IFC Statement Regarding Hard Alcohol

Dear Lehigh Greek Community,

The Lehigh University Interfraternity Council Executive Board has decided to place an indefinite ban on hard alcohol at any event sponsored by IFC fraternities. These include social events, recruitment events, and anything related to New Member Education. In light of the alarmingly high number of alcohol-related transports over the past semester and the numerous alcohol-related incidents at colleges and universities across the country, the IFC Executive Board feels that this ban is necessary in order to create a safer environment for its students.

Chapters who are found in violation of this ban will be subject to, at minimum, an indefinite suspension of all chapter activities as determined by the IFC Executive Board. Each violation will be evaluated on a case by case basis, and chapters may be subject to harsher sanctions including a suspension of recruitment or losing eligibility to take a new member class. The IFC is taking this very seriously and these sanctions will be strictly enforced.

We suggest that you have a serious discussion with your executive boards and risk management teams to re-evaluate the events that you may have planned for this semester. This self-imposed ban is an attempt to focus on the health and safety of our community members as well as regain the credibility we have lost in recent semesters. It's on us, as a community, to create a safe environment for students while holding all members accountable. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the members of the IFC Executive Board.

Sincerely,

The Interfraternity Council Executive Board

Parent & Family Webinar Series

Questions about fraternity and sorority recruitment?  Want to know more about the new member education process?  OFSA staff members host many webinars specifically for parents and families throughout the academic year. Please see below for dates and times.  You can join live or click on the link after the webinar to view a recording.

January 8th @ noon - Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment https://drive.google.com/file/d/18PxzyLGwoVSbIkw2iQ_Dgxf87LGCSuDB/view

January 15th @ noon - IFC Recruitment: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12RI2R_kcTLl11FMbsP_0H2pa5hx4Rlz0/view?usp=sharing 

January 22nd @ noon - New Member Education: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aXRaBSWHClE8GQxq0LGyKNCANw4pB2Rp/view

February 5th @ noon - Hazing Prevention: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kmxMJNNW1As9-zE5MrR-NvQJq6pQbGz1/view?usp=sharing

For further information, please visit the Parent & Family section of our website at https://studentaffairs.lehigh.edu/content/parent-and-family-information 

Hazing Prevention Awareness Message from Vice Provost

Please see below for an email from Vice Provost Dr. Ric Hall that was shared with all students on January 12th.

Dear Students,

This email is long but important.  I strongly encourage you to read it in its entirety.

First, and foremost, I hope you are enjoying a restful winter break following an academically successful fall semester.

Below is a message from the Lehigh Hazing Prevention Coalition.  It was written in 2015 and remains timely and relevant in 2018.  Rather than revise or rewrite the document, I want to re-share it with those of you who are now juniors and seniors, and present this important information to the freshmen and sophomores who were not yet  Lehigh students in October 2015.

As I have shared with many Lehigh audiences, groups, and individuals, I am clear and unwavering in my support of Greek Life.  Our university's history is in many ways (positively) tied to the history of several of our fraternity and sorority chapters.  I am also mindful that the majority of our undergraduate student population (60-65%) chooses not to join or affiliate with Greek organizations. However, with such a large percentage of student members, it is undeniable that Greek life in some way touches the lives of the entire community.

While remaining optimistic that the future of Lehigh's Fraternity & Sorority Life community is bright, I am also a realist.  Lehigh is not immune to the individual and organizational behaviors that have been recently demonstrated on campuses around the country. Alcohol abuse, sexual assault, hazing-related injuries and fatalities - all in no way related to the ideals of Greek letter organizations but a sad, dangerous, and ongoing reality - are recurring themes in news articles, court cases, and campus & online discussions.

For Greek life to not just survive, but thrive, at Lehigh, all such behavior cannot, and will not, be an acceptable or otherwise "ok" component of our students' Greek experience. Period.

Many who are reading this message will soon be involved in Spring 2018 IFC and Panhellenic Recruitment, either as current or prospective members.  The Division of Student Affairs, Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, and
dedicated advisers, chapter officers, and members have a shared commitment to ensure an optimal and safe experience for all students.  Again, I implore you to read the message below, which includes Lehigh's Hazing
Prevention website (https://studentaffairs.lehigh.edu/hazing-prevention) and our anonymous hazing reporting form.

And while this message is intentionally sent prior to the spring fraternity and sorority recruitment period, hazing is not confined to Greek organizations. We've all seen/read of hazing acts committed by athletic teams, marching bands, and other clubs and organizations.  I encourage you to participate in Lehigh's annual Hazing Prevention Week, which will take place February 5th-9th.  During this week, efforts that students, faculty and staff have put in place to prevent hazing on our campus will be highlighted. Please feel free to check out the "Lehigh Greeks" page on Facebook for more details.

Lastly, expect to see me and other Lehigh leaders throughout Spring Recruitment.  Social functions, service events, information sessions etc. that are presented to prospective members and are non-esoteric/non-ritual occasions, are all of interest as I continue to learn and experience Lehigh's culture.  While there will certainly be parties and social
functions, I look forward to prospective members learning of programs that more closely align with the ideals of our campus chapters, like Pi Beta Phi's Read>Lead>Achieve initiative, or Sigma Phi Epsion's Balanced Man Program, or even Theta Chi's position on Human Dignity and proud sponsorship of HazingPrevention.org.  And as a fraternity member who remains active with my local alumni chapter, I know that fun and socializing are important and inherent to the Greek experience.  I simply encourage all involved to avoid behaviors that you would not want your parents, or senior university leadership, to see or hear associated with you and/or your chapter.

As always, I'm happy to discuss or clarify this or any other student-related topic.  In the meantime, I wish you all safe travels back to Bethlehem and a successful spring semester.

Sincerely,

Ric Hall

Click here to view President Simon's 2015 statement

Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity Moves In Fall 2018

Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity will be assigned housing to Building 102 (formerly Sigma Chi Fraternity) beginning in Fall 2018.  The fraternity currently operates as a non-residential chapter, and this will be the group’s first opportunity to occupy a University-owned residence on the Hill.  

The chapter was welcomed into the fraternity and sorority community in 2015, and has experienced unprecedented growth in educational leadership and Jewish programming, brotherhood bonds, alumni engagement, and interest in the fraternity in recent years. The fraternity believes that the next step to furthering its fraternal mission--growing as a values-based organization, advancing Jewish student life initiatives, and integrating with the community--is to transition into a residential fraternity. 

We're thrilled that the chapter now has this opportunity, and look forward to the fraternity's continued successes at Lehigh and within the local community.

Opportunity to Attend National Fraternal Leadership Conference

 

OFSA is eager to announce an opportunity for fraternity/sorority current or up-and-coming leaders to attend a national leadership conference this February in Indianapolis, IN!

What is it? The AFLV-Central conference takes place every year in the spring, bringing together nearly 3,000 participants to engage in learning and skill development related to fraternal leadership. This year Lehigh is excited to be joining that national group and will be taking a small delegation to attend the conference from February 8-11, 2018.

Who should attend? Current sophomores or juniors (or non-graduating seniors) who are seeking to enhance their leadership knowledge and skills, to become more effective leaders for the fraternity/sorority and campus community. Particular consideration will be given to those with intentions to serve the fraternity/sorority community from a community leadership role (governing councils, GEM, etc.).

 
How is it funded? Though this opportunity costs roughly $900 per person, most costs are generously covered by the governing councils and DOS offices. Because of the significant financial investment, we are asking each student to submit a $100 deposit* to confirm their spot, which will be refunded at the end of the trip.

*Cost should not deter interested folks - if you have concern about affording the deposit, please reach out and we can discuss alternative arrangements and sponsorship opportunities.
What should I do now? Email jcg216@lehigh.edu! Or spread the word by sharing this post - remember that it's especially impactful when you share with a peer that you think they are a great leader and would enjoy/benefit from this experience. Please email your interest as soon as possible; by 1/10 at the latest!

More information about the conference: AFLV Website

Questions? Contact Corey Gant, Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, jcg216@lehigh.edu

Farewell Malcolm McDaniel

We knew this day would come, but hoped it wouldn’t be so soon.  Malcolm McDaniel will be leaving us in the next month for an incredible opportunity as the Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life with Stevens Institute of Technology’s Office of Student Life.  In this new position, Malcolm will support Stevens’ 18-chapter fraternity and sorority community alongside its four governing councils.  He will provide guidance and oversight to the fraternity community in key areas, and this includes leadership development, new member education, risk management, and accreditation.  Malcolm will also work in partnership with the Office of Residence Life to assist with the management of off-campus residential facilities.   

During Malcolm’s tenure at Lehigh, he has served as the advisor to the Cultural Greek Council alongside 10 fraternities and sororities.  Under his guidance, the Cultural Greek Council has grown to welcome and strengthen new organizations alongside new members (double digits!), and the Council has now moved beyond traditional programming to address injustice while advocating for inclusion, equity, and access.  He’s also built strong and trusting relationships with a number of students, and has challenged others to deliver on their commitment as fraternity men and sorority women while asking for “receipts.”  Malcolm’s involvement also extends far beyond the fraternity and sorority community, as he’s worked closely with others across campus via the Community Service Office and Lehigh After Dark among others.     

We don’t know what we’ll miss most about Malcolm.  Perhaps his infamous guest performances at yard shows, better yet the killer impromptu lip sync of Beyoncé’s “Formation” at Base Camp? Perhaps his uncanny ability to communicate via gif that so perfectly captures a situation less words? Perhaps his love for any microphone and an audience?  In short, we’re incredibly grateful to have called Malcolm a colleague and friend.  

Please join us in congratulating Malcolm on this well-deserved opportunity.  We’ll share more details soon regarding a farewell gathering in Malcolm’s honor on his last day, but for now save the date: January 22, 2018.    ​

Best,

Team OFSA

Alpha Epsilon Pi hosts Lehigh After Dark event

Alpha Epsilon Pi recently held a Lehigh After Dark event and offered to guest author the latest blog post. Check out the chapter's reflections below!!




Last Saturday night, Alpha Epsilon Pi co-sponsored a Lehigh After Dark Event where
people from all backgrounds and graduating classes came together to have fun in a relaxed
environment. This type of event has been becoming increasingly more popular for Greek
organizations to be a part of, and after participating in one myself, I definitely want to make an
effort to continue them into the future. We decided to do our event at Skyzone and it was a
tremendous success. We had over 30 students attend, stretching from First years to Seniors
with members of many Greek organizations in attendance as well. The Skyzone staff was
extremely grateful that we brought so many people and the event allowed Lehigh students to
connect with people they normally wouldn’t have the chance to interact with.

With the rise of student hospitalizations at Lehigh and the dangers of alcohol abuse
becoming more present, events like this serve as a good outlet for students to have fun in an
alcohol free environment, and also get a solid hour of exercise in. While it is not a goal of most
people to stop students from partying all together, taking one night a week off from partying
and focusing on an event like this where you meet new people and do something that
promotes health, while also having fun, could potentially result in a much safer and healthier
student environment. I would highly recommend other chapters to take initiative and co-
sponsor a Lehigh After Dark event; it is extremely easy to apply, organize, and fund. The staff
makes running these events incredibly easy and minimizes the heavy majority of the cost to
host. We need to repair the Greek image on campus and this could be a big step in the right
direction.