Chapter Advisor Monthly Winter 2012, Issue 1
Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life Update Winter quarter is always an exciting time for the fraternity and sorority community. IFC and Panhellenic held elections this fall and will be transitioning new officers into their leadership positions. Chapters are beginning to elect and install new leaders which provides chapters with an opportunity for reflection on the past year and goal setting for the year ahead. Many of our chapters recently finished a successful winter recruitment and others will participate in recruitment or intake in coming months; we are looking forward to welcoming new members into our community this quarter! In this issue: Intake Update Fall 2011 Academic Report IFC and Panhellenic Recruitment Alcohol and Other Drugs Hazing Mid-Year Advisor Check-Up Important Dates & Upcoming Events If you have suggestions for future articles or topics, please contact Maggie Heffernan at margaretheffernan@northwestern.edu.
Upcoming Officer Installation and Elections The newly elected IFC, Panhellenic, Gamma Sigma Alpha and Order of Omega officers will be installed on Tuesday, th January 24 at 5:00 pm. The installation ceremony will be held at Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s Levere Memorial Temple at 1856 Sheridan Road in Evanston. Chapter Advisors are welcome to attend the installation ceremony to show support for the men or women in their chapter being installed into their new offices. Elections for the new NPHC and MGC executive boards are fast approaching. MGC elections will be held on Monday, February 13th, with applications due on Monday, February 6th. NPHC elections will be held on Monday, February 20th, with applications due on Monday, February 13th. The new executive boards for both MGC and NPHC along with the new Rho Lambda executive board will be installed into their th positions on Tuesday, February 28 at 5:00 pm in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Levere Memorial Temple. All are welcome to attend and show support for our incoming officers and future community leaders!
Congratulations to the 2011 Panhellenic Executive Board on a successful formal recruitment. The eight board members have been disaffiliated from their organizations since Wildcat Welcome Week in September. They were able to re-affiliate on Bid Night.
Fall 2011 Academic Report The fall 2011 grade report is available online at www.northwestern.edu/gogreek/resources/gradereports.htmll. The all-Greek average was a 3.43, above the 3.42 all- student average. Individual chapter reports are available in the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life for the chapter presidents to pick up. We would like to congratulate the Northwestern fraternity and sorority community on another successful quarter and recognize those chapters that achieved the highest averages in their respective council: IFC- Alpha Epsilon Pi (3.56) MGC- Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. (3.63) NPHC- Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (3.33) PHA- Kappa Kappa Gamma (3.61)
Intake Update Congratulations to Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. for their successful fall quarter intakes. Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority, Inc. welcomed two women into their chapter and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. welcomed four women!
IFC and Panhellenic Recruitment Update This winter the Interfraternity Council had its most successful formal recruitment week on record. The men of IFC welcomed 379 new members into their community thus far, and increased participation in recruitment week over last year’s numbers. Combined with the 21 men already recruited by a re-colonized Delta Tau Delta chapter, this brings the total increase in IFC men at Northwestern to over 400 new members. This year, IFC utilized a computer program written by IFC Vice President of Standards, Scott Ritter (Sigma Chi), which allowed the council to track new members and allowed individual chapters to monitor which other chapters are recruiting similar men. Chapters recruiting the most new members included: Zeta Beta Tau (39), Phi Kappa Psi (34), and Sigma Alpha Epsilon (33). th
The Panhellenic Association completed a successful formal recruitment on January 10 . This year, Panhellenic saw the highest registration numbers in recent years, reaching 671 potential new members. 475 women received a bid, an increase of 55 from the 420 women who received bids in 2011. Quota was set at 35 and all 12 Panhellenic chapters made quota. Panhellenic implemented a secondary quota in 2010 for upperclassmen women going through formal recruitment. This year, upperclassmen quota was set at four. The average new member class size is 40 women. Congratulations to the 475 new members of the Panhellenic community, the largest new member class on record!
Northwestern University Hazing Policy January marks the beginning of a new year and new members. All of the IFC and Panhellenic chapters have a new member class as of early January. Several MGC and NPHC chapters did intake during the fall quarter and have welcomed those men and women into their organizations this winter. During this time of growth and excitement, it is important that chapters do not lose sight of their values as they work with their new members. Many chapters have a predetermined new member program, but there is always an opportunity to add personal touches and ideas to those programs which can lead to some challenging conversations. New members deserve to have a positive experience and feel safe and comfortable in the chapter environment around their brothers and sisters. The new member period presents advisors with an opportunity to provide education to the chapter members about hazing. All (inter)national organizations have a policy around hazing, as does Northwestern University. Hazing is illegal in the state of Illinois. See below for a copy of Northwestern’s policy and expectations: The University forbids hazing and all other activities that interfere with the personal liberty of an individual. The University defines hazing as any action taken or situation created, whether on or off University premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation with, or admission to, or as a condition for continued membership in, a group, team, club, or other organization. Such actions and situations may include, but are not limited to, the following: Paddling in any form; Creation of excessive fatigue; Physical and psychological shocks; Quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips, or any other such activities carried on outside the confines of the University; Wearing apparel that is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; Engaging in stunts and buffoonery; Requiring sleepovers or degrading or humiliating games and activities; Late work sessions or activities that interfere with scholastic activities and/or normal sleeping hours; Forced consumption of alcohol; Falsely leading an individual or individuals to believe that they will be inducted/initiated by participating in particular activities; Removing public or provide property; and Forcing individuals to participate in activities that are not consistent with the University’s mission, rules, regulations, and policies or federal, state, or local law. Acceptance of an activity on the part of a new member or individual does not justify participation in or sponsorship of the activity. Any violation of this policy should be reported to the dean of students or the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution. Hazing activities may also violate the Illinois Hazing Act, 720 ILCS §120/0.01 et seq.
Alcohol and Other Drugs Alcohol and drugs do not have a place in any chapter’s new member education or new member program. Unfortunately, however, some chapters choose to incorporate alcohol and drugs into their new member activities and chapter brotherhood and sisterhood events. For many new members, the presence of alcohol might be a new experience, one they are unfamiliar with managing. Chapters are encouraged to address alcohol and other drugs throughout their education program for both new and active members; many (inter)national offices may offer programs or educational resources for the students’ use. IFC and Panhellenic officers provide some education to new members around responsible choices with alcohol through chapter presentations and Winter Education Conference small group breakout sessions. Further, many of the student leaders within the community have been Red Watch Band trained, a program that educates students on the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and intervene effectively in an alcoholrelated medical emergency. Chapter Advisors should maintain open communication with their members around the issues of alcohol and other drugs. This way, in the case of emergency members are comfortable discussing their concerns with their advisor. Northwestern University’s Office of Health Promotion and Wellness offers detailed information of what to do and what not to do in the case of an alcohol related emergency; it is helpful to provide this information to chapter members. Further, Health Promotion and Wellness offers resources for identification of an alcohol or drug related problem and the appropriate referrals to make for a student in need of assistance. For more information about alcohol and other drugs and the work Northwestern University continues to do around the topic, please visit the Alcohol and Other Drugs Resources site.
NPHC Alternative Break Service Trip to New Orleans The National Pan-Hellenic Council continues to live its mission as service-based organizations. This winter break, 10 students embarked on a seven-day service trip to New Orleans. The initiative included fundraising, securing transportation and lodging, and many hours of planning. The trip included visits to the following sites: St Bernard Project – Assisted with recovery efforts, which included painting homes and drywall installation. New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School - ACT Prep, assistance with college applications, exam tutoring, and college panel for about 25 students. Wetland Plant Center – moving, weeding, cutting, separating and/ or repotting wetland plants. Thank you to Ashleigh Joplin, NPHC Vice President for coordinating a fantastic opportunity.
Winter Education Conference Each year, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life hosts a Winter Education Conference for IFC and Panhellenic new nd members. Winter Education Conference (WEC) is coming up on Sunday, January 22 . David Stollman is coming to campus to speak with the new members about making the most of the experience ahead of them. His keynote program, “Buy In or Get Out” addresses making a conscious decision to be part of the solution and not part of the problem within the fraternity and sorority community. David will discuss the core values of the community and challenge new members to embrace the best and stand up against the worst. David is presenting two programs on Sunday; chapters have been assigned to one of the two sessions and are expected to send 85% of their new member class to the program. Sunday’s program is followed by small group breakout sessions over the next two weeks. New members will attend a breakout session led by community leaders to further discuss David’s message and have a conversation about the experience that lies ahead. During the breakout sessions, facilitators will lead a discussion about our community’s potential, the issues that lie in the way of our success and how to move forward as strong and contributing new members. Chapters have been assigned to a breakout session on one of the following dates and are expected to send 50% of their new member th st class. IFC breakout sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, January 25 and Tuesday, January 31 . Panhellenic breakout th st sessions are scheduled for Thursday, January 26 and Wednesday, February 1 . We look forward to hosting another successful Winter Education Conference this year!
Mid-Year Advisor Check-Up
Winter Safe Space Training
Month Day Year
The start of winter quarter marks a transition in the academic year; students are starting new classes, many chapters are bringing in new members, and chapter leaders are beginning to transition. Winter quarter presents an opportunity to many chapters to reflect on the fall, address their current challenges, and set goals to move the chapter forward. It also presents chapter advisors with an opportunity to reflect on the past quarter with the chapter members and address personal challenges to most productively move into winter quarter and continue building successful relationships with chapter members. A periodic review of personal progress by an advisor will be helpful in assuring that each of you feels competent and comfortable in your role. The Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors has provided a list of key questions for advisors to ask themselves and reflect upon: 1. Do I know all of the brothers/sisters and pledges/new members by name? 2. Have I attended meetings of the chapter or the executive committee or both on a regular basis? 3. Do the chapter and I understand what we expect from each other, and are we meeting those expectations? 4. Am I satisfied with my relationship with the officers of the chapter? 5. Do I maintain adequate communication with and receive support from the (inter)national headquarters? 6. Do I believe that the chapter communicates adequately with me, and vice versa? 7. Have I been approached by brothers/sisters and pledges/new members at least occasionally for help with personal problems? 8. Am I promoting the objectives of the Fraternity or Sorority? 9. Is the chapter a better one because of my association with it? 10. Do I enjoy my time spent with the chapter or working on chapter-related tasks? If you are uncomfortable, in all honesty, with any of your answers to these questions, then use this an opportunity to analyze the reasons for the discomfort and treat them as areas for improvement.
The annual Fraternity and Sorority Safe Space Training will be held on Wednesday, January 25th from 5-8pm in the Scott Hall Conference Room. Safe Space training aims to educate students on the issues facing the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community, and how to handle these issues if they arise in their chapter. The program hopes to create LGBT allies who will advocate for equal treatment of LGBT students in their chapter and community. Registration is limited to one person per chapter, but OFSL does expect one person per chapter to attend. Students interested in attending the training can register on the Fraternity and Sorority Life homepage.
Important Dates and Upcoming Events It is important that chapter advisors are aware of what is going on within the fraternity and sorority community and the greater Northwestern campus community. Please encourage chapter members to participate in community events and attend relevant campus programming. If you have questions about a specific event, please contact an OFSL staff member or speak with your chapter president. As changes are made to this schedule, we will be sure to update advisors via future newsletters or email correspondence.
January 22nd- Winter Education Conference January 24th- IFC, Panhellenic, Gamma Sigma Alpha and Order of Omega Officer Installation Ceremony February 3rd- Gone Greek Night February 13th- MGC Elections February 20th- NPHC Elections February 23rd- Rho Lambda Initiation February 28th- MGC, NPHC, and Rho Lambda Officer Installation Ceremony March 3-5th- Dance Marathon
Chapter Advisor Monthly 601 University Place – Scott Hall, Rm. 29 – Evanston Il 60208 www.northwestern.edu/gogreek - 847-491-4522