While the Greek community was away over the summer, the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs (OFSA) was hard at work preparing for the 2009/2010 academic year. We said goodbye to four-year veteran Greek Life Coordinator (GLC) Tiffany Showalter, and welcomed Danny Grzesik as a new GLC. We hosted a graduate student intern, Cynthia Rose, from Indiana University of Pennsylvania's master's degree program in Student Affairs in Higher Education. And we congratulated our own Tim Wilkinson, as he was named Executive Director of the Northeast Greek Leadership Association, and Veronica Hunter, as she was awarded the 2008/2009 CAMPUSPEAK Facilitator of the Year.
Below are some highlights from this summer, as well as things to look out for in 2009/2010:
Accreditation -
The 2008/2009 Accreditation results were announced in July, with nine chapters receiving Gold, twelve chapters receiving Silver, five chapters as Bronze, and one chapter as Poor. The full Accreditation reports can be found on the OFSA website: http://www.lehigh.edu/~indost/greek/acc0809.html
Greek Allies -
The spring 2009 semester saw the official launch of the Greek Allies program, a student group formed to provide a communicative outlet for current Greeks who identify with and/or struggle with LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, & Ally) issues at Lehigh and in the Greek community. Starting this fall, the group will offer educational programs and panels for students who want to learn more about what it means to be "Out and Greek".
Greek Leadership Convention -
With the help of a great student planning committee, major changes were made to this fall's Greek Leadership Convention, set for Saturday, September 12 at the DeSales University - University Center. Twelve Lehigh faculty/staff members will be serving as facilitators for the day and students will participate in a shared curriculum through a small group format. Look for a recap article in mid-September.
Greek Week -
Led by the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council Vice Presidents, a student, faculty, staff committee is being formed to examine the purpose and intended outcomes of Greek Week, in light of its cancellation for the 2009/2010 academic year. Look for a committee update mid-semester regarding ideas and proposals for 2010/2011.
Hazing Awareness & Bystander Intervention -
In addition to the 888-NOT-HAZE hotline, students, faculty, and staff will now be able to report hazing allegations online via a hazing reporting form on the OFSA website. Look for training modules on Bystander Intervention to be offered to the Lehigh community this fall. Mark your calendars for Lehigh's observance of National Hazing Prevention Week, September 28 - October 2.
Multicultural Greek Council -
The Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) has officially become the governing body of Lehigh's three culturally-based fraternities/sororities - Kappa Alpha Psi, Lambda Sigma Upsilon, and Lambda Theta Alpha. Look for a mid-semester MGC update right here in October.
Peer Values Educators -
The Peer Values Educators (PVE) program continued its growth and development over the summer, in preparation for its full launch this fall. PVE student facilitators assisted with Gryphon Training in August, both through a mock session of their alcohol/social responsibility program, as well as through a hazing-related "Behind Closed Doors" training.
Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute -
Seven Lehigh Greek students attended the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute (UIFI) this summer on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, IN, sponsored by the North-American Interfraternity Conference. GLCs Danny Grzesik and Michelle Rebholz also served as facilitators for UIFI. Look for a blog entry from the student participants in late September.
In the semester ahead, this blog will be updated regularly with posts from students, alumni, and staff on the topics listed above, as well as: Expansion/Colony updates from our three newest fraternities, the Greek EMerging Leaders program (GEM), Greeks Against Sexual Violence, Greek Alumni Council, Preparing for Spring 2010 Recruitment, and much more.
You can also keep up-to-date on the Lehigh Greek Community by following our daily updates on Twitter @ LehighGreeks.