Letter to the Lehigh Community from the Interfraternity Council

 

Please see below for a message shared with the campus community from the Interfraternity Council earlier this week.  

Dear Campus Community,

As many of you are aware, a Lehigh University student and a guest to our community were
engaged in an incident involving a racially motivated statement.

While we respect the due process of an ongoing investigation, Lehigh University’s Interfraternity
Council (IFC) wants to be clear in stating that the executive board and all of its participating
organizations not only condemn racially motivated remarks, but condemn any action that
discriminates against another person or group.

Lehigh University prides itself on fostering a welcoming campus climate. The Interfraternity
Council accepts and appreciates the differences amongst the members of our community, and
will continue to stand up in support of The Principles of our Equitable Community.
 
The Interfraternity Council is committed to holding its participating organizations and all general
members accountable for their actions. We engage in discussions with Lehigh University’s
Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equal Opportunity as well as the Office of the General
Counsel to enhance our ability of promoting equity on campus while also developing a better
understanding of the process for Title VI investigations. Pending the outcome of the ongoing
investigation, the IFC will follow its own procedure to ensure that the responsible organization(s)
and student(s) understand the consequences of their behavior and the resulting negative impact
on Lehigh’s community.

If Lehigh University students, faculty, staff, or guests to our community experience and/or
witness harassment, retaliation, or sexual misconduct, we encourage them to visit this link for
options on reporting the incident. Additionally, in an effort to further hold the organizations in the
IFC community accountable for their actions, students, faculty, and staff can submit an incident
report via this link, which the IFC judicial committee will review in determining an appropriate
course of action. We do want to emphasize, however, that using the IFC’s link for reporting
should not be used alone, and that any person reporting should also go through Lehigh
University’s options for reporting as well.

If you would like to reach out to us with any questions or concerns, please email
lehighifc@gmail.com.

Only together can we truly be Lehigh Strong.

Sincerely,
Lehigh University’s Interfraternity Council

Feature Friday: Haley Donovan, Kappa Delta

My name is Haley Donovan, and I’m currently a sophomore and a member of Kappa Delta. During my first year I decided to apply to become an Orientation Leader, and was luckily selected for a position on the OFYE staff. Becoming an OL was one of the most rewarding and fun experiences that I have had at Lehigh so far. I’ve been fortunate enough to make great new friends through the process and create memories that I’m sure we’ll talk about for the remainder of our time at Lehigh. 

For me, deciding to join Greek Life was an easy decision and I’ve loved being part of a chapter with so many women that I connect to and can rely on for anything. I’ve also loved how joining a chapter allows students to become more involved in the Lehigh community through philanthropy events and other opportunities. However, I still wanted the chance to work with people outside of my own chapter or even outside of Greek Life altogether in order to truly get the most out of my time at Lehigh and expand my connections to different groups on campus. Working on the OFYE staff has allowed me to meet members of many different fraternities and sororities as well as students who are not involved in Greek Life at all, but often had a lot to share about different clubs and organizations that they were passionate about. 

One of the most important things that being an Orientation Leader has taught me as a sorority member was that Lehigh has so much to offer outside of an individual chapter or even Greek Life as a whole. I often hear people say that it is easy to get caught up in a type of social bubble within Greek Life or that there is some level of distance between non-Greek students and those who are involved in Greek Life. Meeting students from all across campus has reminded me that finding outside interests via clubs or other means is a great way to reach another level of involvement on campus and have a well-rounded experience while at Lehigh. 

In addition to expanding my interests on campus, working with the OFYE has taught me how to be a more effective leader and problem solver, which I believe can be useful within my chapter. Much of the Orientation Leader training revolves around connecting with all of the students within the groups that we are assigned to and addressing everyone’s concerns. This can be helpful in bringing a chapter closer together by helping each member to connect with one another more. Additionally, if a bigger decision has to be made on behalf of the chapter, keeping the interests of everyone involved can help ensure that everyone will be happier with the final result. 

Joining the OFYE has been one of the best things that I have ever become involved in. Learning how to be a better leader and team builder as well as making some amazing new friends is something that I wouldn’t have obtained as easily without this amazing experience. If anyone has even considered applying to work with the OFYE, I strongly encourage all to do so. After becoming involved, I can’t see my Lehigh experience without it.

Phi Delta Theta Alumnus Receives the Chapter Adviser of the Year Award

We are thrilled to share that John Papazian, Chapter Advisor Chairman to Phi Delta Theta, has received the Samuel V. Stone Outstanding Chapter Adviser of the Year Award by Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters.

John is always present and radiating with joy over whatever achievement the chapter’s recently reached. He’s incredibly proud, yet humble, and quick to point out that the work was shared across a number of folks. However, we are not naïve and know for certain much of the chapter’s successes are in part because of his continued and unwavering commitment to guide, coach, and mentor the undergraduate men so that they may become the greatest versions of themselves. In many instances, John has put forth the extra effort and energy to handle difficult situations, resolve conflict and, put simply, get things done. He does all of this expecting nothing in return less the betterment of the Fraternity.

To learn more about John and his contributions to the Pennsylvania Eta Chapter at Lehigh University, please read the biography shared with his award announcement below:


Brother Papazian started as a freshman at Lehigh University in 1974. He was initiated into Phi Delta Theta during his freshman year, and was an active member his entire four years at Lehigh. During this time, Brother Papazian held minor positions within the chapter, but never held an executive board position. He became an Alumnus of the Pennsylvania Eta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta in 1978, when he graduated from Lehigh with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. 

John began his career as an Engineering Manager at Lehn & Fink, a firm that produced household goods such as Lysol. During this time, he also pursued an M.B.A. from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. In 1989, Brother Papazian started at The Mennen Company, which would later be acquired by Colgate-Palmolive, where he has worked ever since. Brother Papazian currently serves as Colgate-Palmolive’s Worldwide Director of Global Information Technology. 

In 2001, the Phi Delta Theta Chapter suspended operations at Lehigh University indefinitely. In 2012, Lehigh University put out a call to National and International fraternities that it wished to expand Greek Life for Lehigh men by adding another fraternity. Brother John Papazian saw this as an opportunity to rebuild Pennsylvania Eta into the thriving brotherhood that he experienced as an active Samuel V. Stone Outstanding Chapter Adviser of the Year Award brother, and a way to pass on to new Lehigh Students the pride and excitement associated with becoming a Phi. 

Brother Papazian was highly influential in rallying alumni support for the recolonization of Pennsylvania Eta, a fact that was cited as a major reason for Lehigh supporting Phi Delta Theta over the approximately 20 other fraternities that submitted applications to install chapters at Lehigh. Brother Papazian’s incredible dedication gave the University comfort in knowing that this new chapter would have the support needed to grow and be successful at Lehigh. 

Since the reinstallation of the Chapter, Brother Papazian has undertaken countless monumental tasks associated with bringing the Pennsylvania Eta chapter to where it is now. Along with his wife Carol, Brother Papazian spent countless hours planning the installation ceremony of Pennsylvania Eta. He attended almost every colony meeting, and almost every chapter meeting following installation. He was incredibly influential in raising close to $100,000 in donations from fellow alumni in order to furnish our new Chapter House. He took it upon himself to locate, refinish, and frame every Pennsylvania Eta Composite from 1960 until 2001. This list, however is not fully inclusive of all the work and minor tasks that Brother Papazian took on to help Pennsylvania Eta reestablish itself within Lehigh’s community.

Feature Friday: Holly Gwydir, Alpha Phi

The CGE gives us another fantastic blog post, this week from from Holly Gwydir!

Like most college freshman, I entered Lehigh feeling enormously overwhelmed. I had no idea what I wanted to do or where to go, but I knew that I needed to find two things: somewhere that I could feel comfortable to be myself, and somewhere that I could pursue my many passions. I was fortunate enough to find both of these things in more than one place on Lehigh’s campus. The first place I discovered this was in my chapter during formal recruitment. In Alpha Phi, I found women who were kind, intelligent, and fun-loving, somewhere that I felt at home, and a structure that would allow me to pursue my goals and passions in a way that had the potential to benefit a whole group of people. I had this same discovery one year later in the Center for Gender Equity (formerly the Women’s Center), and today I am lucky enough to still be a member of both groups.

As a freshman in Alpha Phi, I fell in love with Greek life. Don’t get me wrong, I will not pretend that it doesn’t have its problems- Greek life is far from perfect. It tends to be non-inclusive, sexist, and overly competitive. However, it is also centered on the values of philanthropy and helping others, as well as individual and group empowerment. It is a place where so many men and women have found other people that they now call family, in an organization that allows them to learn leadership skills and excel in any way that they desire. It is my philosophy that you should never discount something just because it has flaws, because if you do, you’ll end up overlooking all of the positives and lose out on something that can be incredibly beneficial. Because of this, I have been actively working towards reforming Greek life through my work in the Center for Gender Equity.

The Center for Gender Equity aims to create a more inclusive campus where members from every gender will have the same opportunities and chances for success. This goal is not far from that of Greek life, as sororities were originally created to empower the first generation of college women and help them to support one another against the hostility they experienced on male dominated campuses. In the CGE, I found a place that recognized my anger at the gender inequity that still exists on campus and in Greek life and challenged me to do something about it. I found a space where I could think not only of myself and my chapter, but of all women. When I started working towards empowerment and reducing inequity in Greek life, I found that I was able to shift away from all of the worst parts of Greek life- like the inter sorority competition and emphasis on partying- and embrace the best parts- like mutual empowerment and friendship. I became more aware of Panhellenic and campus climate issues, and became more passionate about fixing them. Even more than that- through the CGE and my role in Alpha Phi, I was given the opportunity to be a part of that change. With the help of CGE staff and other Greek leaders, I hope that Lehigh can continue to make changes that can benefit everyone and create a more equal and inclusive campus for future generations of Lehigh students.

Feature Friday: Cristiana Villani, Gamma Phi Beta

 

Puzzle me this: Accurately constructing someone’s identity without having all the pieces to who they are, where they are from, what they love, hate, speak etc.

At the Center for Gender Equity (CGE aka “ge-spot”) retreat, we designed puzzle piece paper cut-outs with descriptions of our inner most identities and had a colleague, who was practically a stranger, try to piece together and explain our lives back to the group. It was probably one of the most vulnerable, yet enlightening experiences for me at Lehigh. Regardless of how many theories I read or histories I sympathize with, this activity showed me how influential and frightening it is to be on the other side of the a socially-constructed perspective.

            

I now understand why Lehigh and the CGE ardently encourage students to practice bLUeprint foundations, like inclusive leadership, that culminate in better and deeper relationships. I strive to employ these guidelines in planning my events. My CGE project, Love Your Body day & campaign, aims to impact students and staff of all genders, races, ages, abilities, mindsets, organizations, etc, so that everyone’s intersectional identity is represented and celebrated. It also starts a conversation about ongoing campus sexism, racism, homophobia, ageism, and other beliefs destroying people’s self-image. The events planned have the potential to influence not just our school, but also society’s unwritten discriminatory and unfair procedures.

            

It is important that more voices be heard and dominant culture be awakened to communities they typically do not interact with, blatantly critique, or deliberately undermine. The tension on campus is at an all time high and through the CGE, I have learned how (and would suggest others) to get more involved, meet new people, create unexpected relationships with the faculty and staff, and get voices heard AND respected.

             

I think many Lehigh students get caught up in the mainstream college experience and forget about the dynamic communities outside Greek life. Fortunately, my Women’s, Gender, Sexuality Studies and Africana Studies double major offers me a kaleidoscope lens to look through, seeing beauty and opportunity in places others overlook. This is what led me to the Center for Gender Equity. I had often walked by (collecting many pro-woman pins), but never entered until this year. It is like walking into another universe, one that I had been searching for throughout my past two years here. The staff and interns are like me; we speak the same nerdy activist language. I feel truly confident to be un-apologetically me AND get school credits!

             

With a dynamic group, the “ge-spot” undeniably allows me and any person who walks in the opportunity to unforeseen connections with individuals across campus, connections that are absent in the Greek community. Thankfully, some of my CGE colleagues (shoutout to APhi’s Holly Gwydir) are trying to change that.

             

Projects and events I learn about whether it be CGE or Greek Allies-related, I share with my sorority and beyond. In GPhi, I became a self-appointed deputy house manager, decorating the bulletin boards around with upcoming events, body positivity posters, and other creative designs that relate to the CGE and other clubs. The change that is needed for progress to be transformational requires action from all parties.

 

Feature Friday: Tanairy Ortiz, Kappa Alpha Theta

What it is to be a Greek member and CGE Staff Member
-Tanairy Ortiz

It was during my first-year orientation that I was introduced to the then Women’s Center.

As part of our programming, we had to complete a list of places around the UC that we had to check off from our blue Draft Book—I happened to have chosen Track 4: Inclusive Leadership. And leadership I found, indeed.

I entered the Center and was told everything about what they did, their focus, and their goals for the Lehigh community. A week later I was on an interview with Dr. Rita Jones for a position as a graphic designer, and to be honest with you, I had no idea what I was doing. I did not know much about feminism and the importance of intersectionality. I was a recent high school graduate turned first-generation college student being thrown into a different world with a dissimilar vocabulary to learn and not much knowledge about college life. I managed my way through the interview and got the position right away.

It was at the Center that I learned about feminism, sexuality, privileges, and how every intersectionality, whether by race, color, religion, political or socioeconomic status, all ties back to being an intersectional feminist (or not being one). It was at the Center where I truly matured and learned beyond textbooks, where I met people with different backgrounds and experiences and where I’ve had the most productive and enriching conversations of my life. I was not confronted by a wall whenever I would speak to people like how I did back home; I could actually try to persuade others or have others persuade me to be more open-minded to different ideas.

It also became the place where I would interact with my now sisters, although at that time I had no idea. (It’s quite funny; one of my sisters who was also a staff member wanted to interview me about my thoughts on Greek Life for the Brown and White two semesters ago and I did. I ended up telling her that I never thought I would rush just because I had no interest in it, but here I am, writing a blog for all of you).

I tried rushing my first year to no avail; all plans fell through and no one could join that specific sorority for that semester. I decided that I was not going to rush anymore as I was devastated, but in the end, it was all for the better. I spent my first three semesters instead focusing on my studies and my work at the Women’s Center, trying my best to be as involved with the Center and everyone working/interning in it. I met visiting professors and was invited to numerous high-end events by Rita, and by the end of second semester I gave a speech for the Center’s 25th anniversary (plus creating the logo and flyers for the event). I also became the lead for our discussion series “Gender in a Global Context” where I speak about the intersectionality between globalization, feminism, politics, and everything in between.

After the much needed identity development, I decided to give rushing another try, and by the end of rush I was part of Kappa Alpha Theta. I was already close to some of them through our collaborative work at the Center, but it was in Theta where I got to immerse myself in a different setting with them, and have them lead by example as to what Theta stands for. I am glad I was able to have that familiarity with them because I was integrated to Greek Life much more smoothly than what I had expected. To this day, there are five Thetas working at the Center, with two more occasionally volunteering for scattered activities.

It makes me appreciate Greek Life more, knowing these leading women and seeing how involved they are. Some are involved with bringing Lehigh a discussion on the wage gap, some others are focusing on self-love and body image, and others are looking into the intersectionality between feminism and the LGBTQIA+ community. I have continued my work with “Gender in a Global Context” and graphic design, and I am always looking forward to helping them develop their personal projects.

Despite the many rumors and setbacks that often occurs within Greek Life, I want to remind everyone that there are many like us that are involved, that are growing, and that are developing their identities and leadership skills within and outside of Greek Life. We all are working in improving ourselves individually by getting involved with different offices, organizations, and philanthropies in hopes of changing the views of Greek Life for the better. Being both a Greek member and a staff member at the Center for Gender Equity (also known as the GE Spot, the spot where all the gender equity happens) has taught me much about how Lehigh is truly invested in their students and evolving them to be world leaders. What I learn from Theta I get to bring to the CGE and present discussions on gender and fraternities; what I learn from the CGE I get to bring to Theta and inform my sisters about new events or ideas to be discussed. It is a never-ending cycle of constant learning that I am extremely grateful to be part of.