From: Chloe Abshire, Assistant Dean and Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, Lehigh University
Date: March 31, 2020
RE: Live-in GA Program Postponed
OFSA has been working to ensure that programs and operations continue as we navigate these challenging times. Last week we announced that Accreditation for 2019-2020 would be on hold and in place we would be assigning an End of Year Report for each chapter to complete. With the current state of COVID-19, together with Dr. Hall and Housing Services, OFSA has made the difficult decision to postpone the Live-in GA program until Fall 2021. This decision has been made in light of Lehigh University considering all possible cost saving measures and given that all construction projects have ended on-campus for the time being.
At the beginning of the Spring 2020 semester, OFSA and Housing Services met with each residential fraternity and sorority's leadership, advisors and headquarters. During these meetings we discussed the renovation plans to accommodate a private suite for each Live-in GA within each house. We also discussed the position description, recruitment and selection timeline, and the onboarding process. By postponing the program, we anticipate that we will start back up where we left off with recruitment and selection in early January 2021.
We recognize that impact this has on the plans chapters were making for meeting occupancy standards and incorporating this new addition into your residential environment. We also recognize that this impacts those candidates who had applied and were being considered for hire. Please know that while the addition of a Live-in GA remains a priority, we believe that given the reality and impact of COVID-19, it is in the best interest of all involved to delay the program by one year. Chapters will be able to utilize all rooms for housing assignments in 2020-2021, however will be held to the occupancy standard updated for incorporating the Live-in GA suite. Chapters are strongly encouraged to fill all available spaces for 2020-2021 if able. Housing Services will be discussing Housing Assignments for 2020-2021 with House Managers during their scheduled one on one meetings beginning this week. All other questions can be directed to each chapter's OFSA Assistant Director or Housing Services Assistant Director.
Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we work together to navigate these challenging times and make decisions that are in the best interest of our collective community.