LAMBDA THETA ALPHA Accreditation Report

Transcription

1 LAMBDA THETA ALPHA Accreditation Report Intellectual Development Lambda Theta Alpha ranked first among the Multicultural Greek Council Sorority Chapters in the fall 2011 semester with a 2.25 GPA, a decrease of.5825 from the spring 2011 semester. The 2.25 GPA placed the chapter below the All Women, All Sorority, All Greek and All Undergraduate averages. Lambda Theta Alpha ranked second among the Multicultural Greek Council Sorority Chapters in the spring 2012 semester with a GPA, an increase of.812 from the fall 2011 semester. The GPA placed the chapter below the All Women, All Sorority, All Greek and All Undergraduate averages. Lambda Theta Alpha s spring 2012 new member class GPA was 2.71 ranking second out of two Multicultural Greek Council Sorority Chapters. The committee commends the chapter on their peer to peer accountability for academics. It is obvious to the committee that accountability is something that is taken seriously. The chapter worked closely with Kelly Grim, who creates individual assessments for each member. The assessments allow the chapter members to understand their strengths and weaknesses regarding academics and study habits. The chapter hosts Study Time with the Lambda Ladies each week to provide a study opportunity for members and non-members. The chapter members encourage interested women to attend to stress the importance of academics in Lambda Theta Alpha. Lambda Theta Alpha hosted study breaks during four o clocks and finals with Alpha Gamma Delta and Delta Upsilon. Members assist with passing out water and snacks as well as provide a space for anyone to utilize for studying. The chapter was very involved with the Rainbow Room programming. The chapter is incorporating and infusing this programming with the Lambda Theta Alpha new member and member development processes. The chapter, along with other Multicultural Greek Council chapters, is working to assist underrepresented students in thinking through academic support opportunities at Lehigh. The committee commends the chapter for being proactive in assisting students not necessarily affiliated with Lambda Theta Alpha and believes this to be a best practice. How does Lambda Theta Alpha impress upon new members the importance of academics, involvement and personal balance? In the area of Intellectual Development, the committee rated Lambda Theta Alpha to be a

2 Leadership Development The chapter took the time to discuss and reflect upon areas of improvement in regards to their leadership development programming and practices. Lambda Theta Alpha should be commended for showing appreciation for individual members and their contributions to the chapter. The chapter has incorporated a leadership philosophy and consistently refers back to this philosophy when considering program planning and member development initiatives. The chapter hosted time management and study skills workshops with the Center for Academic Success for members, associate members, and interested members. The chapter encouraged interested members to attend chapter meetings to gain a better understanding of what it means to be a member of Lambda Theta Alpha. The committee commends Lambda Theta Alpha for having a true understanding of what it means to be in a sorority including the commitments, hard work, and dedication to making their chapter the best it can be regardless of the situation. Lambda Theta Alpha is sending two women to the Lambda Theta Alpha National Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico in June The chapter sent Dalisbeth Galvez to the Northeast Greek Leadership Association conference in February. Dalisbeth focused on learning more about Multicultural Greek Councils as well as how to strengthen Lambda Theta Alpha. The chapter feels someone from their organization should attend each year to stay abreast on important and helpful topics. The committee recommends that Lambda Theta Alpha continue to develop their relationship with the Office of Student Leadership Development and host workshops for all members to strengthen leadership skills. The chapter s organizational setup allows for cohesive discussions and feedback between active members, new members and alumnae. It is obvious to the committee that this is something that Lambda Theta Alpha does well. Chapter member Sarah Santos was named Outstanding Greek Women of the Year at the Greek Awards Ceremony. How does Lambda Theta Alpha keep their leadership commitments organized and structured from year to year? In the area of Leadership Development, the committee rated Lambda Theta Alpha to be a Community Development Lambda Theta Alpha is very involved in the Lehigh Multicultural Greek Council with members serving as officers and a strong dedication to making positive change within the council. Lambda Theta Alpha created a foundation for The Ladies of Tomorrow mentorship program. This program allows members to assist female students in a local middle school to gain knowledge about higher education, career planning and goal setting.

3 The chapter would like to raise money that can be put into a scholarship for young women participating in this program. The committee considers this committed partnership a best practice. The chapter should be commended on their hard work with interested member outreach and creating a positive sisterhood experience for all members. The chapter mentioned having interest swaps with other organizations on campus. The committee believes this is an excellent recruitment technique and considers it to be a best practice. The chapter s local philanthropic efforts for the academic year focused around sexual violence awareness. On a national level, the chapter raises funds for St. Jude s Children s Hospital. The chapter should be commended for educating their members and others on issues of inclusion outside of challenges simply affecting Latina women. Lambda Theta Alpha hosted the Bandana Project which raised money and awareness for sexual exploitation of farmworker women. The event was a huge success and the chapter looks to host the project every other year. The chapter should be commended for their efforts with the Women s Center and the Vagina Monologues. The chapter hosted another successful Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event in April to raise funds and awareness surrounding rape, sexual assault, and gender violence. The chapter has plans to host this event every other academic year. The committee recommends that Lambda Theta Alpha incorporates a reflection process that allows members to think about their experiences and how they are making a difference in their own and others lives. The committee recommends focusing on collaboration with other Greek organizations as well as other student groups on campus to build relationships and assist with program planning and execution. Lambda Theta Alpha should be commended for their integrity in deactivating members whom are not meeting standards, especially given the size of their chapter. How can Lambda Theta Alpha best reflect on their community development initiatives and consider the impact of these initiatives on both the chapter and the individuals they are assisting? In the area of Community Development, the committee rated Lambda Theta Alpha to be a Organizational Development The chapter has endorsed the change from an intake structure of upper class students and incorporated a first year intake process. This is a major change in the culture of the chapter and will yield success in terms of member consistency. The chapter should be commended on their diligence in incorporating a business aspect to the organization, by including formal business attire at each chapter

4 meeting and the using of Robert s Rules of Order. This allows the chapter members to stay on task and host efficient meetings. The chapter utilizes a review of the previous academic year at retreats held at the beginning of each semester. This allows the chapter to assess what they have done and what they wish to accomplish in the future. The chapter is utilizing Accreditation reports and outcomes to set goals and adjust chapter culture. One example of this would be the implementation of recruitment of younger members. The chapter is hosting more Lambda Theta Alpha regional meetings at Lehigh which have proven successful. When the women are unable to leave campus or are overwhelmed with their work load, they utilize technology and Skype into regional meetings. With the help of technology, the chapter is successfully incorporating their alumnae into their programming. Additionally, the chapter has found balance with the commitments that come with being a member of a regional chapter structure. Lambda Theta Alpha should be commended for their strong relationship with their Faculty/Staff Advisor, Rita Jones. The committee recommends that the chapter continue to strengthen this relationship and partner with the Women s Center for programming. The committee expects the chapter to be able to provide a detailed explanation of their dues structure for active and new members, as well as articulate the reasoning behind their dues for , and how this reasoning was explained to active members during the year as well as potential new members during the recruitment and new member education processes. How does Lambda Theta Alpha turn their initiatives into a strategic plan for the next three years ensuring organizational viability? In the area of Organizational Development, the committee rated Lambda Theta Alpha to be Overall Rating Overall, Lambda Theta Alpha has been rated a Gold chapter by the Accreditation Committee. Lambda Theta Alpha continues to innovate and create new and promising partnerships and educational opportunities at Lehigh. Additionally, the chapter is better thinking through the organizational structures and processes that best assist members in creating a cohesive organization. The fact that the chapter is making such vast cultural changes and rethinking their entire recruitment structure is evidence of an organization that is unafraid to make lasting change. The committee commends their efforts. The Accreditation committee assigns Lambda Theta Alpha an overall rating of Gold, which is considered an exceptional level of achievement in the Accreditation process, with all the privileges and rewards that accompany such a rating. Congratulations!

5 Chapter Development Questions How does Lambda Theta Alpha impress upon new members the importance of academics, involvement and personal balance? How does Lambda Theta Alpha keep their leadership commitments organized and structured from year to year? How can Lambda Theta Alpha best reflect on their community development initiatives and consider the impact of these initiatives on both the chapter and the individuals they are assisting? How does Lambda Theta Alpha turn their initiatives into a strategic plan for the next three years ensuring organizational viability? Best Practices The chapter mentioned having interest swaps with other organizations on campus. The committee believes this is an excellent recruitment technique and considers it to be a best practice. The chapter, along with other Multicultural Greek Council chapters, is working to assist underrepresented students in thinking through academic support opportunities at Lehigh. The committee commends the chapter for being proactive in assisting students not necessarily affiliated with Lambda Theta Alpha and believes this to be a best practice. Lambda Theta Alpha created a foundation for The Ladies of Tomorrow mentorship program. This program allows members to assist female students in a local middle school to gain knowledge about higher education, career planning and goal setting. The chapter would like to raise money that can be put into a scholarship for young women participating in this program. The committee considers this committed partnership a best practice.