Fraternity Recruitment officially kicks off this week with Open Houses. All unaffiliated Lehigh men are invited to attend all Open Houses to meet the brothers and learn more about the fraternities.
IFC executive board members will be driving Lehigh mini-vans between all chapters and the TRACS stops near the residence halls.
Open House Schedule:
Tuesday, January 19th - 5-8pm
Chi Psi
Delta Chi (hosted in UC 308)
Delta Tau Delta
Delta Upsilon
Kappa Alpha
Psi Upsilon
Wednesday, January 20th - 5-8pm
Kappa Sigma
Lambda Chi Alpha
Phi Kappa Theta
Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE) (hosted in Rauch 085)
Sigma Phi Epsilon
Theta Chi
Theta Xi
Thursday, January 21st - 5-8pm
Alpha Tau Omega
Chi Phi
Delta Phi (**please note the date change**)
Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI)
Phi Sigma Kappa
Sigma Chi
A reminder that you must have a least a 2.25 cumulative GPA (some chapters require a higher GPA) and 12 earned credits to join a fraternity.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Sorority Formal Recruitment
Panhellenic sorority recruitment kicks off tonight with potential new member orientation!
The Panhellenic Council executive board and Rho Gammas are hard at work ensuring that this will be a successful and enjoyable week for all the women interested in joining a sorority at Lehigh.
Current sorority members moved back in to their houses yesterday and are busy preparing last minute details and getting ready to welcome 300 women into their houses this week.
Recruitment schedule:
Monday, 1/11: Orientation
Tuesday, 1/12: Round 1
Wednesday, 1/13: Round 1
Thursday, 1/14: Philanthropy Party
Friday, 1/15: Skit Party
Saturday, 1/16: Preference Party
Sunday, 1/17: Bid Day!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Lehigh Recognized
This past December, five staff members from the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs attended the 2009 Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors Annual Meeting in Jacksonville, FL. With over 1,000 colleagues from across the field of fraternity/sorority advising in attendance, Tim, Veronica, Michelle, Christa, & Danny had the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational sessions, listen to keynote speakers, and connect with staff members from the inter/national organizations represented at Lehigh.
Exciting highlights from the AFA Annual Meeting are included below:
- Veronica Hunter, Greek Life Coordinator, received the 2009 Gayle Webb New Professional Award. This award is given annually to a new professional who, in their first three years, shows commitment to their campus, AFA, and the greater fraternal community. Congratulations Veronica!
- The Greek EMerging Leaders program (GEM) was the recipient of the Excellence in Educational Programming Award. This award goes an innovative and learning-focused campus program. Congratulations to Jess Diehl, Greek Life Leadership Coordinator!
- An article that Michelle Rebholz, Greek Life Coordinator, co-authored, entitled "Spirituality: The Forgotten Precept", was nominated by the Perspectives Editorial Board for the Perspectives award.
- Christa Wessels, Greek Life Coordinator, co-presented an educational session on the successes of the Greek Allies Program (GAP), entitled "Inclusive Communities: Strategies for Creating a Fraternity/Sorority Ally Group".
Additionally, Lehigh University was selected by HazingPrevention.org to host the 2011 Novak Institute on Hazing Prevention. This four day institute brings together professionals from all aspects of higher education to build campus coalitions in order to eradicate hazing. It will be held in early June 2011.
Congratulations to all!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Greek Heritage Project
Earlier this year, the Lehigh University Alumni Association, in cooperation with the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs, Greek Alumni Council, and Interfraternity, Panhellenic, and Multicultural Greek Councils, launched a Greek Hertiage website at http://alumni.lehigh.edu/greekheritage.The interactive "Wiki" website highlights the tradition and history of Lehigh's Greek community. Each chapter, both recognized and formerly recognized, has a dedicated area of the site, where any alumnus or current member can add information, stories, and photos.
This is a great way to represent your organization to alumni and friends, so make sure you take the time to update your page! Some groups have already done a great job of updating the site to showcase their organization.
To login, just use your Lehigh login and password, and follow the instructions on the site. If you have any questions, please contact the Alumni Help Desk, 866-758-ALUM, or email askluaa@lehigh.edu.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Sexual Violence Prevention: Join our team
Two Greek students reflect on their experiences throughout the past semester in the course WS291: Sexual Violence, taught by Assistant Director of the Women's Center, Michelle Issadore.
By Steve Bialick, '10, Theta Chi Fraternity
Although it has been merely one semester in my first course ever to fall under the heading of "Women's Studies", my brain has already begun to rewire its innate neural workings in order to perceive human behavior in a new light. Prior to registering for a course entitled "Sexual Violence", I was always given the impression that humans are a special species - more complex, more intelligent, and more diverse than any particular animal on the never-ending list of Earth's plethora of species. This theory, I am quickly learning, is a mirage. The illusion that humans are unique is simply that - an illusion. Humans, particularly males, are in fact frighteningly similar to, say, birds. Forget flying, chirping, nest building, and grass nibbling; rather focus on a seemingly distinctive quality of the Egyptian Nightjar, for example. This dessert bird is a fairly rare breed, but it shares a characteristic that runs rampant in the human male community: the ability to utilize the method of camouflage. Albeit unfortunate, it is true that blending in and changing who you are promotes survival through social, cultural, and evolutionary changes. Most people would never realize, myself included, but through readings, discussions, and other activism projects, I have opened my eyes to the fact that human males are puppets whose strings are pulled by societal norms. Some think that an individual responsibility is to change society; yet, it is beginning to become clear how society changes an individual. Whether portrayed by the media, teachers, family, or friends, the male attitude is defined by society, and we are obliged to guise in camouflage.
Maybe this theory about male masculinity is a fallacy, I thought; perhaps it is a trick by sexual violence advocates to grab the attention of the male community. I toyed with this idea for a moment, until I realized that my masculinity mask is a part of my everyday wardrobe; I wear the imaginary camouflage on a daily basis. When I first decided to register for a course offered by the Women's Studies department, for example, I kept it secret from my family and friends. Yet, I suddenly realized how my behavior paralleled that of most self-conscious men, and instantly gave up on hiding the fact that I am enrolled in a "Sexual Violence" class. The problem, though, was that while I thought I had completely removed this guise, this projection, it turned out that the camouflage runs layers thick. On one hand, I was enthusiastic about informing my parents and peers about the course I plan to take; on the other hand, I was still putting on a front depending on my audience. When I explained the course choice to my mother, sister, and female friends, I put a lot of stress on the fact that this class offers the opportunity to discuss controversial, yet important issues, in a small group setting - one that will teach me to help others and support the common goal that each student in the room shares. These are my true reasons for stepping inside the "Sexual Violence" classroom. Nevertheless, when I explained the choice to my father, fraternity brothers, uncles, and grandfathers, I put a heavy stress on the fact that this class fulfills my "writing intensive" requirement - one necessary to receive my college diploma - and that this reason is the basis behind my decision making. Why, I ask, do I alter my stance on the course based on who is listening? Why, I ask, do I challenge my true beliefs when in the company of other men? Sadly, the correct response is: society.
A neuroscientist at heart, I used to question the biology behind why humans act the way they do, why men behave the way they do, and why women are the way they are. Evidence shows that 85% of murderers are men, men perform 90% of physical assaults, 95% of date rapes are committed by men, and 95% of domestic violence is committed by men. Thus, it is apparent that rather than classifying violence against women as a "women's issue", we should be calling the attention of men. Perhaps the true question, instead of "why we are who we are", is how to make the human population aware of its flaws so a change in behavior results sooner than later.
This opportunity arose at Lehigh University with the help of Michelle Issadore and the entire Women's Center on campus. WS291: Sexual Violence, a seminar course offered in the Women's Studies department this semester has enabled facilitated discussions regarding the global issue of sexual violence that directly impacts us, even within our tiny Lehigh bubble. Appropriate readings were assigned - some written by advocates, others written by survivors, but all of them written by supporters strongly dedicated in the fight to end violence everywhere. Movie clips, research papers, and activism projects enhanced the dialect of the discourse fostered in the classroom, but the underlying message of the course leaves a lasting impression for all enrolled to share with the outside world in the future. Kudos to the Women's Center for conjuring up the curriculum for such an impactful course, but I give most props to the students who read this blog and join our team by demonstrating interest in our cause.
By Kristen Mason, '10, Pi Beta Phi Sorority
Upon first registering for the Women's Studies course entitled Sexual Violence, I truly had no idea what to expect. As a Greek student here at Lehigh, I wondered whether or not the issues we would discuss would have any relevance to my daily life. As a Behavioral Neuroscience major, I rarely find myself taking courses aside from major science classes and I knew that this course would be different than any other course I have taken at Lehigh. Although I knew this course would be different, I did not expect my mind and outlook on so many situations and issues to be so significantly impacted. I can honestly say that I will forever be changed by what I have learned in the past fourteen weeks of this semester.
Prior to my participation in this course, my knowledge of most sexual violence issues was certainly lacking. Although I was aware that sexual violence is absolutely a worldwide epidemic, I was unaware of the extent of the horrific crimes committed against so many individuals and I did not realize how pertinent many of these issues are to my daily life. Although I take pride in being a member of Greek life because I do believe we have wonderful Greek organizations on campus, it is impossible to deny that instances of sexual violence occur within Greek life.
I think that many people lack knowledge of sexual violence issues either because it is not readily available or they do not wish to pursue further knowledge. As we have learned in class, many college students admit that they have performed actions that legally meet the definition of rape or sexual assault, however they explicitly state that they have never committed this crime. Victims too often lack knowledge and admit to certain violations that meet the legal definitions of rape without explicitly defining these actions as rape.
I think that it is imperative that action be taken to increase awareness on issues of sexual violence. In the course, one of our most fun and effective means of promoting awareness on campus was our Flash Mob project. In this project, we recruited approximately sixty students, the majority of which were actually involved in Greek life, and performed our flash mob where all of us laid on the ground of Linderman Library for ninety seconds wearing t-shirts that were made during the Clothesline Project. Every ninety seconds, a women in the United States is raped, and that was the significance of our chosen time period. After the ninety seconds, we handed out a list of facts and statistics pertaining to sexual violence. It was amazing that we were able to recruit so many individuals who only knew that they would be involved in an activism project concerning sexual violence and not what the project exactly entailed.
As a member of Greek life, I think that it is important that people become aware of these issues of sexual violence in order to stop them. These crimes are occurring on campus; there is no way to deny that. In order to minimize and hopefully one day eliminate these crimes, students need to be aware that what they are doing is not only morally wrong but also illegal. It is often said that knowledge is power. By increasing the knowledge of sexual violence on campus, we will have the power to stop it.
For more information on the Sexual Violence course and other prevention and education initiatives, please visit the Women's Center website at http://www.lehigh.edu/~inwnc/
By Steve Bialick, '10, Theta Chi Fraternity
Although it has been merely one semester in my first course ever to fall under the heading of "Women's Studies", my brain has already begun to rewire its innate neural workings in order to perceive human behavior in a new light. Prior to registering for a course entitled "Sexual Violence", I was always given the impression that humans are a special species - more complex, more intelligent, and more diverse than any particular animal on the never-ending list of Earth's plethora of species. This theory, I am quickly learning, is a mirage. The illusion that humans are unique is simply that - an illusion. Humans, particularly males, are in fact frighteningly similar to, say, birds. Forget flying, chirping, nest building, and grass nibbling; rather focus on a seemingly distinctive quality of the Egyptian Nightjar, for example. This dessert bird is a fairly rare breed, but it shares a characteristic that runs rampant in the human male community: the ability to utilize the method of camouflage. Albeit unfortunate, it is true that blending in and changing who you are promotes survival through social, cultural, and evolutionary changes. Most people would never realize, myself included, but through readings, discussions, and other activism projects, I have opened my eyes to the fact that human males are puppets whose strings are pulled by societal norms. Some think that an individual responsibility is to change society; yet, it is beginning to become clear how society changes an individual. Whether portrayed by the media, teachers, family, or friends, the male attitude is defined by society, and we are obliged to guise in camouflage.
Maybe this theory about male masculinity is a fallacy, I thought; perhaps it is a trick by sexual violence advocates to grab the attention of the male community. I toyed with this idea for a moment, until I realized that my masculinity mask is a part of my everyday wardrobe; I wear the imaginary camouflage on a daily basis. When I first decided to register for a course offered by the Women's Studies department, for example, I kept it secret from my family and friends. Yet, I suddenly realized how my behavior paralleled that of most self-conscious men, and instantly gave up on hiding the fact that I am enrolled in a "Sexual Violence" class. The problem, though, was that while I thought I had completely removed this guise, this projection, it turned out that the camouflage runs layers thick. On one hand, I was enthusiastic about informing my parents and peers about the course I plan to take; on the other hand, I was still putting on a front depending on my audience. When I explained the course choice to my mother, sister, and female friends, I put a lot of stress on the fact that this class offers the opportunity to discuss controversial, yet important issues, in a small group setting - one that will teach me to help others and support the common goal that each student in the room shares. These are my true reasons for stepping inside the "Sexual Violence" classroom. Nevertheless, when I explained the choice to my father, fraternity brothers, uncles, and grandfathers, I put a heavy stress on the fact that this class fulfills my "writing intensive" requirement - one necessary to receive my college diploma - and that this reason is the basis behind my decision making. Why, I ask, do I alter my stance on the course based on who is listening? Why, I ask, do I challenge my true beliefs when in the company of other men? Sadly, the correct response is: society.
A neuroscientist at heart, I used to question the biology behind why humans act the way they do, why men behave the way they do, and why women are the way they are. Evidence shows that 85% of murderers are men, men perform 90% of physical assaults, 95% of date rapes are committed by men, and 95% of domestic violence is committed by men. Thus, it is apparent that rather than classifying violence against women as a "women's issue", we should be calling the attention of men. Perhaps the true question, instead of "why we are who we are", is how to make the human population aware of its flaws so a change in behavior results sooner than later.
This opportunity arose at Lehigh University with the help of Michelle Issadore and the entire Women's Center on campus. WS291: Sexual Violence, a seminar course offered in the Women's Studies department this semester has enabled facilitated discussions regarding the global issue of sexual violence that directly impacts us, even within our tiny Lehigh bubble. Appropriate readings were assigned - some written by advocates, others written by survivors, but all of them written by supporters strongly dedicated in the fight to end violence everywhere. Movie clips, research papers, and activism projects enhanced the dialect of the discourse fostered in the classroom, but the underlying message of the course leaves a lasting impression for all enrolled to share with the outside world in the future. Kudos to the Women's Center for conjuring up the curriculum for such an impactful course, but I give most props to the students who read this blog and join our team by demonstrating interest in our cause.
By Kristen Mason, '10, Pi Beta Phi Sorority
Upon first registering for the Women's Studies course entitled Sexual Violence, I truly had no idea what to expect. As a Greek student here at Lehigh, I wondered whether or not the issues we would discuss would have any relevance to my daily life. As a Behavioral Neuroscience major, I rarely find myself taking courses aside from major science classes and I knew that this course would be different than any other course I have taken at Lehigh. Although I knew this course would be different, I did not expect my mind and outlook on so many situations and issues to be so significantly impacted. I can honestly say that I will forever be changed by what I have learned in the past fourteen weeks of this semester.
Prior to my participation in this course, my knowledge of most sexual violence issues was certainly lacking. Although I was aware that sexual violence is absolutely a worldwide epidemic, I was unaware of the extent of the horrific crimes committed against so many individuals and I did not realize how pertinent many of these issues are to my daily life. Although I take pride in being a member of Greek life because I do believe we have wonderful Greek organizations on campus, it is impossible to deny that instances of sexual violence occur within Greek life.
I think that many people lack knowledge of sexual violence issues either because it is not readily available or they do not wish to pursue further knowledge. As we have learned in class, many college students admit that they have performed actions that legally meet the definition of rape or sexual assault, however they explicitly state that they have never committed this crime. Victims too often lack knowledge and admit to certain violations that meet the legal definitions of rape without explicitly defining these actions as rape.
I think that it is imperative that action be taken to increase awareness on issues of sexual violence. In the course, one of our most fun and effective means of promoting awareness on campus was our Flash Mob project. In this project, we recruited approximately sixty students, the majority of which were actually involved in Greek life, and performed our flash mob where all of us laid on the ground of Linderman Library for ninety seconds wearing t-shirts that were made during the Clothesline Project. Every ninety seconds, a women in the United States is raped, and that was the significance of our chosen time period. After the ninety seconds, we handed out a list of facts and statistics pertaining to sexual violence. It was amazing that we were able to recruit so many individuals who only knew that they would be involved in an activism project concerning sexual violence and not what the project exactly entailed.
As a member of Greek life, I think that it is important that people become aware of these issues of sexual violence in order to stop them. These crimes are occurring on campus; there is no way to deny that. In order to minimize and hopefully one day eliminate these crimes, students need to be aware that what they are doing is not only morally wrong but also illegal. It is often said that knowledge is power. By increasing the knowledge of sexual violence on campus, we will have the power to stop it.
For more information on the Sexual Violence course and other prevention and education initiatives, please visit the Women's Center website at http://www.lehigh.edu/~inwnc/
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Get to Know...
Rosa Guzman
Administrative Coordinator, Office of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs
Administrative Coordinator, Office of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Length of time at Lehigh: 1 year, 3 months
What do you enjoy most about working in the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs?
I enjoy my interaction with the students and meeting new people.
What has been the most interesting thing you've learning about Lehigh's fraternities & sororities so far?
It's been interesting to see the compassion the students have for those in need and the hard work they put into raising money for different charities/organizations.
What has been your most memorable moment at Lehigh so far?
My most memorable moment here at Lehigh so far was when I first started here and how welcomed the staff made me feel. I felt like part of the DOS staff instantly.
Rosa is helpful voice on the other end of the phone and the smiling face you see when you first walk into the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs. Make sure to stop in & say hi!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Fraternity Convocation
Meet Lehigh's Fraternities this Tuesday, 11/10 from 7:30 - 9:00 PM in UC 303.
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