Staff Announcement

It is with very mixed emotions that I have to announce the departure of Jessi McPherrin from Lehigh University. Jessi will be leaving us to take the position of Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at Villanova University. Jessi will be advising all three of Villanova's Greek Governing Boards, as well as developing council recruitment programming and new member education initiatives. This is a terrific opportunity for Jessi to continue to grow professionally and allows her the opportunity to live a metropolitan locale and work at an urban campus, which has always been a professional aspiration of hers.

In the three years Jessi worked at Lehigh, she has been instrumental in the work done in the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. Her time spent advising and mentoring the men of the Interfraternity Council (IFC) was integral in the changes being made in the recruitment culture of the men's organizations. Her time spent assisting IFC in researching and assessing social polices has allowed the men to play an advocacy role with informed, researched arguments and opinions. Her work assisting the work of the Greek Alumni Council and the OFSA social media efforts were of major importance in informing the greater Lehigh community about the changes occurring within the Greek Community. Her relationships with chapter members were of major importance to their personal and professional development. Most importantly, Jessi's warm personality and friendly demeanor will be missed by all who came into contact with her. Her presence will be missed.

The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs will be conducting a search with the goal to fill Jessi's position before the beginning of the school year. Jessi's last day is Wednesday, July 9th, as she has much to do in transitioning to life in Philadelphia. Please make sure you reach out to her wish her well.

In the upcoming days, I will also be updating you all regarding new chapter sectors, council advising responsibilities and Accreditation posting dates. While we will be down a staff member for the short term, our two newest staff members will be starting on Monday, July 30th and quickly transitioning to account for all the OFSA responsibilities. If you have immediate questions, please feel free to contact me at tsw205@lehigh.edu.

Thank you,

Tim Wilkinson

Update on Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity

For the past decade, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs (OFSA) has conducted an annual Accreditation process in which each chapter is evaluated on their performance in five categories deemed vital for the Greek system success: Intellectual Development, Leadership Development, Community Development, Organizational Development and Facilities Management. The 2014 Greek Accreditation Review process has been completed and  this update is to inform the community that Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity has received an overall rating of Unacceptable.  This means that chapter recognition and the privilege of university group housing has been withdrawn.

It is important to understand the fact that this decision was made after careful review and consideration.  The findings of the Greek Accreditation review panel, comprised of student, alumni and staff members, were the result of thoughtful and extensive deliberation.  A copy of Lambda Chi Alpha's Accreditation report can be found on the OFSA website. This recommendation which, in accordance with the Accreditation process, was reviewed and subsequently accepted by Vice Provost for Student Affairs, John Smeaton.

The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs notified all active chapter members, families and alumni of the recent University Conduct process, and the status of the chapter when Lambda Chi Alpha received a sanction of Disciplinary Deferred Dissolution.  At that time, the Accreditation results were yet to be determined. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs has communicated with Lambda Chi Alpha undergraduate and alumni leadership and International Headquarters on the status of the chapter on a regular basis throughout 2013-14.

Please feel free to contact the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs at (610) 758-4157 or via email at infrasor@lehigh.edu should you have any questions.  If you would like to read the report on-line, please go to the Fraternity and Sorority Affairs webpage at http://studentaffairs.lehigh.edu/content/accreditation.

Tim Wilkinson

Senior Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs