KAPPA ALPHA THETA Accreditation Report

Transcription

1 KAPPA ALPHA THETA Accreditation Report Intellectual Development Kappa Alpha Theta was ranked seventh out of nine Panhellenic Sororities in the fall 2013 semester with a GPA of , a decrease of from the spring 2013 semester. The GPA placed the chapter above the All Greek average. Kappa Alpha Theta was ranked eighth out of nine Panhellenic Sororities in the spring 2014 semester with a GPA of , a decrease of from the fall 2013 semester. The GPA placed the chapter above the All Greek average. Kappa Alpha Theta s fall 2013 new member class GPA was 2.88, ranking second out of three Panhellenic Sororities. The new member class GPA was for spring 2014, ranking ninth out of nine Panhellenic Sororities. Kappa Alpha Theta had 31.2% of the chapter on the Dean s List in the fall 2013 semester and 26.7% on the Dean s List in the spring 2014 semester. Kappa Alpha Theta hosts scholarship dinners with Phi Sigma Kappa each semester to recognize members who are high achieving in academics. Professors Schray and Sinclair spoke at the fall and spring dinners focusing on intellectual development and professional growth and success. The chapter ensures that each new member is supported in the area of academics by partnering her with a Kite Sister. This active member shares a similar major and allows for peer to peer tutoring and guidance within academics. The chapter does a great job at reaching out to faculty and staff members to receive help and support in various areas. Kappa Alpha Theta began hosting a faculty tutoring program where Professor Schray visited the facility to help tutor women in organic chemistry. The committee commends the chapter on their interactions with faculty and encourages the chapter to work with their Assistant Director to grow the faculty tutoring program. The chapter continues to host their Faculty Mocktails event where they invite faculty and staff members to their home for snacks and refreshments. This spring the chapter hosted 16 faculty and staff members at this event. The chapter hosted Professor Peterson to speak to their members following the fall incident at the UMOJA house. The focus of this conversation was to discuss marginalization and how it impacts the Lehigh community. Kappa Alpha Theta had three members in the inclusive leadership seminar as well as two members in the community-wide Courage Conversations opportunity. The chapter Scholarship Chair hosts scholarship modules bi-weekly during chapter meetings to inform members are various topics relating to academics such as time management, tutoring options, and how to approach a professor. How can Kappa Alpha Theta implement programs that promote academic success among its new members through shared accountability between active members and new members?

2 In the area of Intellectual Development, the committee rated Kappa Alpha Theta to be a Leadership Development The chapter has developed a great relationship with their new faculty/staff advisor, Kerri Kloorfain. The women plan to utilize Kerri not only with her knowledge of campus resources but also as a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. The chapter leadership would like to continue to add faculty/staff advisors to their list of supporters in various areas. The chapter utilizes an effective committee structure to ensure progress within the organization. The Executive, Member Development, Nomination, House Beautification, Bylaws, Green, and Service committees all allow for a functioning organization as well as provide leadership opportunities for many members in the organization. The chapter developed a creative way to host officer information sessions by utilizing ice cream and toppings. Women who are interested in learning more about each officer role will get a bowl of ice cream to start. To get toppings for her dessert, she will walk around to each current officer and learn more about her role and responsibilities. This is an interactive way for women to have a better understanding of the officer roles and which one she may want to be nominated for during officer elections. The committee considers this a best practice. Kappa Alpha Theta utilizes the L.E.A.D model for officer transitions. This program, which stands for Lead, Empower, Aspire, and Develop, consists of ice breakers and team builders as well as strategic planning and goal setting. The second part of the L.E.A.D. program is the development of the Golden Kite Plan which is a strategic plan for the direction the chapter wants to go in order to be recognized at Kappa Alpha Theta s Grand Convention. Goals in the plan include raising the chapter grade point average, forging stronger relationships with other organizations, and participating in more community service relations activities. How do members of Kappa Alpha Theta reflect on their leadership experiences in and out of the chapter and connect them to their own personal values and the values of the organization? In the area of Leadership Development, the committee rated Kappa Alpha Theta to be a Community Development The chapter hosted their first Queso for CASA philanthropy event that raised funds for the Court Appointed Special Advocates. The chapter partnered with Moe s Mexican Restaurant who donated food for a $3 all-you-can-eat dinner. The event raised $925 and was a Lehigh After Dark co-sponsored event with Delta Upsilon. Kappa Alpha Theta hosted their annual Kicks for CASA soccer tournament raising $775 for their philanthropy. The chapter partnered with Sigma Phi Epsilon.

3 The chapter should be commended for their productive work with their Accreditation Liaison. Kappa Alpha Theta developed a productive working relationship with their liaison, who happens to be an alumnus of the organization. By working with their liaison, they developed direct and indirect service opportunities for the future that allows all members to become engaged in community development work. Kappa Alpha Theta adopted a local Girl Scout troop to focus more on community service in the Bethlehem area. Members attend troop meetings each week and discuss women s empowerment and self-confidence. Kappa Alpha Theta continues to build upon their Sorority Brunch program by hosting multiple Panhellenic organizations for brunch or s mores throughout the year. The chapter was recognized for their community efforts with an Honorable Mention award at the Northeast Greek Leadership Association conference in Pittsburgh. The chapter hosted Pi Kappa Alpha and Gamma Phi Beta for lunch in the spring semester to lend a hand during a time of crises due to issues with their financial management company. Kappa Alpha Theta partnered with Alpha Gamma Delta and the Community Service Office to participate in a poverty simulation. At the end of the event, members of each organization reflected on their experience and privilege in our community. The chapter co-hosted Walk a Mile in Her Shoes with Lambda Theta Alpha for the third consecutive time. The committee commends the chapter on their relationship with Lambda Theta Alpha and encourages future partnerships. The chapter will be celebrating their 30 th Reunion at Lehigh this summer. The chapter worked with the Alumni Association to send invites to all alumnae members inviting them to return to Lehigh and celebrate the founding of the Epsilon Rho chapter. The chapter was the only Greek organization to co-host Diversity Life Weekend students this spring semester. The committee commends the chapter on their partnership as well as the time spent during their training to foster a better understanding of diversity and inclusion within our community. How can Kappa Alpha Theta help promote cross council programming among the fraternity and sorority community? In the area of Community Development, the committee rated Kappa Alpha Theta to be a Organizational Development The chapter has event monitors who are responsible for the oversight of chapter events. Each event has one monitor per 20 attendees. The chapter also utilizes a Pre-Event Checklist to ensure proper procedures are being followed. Kappa Alpha Theta has created Risk Management Safety Cards that are given to each member which include important phone numbers such as the Chapter President, Lehigh Police, and the Medical Amnesty Policy. The committee finds this to be a best practice within Organizational Development regarding Risk Management.

4 The chapter is in year two of their five year chapter development plan. The foundation of this plan began in 2012 with brainstorming and developing a mission statement. During the first full year the focus turned to marketing and inter-sorority relations as well as developing a Lehigh advisory board. In their second year, a focus has been on philanthropy and service as well as continued relations with campus partners. Kappa Alpha Theta continues to focus on their recruitment and retention initiatives. The chapter hosted a member of the Phired Up Productions team as well as had a mock-recruitment with Phi Sigma Kappa. The committee commends the chapter on their continued efforts and encourages the chapter to utilize their Regional Assistance Mentor and Assistant Director as resources for recruitment strategies. The committee commends the chapter on their use of data collection from a recruitment survey given to new members to better understand their strengths and weaknesses in the area of recruitment. The chapter has a multitude of ways to recognize members who go above and beyond in various areas of Kappa Alpha Theta. The chapter hosts a Pansies Brunch where women are given superlatives for their efforts and committee to the Fraternity. Additionally women are recognized at weekly chapter meetings with a Sister of the Week Award. The committee commends the chapter on their financial transparency with the University as well as new members and parents. The chapter hosts Ritual modules such as a Jeopardy game to learn the history and Ritual of the Fraternity. They also host the Be Like Bettie Campaign to remind members to live up to the Ritual that was written by their Founders. How can Kappa Alpha Theta work with campus departments to provide training for their monitors especially in the areas of bystander intervention, conflict diffusion, and crisis management? In the area of Organizational Development, the committee rated Kappa Alpha Theta to be a Facilities Management Kappa Alpha Theta s common damages for the fall 2013 semester were $ Kappa Alpha Theta s common damages for the spring 2014 semester were $ Kappa Alpha Theta has created the House Beautification Committee. This committee works with their National Headquarters, Facilities Corporation, and Residential Services to renovate and update the facility when needed. The chapter facility will be undergoing renovations this summer with the help of Kappa Alpha Theta Facilities Corporation and Residential Services. The chapter has shown great efforts towards making their facility environmentally friendly. They continue to compost food waste but also have placed bins in their bathrooms for the collection of paper towels. The chapter s Green Chair hosts modules on composting and energy-saving tips.

5 The chapter hosted a paint-your-own-mug night where chapter members could decorate a mug to promote re-use rather than paper or plastic throw away cups. The chapter had no major Life Safety Violations. Kappa Alpha Theta maintains an excellent working relationship with the Office of Residential Services. What programs can Kappa Alpha Theta develop that transition knowledge of energy conservation to action? In the area of Facilities Management, the committee rated Kappa Alpha Theta to be a Gold Chapter. Overall Rating Overall, Kappa Alpha Theta has been rated a Gold chapter by the Accreditation Committee. Kappa Alpha Theta continues to work to be a top tier chapter at Lehigh. The Committee is constantly impressed with the organization and dedication of the women. Kappa Alpha Theta represents Lehigh in a way that shows the positive nature of the fraternity and sorority community, and the Committee hopes the organization continues to do so in a public and positive way. The Accreditation committee assigns Kappa Alpha Theta 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! Chapter Development Questions How can Kappa Alpha Theta implement programs that promote academic success among its new members through shared accountability between active members and new members? How do members of Kappa Alpha Theta reflect on their leadership experiences in and out of the chapter and connect them to their own personal values and the values of the organization? How can Kappa Alpha Theta help promote cross council programming among the fraternity and sorority community? How can Kappa Alpha Theta work with campus departments to provide training for their monitors especially in the areas of bystander intervention, conflict diffusion, and crisis management? What programs can Kappa Alpha Theta develop that transition knowledge of energy conservation to action?

6 Best Practices The chapter developed a creative way to host officer information sessions by utilizing ice cream and toppings. Women who are interested in learning more about each officer role will get a bowl of ice cream to start. To get toppings for her dessert, she will walk around to each current officer and learn more about her role and responsibilities. This is an interactive way for women to have a better understanding of the officer roles and which one she may want to be nominated for during officer elections. The committee considers this a best practice. Kappa Alpha Theta has created Risk Management Safety Cards that are given to each member which include important phone numbers such as the Chapter President, Lehigh Police, and the Medical Amnesty Policy. The committee finds this to be a best practice within Organizational Development regarding Risk Management.