Fraternity & Sorority Life

Annual Report 2007 - 2008

Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services

Contents I. Acknowledgements. . . . . . . . . . . II. Letter from Coordinator for Fraternity & Sorority Life III. Community Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IV. Awards & Recognition V. Governing Council Updates . . . . . . . . VI. Fraternity & Sorority Highlights . . . . . .

. .2 . .3 . .4 . .6 . .8 . . 10

Acknowledgments As we reflect on the growth of the VCU fraternity and sorority community over the past year, we would like to take time to thank those who have been central to that growth and development: Dr. Henry Rhone, Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Enrollment Services, Phi Gamma Delta Dr. Reuban Rodriguez, Associate Vice Provost and Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Timothy Reed, Director, University Student Commons and Activities Mr. Tom Diehl, Director, Recreational Sports Dr. Linda Hancock, Director, Office of Health Promotions Dr. Jihad Aziz, Director, University Counselling Services, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Ms. Beverly Walker, Interim Director, Office of Multicultural Student Affairs Dr. Carolyn Whittier, Associate Director, USC&A Programs and Educational Services, Alpha Omicron Pi Mr. John Leppo, Associate Director, USC&A Facilities and Operations Ms. Melissa Jones, Associate Director of Residential Life and Housing Mr. Nathan Doughty, Associate Director, VCU Stuart C. Siegel Center and Athletic Facilities Dr. Claudia Carroll, Associate Director for Training, University Counselling Services, Alpha Delta Pi Ms. Kelli Lemon, Assistant Director, Programs and Events, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Ms. Lora Williams, Assistant Director, Event and Conference Services, Sigma Kappa Ms. Yolanda Jackson, Assistant Director, Student Organizations and Community Service, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Ms. Tina Webb, Assistant Director, USC&A Finance and Personnel Mr. Keith Rafter, Assistant Director of Marketing, VCU Athletics Ms. Cara Jenkins, Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Kappa Alpha Theta Ms. Krista Carson, Program Coordinator, Alpha Omicron Pi Mr. Keith Long, Student Organization Coordinator Ms. Beth Ward, Volunteer Coordinator Ms. Corbin Ailer, University Events Planner, Alpha Omicron Pi Ms. Anita Mingo, Student Events Organization Planner, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Ms. Jamie Jones, Public Relations Manager for USC&A, Alpha Sigma Alpha Mr. Terry Brown, Student Commons Night Manager, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Ms. Regina Kenny, Fiscal Technician Senior Ms. Lanette Jones, Fiscal Technician Ms. Gail Stubbs, Fiscal Technician Ms. Rhea Miller, USC&A Office Manager Ms. Elizabeth S. Via, Associate Registrar, Records and Registration Mr. Ryan Roberts, Graduate Assistant for Fraternity and Sorority Life, Delta Chi VCU Campus Police Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services Department of Communications Staff Office of New Student Programs Student Commons Managers and Staff USC&A 104 Office Suite Student Workers Event and Conference Services Student Workers

2

Virginia Commonwealth University

Year In Review To say that it has been a year of tremendous growth and development is an understatement. I think about all the exceptional leaders that have emerged in chapters and on governing councils, and I can not contain my excitement about the potential of the community to be one of the best in the nation. And when I reflect on all the small wins over the course of the year, I quickly begin to realize how incredibly proud I am to be a part of the VCU Fraternity and Sorority community. Small wins lead to great success and our community has had more of them in the last year than in its 38 year history. Defining the fraternity and sorority experience at VCU has been our challenge throughout the year and I believe we are closer to determining our story. The community has not just grown in numbers of chapters and numbers of members but it has significantly grown in the ability to reflect the founding values of its organizations and contribute to the overall mission of the University. Fraternity and Sorority Life at VCU is growing, and it is changing for the better. It is because of the fierce leadership in the chapters and governing councils that the University is able to continue its commitment to furthering fraternity and sorority life and provide the tools necessary to exceed expectations. While change is difficult, it is a natural evolution within the development of such a growing institution. We have stepped up to the challenge of increasing our impact and relevance to the college experience. The following new programs and milestones acknowledge this commitment: • EBI - Educational Benchmarking Assessment Project • Training and information sessions for chapter advisors 4 times per year • 98% chapter participation in IMPACT, the national leadership institute from the North-American Interfraternity Conference • Leadership development program for Chapter Presidents and Governing Councils • Adoption of unified risk management guidelines through each governing council • Long term expansion plans adopted for IFC and MGC • Long term housing proposal submitted to University Administration • 5 new chapters and 15% increase in total membership It is hard to quantify the extraordinary accomplishments of individual chapters and the development of the community. Achievement can be seen in the phenomenal programming of the chapters and the self governance of each council, but it also means the continued success of being scholars in the classroom, leaders on campus and the spirit of the greater VCU community. The purpose of this annual report is to describe the success and challenges for what has been an exciting year in the history of fraternity and sorority life at VCU. We hope you read this and celebrate all that has been accomplished. We invite you to be a part of the conversation on how we can best sustain and improve this community on the path of becoming one of the best in the nation. Fraternally,

Cara Jenkins, Coordinator for Fraternity and Sorority Life Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life

3

Statistics Chapter and Council Program Totals 9,389 hours of service

16

4

23

2

39 14

37 30

6

40

6 6

0

168 Service Programs

2

20

1.4 tons of food donated

17

7 6 6

10

$14, 997.15 donated

Alcohol & Drugs Career Planning Chapter History Community Developement Diversity/Non-Discrimination Finances Hazing Education Health Education Judicial Leadership Political Awareness Risk Management Ritual Scholarship Sisterhood/Brotherhood

Total 191

Spring 2008 Academic Report VCU Sororities CHAPTER Alpha Gamma Delta Delta Sigma Theta Phi Mu Alpha Omicron Pi alpha Kappa Delta Phi* Alpha Epsilon Phi Undergraduate Women Delta Phi Omega* Sigma Lambda Upsilon All Sorority Alpha Sigma Alpha Zeta Phi Beta Sigma Sigma Sigma Phi Sigma Sigma Alpha Kappa Alpha Sigma Gamma Rho Kappa Phi Gamma*

Sp. 08 Council Size GPA CPC 3.19 63 NPHC 3.06 17 CPC 2.87 60 CPC 2.80 52 MGC 2.80 19 CPC 2.79 13 11,299 2.75 MGC 2.75 18 MGC 2.75 6 2.73 469 CPC 2.73 54 NPHC 2.67 11 CPC 2.58 59 CPC 2.54 53 NPHC 2.52 26 NPHC 2.49 9 MGC 2.36 9

VCU Fraternities Overall GPA 3.10 3.06 2.96 2.93 2.92 2.65 2.81 2.74 2.53 2.80 2.81 2.82 2.68 2.63 2.98 2.89 2.24

CHAPTER Sigma Beta Rho Sigma Phi Epsilon* Alpha Epsilon Pi* Iota Phi Theta Lambda Upsilon Lambda Theta Chi Undergraduate Men All Fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon Omega Psi Phi Alpha Kappa Lambda Delta Chi Phi Beta Sigma Alpha Phi Alpha Phi Kappa Sigma* Pi Lambda Phi Kappa Sigma Kappa Alpha Psi Lambda Phi Epsilon*

Council MGC IFC IFC NPHC MGC IFC

IFC NPHC IFC IFC NPHC NPHC IFC IFC IFC NPHC MGC

Size 21 38 15 4 3 42 7,791 376 38 7 42 34 13 13 12 26 30 19 20

Sp. 08 GPA 3.23 3.18 3.12 2.99 2.90 2.74 2.53 2.52 2.51 2.49 2.470 2.440 2.43 2.39 2.31 2.30 2.15 1.81 1.59

Overall GPA 3.25 3.22 3.00 2.95 2.82 2.76 2.63 2.70 2.55 2.55 2.62 2.59 2.72 2.74 2.64 2.47 2.40 2.23 2.49

Community Statistics Greek Total 845 (4.5%) 19,148 Undergraduate FTE Full Time Enrolled Students (FTE) All Students 32,535 CPC Total 354 IFC Total 273 MGC Total 95 NPHC Total 119

4

Virginia Commonwealth University

53 Organizations Served

Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life

51.3%

growth in the Fraternity and Sorority community at VCU over the last five years.

Membership Growth

900

675 Total Members

450

225

08 ‘0

7

-‘

07 ‘0

6

-‘

06 ‘0

5

-‘

05 ‘0

4

-‘

04 -‘ 3 ‘0

2

-‘

03

0

‘0

AIDS Awareness Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation Alpha Omicron Pi Foundation Alzheimer’s Foundation American Cancer Society American Heart Association Angel Tree Arthritis Foundation Beth Ahaba Museum and Archives Breast Cancer Awareness Cammy Lee Leukemia Foundation Central Virginia Food Bank Chai Lifeline Children’s Literacy Foundation Children’s Miracle Network Chris Cullather Memorial Fund Richmond Area Emergency Center Faith Awareness Ginter Park Elementary Habitat for Humanity Fan District Association Homeless Awareness Jimmy V Foundation Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Low Income Families March of Dimes National Kidney Foundation Political Awareness Richmond Children’s Hospital Richmond City Community Program Richmond City Elementary School Richmond Holocaust Museum Richmond Police Department Richmond Recreation and Parks Robbie Page Memorial Fund Ronald McDonald House Ruby Harvey Memorial Scholarship Fund Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Sharsheret St. Judes Research Hospital Street Clean-Up Susan G. Koman Foundation Troop Support UMFS VCU - F.A.C.T. VCU Child Development Center VCU Massey Cancer Center VCU Volunteer Services Virginia Blood Services Virginia Children’s Museum Virginia Commonwealth University Voter Registration Youth Mentoring

Academic Year

15

12

Risk Management Violations 11

9

7 6

4

4 3

0

IFC

CPC

1

1

MGC NPHC

Total Responses

1 IFC

CPC

Judical Cases

CPC

Mediations

CPC - Hazing, Risk Management (Social Event Notification) MGC - Risk Management (Social Event Notification) NPHC - Behavior Conduct Violation IFC - Hazing,

Risk Management (Social Event Notification), Length of New Member Process, Off Campus Student Conduct (Assault & Battery, Breach of Peace)

5

Awards and Recognition

Leadership and Service Awards

Fraternities

Sororities

Outstanding Fraternity of the Year Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Outstanding Sorority of the Year Phi Mu

Outstanding Service and Philanthropy Delta Chi

Outstanding Service and Philanthropy alpha Kappa Delta Phi Sorority, Inc.

Outstanding New Member Education Sigma Alpha Epsilon

Outstanding New Member Education Aplha Epsilon Phi

Outstanding Educational Programming Sigma Alpha Epsilon

Outstanding Educational Programming Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Highest Overall Cumulative GPA Sigma Beta Rho Fraternity, Inc.

Highest Overall Cumulative GPA Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Most Improved GPA - Fall 06’ to Fall 07’ Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Most Improved GPA - Fall 06’ to Fall 07’ alpha Kappa Delta Phi Sorority, Inc. Outstanding Risk Management Phi Mu

Fraternity Man of the Year Jameson Deloatch, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Sorority Woman of the Year Jenni Jones, Alpha Gamma Delta

Outstanding Chapter President - NPHC Robert Dunn Jr., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Outstanding Chapter President - CPC Erin Halye, Phi Sigma Sigma

Outstanding Chapter President - IFC Mike Mostaan, Delta Chi

Outstanding Chapter President - MGC Melissa Ly, alpha Kappa Delta Phi Sorority, Inc.

Emerging Fraternity Leader of the Year Stephen Straus, Sigma Alpha Epsilon

Emerging Sorority Leader of the Year Brittney Feeney, Phi Mu

William R. Auchmoody Advisor of the Year Dan Martin, Pi Lambda Phi

Lynne Chambers Alumni Involvement Award Melissa Jones, Phi Sigma Sigma

2007 - 2008 6

Virginia Commonwealth University

Programming Areas of Excellence Educational Programming Alpha Epsilon Phi Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alpha Kappa Lambda Alpha Omicron Pi Delta Chi Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Sigma Alpha Epsilon New Member Education Alpha Epsilon Phi alpha Kappa Delta Phi Sorority, Inc. Alpha Omicron Pi Delta Chi Sigma Alpha Epsilon

Philanthropy Alpha Gamma Delta alpha Kappa Delta Phi Sorority, Inc. Delta Chi Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Theta Chi Phi Mu Risk Management Alpha Epsilon Phi Alpha Omicron Pi Delta Chi Phi Mu Phi Sigma Sigma Sigma Alpha Epsilon

Community Service Alpha Epsilon Phi alpha Kappa Delta Phi Sorority, Inc. Alpha Kappa Lambda Alpha Omicron Pi Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Delta Chi Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Kappa Sigma Sigma Alpha Epsilon Sigma Lambda Upsilon Sorority, Inc.

2007 - 2008

Alpha Gamma Delta Adrianna Mendez Katharine Vardeman Nicole Baeza* Christina Gibson* Jenni Jones* Alpha Kappa Lambda Jeremy Epstein Kevin Hunt Alpha Omicron Pi Ashley Allen* Julie Watson*

Delta Phi Omega Jasmin Singh Shivdeep Deo

Delta Sigma Theta Kenika Canty* Phi Mu Sonya Bhavsar Ashley Cox Mary Keely Costello* Lindsay Fisher* Lauren Floyd*

Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life

Pi Lambda Phi Charles Brennan*

Sigma Gamma Rho Danielle McManus

Phi Sigma Sigma Rachael Cline Erin Halye

Sigma Sigma Sigma Elizabeth Maglio Heather Safley Kendall DiMeglio*

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Thomas Lott*

Theta Chi Michael Montague

Sigma Beta Rho Kevin Dholaria

* Spring 2008 Initiates

7

Governing Council Updates College Panhellenic Council With the addition of biweekly delegate meetings, the College Panhellenic Council sought to increase the communication and understanding of the many different perspectives of each chapter. It’s design provided chapter delegates a forum to air concerns on behalf of their chapters within an informal setting, and maintain constitutional amendments and special programs with the intention of unifying the College Panhellenic Council towards a more common purpose. The council also welcomed Alpha Omicron Pi as the newest sorority to VCU. Their impact of fifty-two women was a positive step toward growing the College Panhellenic Council, and offering even more opportunity for young women to get involved and become leaders. Highlights from the year included the first annual CPC Unity Day where women from all CPC sororities came together, for the purpose of interacting in a fun setting, that collected over 500 toys for children in need. Additionally sorority serenading is scheduled to be held as a collective effort in the University Commons next fall. It was a great year that saw sororities at VCU begin to acknowledge their impact at VCU, and start evolving their organizations to make constructive advancements in the way they are perceived as a whole by the Richmond community and the student body of the university.

Multicultural Greek Council The Multicultural Greek Council of VCU had a year of firsts! The governing council is the most organized and structured it has ever been, resulting in the first official policy about the pace of expansion of multicultural fraternities and sororities at VCU. The council also helped to create the new Risk Management guidelines that all chapters must adhere to when planning events, and has a shiny new judicial board to match! It was not just rules and regulations though; the council sponsored the first all-MGC service project and the extremely successful first annual canned food drive. Every chapter and colony member participated in this project which resulted in almost a thousand pounds of food donated to the Central Virginia Foodbank. Fun times were also had at the MGC Social at Down Under Restaurant and Lounge and the ever popular MGC Pot Luck. Goals for next year include a joint chapter information session targeted at potential members during the first month of school and to begin the process of selecting the chapters who will be a part of the MGC expansion process.

8

Virginia Commonwealth University

Governing Council Updates National Pan-Hellenic Council The National Pan-Hellenic Council of Virginia Commonwealth University welcomed 46 new members into the community during the 2007-2008 academic year. This includes three new member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., as the Delta Delta chapter of Iota Phi Theta begins its return to VCU. In addition to membership growth, the NPHC community had an unprecedented year of service to the greater Richmond community. The NPHC membership completed three street clean-ups, volunteered at Relay for Life, spoke to intercity middle school students, and painted the VCU Child Development Center. Programming was also a focus for the NPHC community this year with the NPHC Town Hall Meeting, an all NPHC activity on stereotypes and communication, and an NPHC history forum hosted by the men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Finally, NPHC is proud of its accomplishments of placing as finalists in the annual Greek Week competition, having P.J. Dunn of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. named the NPHC Outstanding Chapter President, and having the Theta Rho chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. named the 2007-2008 VCU Fraternity of the Year. It has been an amazing year and we are looking forward to more growth and development in the year to come.

Interfraternity Council During the 2007-2008 academic year, the Interfraternity Council welcomed two new chapters, and increased membership by 15%. The fall semester was consumed by expansion presentations and final decisions about which chapters would join the community during Phase I of the long term expansion process. The council determined that the expansion schedule would be: Sigma Phi Epsilon (Spring 2008), Pi Kappa Alpha (Fall 2008), Phi Kappa Psi (Fall 2009), Phi Sigma Kappa (Fall 2010), and Triangle Fraternity (Fall 2011). The Executive Board held officer roundtables in the areas of risk management, new member education and membership recruitment. The Interfraternity council is also proud that Sigma Alpha Epsilon (Outstanding New Member Education, Outstanding Educational Programming) and Delta Chi (Outstanding Service/ Philanthropy) were recognized during the Fraternity and Sorority Life Awards. In addition, Stephen Straus, IFC President, was named the Fraternity Emerging Leader of the Year. Major goal areas for next year include a focus on increasing chapter grade point averages, retention of new members, and complete implementation of the new allcouncil risk management guidelines.

Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life

9

Fraternity & Sorority Life Highlights

IMPACT Leadership Weekend October 26-28, 2007

Seventy student leaders within the fraternity and sorority community traveled to Camp Hanover in Mechanicsville, VA for this North-American Interfraternity Conference values based program. Students were joined by thirteen guest facilitators from around the country, who volunteered their time to help the VCU fraternity and sorority community realize a future of continued growth and development. IMPACT is a campus leadership institute designed to help foster relationships among campus leaders through an intensive two and one half day program. The IMPACT curriculum emphasizes problem solving, leadership development, values-based decision making, effective communication, and community development. Many activities throughout the weekend were focused on envisioning the ideal fraternity and sorority community, creating a plan of action to attain these goals, and providing an opportunity to improve relationships between the diverse chapters of the community. The experience allowed students to see that change is realistic and attainable. There was a renewed belief that the fraternity and sorority community could be better at VCU. Students found they were able to uncover the truth in their values by incorporating the basics of their ritual into various aspects of their chapter's operations and personal leadership. It was a weekend that perpetuated positive growth throughout the academic year.

10

Housing Update Fraternity and Sorority Housing at VCU continued to be a topic of conversation in the 2007-2008 academic year. The general concept for the housing project changed focus this year moving away from the townhouse complex design to more of an apartment building design. The new housing concept would allow a chapter to have a 4 or 8 person apartment, double occupancy, that would be attached to a chapter room. Members of the chapter would reside in the apartment, and all members would have access to the chapter room for meetings, chapter programs, and other chapter activities. In the spring of 2008, VCU administrators met with several fraternity and sorority Chapter Advisors to review this new housing model and concept. During the summer of 2008 initial commitments from organizations will be sought so that the project can begin to move forward into the next phases of design and financing. The fraternity and sorority housing complex is planned for one of the available spaces on Grace Street between Shafer and Laurel. For more information on the VCU Fraternity and Sorority Housing Project, please contact Dr. Carolyn Whittier, Associate Director, Programs and Educational Services at [email protected].

Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Welcomes... Alpha Omicron Pi – Rho Beta Chapter

CPC

Founded: January 2, 1897 at Barnard College Nickname: AOPi Mission: Women Enriched through Lifelong Friendship Colors: Cardinal Philanthropy: American Juvenile Arthritis Foundation Symbol: Jacqueminot Rose Installed Chapters: 185

MGC

Lambda Phi Epsilon Fraternity, Inc. - VCU Colony Founded: February 25, 1981 at University of California, Los Angeles Nickname: Lambdas, LPhiE, LFE Motto: To be Leaders Among Men Colors: Royal Blue and White Installed Chapters and Colonies: 48 Philanthropy: National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP)

NPHC

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. - Delta Delta Chapter Founded: September 19, 1963 at Morgan State University Nickname: Iotas Motto: Building a Tradition, Not Resting Upon One! Colors: Charcoal Brown. Gilded Gold Symbol: Centaur Undergraduate & Graduate Chapters: 270

IFC

Phi Kappa Sigma – VCU Colony Founded: August 16, 1850 at the University of Pennsylvania Nickname: Phi Kap Motto: Equal to the Stars in Endurance Colors: Black and Old Gold Symbol: Maltese Cross Core Values: Trust, Honor, Respect, Knowledge, Wisdom, Responsibility Philanthropy: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America Service: Habitat for Humanity Active Chapters: 49

IFC

Sigma Phi Epsilon – Virginia Beta SEC Founded: November 1, 1901 at the University of Richmond Nickname: SigEp Mission: Building Balanced Leaders for the World's Communities Colors: Purple and Red Symbol: Golden Heart Philanthropy: Youth AIDS Founding Principles: Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly Love Active Chapters: 262

Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life

11

Fraternity and Sorority Life will be the foremost vehicle for the development of leadership, citizenship, intellect, and positive relationships among college students. -Interfraternity Institute Vision

VCU is an equal opportunity affirmative action institution. If you need special accommodations to participate in these events due to a disability, contact the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life at (804)828-4685 OSA&ES Communications - 8/07