ALPHA OMICRON PI Accreditation Report

Transcription

1 ALPHA OMICRON PI Accreditation Report Intellectual Development Alpha Omicron Pi was ranked fourth out of nine Panhellenic Sororities in the fall 2012 semester with a GPA of , an increase of from the spring 2012 semester. The GPA placed the chapter above the All Sorority, All Women, All Greek and All Undergraduate average. Alpha Omicron Pi was ranked seventh out of eight Panhellenic Sororities in the spring 2013 semester with a GPA of , a decrease of from the fall 2012 semester. The GPA placed the chapter above the All Greek and All Undergraduate average. Alpha Omicron Pi s spring 2013 new member class GPA was 2.96 ranking eighth out of eight Panhellenic Sororities. Alpha Omicron Pi had 34.5% of the chapter on the Dean s List in the fall 2012 semester and 24.3% on the Dean s List in the spring 2013 semester. Alpha Omicron Pi elected a co-academic development chair as part of their leadership cabinet. The chapter has an academic probation assistance plan that incorporates support, reflection, assessment, and rewards. The Committee would like to see evidence of Alpha Omicron Pi utilizing this initiative with members that fall below their 2.7 minimum good standing grade point average. The Committee believes that this plan could be a best practice if it is implemented. The Committee believes that the chapter s scholarship plan continues to do a good job of rewarding members for their achievements through initiatives such as their No Skippy Jar, 4 O Clock Fairy, and Refrigerator. The Committee recommends that Alpha Omicron Pi evaluate the effectiveness of their Sunday quiet hour policy, their major and minors reference list and study hours during new member education. Alpha Omicron Pi continued their partnership with Pi Kappa Alpha by collaborating on six academic workshops and a scholarship banquet during the academic year. The Committee recommends that both chapters evaluate their commitment to this relationship before evolving this initiative. Alpha Omicron Pi held a voter registration and a Presidential Debate screening with Kappa Alpha in the fall. The Committee recommends that both chapters hold a Courageous Conversation session to further encourage dialogue among members on sensitive topics. The chapter continues to have good participation in Women s Center events such as Take Back the Night, Healthy Body Image Week and a Human Trafficking presentation. The Committee recommends that Alpha Omicron Pi utilize their faculty advisor, Dr. Rita Jones, to have follow-up conversations on these member interests and to initiate any possible changes. The chapter s Global Outreach Chair sends out a weekly that details current events around the world and related events on campus. The Committee would like to see the chapter develop membership attendance and follow-up expectations around these events.

2 The Committee recommends that Alpha Omicron Pi identify intellectual interests and create educational opportunities around them utilizing member experiences, achievements and involvement. The Committee would like to see the chapter further provide membership growth opportunities in the areas of diversity and inclusion. The Office of Multicultural Affairs and would be a great resource for Alpha Omicron Pi. How does Alpha Omicron Pi provide intellectual growth opportunities around diversity and inclusion? In the area of Intellectual Development, the Committee rated Alpha Omicron Pi to be a Silver Chapter Leadership Development Alpha Omicron Pi continues to hold their Leadership Council Speaker Series related to areas of chapter operations. This year s guests included alumna and chapter advisory board member Andi Lucas, the Lehigh University Police Department, Career Services staff, and student leadership trainers to present a workshop on conflict management. Alpha Omicron Pi addressed new member peer pressure to attend social events by implementing weekly dinner groups in addition to their movie nights. The Committee would like the chapter continue to intentionally address social culture norms and expectations during new member education. Alpha Omicron Pi s new member educator from this past spring, Kate Rouse, was slated as the Vice President of Finance on the Panhellenic Executive Board. The Committee recommends that the chapter utilize Alpha Phi as a resource to further develop their initiatives that emphasize chapter unity over new member class unity. The chapter adjusted their Big Sister/Little Sister Week and Reveal per the expectations of Alpha Omicron Pi Inter/National Headquarters. Chapter leadership did a good job expressing their concerns with their Assistant Director, their Network volunteers and Inter/National Headquarters. Alpha Omicron Pi new members created personal collages during new member education that described their values and experiences. The Committee believes this is a creative way to discuss personal identities and recommends that the entire chapter participates in a similar activity to promote sisterhood. The Office of Student Leadership Development would serve as a great resource. Alpha Omicron Pi collected feedback from the chapter before and after new member education by Survey Monkey. The Committee would like to see Alpha Omicron Pi evaluate their new member education schedule to detect practices that may be hindering the academic success of new members. The spring 2013 new member class overall grade point average is alarming to the Committee. The chapter sent a member to the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute (UIFI) and the Novak Institute for Hazing Prevention this summer to gain feedback from other student leaders and experts across the country respectively. The Committee would

3 like to see participants implement lessons learned into chapter operations. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs would be a great resource. The chapter intends to send their Chapter President, Chapter Advisor and two general members to their Convention this summer. The Committee would like to see participants implement lessons learned into chapter operations. Chapter members attended the Alpha Omicron Pi Leadership Academy this past February. The Committee commends members for their follow-up, as Alpha Omicron Pi is currently planning to bring-in a speaker from the conference related to social excellence. The Committee recommends that the chapter work with the Greek governing boards and University Departments to financially support and execute this event. The Committee would like to see the chapter move away from event sign-up sheets to a process that fosters the mentality that every member should attend events based on affiliation, member interest, and community-wide support. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs and Student Leadership Development would be a good resource for the chapter. The chapter continues to have a wide array of members involved in various clubs and organizations on campus, including the Association of Student Alumni (ASA), the Brown and White student newspaper, Orientation Leaders, the marketing club, and club sports. The Committee continues to encourage members to integrate skills learned from outside involvement into chapter operations. How does Alpha Omicron Pi incorporate membership development and involvement experiences to evaluate chapter specific leadership opportunities for all chapter members? In the area of Leadership Development, the Committee rated Alpha Omicron Pi to be a Bronze Chapter. Community Development The chapter held their Peek Into Alpha Omicron Pi Brunch for new members and their parents this past February. The chapter improved communications about this event by sending out a welcome packet of information by from the chapter president, the new member educators, treasurer, and chapter advisor. The Committee recommends that Alpha Omicron Pi involve alumnae with this event. Alpha Omicron Pi once again organized a Strike Out Arthritis Wiffleball tournament in April made up of fraternities and sororities to raise money for their philanthropy, Juvenile Arthritis. The chapter also raised awareness about World Arthritis Day in October. The Committee would like to see Alpha Omicron Pi continue to educate the community on this cause prior to the event and to involve student organizations. Alpha Omicron Pi should consider making this event a Lehigh After Dark Event. The chapter continued their participation in the Reading Rocks Program at Donegan Elementary School by sending members weekly. The Committee commends Alpha Omicron Pi for their continued commitment. The chapter assisted with the Alpha Omicron Pi colonization at Monmouth University in March by participating in their preference round of recruitment, attending bid day

4 ceremonies and helping with Ritual. The Committee commends the chapter for their continued involvement with local Inter/National Headquarters efforts. The chapter participated in the Relay for Life event this past spring to honor and support a member whose father passed away from cancer four years ago. Alpha Omicron Pi held their annual 50 Hour See-Saw Marathon with Sigma Chi in the fall. The chapter donated their portion of proceeds to Pancreatic Cancer Research to honor a member s father who passed away from this form of cancer earlier in the semester. Alpha Omicron Pi was also involved with the Boys and Girls Club and the Camp out for the Troops event this past year. The Committee recommends that Alpha Omicron Pi participate in the Poverty Simulation through the Community Service Office to further educate members about the South Bethlehem community. Alpha Omicron Pi will be enacting a three hour community service requirement per semester during the academic year for each member. The chapter intends on gradually increasing this requirement to five and seven hours to align with their Inter/National Headquarters Standard of Excellence. Alpha Omicron Pi held their Mountain Hunk event with Alpha Chi Omega this past spring to raise money for their respective philanthropies. The Committee is glad to hear that student organizations, residence halls and athletic teams were all involved in this event. The Committee recommends that Alpha Omicron Pi consider how the categories of this event brand their organization. The Committee would like to see Alpha Omicron Pi incorporate self-reflection into their community service and philanthropy activities by utilizing social media outlets. This was a Accreditation Committee recommendation that was not addressed. The chapter improved their level of engagement with alumnae this past year by hosting a Young Alumni Reunion Brunch, sending out a newsletter and reaching out to recent graduates to write notes for formal recruitment initiatives. The Committee recommends that the chapter work with the Lehigh University Alumni Association on alumnae engagement initiatives. The chapter standards board recognizes members who have gone above and beyond in positively contributing to the organization through Rose Busting. The chapter made an intentional effort to recognize seniors to improve and encourage involvement. The chapter was not allowed to initiate a new member due to her being held responsible to the University s Greek Membership Policy. Alpha Omicron Pi was placed on monitoring terms by their Inter/National Headquarters until June 2013 due to this incident involving a new member and hard alcohol. The chapter assisted with the Alpha Omicron Pi colonization at Monmouth University in March by participating in their preference round of recruitment, attending bid day ceremonies and helping with Ritual. The Committee commends the chapter for their continued involvement with local Inter/National Headquarters efforts. How does Alpha Omicron Pi incorporate self-reflection into their community service and philanthropy activities?

5 In the area of Community Development, the Committee rated Alpha Omicron Pi to be a Silver Chapter. Organizational Development The chapter selects an Alpha Omicron Pi Position of the Week and an Alpha Omicron Pi member to recognize the hard work of officers and general members throughout the year. The chapter utilized Survey Monkey to receive general member feedback and ideas on decisions related to chapter operations and events. The chapter intentionally elected an upperclassman into their Keeper of the Ritual Cabinet position. The Committee considers this a best practice. The chapter has developed a recruitment plan for the upcoming academic year that focus on skill building, holding members accountable to expectations and obtaining buy-in. This plan and approach should be transitioned to the incoming Vice President of Recruitment and Assistant Recruitment Chair. The Committee commends Alpha Omicron Pi for planning ahead and considers this effort around recruitment a best practice. The chapter utilizes Groopt to streamline officer transition and to maintain records of documents. Alpha Omicron Pi should utilize the Office of Student Leadership Development and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs for transition workshops. Alpha Omicron Pi held a goal setting retreat after their election to the 2013 Leadership Council. The chapter president met with Leadership Council members in March to discuss progress made towards goals. The Committee would like to see Alpha Omicron Pi incorporate the Accreditation Report into future planning retreats and meetings. Alpha Omicron Pi s Educational Leadership Consultant visited the chapter in March and meet with general members, cabinet members and the Leadership Council. The Committee would like to see the chapter intentionally utilize consultant analysis reports for strategic planning. Alpha Omicron Pi had some communication issues this past year between Bill Highway, Inter/National Headquarters, and Network volunteers during their transition away from the Fraternity Management Association. The Committee recommends the chapter to further develop relationships with their chapter advisory board, the Network volunteers and Inter/National Headquarters. Alpha Omicron Pi should have conversations with these individuals at the beginning of the fall semester to clarify responsibilities and to set expectations of one another to ensure a resourceful relationship moving forward. The Committee recommends that Alpha Omicron Pi evaluate their committee system and structure to ensure productivity and general member involvement related to chapter operations. This is a Accreditation Committee recommendation that was not addressed. The Committee commends the chapter for providing a detailed explanation of their dues structure and reasoning to active members, new members, and their parents. The Committee recommends that Alpha Omicron Pi create additional avenues for communication about financial transparency with constituents, including on-line platforms and the Peek Into Alpha Omicron Pi Brunch.

6 The Committee would like to see the chapter develop a process where the Leadership Council and Cabinet receive constructive feedback on their performance. This was a Accreditation recommendation that was not addressed. Alpha Omicron Pi continues to conduct a formal Ritual ceremony once a month. The Committee would like to see more ritual education around the values and purpose of Alpha Omicron Pi infused in chapter culture, as this has been an Accreditation Committee recommendation over the last couple of years. This should be a focus area for the chapter during the academic year. Where does Alpha Omicron Pi see the chapter in three to five years? What steps can the chapter take in the upcoming year towards the long-term vision? In the area of Organizational Development, the Committee rated Alpha Omicron Pi to be a Silver Chapter. Facilities Management Alpha Omicron Pi had no common damages for the fall 2012 semester. Alpha Omicron Pi s common damages for the spring 2013 semester were $257. The chapter continues to hold a room selection and a moving off campus fireside chat to explain the expectations and processes to all members. The Committee continues to consider this initiative a best practice. The chapter did a good job with sustainability initiatives this past year, including switching from Styrofoam to glassware products and by doing their best to save water by eliminating extra washes. The Committee commends the chapter for their initiatives and encourages them to continue their efforts. Alpha Omicron Pi s Go Green Chair provided the chapter with educational opportunities on recycling, waste audits, and simple ways to conserve energy. The chapter purchased a dry erase board for their residential facility. Alpha Omicron Pi did not have any issues during Life Safety Inspections and no major damages during semester/break closings. The chapter had no lease or life safety violations for the entire year. The Committee reminds chapter members to be diligent about picking up their keys from the Office of Residential Services at the beginning of the year in a timely manner. Alpha Omicron Pi is working with their Alumni Corporation and the Office of Residential Services on consistent facility improvements for the Alpha Omicron Pi s house manager was routinely on top of all deadlines and communications associated with her position throughout How can Alpha Omicron Pi help the rest of the fraternity and sorority community excel at Facilities Management and sustainability initiatives?

7 In the area of Facilities Management, the Committee rated Alpha Omicron Pi to be a Gold Chapter. Overall Rating Overall, Alpha Omicron Pi has been rated a Silver chapter by the Accreditation Committee. Alpha Omicron Pi continues to be a successful chapter at Lehigh. The Committee wants to see the chapter provide members with intellectual growth opportunities; engage members with diversity and inclusion efforts; utilize membership experiences; incorporate reflection into community service and philanthropy activities; strategically plan ahead; and continue to enhance their sustainability efforts while educating the community. With anticipation, the Committee looks forward to how Alpha Omicron Pi will take on new challenges, as it is in a position to try new ways of doing things. The Accreditation Committee assigns Alpha Omicron Pi an overall rating of Silver, which is considered a high level of achievement in the Accreditation process, with all the privileges and rewards that accompany such a rating. Chapter Development Questions How does Alpha Omicron Pi provide intellectual growth opportunities around member interests, diversity and inclusion? How does Alpha Omicron Pi incorporate membership experiences and involvement to evaluate chapter operations, procedures and expectations? How does Alpha Omicron Pi incorporate self-reflection into their community service and philanthropy activities? Where does Alpha Omicron Pi see the chapter in three to five years? What steps can the chapter take in the upcoming year towards the long-term vision? How are all chapter members involved in the planning process? How can Alpha Omicron Pi help the rest of the fraternity and sorority community excel at Facilities Management and sustainability initiatives? Best Practices The chapter has developed a recruitment plan for the upcoming academic year that focus on skill building, holding members accountable to expectations and obtaining buy-in. This plan and approach should be transitioned to the incoming Vice President of Recruitment and Assistant Recruitment Chair. The Committee commends Alpha Omicron Pi for planning ahead and considers this effort around recruitment a best practice. The chapter intentionally elected an upperclassman into their Keeper of the Ritual Cabinet position. The Committee considers this a best practice.