Invitation to Participate: Courageous Conversations

The Office of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs would like to invite you and your organization(s) to experience a Courageous Conversation!  If you already know about this program and are interested in applying, please fill out this google form and we can begin to process and develop your workshop.  If this is new to you, check out the facts, tell your friends, and consider joining your peers who've already had a great experience in this program!

So...What Exactly Is It?Courageous Conversations is a multi-faceted program that provides participants with the awareness, knowledge, and skills necessary to address challenging circumstances in an increasingly diversifying community. Your workshop will include an overview to the Courageous Conversations framework; an introduction (or continuation) of education regarding identities and related experiences; and culminate in a real, authentic, challenging, and courageous conversation about tough topics related to diversity and inclusion.

As an "FYI," this program is open to anyone on campus, so you can feel free to partner up with fraternities, sororities, athletic groups, or any student organization to create this experience.  

Why Would I Be Interested In This?...Maybe the better question is, why wouldn't you be interested??  Here's what your peers said their favorite parts and biggest learning moments were last semester:

"I learned the importance of speaking in group environments about issues"

"Learning that there are people outside my friend group that care about making Lehigh a safer and inclusive place"

"To embrace differences in identities and to include them for improvement"

Cool! 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 Lehigh community.  The 5 Foundations for Student Success provide a common language for connecting experiences on campus.  This program touches upon all five, yet provides a particular connection to the following 3 Foundations:

• Creative Curiosity: Learn to engage in conversations and develop your consciousness of a socially-constructed world.
• Identity Development: Explore your multiple socially-constructed identities (as well as your peers) and develop a greater understanding of how those identities intersect with the world around you.
• Collaborative Connections: Build relationships with others by exploring connections on deeper identity-based levels.

I'm In!  How Do I Apply?
Just follow this link to fill out the application - check out the questions, discuss with your group, and click submit!  Someone will be in contact with you soon after to discuss and schedule your workshop.

*If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please direct them to Carter Gilbert at cag414@lehigh.edu.

Redefine What it Means to Lead - Apply for LeaderShape 2016

Please take a moment to consider the following: Imagine a world where your global vision is realized.  What would that look like?  What would it take to get there? 

I, personally, was lucky enough to take part in LeaderShape 2015 this summer as a cluster facilitator and it was one of the most impactful experiences I've ever had.  Alongside several of your Lehigh and Greek peers (At least 7 chapters were represented, from all three governing councils!), I was able to explore new definitions of leadership, discover and refine my strengths as a leader, create a vision for change, and develop a meaningful action plan to help me achieve that vision.

LeaderShape is not just a great experience, it is one of the best leadership development programs in the country.  For an example of what it's like to attend, check out Ricky Johnson's reflection from his time at a national LeaderShape session on the Blog!

--Carter Gilbert, Assistant Director, OFSA 

So, are you interested interested in learning more about your leadership skills and perspective?  How about developing a vision for the world?  You can do that at LeaderShape 2016, and I encourage you to apply!  More details below:


What is LeaderShape?
LeaderShape is a nationally recognized six-day experience that challenges participants to explore identity development and inclusive leadership. Students work towards developing a blueprint plan that includes discussions on how to lead with integrity™ and have a healthy disregard for the impossible.  The Institute challenges participants to create a vision grounded in their deepest values. Students have the opportunity to learn about who they are, what they want to do, and who they want to be by engaging in dialogue and self-discovery.

When is LeaderShape?

• The LeaderShape Institute will be held January 19-24th at Camp Ladore in Waymart, PA.  
• Please note, these dates are the week before classes begin over winter break so keep that in mind.

How Can I Get More Information?

• More information can be found of the Office of Student Leadership Development's website.
• There will also be 1 information session: Thursday, October 8th at 6pm in UC 308
• For additional information or answers to specific questions email inlshape@lehigh.edu.

What is the Cost?

• Total cost per student: $750
• Cost supplemented by OSLD, student affairs, and sponsors: $650
• Cost for you: $100*

*Please note that the cost is an accountability fee.  However, we do not want cost to be a factor in your decision to apply, so if you would like to apply for the Student Opportunity Fund please do so at this link:http://studentaffairs.lehigh.edu/content/funding-forms

How Can I Apply?

• Go to http://studentaffairs.lehigh.edu/content/leadershape and click "Apply Here"  
• The application deadline is Sunday, October 18, 2015.

Interested?  Make sure to apply for this transformative experience today!

Calling all students interested in participating in Sorority Recruitment 2016!  Make sure to come to the open houses info session this Thursday (9/24) at 7 pm in PA 101!

Open Houses are a chance to spend the day getting to know the Panhellenic women! If you're unsure if formal recruitment is for you, this is the perfect opportunity to see what the process looks like! Keep in mind, this is completely casual and for your benefit! See you there!

Looking for additional information? Panhellenic is now on the Guidebook app! If you want to stay up to date with recruitment information, events in the Greek community, and some fun facts, download the "Lehigh University Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment" guidebook.

Any questions? Contact VP Recruitment, Lucy Taben, at lut216@lehigh.edu 

New Member Educator & Intake Coordinator Lunch & Learn Series

As we prepare for Spring 2016 recruitment and new member education, OFSA will be hosting a training series. Each week will address topics vital to creating a successful new member education/orientation program. Details are below. This is open to anyone working with new member education/intake, not just those that hold an official position. Please register here. All sessions will take place in the University Center, Room B025 12-1pm. Bring your own lunch if desired.

Session Descriptions

“Hi, My Name is…”: Team builders & Icebreakers Led by experts in this area, participants will discover a variety of different activities that can be used as icebreakers and team builders How to be an Effective Facilitator & Lead Engaging Meetings Led by Zach Brown & the Leadership consultants, participants will examine different methods of teaching and training to create a more engaging and productive experience for their new members “I don’t know what to say!?”-Navigating difficult conversations during New Member Education/Intake Led by Laurie Evans, participants will identify common difficult conversations during new member education/intake and discuss strategies to handle those situations #Truthtime: What I learned last year A student panel of former chapter leaders will lead this discussion on common challenges, issues, and lessons learned from new member education/intake Community Best Practices: Why reinvent the wheel? A student panel of former chapter leaders will lead this discussion of new member education/intake best practices within the community The Good, the Bad & The Ugly: Grades, Hazing & Alcohol Led by OFSA Staff members, participants will explore academic success and policies on hazing and alcohol during new member education/intake Crafting the written plan Led by DOS staff member, Jess Manno and chapter representatives, participants will review their plans and consider different ways to elevate their program

Roster Day

GET EXCITED FOR ROSTER DAY!!!

The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs cordially invites you to attend Roster Day to update your chapter's roster for Fall 2015.

WHEN: Friday, September 18, 2015 from 9AM-3PM

WHERE: OFSA (UC B004)

WHO: The chapter President or Secretary must come in to verify and sign the chapter's roster anytime between 9AM and 3PM.  Please bring a copy of your internal roster for cross reference.  This should take no more than 10 minutes. 

Dunkin coffee, hot chocolate, and donuts will be provided.  

It's such a good time, we're all like...