Current Status of Fraternity Life:
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Social Moratorium continuing throughout Spring 2017
Student Affairs staff is conducting spot checks through the fraternity neighborhoods each weekend. We are not seeing much, which is good! The spot checks have definitely helped keep everyone on their toes and the chapters are being respectful.
After Spring Break, IFC will continue to outline implementation plans to correspond to the University decisions regarding risk reduction and they will also begin execution of those plans.
Two items are on the plate for approvals, which many of you have asked about, are listed below. Danny Shaha and I are waiting to hear from the VP of Student Affairs, Damon Sims, and President Barron. I will send an update as soon as a final decision is made.
o Parents Weekend (beer/wine only served by 3rd party)
o Alumni only events at the house
*How can you help?
We are having a lot of discussions with the men about organizing alternative activities with the brothers in lieu of socials with alcohol. We want the chapter to help provide activities, rather than leaving it up to the members to fill this time on their own. If you can assist in any way, we would greatly appreciate it! Some ideas we heard include – camping trip, building things (and donate!), paint ball, laser tag, hiking trip, mini sports tourney, etc. We are also asking if you could help them with ideas on inviting women to activities with no alcohol. The only suggestion we’ve heard is a philanthropy activity. We’d love to see some of the chapters invite women to the house for a non-alcoholic, social event – movie, etiquette dinner, games, etc.
Cessation of New Member Programs
In order for each chapter to continue with their new member processes, they must meet with me to review their program/calendar. Required in the meeting are the president, new member educator, risk manager, and an advisor (either in person or on the phone).
o The following chapters have completed their meeting and received approval to continue their new member processes: Acacia, Alpha Zeta, Chi Phi, Delta Kappa Epsilon, Delta Upsilon, Kappa Sigma, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Gamma Delta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Chi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Theta Chi, Theta Delta Chi.
o The following chapters have completed their meeting, but still have outstanding items to submit before receiving approval: Sigma Pi, Phi Mu Delta.
The OFSL will be in touch with some of you to ask you to drop by the house during planned new member activities to ensure they are conducting the activity they planned. Then you will complete a survey after your visit.
In addition, Danny Shaha and I will randomly choose new members and interview them to ensure their experience is what the chapter indicated it should be.
*How can you help?
We appreciate your dedication to attend these meetings and/or be available on the phone. I appreciate your effort to help these men through changing times. During these meetings I ask them about risky behavior and ask that they make any small changes they can in their behavior to start weeding out hazing activities. Your interaction with the new members is vital, so they know an adult is there and “watches” what goes on. If you haven’t done so already, please introduce yourself in some way to the new members and provide your contact information. Be present at key events (or high risk events), if you can, to ensure support.
Chapter Statistics:
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There are currently 45 active fraternities. We are having preliminary discussions about recolonizing (at earliest Oct 2017) with the following national organizations:
- Phi Kappa Tau
- Kappa Delta Rho
- Pi Kappa Phi
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Danelle Del Corso
Assistant Director, IFC Advisor
Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life
The Pennsylvania State University
213A HUB-Robeson Center
University Park, PA 16802
Main Office: (814) 863-8065
Direct: (814) 865-2774