Feature Friday: Gabby Dardis, Kappa Delta

This week for Feature Friday is Kappa Delta's Gabby Dardis!

I began working in the Community Service Office at the beginning of the fall of my freshman year after being introduced to the office through the Volunteer Experience Prelusion.  I had volunteered and belonged to service clubs before in high school, but being a staff member of the CSO felt different.  Everyone in the office was highly dedicated to the work they did, and everyone made the effort to include new staffers and make the office feel like a family.  I loved that our events brought Lehigh students from all across campus together to serve South Bethlehem.

I learned a great deal about meaningful action and our South Bethlehem community in the CSO, and after joining my sorority during Formal Recruitment, I was inspired to run for Vice President of Community Service the following fall.  I believed that I would be capable of handling the entitled responsibilities since I had already been coordinating volunteer opportunities and learning about the principles of service for a year.  However, I faced adversity and unexpected challenges on Executive Council that my time in the CSO could not have prepared me for.

Our Kappa Delta chapter had only been on campus for just over one year at that point, and my member class was the first formally recruited.  Serving as only the second VP-CS in our chapter, I was faced with daily questions and conflicts that had no chapter precedent to utilize in making decisions.  I had just my handbook and the suggestions of the nine other Executive Council members, each in the same position as myself.

Through small but regular challenges, such as low attendance at events and commitment issues on committees, I quickly recognized the difference between being a service leader among other service leaders, versus having that role among your peers who do not necessarily prioritize that commitment.  Despite the fact I met the overall goals of my position during that busy year, my personal goals derived from my CSO training to educate my chapter on the South Bethlehem community and engage all of our members in meaningful service were not entirely met.  At the time my term ended, this disheartened me and did not motivate me to commit to further leadership positions in my chapter.

However, it wasn’t until about a year ago when I took on a larger role in the CSO that I realized how positively impactful my experience in sorority leadership was. Being on our Executive Council taught me about effective service leadership and how I personally can be the best leader for a given group of people.  In my position as the SERVE Trip Coordinator, I work with several different groups of people - from Dean of Students Offices’ Directors to Lehigh students looking to get involved – in planning service trips over winter and spring break, so I have to adjust my style of leadership to best achieve my position’s goals.  As I welcomed the precedence and history behind the SERVE Coordinator position to make decisions and improvements upon, I realized that my work as VP- Community Service was building the very precedent my sisters will welcome years in the future. 

As I reflect back now as a senior, two years after first beginning my VP- Community Service role, I am thankful for the difficulties I faced then that challenged me to grow, and allowed me to now be the best leader I can be in any situation. 

Conduct Update: Chi Psi

On October 25, 2016 the University Committee on Discipline met to adjudicate the following charges against Chi Psi Fraternity:

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

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

Respect for Community J1 (Encouraging Others)

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

After reviewing the information related to incident, the Committee made the following finding(s) regarding the violation(s) for which you were charged:

1. Respect for Self A1 (Unauthorized Consumption, Distribution, or Possession) -- Responsible

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

As a result of this behavior the following sanction(s) will be imposed:

The organization is placed on Disciplinary Deferred Dissolution from October 26, 2016 through

December 31, 2017. During this period of time, the organization is on notice that any further violations of the Code of Conduct will result in the dissolution of the organization immediately without further review. Disciplinary Deferred Dissolution may not be imposed for longer than two regular semesters. If this sanction is imposed during a semester, it may be imposed for the remainder of that semester and two additional semesters.

Chi Psi Fraternity is placed on disciplinary probation effective January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018. 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 organization has lost its right to register and host social events with alcohol effective October 26,

2016 through May 31, 2017. Events without Alcohol may be held as long as they are in compliance with University policy.

The Chapter is required to develop a strong new member education plan that can be used for Recruitment in Jan/Feb 2017. This plan must be approved by OFSA. The plan must include measures that Chi Psi will use to ensure that its members follow the plan and university policy to help mitigate future violations of the code of conduct. The due date will be determined by OFSA

All sophomores and Spring 2017 new members must participate in ASTP training either by Ashley Baudouin or her designee. Costs to execute this training will be the responsibility of Chi Psi Fraternity. It is to be completed by March 1, 2017.

The Chapter is required to work with OFSA to develop a comprehensive risk management plan no later than February 15, 2017. This plan must be approved by OFSA and all members must be trained on this plan and sign a statement clarifying that they understand their responsibilities under this plan.

The executive board is required to work with Julie Ammary and Ashley Baudouin to structure a team consulting sessions to ensure continuity of leadership and the maintenance of standards. It is to be completed by March 31, 2017.

The Committee gave the following rationale for the decision and sanctions:

Rationale for Finding:

The panel finds the student signed statement of 9/27 and the demeanor described by Conduct Officer during the 9/27 meeting to be more credible than the testimony provided today. Based on this it is more likely than not that a student drank at least one alcoholic beverage while at the off campus party hosted by Chi Psi indicating the organization illegally distributed alcohol which was consumed by a minor. The panel is concerned that upon receiving notification that he would have to testify against Chi Psi and his teammates and/or Chi Psi finding out about the charges that the student’s story changed. The student acknowledged that others helped him “piece” together his story.

Key Facts:

1. The statement signed by a student on 9/27

2. Conduct Officer’s testimony and assessment of meeting with the student

3. Testimony of organization

4. The organization provided no witness testimony or statements from Chi Psi members who attended the party.

Rationale for Sanctions:

The panel considered dissolution however, we do believe that one student has the potential to lead the organization in the right direction and begin a culture shift that will help Chi Psi to be a value adding organization to the community. We believe it is important for all members of Chi Psi to hold each other accountable and to be able to clearly articulate the meaning and responsibility that come with membership in Chi Psi separate from their responsibilities as football players.

Chi Psi 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.  

Friendly Halloween Reminder

                                                                            

As you all know, Halloween is coming up this weekend. As you all gear up for Halloween related festivities, I wanted to take a moment to remind you all to think about both the costumes that your chapter members are preparing to wear, as well as the themes that you may be considering for events that are occurring this weekend. I hope you all have fun, but in the spirit of looking out for the safety and well-being of all members of Lehigh and the South Bethlehem Community and also preserving the dignity of all cultures and backgrounds.  

Other resources to use this weekend if you are unsure about theme and activities include:

• If you are unsure about a specific costume, here is a quick web resource. 

• If you are unsure about a specific theme for an event, please review the Chapter Event Policy included below:

The Lehigh University Fraternity and Sorority Community, comprised of chapters and governing councils, aspire to support and espouse The Principles of Our Equitable Community. As part of this aspiration, the Fraternity and Sorority Community commits to supporting the spirit and intent of these initiatives by prohibiting all events that, through the actions of organizations or individual members negatively affect the dignity of any student, or inhibit the promotion of mutual understanding among Lehigh community members.

Per The Principles: “We confront and reject discrimination in all its forms, including that based on age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomics, veteran status, or any differences that have been excuses for misunderstanding, dissension, or hatred.”

In the spirit of this statement, our belief is that any event sponsored or endorsed by a Fraternity or Sorority in Lehigh’s Greek Community, may not discriminate against any class listed above. Failure to adhere to this, either through the acts of organizations or individual chapter members representing their organization, would result in investigation and adjudication, as appropriate, in partnership with the Office of Student Conduct and Community Expectations. This includes on and off-campus events, activities and actions as well as actions taken on-line via use of social media.

To learn more about the Principles of Our Equitable Community please refer to:http://www4.lehigh.edu/diversity/principles

To report an incident, please refer to the Online Incident Communications Form at:http://studentaffairs.lehigh.edu/conduct

Feature Friday: Dalyan Kosar, Theta Chi

Today for our Feature Friday (where members of the Greek community share reflections on their Lehigh experience) is Dalyan Kosar of Theta Chi.  

There are a lot of misconceptions about members of the Greek community, especially from those who aren’t Greek. The unfortunate truth is that the stereotypical obnoxious and apathetic behavior of a rare few often leads to the entire community being typecast as such.

Since my freshman year at Lehigh I have been involved in a special program called Homework Club, its goal being increased child literacy and STEM proficiency through afterschool tutoring. After a year of being a tutor, I was eventually given the opportunity to become one of the site leaders in charge of running the Broughal Middle School site.  This experience has given me some of the most rewarding memories of my Lehigh career, and as a member of the Greek community, it’s frustrating when all of the work that I have put in to community service projects like this one are overlooked by Greek-life critics (it’s also worth noting that over 50% of the Homework Club tutors are affiliated with a Greek organization).

The perception problem stems from a lack of cohesion between the Greek community and the greater campus population, both of which have no real desire to interact. With Greek residential areas being secluded to the Hill, and most unaffiliated living in Broadhead, Taylor, or Campus Square, there is a geographical divide that makes it not only possible, but likely that the average Greek won’t have a meaningful interaction with someone outside of Greek life and vice versa. This is where I have found clubs and extracurricular organizations to play a vital role in my time at Lehigh.

There are plenty of incredible people who simply didn’t have the desire to join a Greek chapter, just as there are a multitude of phenomenal people who found that they did, and limiting your social circle for such an insignificant reason, bars you from meeting wonderful people that could be some of your best friends. Being in Homework Club has given me that opportunity, as I have garnered friends that I wouldn’t have otherwise met, and had experiences that I wouldn’t have otherwise gained.

Homework Club is more to me than just a job, it’s a chance to expand my horizons--do things I wouldn’t normally do, with people I wouldn’t normally do things with. I encourage all of my fellow Lehigh students to try something similar. Join a club, volunteer, or maybe even start something new, and get a chance to know what life is like on the other side of the Greek divide.

Check out what participants in Social Host Training are saying about it!

Traffic Control and Transportation for Lehigh Lafayette Weekend

This letter contains important information regarding traffic control and transportation for the upcoming annual Lehigh vs. Lafayette match-up.  The following procedures have been discussed by members of the Dean of Students staff, the Interfraternity Council leadership, the Multicultural Greek Council, the Panhellenic Council leadership, Parking Services, and University Police.  Please take the time to review this letter and discuss its contents with your members. 

*Each residential chapter will be issued Lehigh/Lafayette parking passes equivalent to the number of available parking spaces in the chapter’s respective parking lot.  These passes grant one time entry to Sayre Park and will be surrendered upon entry.  Chapters will also be issued two reusable passes.  Chapters have the flexibility to distribute all passes to members, alumni, or other guests based on need. 

*Parking passes will be available to chapter presidents for pickup and distribution beginning Monday, November 7th in the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs.  Misplaced parking passes will not be replaced.

*Only vehicles with Lehigh/Lafayette parking passes will be admitted to Sayre Park roads (the Hill) between 5PM Friday, November 18^th through Sunday, November 20^th at 5AM.  Your regularly assigned parking permit will not grant you access.

*Students with valid parking permits that wish to move their vehicles to create space for alumni and other guests must do so by Friday, November 18^th at 5PM.  Vehicles can be parked on Mountaintop Campus in the commuter parking lots or in any other University lot available for student parking.  Vehicles parked in non-student designated spots or parked in non-parking areas (e.g. fire lanes) risk being ticketed and/or towed.

* Vehicles parked in fire lanes or along the roadside will be towed at the owner’s expense.  Please monitor illegal parking areas and keep alumni and other guests from parking in these locations as well.  The Lehigh University Police Department has the authority to restrict access to Sayre Park roads (the Hill) during Lehigh/Lafayette weekend if there are safety concerns and impassable roadways. 

* Buses to Fisher Stadium at Lafayette College will arrive at Packer Avenue bus stop at 10AM for boarding. Buses will depart at 10:30AM. Each individual must have a game ticket AND a bus ticket in order to board the bus. Buses will depart immediately following the game.

*Should your chapter wish to hire a private charter to Fisher Stadium, pick up and drop off should be scheduled along Packer Avenue between Vine and Webster streets.  No buses should block any other public streets for loading purposes and will be told to move by the Lehigh University Police Department. 

*Lafayette College has allocated 45 student tailgate spots for Lehigh at the corner of Dietrich Road and Bushkill Drive (901 Bushkill Drive, Easton, PA).  Vehicles may enter the Lehigh tailgate area between 9-10AM or until capacity is reached, after which the area will be closed for vehicles for safety reasons.  Buses may drop off students at this location, and will then be directed to Metzgar Fields in Palmer Township for off-site parking.     

*We suggest you inform alumni and other guests prior to receiving Lehigh/Lafayette parking passes so they may have time to request passes from you.  We also encourage that you post this memo on your chapter’s website; share it with your alumni advisors; and distribute it to your alumni email contacts accordingly. 

*Should you host social events during the weekend and invite alumni and other guests to attend, please communicate expectations regarding social policies and appropriate behavior.  Many alumni are not familiar with current rules and procedures, and your chapter is responsible for ensuring all guests comply with all laws and abide by the Lehigh University’s Code of Conduct. 

* If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs by email at infrasor@lehigh.edu or by phone at 610-758-4157.

Feature Friday: Dan Ritter, Delta Chi

Next up in Feature Friday (where members of the Greek community share reflections on their Lehigh experience) is Dan Ritter from Delta Chi!

This past summer I was offered an internship in the Office of Student Leadership Development, a division of the Dean of Students office that, through the programs and initiatives they provide for students each year, help students become leaders in the campus community. Although I was unsure what the internship would actually entail, I could have never imagined the benefits that the few short months would bring. Not only did I have the opportunity to meet other Lehigh students, faculty, and staff that I would not have otherwise met, but I was able to work on several different tasks and projects that helped me develop skills that I know will benefit me in the future.  

One of the ways that my internship this summer has already started to have a positive impact is through my experience in my fraternity, Delta Chi. One of my largest projects as an intern was to design the Student Leadership Kickoff, which involved planning, organizing, and coordinating several different aspects such as catering, decorations, and invitations. Through that planning process, I was able to gain invaluable project management skills. These skills will definitely be able to help me in future work within my fraternity, such as helping to plan out a philanthropy event or a brotherhood retreat. Balancing various tasks throughout my internship experience, and learning time management from doing so, will undoubtedly help me in my fraternity experience. Between classes, extracurricular activities, and being in a fraternity, there are often a lot of tasks that I have to balance my time between. After more practice with time management this summer, I know that I will be able to effectively balance all of my commitments, and because of this I will be able to dedicate time to Delta Chi in order to help accomplish tasks that the chapter must complete.

One of my favorite aspects of my internship this summer was my role as a ropes course facilitator. Although I was already a ropes course facilitator prior to beginning my internship, I was able to facilitate for a variety of group over the summer, which helped me gain experience in facilitating teambuilding activities and helping groups address the challenges they faced or objectives that they wished to achieve. Facilitating has become something that I love to do, and I hope to be able to facilitate different activities and teambuilding exercises for Delta Chi over the course of the year so that we can grow as a brotherhood and address any challenges that we may face as the year goes on.

I am so grateful for the experience that I had over the summer with the OSLD, and I am excited and eager to see the benefits that will come from the experience that I had.