Thursday, February 26, 2015

Alpha Epsilon Pi Information Session



Alpha Epsilon Pi Information Session
Wednesday March 04, 2015 - 4:10 PM
Location RBC 151

The members of the Sigma Eta Chapter are incredibly excited to be working in conjunction with the Interfraternity Council and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs to become a fully recognized chapter at Lehigh University. As this is a tremendous undertaking, the chapter is not participating in recruitment during this semester. We are working on ensuring a smooth transition that will enhance the Greek community and life within our own chapter. We will resume normal recruitment for eligible men in the fall of 2015. Additionally we will be holding numerous public events throughout the spring semester, for all members of the Lehigh community to attend and get to better know our chapter.
We plan on hosting recruitment events for eligible sophomores and upperclassmen during the first two weeks of the upcoming fall semester. After those two weeks, bids will be extended. No recruitment events will be held prior to this period. No bids, promises of bids, or invitations of any type to join the fraternity will be extended before the recruitment period begins.
Founded at Lehigh University in 1974, re-chartered in 2003, and re-recognized in 2015, the Sigma Eta Chapter has always been an integral part of the Lehigh community. Our brothers are deeply devoted community members who strive to offer a niche within Greek life to Jewish students and students committed to the values of Alpha Epsilon Pi. AEPi brothers are active on campus, leading every Jewish and Israel-focused organization and participating in numerous clubs and organizations. Our members have been instrumental in shaping Lehigh culture, serving as leaders within the Gryphon Society, Hillel Society, The Brown and White, Student Senate, ASA among many others. Becoming a brother of the Sigma Eta chapter of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity is the perfect place to enhance your college experience as our brotherhood offers a robust support system for inside and outside the classroom needs, derived from our close-knit community.
We invite anyone who is interested in learning more about our chapter’s history, how we operate, our future plans, or anyone with any questions to attend an informational session to be held on March 4 at 4:10 PM in RBC 151. We especially would like to invite members of other fraternities and sororities to attend this event and meet our chapter and its members. In the event that you cannot attend, please direct all questions to chapter President Jonathan Cohen. If you have any questions about or interest in our fall recruitment process, please contact Recruitment Chair Sam Cassell, additionally feel free to visit our website at www.SigmaEtaAEPi.com for more information.



President: Jonathan Cohen
joc215@lehigh.edu

Recruitment Chair: Sam Cassell
sec317@lehigh.edu

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Sign Up For Courageous Conversations



It is with great pleasure the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs would like to re-introduce the community to the newly revamped Courageous Conversations program!  Interested groups can now fill out the google form to apply for the experience.  Facilitators will be matched, and curriculum will be developed, as availability allows.  But first, check out the facts:


What Is It?
Courageous Conversations is a multi-faceted program which aims to provide participants with the awareness, knowledge, and skills necessary to address challenging circumstances in an increasingly diversifying community.


Groups can engage with the program by applying to take part in a workshop, which will be specifically developed to suit their collective needs.  Your workshop will include an introduction and explanation of the Courageous Conversations framework, in addition to time spent exploring the participants’ identities experiences in relation to each other, the Lehigh community, and the greater society.  Beyond this, topics addressed and conversations experienced will be based upon the goals crafted by the organizing parties.


What Can I Expect To From This Experience?
Each workshop looks different because the curriculum is individually tailored to meet your goals/needs.  However, you can expect a few things:
  • Participants will not be shamed for gaps in awareness and knowledge of diverse issues and experiences in our world today
  • Your conversation will provide you with a space to learn how to better contribute to the fostering of an affirming, inclusive, and equitable community at Lehigh
  • Nitty-gritty structural stuff: the workshop will last approximately 3 hours and will be facilitated by a pair of faculty/staff members from the Lehigh community


How Can I Connect This To Other Opportunities at Lehigh?
Courageous Conversations is one of many programmatic options available to the community, as a part of the initiative to improve Lehigh's campus climate.  The program was re-developed to reflect bLUeprint’s 5 Foundations for Student Success, which can help facilitate connections to the many opportunities for engagement on Lehigh’s campus and in the community:


  • Creative Curiosity: Participants will learn a powerful tool for engaging in conversations and furthering their own consciousness of a socially-constructed world.
  • Identity Development: Participants will be able to explore their multiple socially-constructed identities and develop a greater understanding of how those identities intersect with the world around them.
  • Collaborative Connections: Participants will build relationships with others by exploring connections on deeper identity-based levels.
  • Inclusive Leadership: Participants will begin to understand the impact of their own identities as they impact those around them, and will learn how to engage with others in mutually beneficial endeavors by modeling inclusivity in their own leadership positions.
  • Professional Growth & Success: Participants will learn a tool which can be utilized to help them achieve success in the face of challenging conversations and situations related to diversity, inclusion, and the pursuit of social justice.

Monday, February 23, 2015

Calling all New Members, Apply for GEM 2015




The Greek EMerging Leaders program is currently accepting applications for this fall leadership program.
Mentee Applications due March 6th!
Apply Here: goo.gl/KuoNNS
Any questions? Email Jessica Scott (jas615@lehigh.edu)

What is GEM?
The Greek EMerging Leaders (GEM) programs selects 35-40 outstanding new members each spring to participate in this semester leadership program in the fall.  The program prepares students to be effective leaders and create positive change in their chapters and the Greek community. 
Participants are broken up into several “councils” or small groups throughout the duration of the semester.  Each council has a mentor pair who will lead interactive activities, small group discussion, and share personal experiences to help participants learn and grow as a leader.

Expectations:
  • Attend the Induction Celebration on Tuesday, April 21 from 4:30 – 6:30pm
  • Attend overnight retreat Friday, August 21 through Saturday, August 22 at Camp Canadensis
  • Attend and actively participate in all 7 90-minute sessions Thursday evenings at 6:30pm
  • Be an active part of your assigned council during group discussion and outside of sessions
  • Implement a group project and/or service initiative with fellow GEM mentees
  • Be encouraged to meet with groups outside of required time, including campus speakers, other chapters’ events, etc.
Benefits of Membership
GEM is an opportunity to gain invaluable experience through the sessions and information conversations with students and staff. Several students who complete the program will also have the opportunity to receive scholarships to attend national leadership training opportunities, including UIFI and LeaderShape.

As a result of this experience, participants will:
  • Learn more about their personal leadership style and how to utilize their strengths
  • Develop their knowledge and understanding of the Lehigh Greek community
  • Network with emerging leaders from various Greek chapters
  • Network with professional staff to enhance their leadership development
  • Receive 1:1 mentoring  from leaders who have been involved in various roles on campus

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Conduct Update: Delta Phi




On February 21, 2015 a University Committee on Discipline panel was convened to adjudicate the charges below:

1. Respect for Others D1 (Hazing)
2. Respect for Others F1 (Other Conduct)
3. Respect for Community A1 (False Information)
4. Respect for Community I1 (Posted Rules and Regulations)
5. Respect for Community J1 (Encouraging Others)
6. Respect for Self A1 (Unauthorized Consumption, Distribution, or Possession)
7. Respect for Self B1 (Unhealthy Consumption)

As a result of that hearing, The Delta Phi Fraternity is dissolved effective February 21, 2015 through February 21, 2019. The Lehigh University Code of Conduct defines Dissolution as the loss of University recognition, the loss of privilege to use Lehigh University’s name, and the loss of privilege to represent the University in any capacity. Additionally the organization loses all privileges to use University equipment or facilities. Chapters are not guaranteed the privilege of reinstated recognition. Following the period of dissolution, Delta Phi will be eligible to apply for recognition upon approval of the next Interfraternity Council expansion process. Future expansion is dependent upon a number of variables including the University’s plans for adding recognized chapters in the future.

An investigation was conducted and the information in a spring 2011 new member educator notebook was corroborated by members of Delta Phi as having also occurred during the spring 2014 semester. The allegations include coerced consumption of alcohol, line ups, servitude, and restrictions on sleep, contact, and behavior as well as degrading actions taken towards new members.

Several members of Delta Phi, including chapter leadership, provided false information during the most recent investigation in the fall semester, as well as during the original investigation of the spring 2014 allegations.

After reviewing the information, the Committee on Discipline (comprised of students, faculty, and administrators) had the following finding(s) for the charges:

1. Respect for Others D1 (Hazing) -- Responsible
2. Respect for Others F1 (Other Conduct) -- Responsible
3. Respect for Community A1 (False Information) -- Responsible
4. Respect for Community I1 (Posted Rules and Regulations) -- Responsible
5. Respect for Community J1 (Encouraging Others) -- Responsible
6. Respect for Self A1 (Unauthorized Consumption, Distribution, or Possession) -- Responsible
7. Respect for Self B1 (Unhealthy Consumption) -- Not Responsible

1. Respect for Others D1 (Hazing) -- Responsible

Hazing is any action taken or situation created, whether on or off campus, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Hazing includes but is not limited to any brutality of a physical nature, such as paddling, whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance, or any other forced physical activity that would subject the individual to physical harm or mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct which could result in extreme embarrassment, or any other forced activity which would adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual. Among prohibited activities are forced or coerced activities which create excessive fatigue; cause physical and psychological shocks; involve kidnapping; involve morally questionable quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, or any other such activities; involve publicly wearing apparel that is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; cause students to engage in public stunts and buffoonery, morally degrading or humiliating games and activities, or late night activities which interfere with scholastic activities. Also prohibited are any activities that are in violation of federal, state, or local laws, this Code of Conduct, or accepted standards of good taste or propriety. For purposes of this definition, any activity described in this paragraph upon which the admission into or affiliation with an organization is directly or indirectly conditioned shall be presumed to be "forced or coerced" activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such activity notwithstanding.

Basis of Charge: The notebook and the subsequent testimony of the chapter members showed that the chapter engaged in events throughout their new member program that constitute hazing.

The Chapter provided alcohol to underage new members as a part of a "Big Brother / Little Brother" night.

The Chapter required that, on a rotating basis, one of the new members serve as SCB (“Senior Class Bitch”) each week. They were required to drive people to get food and run errands.

The Chapter held an event called "The Game" in which pledges were told there was a football game, but in fact the members trashed the house (threw food and garbage all over the house) and the pledges were made to clean it up.

The Chapter had meetings in which the pledges were required to kneel for a sustained period and recite facts and receive direction as to their required tasks for the upcoming week. The Chapter required new members to dress and look the same (be clean shaven etc.).

The Chapter required new members to do late night clean-ups of the house and were told they were not to communicate with others electronically during that time.

The Chapter required new members to carry certain items for the use of the brothers, including personal items such as condoms.

The Chapter dictated that new members were not allowed to use the main stairwell in the house.

The Chapter dictated that new members could only use certain bathrooms in the house.

The Chapter required new members to address brothers by first and last name only.

The Chapter required each new member to keep a notebook during new member education and the new member class was required to make sure that the notebooks were all the same.

The Chapter told new members to lie or provide incomplete information regarding new member education activities, especially if University administrators inquired about such activities. Members referred to new members in degrading terms such as "Bitch, Maggot, Fool"

2. Respect for Others F1 (Other Conduct) -- Responsible

F. Other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person or group of people. This would include, but is not limited to, the possession or storage of weapons, explosives, fireworks, or other materials that could be harmful to the members of the community or the community as a whole.

Basis of Charge:
The activities of the Chapters new member program including activities late at night, sleep deprivation, denial of social contact, threatened the health and safety of the new member class.

3. Respect for Community A1 (False Information) -- Responsible

Providing False Information:

  1. Intentionally furnishing false information to a university official, hearing panel, or Conduct Officer.

Basis of Charge: 
Over the course of the initial investigation in spring 2014 and the subsequent investigation it became clear that members of Delta Phi Fraternity knowingly and intentionally provided false information to investigators.

The chapter knowingly and intentionally provided a new member plan that had inaccurate and/or incomplete information regarding activities, goals, and purposes.

4. Respect for Community I1 (Posted Rules and Regulations) -- Responsible

I.                   Violating any Lehigh University policies, rules, or regulations, including but not limited to, residential living policies (General Provisions for Occupancy) and policies related to the use of the university computer network.

Basis of Charge:
The Chapter failed to provide an accurate and detailed new member plan to the University as required by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs.

The Chapter allowed at least one person to affiliate with their chapter knowing that they were not eligible to do so.

5. Respect for Community J1 (Encouraging Others) -- Responsible

J. Encouraging or facilitating others in actions that violate the Code of Conduct.

Basis of Charge:

The chapter provided alcohol to underage new members and encouraged them to consume that alcohol.

The chapter encouraged and allowed students who were not eligible to affiliate with the organization to "ghost pledge".

6. Respect for Self A1 (Unauthorized Consumption, Distribution, or Possession) -- Responsible
7. Respect for Self B1 (Unhealthy Consumption) -- Not Responsible

  1. The unauthorized or illegal consumption, distribution, or possession of alcohol.

Basis of Charge:
The chapter provided alcohol to underage new members

  1. The consumption or distribution of alcohol in a manner detrimental to one’s health and safety (or the health and safety of others).

Basis of Charge:

Underage students were provided a bottle of alcohol to share with their big brother. This can reasonably be considered to constitute an environment where two people are encouraged to consume large quantities of hard alcohol.

The chapter is currently on deferred dissolution and by definition in the code further violations of the code result in dissolution. Furthermore the panel finds the events in question to be serious enough that the chapter should not be allowed to remain on campus. In addition, evidence has shown that this was not a one-time event and the panel remained unconvinced that current members/leaders can enact the change needed to ensure such events do not occur in the future. Finally, having a house on the hill is a privilege and the actions of this organization do not, at this time, show that they deserve to keep it.

At the hearing, the Delta Phi National Office presented a plan for recolonization of the chapter. This plan called for immediately moving all of undergraduate members to alumni status, and prohibiting them from participating in any future undergraduate activities regardless of the outcome of the hearing. Additionally, the National Office planned to remove the bulk of the chapter’s Alumni Corporation from their leadership positions.

The students currently living in the Delta Phi facility are permitted to remain in the facility for the rest of the semester. Lehigh staff will be conducting periodic walk-throughs of the facility. Additionally the facility is alcohol-free for remainder of the year: no alcohol is permitted in the facility including in the rooms of individual members regardless of their age. Lehigh’s Office of Residential Services will work to identify all available housing options for 2015-16. Lehigh has an on-campus residency requirement for all first and second year students. Upper class students were informed to register for the Residence Hall Upperclass Lottery. Residential Services will also assist in identifying off-campus housing for those upper class students not interested in living on campus next year. Housing questions should be forwarded to Residential Services at inrsd@lehigh.edu or (610) 758-3500.

Delta Phi Fraternity retains the right to appeal this decision, and the Office of Student Conduct & Community expectations has informed the fraternity leadership of the deadlines and process for appeals as outlined in the Lehigh University Code of Conduct (lehigh.edu/go/codeofconduct).  If an appeal is submitted, the Disciplinary Appeals Committee will meet to make a determination.  If the appeal is denied, the conduct hearing outcome will be upheld.  If the appeal is granted, a new conduct hearing would occur.  

Friday, February 20, 2015

Suited for Leadership


Applications are now being accepted for Suited for Leadership! 

The Suited for Leadership Award recognizes seniors who demonstrate a continued commitment to leadership development in themselves, their chapters and the overall Greek community. One selected award recipient will receive a $150 gift certificate to a department store of their choice towards a suit or professional attire. 
Additional award honorees are eligible to receive professional accessories such as a padfolio, business card holder, etc.
Applications due March 1
Apply Here: http://tinyurl.com/suitedforleadershipapp
This award is sponsored by the Office of Student Leadership Development. Please email Stefanie Burke (sdb212) or Michaela Sunga (mks217) with questions.

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

National Ritual Celebration Week


The fifth annual National Ritual Celebration Week is quickly approaching and will occur March 1st through 7th.  We invite the Lehigh Fraternity and Sorority Community to join in on this celebration.  See below to learn more about this week and how your organization can get involved.    

Phi Mu Fraternity sponsors National Ritual Celebration Week and invites all interfraternal Greek organizations and campuses with a fraternity/sorority community to join in on the fun.  The week will once again include the National Panhellenic Conference's International Badge Day on Monday, March 2, 2015.  To learn more about how National Ritual Week was created, Click Here

How can your council and chapter get involved and celebrate? Here are some ideas: 
Check out http://www.phimu.org/nationalritualweek for TONS and TONs of more ideas for your chapter and/or council to get involved. 

Monday, February 16, 2015

Celebrate International Badge Day



Join the Lehigh Panhellenic Council and the sorority community in celebrating International Badge Day on Monday, March 2nd.  

International Badge Day was established in 1997 by the National Panhellenic Conference to set aside a day for women -- in sororities in all different umbrella organizations -- throughout the world to wear their sorority badges or letters in a celebration of sisterhood.

This year’s theme is: “Wear Your Letters on Your Heart.” 

Join us in celebrating by "Wearing Your Letters on Your Heart" and inviting all sorority women you know to do the same! You can also wear your badge virtually by making it your profile picture on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. that day.

More information can be found on the Facebook invite at https://www.facebook.com/events/939763442702650/?ref=22.  Over 18,000 women have RSVP'ed to participate from across the globe. 


Q: When did International Badge Day start? 
A: The celebration to honor sisterhood was started in 1997 by the National Panhellenic Conference. The date is recognized during March, which is also National Women’s History Month and set aside for International Women’s Day. The inaugural campaign was titled: “It’s as Simple as Wearing your Pin … With Pride.” 

Q: Who started this tradition? 
A: The creation of this event was the idea of a sorority woman. In the spring 1996 issue of Alpha Sigma Alpha’s “The Phoenix,” Nora M. Ten Broeck wrote an article titled: “A Simple Solution — Wear Your Membership Badge Today.” The article described her personal experience of wearing her sorority pin to work one day. 

Q: Who participates in International Badge Day? 
A: International Badge Day celebrates the common sorority experience. In the spirit of global interfraternal relations, NPC invites the National Pan-Hellenic Council Inc., the National Multicultural Greek Council, the National Asian Pacific Islander American Panhellenic Association and the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations Inc. women’s groups to participate.

Friday, February 13, 2015

Update Regarding Kappa Alpha Theta



Update: 2/19/2015 3:30PM
On or about January 27, 2015, the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority chapter was involved in an incident in
which the organization's behavior violated the Lehigh University Code of Conduct. The chapter took responsibility for the following charges:

CHARGES:
Respect for Self A1 (Unauthorized Consumption, Distribution, or Possession)

The unauthorized or illegal consumption, distribution, or possession of alcohol.

As a result of this behavior the following sanction(s) are imposed:
Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority is placed on disciplinary probation effective February 19, 2015 through
May 31, 2015. Disciplinary probation is the conditional continuation of a group or organization for a
specified period of time not to exceed four semesters. This status implies that any further violation of this
Code of Conduct may result in dissolution, termination, or other authorized sanctions. Other sanctions
may be imposed, including limitations on social activities, and additional requirements may be imposed
as conditions for reinstatement of recognition in good standing.

The Chapter is required to work with OFSA to develop 5 self reflection questions related to this incident
and what was learned. The chapter will answer these questions as a group and the answers may be posted
on the OFSA Blog. It is to be completed by March 27, 2015. 

The Chapter is required to work with OFSA and their national office on developing an action plan to
address weakness in chapter management as indicated by the National Office. It is to be completed by
March 27, 2015. 

The Chapter is required to complete all educational sanctions put in place by the organization's National
Office and to report to OFSA about progress and completion. 


The organization retains it's right to appeal this decision as outlined in the Lehigh University Code of Conduct. If the organization chooses to appeal, the appeal is due to the Office of Student Conduct &
Community Expectations no later than the close of business on February 24, 2015. Appeals can be filed
online at: http://lehigh.edu/go/discappeals.

Update: 2/19/2015 2:15PM
Kappa Alpha Theta was placed upon interim suspension on February 13, 2015, for a number of allegations including endangering the health and safety of other students, providing alcohol to minors, and failure to follow the chapter’s approved new member education plan.  Although the investigation is still ongoing, the interim suspension has been lifted with the exception of social events.    

Original Post: 2/13/15 4:30PM 
As of February 13, 2015 all activities of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority at Lehigh University have been temporarily suspended.  This action is being taken because of alleged University policy violations by the chapter and its members during the new member education process.  Allegations include: endangering the health and safety of other students, providing alcohol to minors, and failure to follow the chapter’s approved new member education plan.

This interim suspension mandates that no chapter activities of any kind may occur, either on Lehigh's campus or off-campus for Kappa Alpha Theta.  This specifically includes but is not limited to, new member activities.  

Active chapter members are also to have no further contact with any new members of the Epsilon Rho Chapter in any way (personally, electronic, through third parties, etc.) until further notice.  This includes Epsilon Rho new members being present at the chapter facility and/or any off-campus facilities where chapter members live.

If this order is violated, individuals and/or the chapter will be immediately charged with further violations of the University Code of Conduct and disciplinary action will be taken.   This "no contact" order does not imply any judgment regarding the factual nature of the incident.

The Office of Student Conduct & Community Expectations will begin an investigation and this interim suspension will remain in effect until the formal resolution of these allegations is concluded.   Failure to comply with the terms of interim suspension will result additional charges.


Additionally, the Lehigh University Code of Conduct requires that students and student organizations not only know and adhere to the Code of Conduct, but cooperate with the University when investigating violations.

The Epsilon Rho alumnae leadership and Kappa Alpha Theta Headquarters have been contacted as well.  If you have further questions, please contact the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs at (610) 758-4157.