GAMMA PHI BETA Accreditation Report

Transcription

1 GAMMA PHI BETA Accreditation Report Scholarship Gamma Phi Beta was ranked second among Panhellenic sororities in the fall 2009 semester with a GPA, an increase of.043 from the spring 2009 semester. The GPA placed the chapter above the All Sorority, All Women, All Greek, and All Undergraduate averages. Gamma Phi Beta was ranked second among Panhellenic sororities in the spring 2010 semester with a GPA of 3.364, a decrease of.068 from the spring 2009 semester. The GPA puts the chapter above the All Sorority, All Women, All Greek, and All Undergraduate averages. The chapter s new member GPA for the spring 2010 semester was 3.146, ranking second out of the eight Panhellenic sororities. Gamma Phi Beta had 44.4% of their chapter members on the Dean s List in the fall 2009 semester. In the spring 2010 semester 23.8 % of the chapter made the Dean s List. The committee commends Gamma Phi Beta for their chapter term averages over the last three semesters, as they have ranked first or second with at least a 3.3 GPA. The committee is happy to see that the chapter has raised its new member GPA requirement to a 2.6, up from last year s 2.4 standard. Gamma Phi Beta has also set a 2.4 GPA requirement to remain active and a 2.8 minimum GPA to hold an executive board position. The committee recommends that the chapter review the 2.4 requirement for active members, as there is concern about lower standards for active members as opposed to new members. The committee continues to have concerns about Gamma Phi Beta s academic plan. Although the chapter discussed some workshops and a peer mentoring program, the committee questions how thorough the plan currently is for the entire chapter. A major recommendation is for the chapter to spend some time with the Center for Academic Success and their Inter/national Headquarters to formalize and implement a program. This was a recommendation from last year s committee that was not addressed. In the area of Scholarship, the committee rated Gamma Phi Beta to be a Silver Chapter. Leadership The committee would like to see an organizational planning retreat in the beginning of the fall semester to further the progress made this past spring. Chapter leadership should work with their Greek Life Coordinator, alumnae advisors, and an Inter/national Headquarters representative to implement this initiative. The committee continues to commend the chapter for their sisterhood related events and activities that emphasize this fraternity and sorority community pillar. The chapter s outgoing and current executive board conducted an officer transition workshop with the Office of Student Leadership Development and the chapter s Greek Life Coordinator in January. The committee thinks that the current executive

2 board is on the right track and feels that officer transition will be imperative in keeping momentum. The committee would like to see the chapter continue to utilize their Greek Life Coordinator and the Office of Student Development Leadership to improve their chapter operations, structure, and executive board member transitions. Gamma Phi Beta executive board members met with the Greek Life Coordinator individually in the spring semester to discuss best practices, roles, and organizational structure. The committee considers this a best practice. Gamma Phi Beta executive board members submit monthly officer reports to their International Headquarters and Greek Life Coordinator. The committee considers this a best practice. The chapter has implemented their International Headquarters Crescent Values curriculum into their new member program. The committee is happy to see this and expects the chapter to continue to work to ensure this implementation becomes rooted in chapter culture. The committee commends the chapter for introducing new members to their sophomores, juniors, and seniors during dedicated weeks of the new member education period. The committee considers this a best practice. The committee commends the chapter for holding educational and informative seminars, but would like to see Gamma Phi Beta continue to re-evaluate the topics addressed and offer intentional programming based on current needs and trends. The chapter discussed how new member participation in Bystander Intervention Training through the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs helped resolve an issue within the organization. The committee was pleased to hear that the chapter used the skills they learned. The chapter had Rebecca Raphael serve as the Vice President of Programming on the Panhellenic Council this past year. Another chapter member, Chloe Mullins, will take over the same position this coming academic year. Chapter member Chloe Mullins attended the Northeast Greek Leadership Association Conference in February through her involvement in Office of Student Leadership Development. Gamma Phi Beta continues to have members involved with the Greek Emerging Mentors Program through the Office of Student Leadership Development and in the Peer Values Educator Program through the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. The chapter will be sending all current executive board members to Gamma Phi Beta s International Convention this summer. The committee would like to see members bring back this experience and implement what they learned. The chapter continued to build on their relationship with Inter/national Headquarters, as a Collegiate Leadership Coordinator educated the women on ritual, best practices in chapter management, and the importance of completing administrative paperwork on time. Gamma Phi Beta has developed a relationship with chapter alumnae Jennifer Tucker, the Assistant Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs at Lehigh University to help the chapter with public relations efforts. The committee would like to see Gamma Phi Beta continue to build relationships with University departments and staff and believe this relationship is an excellent start. In the area of Leadership, the committee rated Gamma Phi Beta to be a Silver Chapter.

3 Citizenship Chapter members participate in the Reading Rocks program at Donegan Elementary School, mentoring students who struggle with reading. Gamma Phi Beta hosted a clothing trunk show at their chapter facility to raise $150 for Camp Fire USA, a Headquarters based partnership. Gamma Phi Beta participated in Lehigh University community events to raise money for the philanthropies such as the Children s Miracle Network, the American Cancer Society, and the American Diabetes Association. The committee believes that chapter participates in a good amount of community service activities and philanthropic efforts. The committee would like to see Gamma Phi Beta be more intentional when it comes to choosing initiatives by doing what is important to them as a chapter and their organizational values. The committee has concerns about the chapter s standards board. The standards board continues to reward members for positive contributions through their Sunshine Award and merit points, but the committee does not feel that any other improvements have been made. A recommendation is for leadership to work with the Office of Student Conduct and International Headquarters to develop an effective standards board. In the area of Citizenship, the committee rated Gamma Phi Beta to be a Bronze Chapter. Partnership The committee is happy to see that the chapter has applied for awards at this summer s Gamma Phi Beta Convention. The committee would like to see this continue in the coming years. Chapter leadership invited the Gamma Phi Beta women of LaSalle University to brunch at Lehigh University to build a relationship and to exchange ideas. The committee is happy to see that the chapter is planning another meeting and hopes the chapter continues to foster this relationship. The chapter traveled to the University of Delaware to help initiate the women of the local Gamma Phi Beta colony. Gamma Phi Beta partnered with Theta Xi in the spring to organize a Multiple Sclerosis Walk. The committee recommends that the chapter continue to expand this event and relationship in the future. The committee would like to see the chapter reach out to the greater Lehigh University community to look for partnership opportunities. This was a recommendation from last year that the committee does not feel was addressed. Gamma Phi Beta continued to partner with Kappa Sigma in the fall with an etiquette dinner led by Professor Kenneth Sinclair. The committee is happy to hear that the event was expanded with interview and appropriate attire presentations. Gamma Phi Beta s has begun partnering with Kappa Sigma in assisting with the Sun Inn Preservation Association. This is an important partnership for Kappa Sigma and the committee is pleased Gamma Phi Beta is getting involved with it. The chapter financially supported and had members attended Sigma Chi s Invisible Children screening. The chapter was involved in the Real Men Wear Pink Bra Show during the Panhellenic Council s Pink Week to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

4 The chapter held a senior send off brunch and ceremony to celebrate their accomplishments and contributions. The committee would like to see the chapter expand on this initiative to help improve alumnae relationships. The committee recommends the chapter to work with the Alumni Association and Greek Heritage program in order to grow this relationship. In the area of Partnership, the committee rated Gamma Phi Beta to be a Silver Chapter. Stewardship Gamma Phi Beta renovated their library room this past year and added cork boards to emphasize campus involvement and the chapter s academic peer mentoring program. Gamma Phi Beta women generally respect their chapter facility and keep it in good condition. The committee continues to challenge the chapter to keep it this way and to hold members accountable when damages or violations occur. During the fall semester, the chapter had seven air conditioners illegally installed in the chapter facility. While individuals were held accountable, the committee expects the chapter to be more cognizant of this in the future. The chapter continues to address their ritual proficiency, but the committee believes that executive board members understand the importance of doing so. The committee recommends Gamma Phi Beta to continue to work with their Greek Life Coordinator and Inter/national Headquarters on ritual education and practice. Gamma Phi Beta is very active in intramurals, including flag football and indoor soccer. The chapter discusses financial obligations with their members, including new members. The committee considers this a best practice and would like to see Gamma Phi Beta emphasize this practice to fraternities. The chapter has started to become more involved in green initiatives, including working with the Green Action student organization. The committee would like to see the chapter continue with these efforts. The chapter was extremely proactive with Residential Services in communicating and working through any facilities needs. In the area of Stewardship, the committee rated Gamma Phi Beta to be a Gold Chapter. Overall Rating Overall, Gamma Phi Beta has been rated a Silver Chapter by the Accreditation Committee. The committee thinks the chapter continues to have some good practices in place, but the committee would like to see them continue to grow in terms of how they handle things as an organization, including assessment, the running of meetings, and officer transition. The committee would like to see Gamma Phi Beta to continue to grow in utilizing their new officer transition cycle. The committee would also like to see the chapter continue to augment partnership opportunities that they take on with the rest of the Lehigh community, as well as how the chapter utilizes University departments and resources, and the impact that they can have on campus. Gamma Phi Beta is a chapter that can consistently excel and has always been a solid chapter. The committee would like to see the chapter make the movement necessary to be consistently an elite chapter.

5 The Accreditation Committee assigns Gamma Phi Beta 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. Recommendations The committee is happy to see that the chapter has raised its new member GPA requirement to a 2.6, up from last year s 2.4 standard. Gamma Phi Beta has also set a 2.4 GPA requirement to remain active and a 2.8 minimum GPA to hold an executive board position. The committee recommends that the chapter review the 2.4 requirement for active members, as there is concern about lower standards for active members as opposed to new members. The committee continues to have concerns about Gamma Phi Beta s academic plan. Although the chapter discussed some workshops and a peer mentoring program, the committee questions how thorough the plan currently is for the entire chapter. A major recommendation is for the chapter to spend some time with the Center for Academic Success and their Inter/national Headquarters to formalize and implement a program. This was a recommendation from last year s committee that was not addressed. The committee would like to see an organizational planning retreat in the beginning of the fall semester to further the progress made this past spring. Chapter leadership should work with their Greek Life Coordinator, alumnae advisors, and an Inter/national Headquarters representative to implement this initiative. The committee would like to see the chapter continue to utilize their Greek Life Coordinator and the Office of Student Development Leadership to improve their chapter operations, structure, and executive board member transitions. The chapter has implemented their International Headquarters Crescent Values curriculum into their new member program. The committee is happy to see this and expects the chapter to continue to work to ensure this implementation becomes rooted in chapter culture. The committee commends the chapter for holding educational and informative seminars, but would like to see Gamma Phi Beta continue to re-evaluate the topics addressed and offer intentional programming based on current needs and trends. The chapter will be sending all current executive board members to Gamma Phi Beta s International Convention this summer. The committee would like to see members bring back this experience and implement what they learned. Gamma Phi Beta has developed a relationship with chapter alumnae Jennifer Tucker, the Assistant Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs at Lehigh University to help the chapter with public relations efforts. The committee would like to see Gamma Phi Beta continue to build relationships with University departments and staff and believe this relationship is an excellent start. The committee believes that chapter participates in a good amount of community service activities and philanthropic efforts. The committee would like to see Gamma Phi Beta be more intentional when it comes to choosing initiatives by doing what is important to them as a chapter and their organizational values. The committee has concerns about the chapter s standards board. The standards board continues to reward members for positive contributions through their Sunshine Award and merit points, but the committee does not feel that any other improvements

6 have been made. A recommendation is for leadership to work with the Office of Student Conduct and International Headquarters to develop an effective standards board. The committee is happy to see that the chapter has applied for awards at this summer s Gamma Phi Beta Convention. The committee would like to see this continue in the coming years. Gamma Phi Beta partnered with Theta Xi in the spring to organize a Multiple Sclerosis Walk. The committee recommends that the chapter continue to expand this event and relationship in the future. The committee would like to see the chapter reach out to the greater Lehigh University community to look for partnership opportunities. This was a recommendation from last year that the committee does not feel was addressed. The chapter held a senior send off brunch and ceremony to celebrate their accomplishments and contributions. The committee would like to see the chapter expand on this initiative to help improve alumnae relationships. The committee recommends the chapter to work with the Alumni Association and Greek Heritage program in order to grow this relationship. During the fall semester, the chapter had seven air conditioners illegally installed in the chapter facility. While individuals were held accountable, the committee expects the chapter to be more cognizant of this in the future. The chapter continues to address their ritual proficiency, but the committee believes that executive board members understand the importance of doing so. The committee recommends Gamma Phi Beta to continue to work with their Greek Life Coordinator and Inter/national Headquarters on ritual education and practice. The chapter has started to become more involved in green initiatives, including working with the Green Action student organization. The committee would like to see the chapter continue with these efforts. Best Practices Gamma Phi Beta executive board members met with the Greek Life Coordinator individually in the spring semester to discuss best practices, roles, and organizational structure. The committee considers this a best practice. Gamma Phi Beta executive board members submit monthly officer reports to their International Headquarters and Greek Life Coordinator. The committee considers this a best practice. The committee commends the chapter for introducing new members to their sophomores, juniors, and seniors during dedicated weeks of the new member education period. The committee considers this a best practice. The chapter discusses financial obligations with their members, including new members. The committee considers this a best practice and would like to see Gamma Phi Beta emphasize this practice to fraternities.