Greek House Lease Update

This morning, the update below was sent on behalf of Housing Services and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs to Fraternity and Sorority Chapter Presidents and Alumni Corporation Leaders informing them that the lease agreement between the University and the University-owned chapter houses would not be automatically renewed for a one-year term.

The short FAQ below addresses some of the questions we’ve received. As the University continues to plan for the fall, OFSA and Housing Services are working together to prepare to support the chapters and residents who will reside in chapter facilities.

1. Why did Lehigh send this message today without knowing what the plans for Fall 2020 would be?
• The current Lease Agreement between the University and each fraternity or sorority chapter occupying a University-owned chapter house provides for a one-year term. Previously, the Lease Agreement automatically renewed from year to year on the same terms and conditions, unless it is terminated by sixty (60) days written notice prior to the end of the current one-year term. As planning for the fall is still in progress, it was necessary to notify the chapters prior to June 1, 2020, to meet this condition. 
2. Does Lehigh anticipate offering fraternity and sorority housing in the fall? 
• Yes. Lehigh expects that fraternity and sorority members will continue to be on the hill. Chapters and residents should expect changes based on CDC guidelines and federal, state and local health and safety requirements in response to the pandemic. We have asked for support from all fraternity and sorority chapters to assess, both immediately and on a continuing basis, their response to the COVID-19 pandemic and plans for the future. At the University-level, we are establishing protocols that incorporate appropriate social distancing and health guidelines for all on-campus housing and will keep the campus community informed of our plans for the fall.
3. Due to the chapter facility lease not automatically renewing at this time, does this mean residents need to find alternate housing?
• No. Chapter members will not need to identify alternate housing. 
4. Is fraternity and sorority housing going to be the same as it has always been? 
• The University is still determining the number of occupants that can be in each Greek house and in the other residential houses.More information will be made available through the summer as planning progresses.

TO: Fraternity and Sorority Chapter Presidents and Alumni Corporation Leaders

FROM: Ozzie Breiner, Director of Housing Services, Chloe Abshire, Assistant Dean and Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs

DATE: May 29, 2020

RE: Greek Leases

Dear Fraternity and Sorority Chapter Presidents and Alumni Corporation Leaders,

We are writing to you as the undergraduate and alumni leadership of fraternities and sororities that occupy University-owned chapter houses on Lehigh’s campus.  We need to bring to your attention important information about the University’s planning for the fall semester in view of possible scenarios as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.    

While the University remains in an assessment and planning phase with respect to the fall semester, two decisions have been made that impact University-owned Greek chapter houses on campus. 

First, Fall 2020 was planned for the implementation of an important element of the 10-Point Plan for Greek Life Excellence: the requirement that live-in Graduate Assistants reside in each chapter house. As communicated in the original announcement, a decision has been made to delay implementation of this requirement, so it will not go into effect for the 2020-21 academic year. The primary reason for the delay was the inability to construct GA suites during the COVID-19 construction stoppage. 

Second, due to the current uncertainties concerning COVID-19 and the University’s plans for the fall semester, it is unknown at this time whether or to what extent on-campus and University-owned housing, including fraternity and sorority chapter houses, will be occupied this fall and, if so, how many students will be able to reside in chapter houses with respect to health and safety requirements.  

As you know, the current Lease Agreement between the University and your chapter for your University-owned chapter house provides for a one-year term and the Lease automatically renews from year to year on the same terms and conditions unless it is terminated by sixty (60) days written notice prior to the end of the current one-year term. 

In consultation with the Office of General Counsel, it has been deemed necessary to give each chapter notice now that the current Lease Agreement between the University and your chapter will not be automatically renewed for the 2020-21 academic year.  

If conditions permit and the Lease Agreement can be renewed, it will not be on the same terms and conditions as the 2019-2020 Lease Agreement due to changes that may be necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, social distancing requirements that may preclude full occupancy or alter regular configurations of chapter houses. 

While we do not yet know what the fall semester will look like, it is necessary to plan for every possibility. It should be noted that currently our second-year housing process for all students has also been temporarily suspended for these planning purposes. We will continue to keep the campus community informed of how our housing processes are impacted.

For the reasons provided, this constitutes notice to your chapter that your current chapter house Lease Agreement shall terminate at the end of the current one-year term and will NOT automatically renew.  The University will be determining in the near future whether a revised Lease Agreement will be issued to your chapter for fall 2020 and, if so, what the terms of the Lease Agreement will be in view of the challenges of providing safe student housing under the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In closing, we would like to emphasize that the health and safety of all Lehigh students is paramount.  The University urges all fraternity and sorority chapters to assess, both immediately and on a continuing basis, their response to the COVID-19 pandemic and plans for the future. Thank you for your support. 

Sincerely,

Ozzie Breiner

Director

Housing Services

Chloe Abshire

Assistant Dean and Director

Fraternity and Sorority Affairs

Congratulations to the 2019-2020 Fraternity & Sorority Leadership Award Recipients!

The Office of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs is proud to recognize individuals and organizations on their outstanding accomplishments during the 2019-2020 academic year. Though the past year has certainly posed unexpected obstacles and challenges, our community has shown true leadership and demonstrated what it means to be members of Greek letter organizations.

Though we could not celebrate in person, OFSA moved forward with Fraternity & Sorority Leadership Awards in our first ever virtual celebration! We are proud to recognize the following individual and organizational award recipients.

Individual Awards

Greek Leader of the Year

This award recognizes individuals for their achievements and contributions to the fraternity and sorority community and larger campus community. Leadership is not limited to those holding positions, therefore consideration will be given to individuals who exemplify many, if not all, of the values of brotherhood or sisterhood, strong character, leadership, scholarship, and service in their daily lives.

Aisha Abdulkarimu, Mu Sigma Upsilon

Julius Wibisono, Kappa Alpha Psi

Outstanding IFC/Panhellenic/CGC President of the Year

Awarded to the chapter president who has demonstrated superior leadership and service to his/her chapter, as well as to the fraternity and sorority community. This leader is one who consistently represents their organizational values, communicates a clear vision for success, and leaves their organization in a better place than when they took office.

CGC - Gabriela Montes, Lambda Theta Alpha

Panhellenic - Carolyn Simmet, Kappa Delta

IFC - Kenny Warman, Delta Upsilon

Emerging Leader of the Year

Awarded to a newer member of the fraternity and sorority community who has shown leadership characteristics within their peer group, fraternity and sorority community, and greater Lehigh community. These members are enthusiastic about their experience as new members and are eager to pursue leadership opportunities and bring about positive change to the fraternity and sorority community.

Jenna Perricelli, Kappa Alpha Theta

Advisor of the Year

This award recognizes the extraordinary efforts of an advisor who has helped to positively shape the experiences of fraternity/sorority members. Advisors willingly, often without receiving anything in return, give of themselves to contribute to overall chapter experience, daily operations, university and headquarters relations, and role modeling through leadership, and thus we encourage nominations for any advisor whom you feel is worthy of this distinction. Nominators should indicate whether the nominee advisor is an alumni or faculty/staff advisor, so we can recognize and thank the advisors for their contributions from these distinct roles.

Ashley Sciora, Kappa Alpha Theta

Tradition of Excellence

This award is presented to one or more individuals who consistently exceed expectations in one or more of the following focus areas for college students and active fraternity/sorority members. This award is intended to affirm the efforts an individual can make in one area that was deserving of significant focus, or in several areas that showcase their ability to impact a community in several ways. Nominators should identify the appropriate focus areas for which they believe the nominee should be recognized (listing is appropriate), and provide examples for each area of, to ensure recognition is given for all selected areas:

Living the Ritual; Inclusive Leadership; Empowering Others; Inspiring Change.

Aisha Abdulkarimu, Mu Sigma Upsilon - Inclusive Leadership

Gabriela Montes, Lambda Theta Alpha - Empowering Others

Kenny Warman, Delta Upsilon - Inspiring Change

Taylor Pistone, Alpha Gamma Delta - Inspiring Change

Lisa Sanquini, Kappa Delta - Living the Ritual

Organizational Awards

Fraternity/Sorority Chapter of the Year

This award is given to a chapter that excels in all of the following areas: Leadership and Member Development, Organizational Operations, Community Service and Engagement, and Academic and Intellectual Advancement. In addition, this chapter has positively contributed to both fraternity and sorority life as well as the Lehigh community. This chapter served as a role model for their fellow members and led by example.

Alpha Gamma Delta

Theta Chi

Outstanding Philanthropic Effort

This award is given to an organization that has gone above and beyond in supporting a cause, effort, or agency in a sustainable and meaningful way. This is typically represented by groups who recognize the nature of philanthropy as efforts to raise both awareness and support (e.g. financial, goods, time, and energy), while collaborating with others for a shared purpose. Efforts that are distinguished in this category can be either ongoing or one-time programs.

Zeta Tau Alpha

Commitment to Service

This award recognizes meaningful service efforts and action where participants gain exposure, develop an understanding, and respond to the needs of the community voice. This typically including building and developing positive relationships, developing active citizens, and incorporating reflection. These criteria, when established and achieved, are indicative of dedicated efforts to create and inspire sustainable change. Efforts that are distinguished in this category can either ongoing or one-time programs.

Alpha Epsilon Pi

Program of Distinction

This award is given to an organization that is proud of a particularly successful event, program, or effort they executed in the past academic year. Consideration will be given to those efforts that incorporated collaboration, innovation, and/or education components as well as addressed a program and/or met a need.

Being A Woman in a Male Dominated World - Lambda Theta Alpha

Most Improved

This award is given in recognition of the efforts an organization has taken to address a substantial challenge or issues they were/are facing. Change can be hard and waiting for the effects can feel slow, so this award was established with that in mind; this award is meant to affirm the actions an organization has taken and remind them that all the hard work is worth it. Nominations for this award should include identification of the particular need to be addressed, examples of action taken to create change, and reflection on the improvement that has been observed.

Delta Upsilon

Tradition of Excellence

This award is presented to an organization that excels in one or more of the foundation areas of success for fraternities and sororities. This award is intended to affirm the efforts an organization can make in one area that is deserving of significant focus, or in several areas that showcase their ability to multitask, delegate, and impact a community in a significant way. Nominators should identify the appropriate focus areas for which they believe the nominee organization(s) should be recognized (listing is appropriate), and provide examples for each area of, to ensure recognition is given for all selected areas:

Living the Ritual; Inclusive Leadership; Empowering Others; Inspiring Change.

Mu Sigma Upsilon - Inspiring Change

Lambda Theta Alpha - Inclusive Leadership

Kappa Alpha Theta - Empowering Others

Kappa Alpha Theta - Living the Ritual

We would also like to recognize and thank the numerous staff, alumni, and students that served on the Fraternity & Sorority Leadership Awards Selection Committee - this is possible because of you!