or topics, please contact Maggie Heffernan at margaretheffernan@northwestern.edu.
Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Election Results The Panhellenic Association held elections for the 2013 th board on November 13 . Congratulations to the following women on their election! 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 The Interfraternity Council held elections for the 2013 board th and will conclude their elections on Tuesday, November 27 . Congratulations to the following men on their election! John Cowgill, Pi Kappa Alpha, President Any Rodheim, Alpha Epsilon Pi, VP Standards Jon Taseff, Delta Chi, VP Risk Management Will Ritter, Sigma Chi, VP Recruitment Newly elected officers will be officially installed into their positions at the end of January.
Members of Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority, Inc. at the MGC Week Tabling Event in Norris.
MGC Week The Multicultural Greek Council recently concluded a successful week of programming for “MGC Week” th th (November 5 -9 ). This year, MGC hosted events for the community throughout the week. In previous years, each chapter sponsored an event of their choosing. The new structure was put in place to bring members of the community together and celebrate MGC. MGC Week was a success, and the students look forward to next year and more participation from their Greek brothers and sisters. Below is a summary of the week’s events: MGC Week Kickoff & Tabling: MGC distributed information about the council and the upcoming events to members of the Northwestern campus community. MGC Informational and Jeopardy: Each chapter presented about their values, history, events, and brotherhood or sisterhood. Following the informative presentation, attendees formed teams and competed in MGC Jeopardy. Sexual Violence Awareness Program: Members of MGC hosted and participated in a sexual violence awareness program with Northwestern’s Sexual Health Education and Violence Prevention Coordinator, Students discussed gender roles, community culture, and prevention. MGC Game Night: Each organization within MGC set-up a cultural game in the student center in addition to information about their organization. Guests had an opportunity to connect with one another and learn to play various games from around the world. MGC Potluck: Members of MGC got together for a Thanksgiving-themed Potluck dinner. Congratulations to MGC on a wonderful week!
Student Death It is with sadness that we inform you all of the recent loss of a student and member of the fraternity and sorority community. st Alyssa Weaver passed away on Wednesday, November 21 while abroad in London. Alyssa was a member of Chi Omega. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life extends their deepest sympathies to the Xi Chapter of Chi Omega and all those affected by this tragedy. Patricia Telles-Irvin, Vice President for Student Affairs, informed the campus community via email on rd Friday, November 23 : Dear Members of the Northwestern Community: I am saddened to report the death of a Northwestern student, Alyssa Weaver, a senior in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences from Norfolk, VA. She was studying in London this quarter at Goldsmiths College in the College of Global Studies at Arcadia University and died there Wednesday. We have been assured that there is no danger or threat to any other students who are on the program in London. On behalf of the University, I extend our sympathies to Alyssa's family and to her friends here at Northwestern. Members of the Student Affairs staff are planning to meet with members of her sorority on Sunday evening when students return to campus. Any students who wish to talk with someone from the University's Counseling and Psychological Services staff may call 847-491-2151 at any time. Members of the Chaplain's Office are also available. Again, we offer our deepest condolences to Alyssa's family and friends. The loss of one of our students affects all of us who are members of the Northwestern community. Patricia Telles-Irvin Alyssa’s death was a suicide, London authorities informed Northwestern. Should you know any students who are looking to talk to someone from Northwestern’s Counseling and Psychological Services, anyone can call (847) 491-2151 at any time. Members of the University Chaplain’s Office are also available. If you have questions or concerns about a student, please do not hesitate to contact the University. A memorial service will be held on campus in the coming weeks, an announcement will be sent to all students regarding time and location for that service. To those directly affected, we are deeply sorry for your loss.
Fraternity & Sorority Life 101 Fraternity & Sorority Life 101 (FSL101) is a new program within OFSL. Beginning this winter 2013 quarter, all students that have accepted to join a fraternity/sorority will be required to attend FSL101. This interactive program will provide our newest members with a review of current topics and trends with hazing prevention, alcohol and drug awareness and sexual assault prevention. Furthermore, students will have an opportunity to get to know the office and its services better. The interactive nature of this program is aimed at helping students better understand how to manage potential risks associated with fraternal organizations. In better understanding the environment that our students assimilate into, fraternity and sorority members will be well equipped to provide a safe and great experience for their members as they join. The program, approximately one hour in length, will be facilitated by Fraternity & Sorority Life staff members. Dates for the programs will be as follows: th January 16 at 6:30 p.m. in Ryan Auditorium (this section will be primarily for Interfraternity Council new members) th January 17 at 6:30 p.m. in Ryan Auditorium (this section will be primarily for Panhellenic Association new members) Make-up sessions will be offered the following week for students who have conflicts. Dates, times and locations for these sessions will be made available at the beginning of the winter quarter. With FSL101, some of you may be wondering…what about the Winter Education Conference (WEC)? No worries, OFSL will still be hosting WEC at the beginning of the winter quarter. With moving some topics that had been previously discussed during WEC, we’ll have an opportunity to provide our new members with a speaker and programs on additional topics.
Panhellenic Recruitment Preview th
The Panhellenic Association hosted Panhellenic Recruitment Preview on Sunday, November 11 . This year, 527 women were registered for Preview and chapters had an opportunity to meet each future member of the community. Recruitment Preview was initially designed to give Potential New Members (PNMs) an opportunity to visit all 12 Panhellenic chapters and get a sense of what formal recruitment will be like in January. This year, chapters also did brief presentations for PNMs on chapter history, values, sisterhood, philanthropy, and the membership experience. The new format has received positive feedback as PNMs felt like they learned more about what it means to be a Panhellenic sister. Formal Recruitment will begin th th on Thursday, January 10 . Registration is open until January 8 .
Honor Societies Members of Northwestern’s Fraternity and Sorority community have an opportunity to join Greek Honor Societies. Membership in the honor societies is offered to the best and brightest within the community. Qualifications include academic GPA, leadership qualities and experiences, and commitment to fraternity and sorority life. Northwestern has three honor societies: Gamma Sigma Alpha, Order of Omega, and Rho Lambda. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life would like to take an opportunity to share some information about each honor society and congratulate all new initiates. Gamma Sigma Alpha The Beta Tau chapter of Gamma Sigma Alpha (GSA) was founded in 1995. The national academic Honor Society is the premier organization committed to the academic success of our members and alignment with the academic mission of Northwestern. Students with Junior or Senior status and a 3.65 GPA are eligible for membership. GSA sponsors a quarterly Dinner Series, in which members have the opportunity to have dinner and conversation with a respected faculty member on campus. GSA also offers book scholarships to members of the campus community. Congratulations to all recent initiates: Victor Chang, Beta Theta Pi Lillian Chen, Chi Omega Katie Funderberg, Zeta Tau Alpha Yoon Lee, Chi Omega
Evan Prose, Sigma Chi AJ Tomiak, Sigma Chi Theresa Wartman, Alpha Phi
Order of Omega The purpose of the Delta Nu chapter of Order of Omega, founded in 1982, is to recognize those fraternity and sorority men and women who have attained a high standard of leadership in interfraternal activities, to encourage them to continue along this line, and to inspire others to strive for similar conspicuous attainment. Students with Junior or Senior status, 3.5 GPA or higher, and exemplary leadership abilities will be invited to apply for membership in Order of Omega. Order of Omega sponsors the Greek Awards banquet. Congratulations to all recent initiates: Sarah Bowman, Zeta Tau Alpha Lillian Chen, Chi Omega Catherine Clark, Delta Delta Delta Kallie Culbertson, Alpha Phi Megan Delaney, Pi Beta Phi Demetrios Elias, Pi Kappa Alpha Katie Funderberg, Zeta Tau Alpha Jamie Gebhart, Pi Beta Phi Kate Geraghty, Kappa Delta Danny Ginzburg, Alpha Epsilon Pi Richard Goldring, Alpha Epsilon Pi Sarah Jane Inwards, Delta Gamma Sean Kelton, Beta Theta Pi
Colin LaBran-Boyd, Sigma Chi Danielle Nash, Pi Beta Phi Kate Nettenstrom, Pi Beta Phi Laura Prullage, Chi Omega Joel Rabinowitz, Alpha Epsilon Pi Andy Rodheim, Alpha Epsilon Pi Zachary Sanderson, Theta Chi John Secaras, Phi Delta Theta AJ Tomiak, Sigma Chi Adrienne Walker, Kappa Alpha Theta Kevin Wang, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Emily Weiss, Kappa Delta Brian Yost, Phi Kappa Psi
Rho Lambda The Greek letters Rho Lambda stand for Panhellenic Leadership, meaning encompassing all Greeks. Rho Lambda honors junior and senior Greek women within the Panhellenic Association, National Pan-Hellenic Council, and Multicultural Greek Council who have exhibited the highest qualities of leadership and service to their chapter, council, and community. New members are nominated by current members and "tapped" as members of the Beta Xi chapter of Rho Lambda, founded in 1974. Rho Lambda hosts a quarterly study break for all members, professional development events geared toward Greek women, and networking opportunities with successful career women in the area. Congratulations to all recent initiates: Amanda Anumba, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Monika Buska, Kappa Alpha Theta Lauren Cantacessi, Alpha Chi Omega Brittany Croone, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Danielle David, Kappa Kappa Gamma Megan Delaney, Pi Beta Phi Kerease Epps, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Stephanie Fernandez, Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority, Inc. Tori Goldfarb, Gamma Phi Beta Lauren Hall, Delta Zeta Vickie Johnson, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Emily Lane, Alpha Chi Omega Lucia Leon, Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority, Inc. Hillary Lindwall, Kappa Delta Megan McEvily, Alpha Phi Michelle Neider, Delta Gamma Isabella Pasbakhsh, Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority, Inc. Lauren Sadowsky, Zeta Tau Alpha Kelly Saroff, Zeta Tau Alpha Camielle Taylor, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Sarah Weber, Alpha Chi Omega
If members of your chapter were initiated into Gamma Sigma Alpha, Order of Omega, and/or Rho Lambda this fall, please take a moment to congratulate them on their accomplishments. The students initiated into these honor societies represent the most talented students in our community in academics, service, leadership, and commitment to fraternal values.
Omega Experience and Senior Engagement Each year, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life hosts our Omega Experience program, developed specifically for seniors. The program serves as a capstone fraternity/sorority experience and prepares students for the transition from being a Northwestern undergraduate to an active alumnus. Keeping with tradition, the OFSL staff hosted the “Dinner with th Headquarters Professionals” on November 14 . We invited outstanding, select senior leaders from our community to meet Headquarters Professionals from the area to discuss what their experience has done for them and how the students can continue their lifetime membership into an active alumnus. Our ultimate goal was to convey to students that their membership is for a lifetime and there are ways to stay engaged in this values-based community post-graduation whether that is through advising, working on staff, working for another organization, donating, or participating in alumni groups. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life values the contributions of the undergraduate members. We also value lifetime commitment and understand the importance of engaging in conversation around a commitment to organizational values during the students’ undergraduate membership. The Omega Experience provides students with an opportunity to reflect on their experiences, make connections between their experiences and learning, apply their experiences to life as an alumnus, learn about available resources, and network with individuals who continue to engage with their lifetime membership as active alumni members. We would like to take a moment to acknowledge the guests who joined us for dinner and offered some wonderful insight to the students selected to attend. A special thank you to: Patricia Watkins, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Director of Membership; J.D. Louk, Alpha Phi Director of Collegiate Operations; Stefania Rudd, Alpha Phi Manager of Resources and Training Initiatives; Blaine Ayers, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Executive Director; Jason Andrick, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Associate Executive Director of Foundation; and Michael Church, Sigma Chi Operations Manager. Chapter advisors also serve as a primary example of a lifetime commitment to organizational values and each advisor has a lot to teach the organization’s undergraduate members. If you are interested in talking with students about their experiences and their transition from undergraduate member to alumnus, we have compiled a list of questions to help guide your conversation with senior members. These questions provide students with an opportunity to reflect on their membership, understand the learning they have gained as a member, and discover their best fit for alumni involvement.
Why did I join my organization? Over the past years, what has been my most meaningful moment or experience as a member? What did I learn from that moment or experience? How has my membership contributed to my experience as a Northwestern undergraduate? What I am most excited for as I transition from an undergraduate member to an active alumnus? What am I most nervous about as I transition from an undergraduate member to an active alumnus? Who do I have in my support network to help with this transition and serve as a mentor as I explore my lifetime commitment to my organization?
We know our senior members will continue to do amazing things as alumni of their organizations and we want them to be prepared to stay connected and give back to the membership that has already provided them with so much. We hope you can join us in the effort to increase the conversation around lifetime commitment to organizational values and talk with members about the various options for involvement following their undergraduate experience.
NU Wireless Guest Log-In Chapter advisors often spend a lot of time on campus with their chapter members for meetings, events, programs, or just time together with students. Northwestern understands the importance of accessing the internet while on campus in order to best communicate with students and have access to the same information. While visiting Northwestern, campus guests (including chapter advisors) can connect to the Guest-Northwestern wireless network from most wireless access points; most classrooms and on-campus residences are considered a wireless access point. Guest wireless is a free service intended for use by visitors requiring short-term access to the wireless network to perform general Internet activities. It is an unsecured connection and should not be used to send or receive sensitive information. Members of the Northwestern community who hold a Northwestern NetID should continue to use the "Northwestern" network. When a guest arrives on campus and attempts to access the Internet using a computer or other mobile device, they should choose the Guest-Northwestern in the list of networks. During registration, guests are required to accept the University's acceptable use policy and provide their contact information and the name of the organization sponsoring their University visit. We encourage chapter advisors to utilize this resource. For a full description of this resource and more information about Northwestern wireless internet access, please see the Northwestern University Information Technology (NUIT) Website.
How to Survive and Be Happy Though Surrounded by College Month Day Year Students Advising a chapter of undergraduate students can be a personal challenge. Collegiate members may have a different style of leading than you did as a student or less of a sense of urgency toward a specific situation. Generational differences can present additional challenges as students are communicating differently, taking on more roles, and expecting big results. The Advisor should remember that he/she cannot feel guilty if everything in the chapter is not to his/her satisfaction. The chapter runs and manages itself and is responsible to itself for itself. If the advisor realizes that his/her position is dynamic, defines his/her responsibilities in concern with the chapter, approaches them with common sense, and carries them out to the best of his/her ability, then he/she will likely be a good advisor. Advisors, like anyone, need to take care of themselves! Below is a “secret set of rules” on How to Survive and Be Happy Though Surrounded by College Students compiled by Landrum R. Bolling, president of Earlham College. Enjoy! 1. Listen. You won’t learn much from young people if you do all of the talking. You’ll be surprised at how much sense they talk. 2. Keep smiling. A large percentage of us unconsciously or deliberately glare, sneer, frown when we look at college students. Most of them are remarkably perceptive; they know when we’re hostile. It is difficult for most people, young or old, to communicate with others who are clearly agnostic. 3. Don’t ask them why they look the way they do. If they can’t explain it to their parents, they can’t explain it to you. Anyway, they don’t really know. 4. Don’t tell them how hard and how joyfully you worked in your youth. Theirs is a different world; they have no conception of the world through which we lived in the Depression and in WW II and little curiosity to learn about it. Sad or wrong, but true. 5. Level with them. They are amazingly open and honest, if you approach them in a spirit of honesty. And there is little or nothing you can’t talk about. 6. Don’t try to be one of them. 7. Share with them your own highest hopes and finest purposes. It will surprise and delight them to discover that you are an idealist too. 8. Believe in them. They’ll sense it when you do, and they will respond, eventually, to that belief.
Sigma Nu Returns to Northwestern Sigma Nu Fraternity will return to Northwestern this winter and begin re-colonization efforts in January. The Gamma Beta chapter of Sigma Nu was founded at Northwestern in 1898 and has been closed since 2004. Sigma Nu was approved by the th Fraternity and Sorority Life Advisory Board on October 25 and later approved by the University to recolonize on campus. The organization is currently renovating their facility on the north fraternity quad. Representatives from Sigma Nu Fraternity’s staff will be on campus in January to begin recruiting men following th IFC’s formal recruitment which takes place from January 8 th through January 12 . Questions about Sigma Nu’s recolonization should be directed to the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.
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.
December 10 -December 14- Finals Week
December 15-December 21- Northwestern University Ski Trip
January 6- Recruitment Counselor Retreat
January 7- Classes resume
January 8-January 12- IFC Recruitment
January 10-January 15- Panhellenic Recruitment
January 14- NPHC Elections
January 16- Fraternity & Sorority Life 101 (IFC new members)
January 17- Fraternity & Sorority Life 101 (PHA new members)
January 26 or 27- Winter Education Conference
January 28- MGC Elections
February 15- Gone Greek Night
Chapter Advisor Monthly 601 University Place – Scott Hall, Rm. 29 – Evanston Il 60208 www.northwestern.edu/gogreek - 847-491-4522