KAPPA ALPHA PSI Accreditation Report 2012-2013 Intellectual Development Kappa Alpha Psi was ranked third out of three Multicultural Greek Council fraternity chapters in the fall 2012 semester with a GPA of 2.394, a decrease of.29 from the spring 2012 semester. The 2.394 GPA placed the chapter below the All Fraternity, All Men, All Greek and All Undergraduate average. Kappa Alpha Psi was ranked second out of three Multicultural Greek Council fraternity chapters in the spring 2013 semester with a GPA of 2.55833, an increase of.16433 from the fall 2012 semester. The 2.55833 GPA placed the chapter below the All Fraternity, All Men, All Greek and All Undergraduate average. Kappa Alpha Psi s spring 2013 new member class GPA was 3.05 ranking first out of three Multicultural Greek Council fraternity chapters. Chapter members attended Bridging the Gap, a LVAIC networking event celebrating diversity in black history. The Committee commends the chapter for engaging in conversations regarding diversity and pluralism, but asks the chapter to engage in reflection so as to think through specific takeaways. Kappa Alpha Psi collaborated with the Women s Center to provide sex education and held an event promoting risk reduction of STIs, routine examinations and testing, and trivia. The Committee believes this event has great potential for the campus community and asks the chapter to reflect on how this event could be better marketed and organized to reach a larger audience. The chapter partnered with Healthy Hawks and Lehigh Dietician Jacqueline Nester to discuss nutrition, exercise, and healthy lifestyle choices. The Committee is concerned about individual members and the overall chapter s inconsistencies in GPA performance over the last two semesters as compared to last year s improvements. The Committee recommends that members meet with Kelly Grim from the Center for Academic Success to develop personalized academic plans. The chapter has no developed scholarship plan and does little to connect members to academic resources and opportunities for intellectual growth. The Committee recommends that the chapter work with the Center for Academic Success to identify effective practices and useful resources to help members improve their academic performance and develop a comprehensive scholarship plan. The Committee recommends that the chapter scale back on organizational commitments to ensure that academics are given the proper attention. The Committee has recommended this in the past. The Committee recommends that the chapter institute an academic contract for each member to move beyond its vague approach to holding one another accountable to academic performance. The chapter implemented mandatory study hours in the fall semester and this effort yielded poor results. Chapter members recognize that this effort needs to be reevaluated. The Committee would like to see Kappa Alpha Psi develop a plan and to utilize the scholarship fund started by alumnus Terry Williams and Wayne Bethea.
Chapter Development Question for 2013-14: How can Kappa Alpha Psi appropriate utilize staff and volunteer resources available to the chapter to create successful avenues of academic and intellectual support? In the area of Intellectual Development, the Committee rated Kappa Alpha Psi to be a Bronze Chapter. Leadership Development Kappa Alpha Psi members are involved in clubs and organizations, including Club Soccer, Healthy Hawks, and Supply Chain Club, and also hold leadership positions within D-Life Weekend, Orientation, Gauntlet Pre-LUsion program, and Residence Hall Association. The Committee commends chapter members for their involvement, but would like to see the fraternity intentionally form programming partnerships with these organizations in order to keep chapter initiatives manageable. The Committee would like to members articulate their understanding of leadership through their involvement in clubs and organizations. Chapter members should be able to discuss what they are looking to gain from their involvement and how this involvement impacts the chapter. Kappa Alpha Psi participated in the Council Retreat and President s Academy. Jamel Haggins participated in the NFL Regional Combine and was selected to play in the ProGrass International Scout Bowl All-Star game. Chapter members participated in the Men of Color Alliance (MOCA) and engage in dialogue to share campus experiences, unify men of color on campus, and enact positive change. The Committee commends the chapter for its efforts in improving the campus climate for students of color. Chapter members attended the C. Roger Wilson Leadership Conference and the 84 th Northeastern Province Meeting. The Committee commends the chapter for its continued participation with headquarters-based programming. The chapter maintained regular involvement with the Multicultural Greek Council and Paul Oyefesobi attended the National Greek Leadership Conference. The Committee recommends that the chapter implement what Paul learned during the conference, especially the work smarter, not harder approach to chapter operations. The Chapter President missed more than half of the scheduled one-on-one meetings with the Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs during the spring semester. The Committee urges Kappa Alpha Psi to find a manageable meeting structure that allows the chapter members to meet with OFSA staff and stakeholders in one regularly recurring meeting. The Committee recommends that Kappa Alpha Psi incorporate self-reflection into chapter meetings to help set goals and address Accreditation recommendations throughout the academic year. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs and the Office of Student Leadership Development would serve as good resources for the chapter. The Committee recommends that the chapter develop a formalized transition process to ensure the long-term success of the chapter. Kappa Alpha Psi should utilize the Office of Leadership Development and its chapter advisor to help implement a
transition plan that would include goal setting, sharing of resources, reviewing responsibilities of officer roles, and organizing important contacts. The Committee recommends that the chapter work with the Office of Student Leadership Development to implement strategies to address conflict, promote quality relationships, and alleviate divisions between chapter members. The Committee is unsure of when and how members distinguish between Kappa Alpha Psi events versus chapter members participating in events on behalf of the organization. The Committee recommends that the chapter add clarity to its roles, relationships, and partnerships with other organizations. Chapter Development Question for 2013-14: How have chapter members leveraged their leadership roles in Kappa Alpha Psi as well as in other clubs and organizations to enhance their Lehigh career and impact member experiences? In the area of Leadership Development, the Committee rated Kappa Alpha Psi to be a Silver Chapter. Community Development The chapter partnered with the Office of Multicultural Affairs to host The Black Affair and with East Stroudsburg University s Mu Sigma Upsilon to host the Bowties and Stilettos Valentine s Day Ball. The chapter supports various campus events and initiatives, including the Clothesline Project, DanceFest, Diversity Life Weekend, House of Privilege, LatinoPalooza, Rock 4 Donegan, and SpecSpec. Kappa Alpha Psi held its sixth annual White Party event with Sigma Phi Epsilon during the fall semester. The Committee would like to see this relationship grow beyond that of a social event and further develop based upon interests or mutual areas of need and success. Kappa Alpha Psi continued their invested relationship with STRIVE and the Guide Right after-school mentoring program for local high school students. The Committee commends the chapter for its continued dedication and considers this long-term commitment a best practice. Furthermore, the Committee hopes that the chapter s relationship with STRIVE continues once Curtis Jones graduates and no longer serves as the primary conduit for the chapter to the nonprofit. The Committee commends the chapter for repurposing the Krimson and Kreme Ball as a Lehigh After Dark event. The Committee recommends that the chapter work in advance to organize the event and increase marketing so that it is well attended and successful. The Committee also looks forward to the chapter completing its goal of raising funds for a scholarship for a STRIVE participant during this event. Kappa Alpha Psi partnered with the Health and Wellness Center, Healthy Hawks, and Breaking the Silence to include educational components during Kappa Week. The Committee recommends that the chapter work in advance to plan the week to avoid having to delay the week multiple times due to a lack of preparedness. Kappa Alpha Psi was not present at the fall and spring GAC meetings.
Kappa Alpha Psi did not submit community service and philanthropy reports to the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. The Committee recommends that the chapter complete reporting forms through the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs website. The chapter participates in various community and campus events; however, the Committee recommends that the chapter reevaluate its approach and focus on quality, not quantity, to include 2-3 core initiatives or big ticket events that are successful and not mediocre. Chapter Development Question for 2013-14: What is the importance of mentoring and networking for a member of Kappa Alpha Psi and why? In the area of Community Development, the Committee rated Kappa Alpha Psi to be a Silver Chapter. Organizational Development The Committee commends the chapter for building a strong relationship with Chapter Advisor, Derrick Smith. The Committee recommends that the chapter continue to work closely with Derrick as he is a great resource and role model; advocate for effectiveness, efficiency, and professionalism; and is invested in helping the chapter achieve its goals. Kappa Alpha Psi has access to many invested constituents, including alumni advisors, recent graduates, faculty advisors, and the local Norristown Alumni chapter. The chapter should discuss specific roles and relationship expectations for all advisors to ensure clarity, understanding, and a successful partnership. The chapter implemented monthly chapter meetings, complete with agendas and minutes, to discuss chapter business, plan events, and connect with one another. The Committee recommends that the chapter incorporate opportunities for reflection during chapter meetings to discuss chapter goals, progress, and areas for improvement. The chapter is beginning to shift its recruitment philosophy, strategy, and planning and the Committee commends the chapter for its efforts and recommends that the chapter continue to reevaluate its approach so as to reach the highest quantity of quality men on campus. The Committee commends the chapter for revamping its membership intake plan to include recent changes from headquarters. The Committee would like to see Kappa Alpha Psi continue to review its intake activities and schedule to ensure that the academic success of its members is emphasized throughout the program. Chapter members attended a variety of conferences and leadership retreats, including NGLA, the C. Roger Wilson Leadership Conference, and the 84 th Northeastern Province Meeting. The Committee would like to see the chapter intentionally bring back and implement ideas gained through this participation. The chapter has had the opportunity to organize many of its programs thanks in part to the Dean of Students Opportunity Fund. The Committee encourages the chapter to follow through on the requirements set forth when receiving this funding to ensure that future funding opportunities are not jeopardized. Furthermore, the chapter must
continue to explore other fundraising opportunities to further sustain the organization s programming goals. Kappa Alpha Psi required each member pay to $25 dues per semester to address the chapter s financial instability. The Committee recommends that the chapter continue to have members contribute to the chapter financially while emphasizing financial transparency so members understand what their contribution is being utilized towards. Kappa Alpha Psi did not pay fall and spring MGC dues on time and the chapter s University account had a negative balance of -$203.59 during the spring semester. Kappa Alpha Psi needs to understand the procedures involved with University accounts and the Committee recommends that the chapter develop a programming budget and reduce excessive spending to avoid deficits and late payments in the future. Kappa Week was rescheduled three times due to lack of advanced preparation, poor communication, and limited follow through. This is a theme throughout chapter operations and this largely results in programs, events, and initiatives having low or poor attendance and lost potential. The Committee again recommends that the chapter create a calendar of events at the beginning of the fall semester, discuss protocol for the execution of events, and delegate tasks well in advance of events in order to successfully execute them. The Committee would like to point out that the chapter has been most successful when it has utilized its resources, including its advisors, and worked in advance to complete a task, plan for a program, or meet a deadline. The Committee recommends that the chapter focusing on 2-3 cornerstone events or initiative in the future and adopt a less is more mentality. Furthermore, the chapter must set goals, develop manageable action steps, and hold one another accountable to follow through efforts in order to be successful. Chapter Development Question for 2013-14: How can Kappa Alpha Psi better lay out their priorities for the year in an organized, cohesive fashion that allows for organized commitment to all chapter activities? In the area of Organizational Development, the Committee rated Kappa Alpha Psi to be a Bronze Chapter. Overall Rating Overall, Kappa Alpha Psi has been rated a Bronze chapter by the 2012-2013 Accreditation Committee. Kappa Alpha Psi has shown resurgence in the past year, with a growing track record in intake of new members and working with their alumni support. The chapter must now take accountability for running the organization in a proactive, organized manner. While running a chapter with a smaller number of members provides distinct challenges, Kappa Alpha Psi is also armed with support from their regional alumni chapter as well as the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. If the chapter is able to organize and motivate themselves, the Committee believes Kappa Alpha Psi will once again be an award winning chapter.
The Accreditation Committee assigns Kappa Alpha Psi an overall rating of Bronze, which is considered a solid level of achievement in the Accreditation process, with all the privileges and rewards that accompany such a rating. Chapter Development Questions How can Kappa Alpha Psi appropriate utilize staff and volunteer resources available to the chapter to create successful avenues of academic and intellectual support? How have chapter members leveraged their leadership roles in Kappa Alpha Psi as well as in other clubs and organizations to enhance their Lehigh career and impact member experiences? What is the importance of mentoring and networking for a member of Kappa Alpha Psi and why? How can Kappa Alpha Psi better lay out their priorities for the year in an organized, cohesive fashion that allows for organized commitment to all chapter activities? Best Practices Kappa Alpha Psi continued their invested relationship with STRIVE and the Guide Right after-school mentoring program for local high school students. The Committee commends the chapter for its continued dedication and considers this long-term commitment a best practice. Furthermore, the Committee hopes that the chapter s relationship with STRIVE continues once Curtis Jones graduates and no longer serves as the primary conduit for the chapter to the nonprofit.