18 January 2007
Greetings!
We hope you enjoyed the Winter break and are ready for the start of classes in 2007. Best wishes to all of those chapters who have recently begun their recruitment processes.
See below for subscription/unsubscription details and directions for future postings to this list. Please direct all Greek News inquiries to clwe@virginia.edu. Thank you for your time.
~Chris Wilcox Elliott
Office of the Dean of Students/Fraternity & Sorority Life (OFSL)
434.924.7430
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I. A quick snapshot of Greek Life at U.Va. in 2006…
II. Pre-Approved FOA Programs
A. Spotlight on Peer Health Educators
III. Applications to U.Va.'s Unique & Renowned Leadership
Programs
A. Young Women Leaders Program
B. Men's Leadership Project
IV. 2007 Orientation Leader Info Session & Applications
V. FIFE's Take Back the Night Planning Session - Tuesday, January 30th - 8pm - Minor 130
VI. Vagina Monologues Auditions - Sunday, January 21st - 12-3 PM (Sign up at the lawn beforehand) - South Meeting Room of Newcomb
VII. President Casteen's Annual State of the University
Address
Wednesday, Feb. 7 - Noon - Old Cabell Hall
VIII. Applications Available for the Nationally-recognized OAAA Peer Advisors Program
IX. DREAMGIRLS - The First Official Party of 2007
Sat, Jan 20 @ 10pm in the SAB - $5
X. Seven Society Graduate Fellowship Nominations - Nominate your Graduate TA for their hard work…
XI. CLAS Research Grant Applications due Feb 28th - $1500 to do research with a faculty mentor
XII. Miscellaneous
A. Quotes or Quips of the Week
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I. A quick snapshot of Greek Life at U.Va. in 2006…
Total Greek-affiliated U.Va. students = 3467 or 25.9% of enrolled
undergraduate population
Population distributed by council:
1806 members of the InterSorority Council
62 members of the Multicultural Greek Council
1515 members of the InterFraternity Council
84 members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council
881 Greek-affiliated students graduated in Spring 2006
The following is GPA data at the end of Spring 2006 for all U.Va. students,
all U.Va. Greek students, and all new members of any Fraternity or Sorority
at U.Va.. Data for Fall 2006 will be available in the next few weeks, as
it is currently being calculated by OFSL.
Term |
Cumulative |
|
| All U.Va. | 3.256 | 3.198 |
| All Greek | 3.262 | 3.209 |
| All New Members | 3.164 | 3.215 |
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II. Pre-Approved FOA Programs
Spotlight on Peer Health Educators' Outreach to the Greek
Community
Outreaches are offered to any organization in the University community,
though we receive the majority of our requests from fraternities and sororities
(to fulfill FOA requirements) and first year dorms (for health and wellness
requirements). Outreaches are intended to provide general information
and further resources on several health topics that are of particular
importance to the college population. Current PHE outreaches include:
Sexfest (sexual health), Buzzed (alcohol and drugs), Trouble in the Bubble
(stress management), and Nutrition (healthy eating).
Outreach Descriptions
Sexfest
The sexual health outreach provides students with information that will
enable them to make safer choices about their sexual practices and address
any misconceptions about sexual health. The STI card game gives the audience
a basic understanding of types, transmission, symptoms, and other relevant
STI information. HPV and other common STIs on college campuses are the
focus of the presentation. The difference and efficacy of STI testing
and screening is also mentioned. A variety of contraceptive options are
discussed to give students an idea of the multiple options available for
practicing safer sex. The outreach goes into more detail on condom use,
including how to properly put one on, since this is a widely available
and relatively easy to use method for the college population.
Trouble in the Bubble
The stress management outreach begins with an emphasis on the existence
of good and bad stress, as well as reviewing how students react to stress
and ideas for how students can cope with it. Two ways are specifically
taught in how to relieve stress, either through massage techniques or
a deep breathing exercise. The outreach also touches on illness caused
by stress, depression, anxiety disorders and suicide, which students may
be more vulnerable to as a result of stress. Most students can recognize
stress in their environment, so the outreach plans to encourage positive
ways to manage stress and alert them to resources (such as CAPS) at their
disposal.
Buzzed
The alcohol and illicit drugs outreach gives students information that
will help them to avoid high-risk behaviors and clear up any previously
held myths about these substances. General information, such as University
policies and alcohol facts, are reviewed through a variety of interactive
games. For example, drug cards are used to provide specific descriptions
for common substances that are abused. Another activity stresses the importance
of knowing the amount of alcohol in a given drink, as many students are
often unaware how much alcohol they are consuming. The outreach also covers
strategies for helping a friend who may have a drug problem and taking
care of someone who is under the influence.
Nutrition
The nutrition outreach aims to define healthy eating and give students
the tools they need to achieve this in college, despite the difficulties
of the dining hall or cooking one's own food. Commonly held nutrition
myths are dispelled, the USDA's new food pyramid is described, and a nutrition
label is explained. As healthier eating has been proven difficult on a
meal plan or for students who often eat out, an activity for planning
meals in a dining hall or at common Corner restaurants is included. Body
image and eating disorder issues are not a focus of the outreach, but
other services on grounds are mentioned as resources. We provide links
to resources for healthy eating (like mypyramid.gov, nutritionist consultations
[for those on a meal plan and those without]), and information for vegetarians.
Please Note:
" Requests for PHE outreach should be directed to the Office of Health
Promotion at 924-1509 or phe_outreaches@yahoo.com, PHE Outreach Intern
at least two weeks prior to the requested presentation date.
" The request deadline for the Spring semester is April 13, 2007 - with April 27, 2007 being the last possible day for an outreach presentation to your organization.
" Additional information regarding these programs and the PHE program in general can be found at http://www.virginia.edu/studenthealth/peer/outreach.html.
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III. Applications to U.Va.'s Unique & Renowned Leadership
Programs
A. Young Women Leaders Program
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A BIG SISTER IN YWLP?????? Visit
the website at http://ywlp.virginia.edu/ to learn more about this unique
mentoring program through the U.Va. Women's Center.
COME TO ONE OF OUR INFORMATION SESSIONS TO LEARN MORE:
February 7, 2007 6:30pm Newcomb Hall Board Room
February 8, 2007 7:00pm Newcomb Hall Board Room
For more information, please contact Rebecca Lutz at ral2u@virginia.edu
B. Men's Leadership Project - application deadline tomorrow!!
Now accepting applications for its founding class, this innovative program is looking for about 12 -15 pioneering men to build the program's future. Successful applicants will participate in a 10-week leadership training program in the Spring Semester 2007, followed by a full academic year of mentoring with a 5th grade student at Walker Upper Elementary School. The first class of MLP leaders will help to plan activities for the subsequent year, having significant input into the design and implementation of the overall leadership & mentoring program. The application deadline is 19Jan07, with applications attached (in both word and pdf formats). Please contact Chris at clwe@virginia.edu or 434.924.7430 with any questions.
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IV. WANT TO GET PAID FOR LOVING U.Va.? BECOME A 2007 ORIENTATION
LEADER!
Attend one of the following information sessions to pick up an information
packet and learn more!
Tues., Jan. 23, 7-8 PM, Maury 209
Wed., Jan. 24, 7-8 PM, Minor 125
Applications due to the Office of Orientation and New Student Programs Monday, February 5 by 4 pm. Applications available at the Office of African-American Affairs, the Office of the Dean of Students (Peabody Hall, 2nd floor), the Office of Orientation (1 Poe Alley), the Student Activities Center, and University Career Services or at www.virginia.edu/orientation/leader.html
Questions? Contact Connie Freeman at 982-4540 or connie@virginia.edu
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V. FIFE's Take Back the Night Planning Session - Tuesday, January 30th - 8PM - Minor 130
Hello Everyone,
I am very excited to announce that Feminism is for Everyone
will begin
planning for Take Back the Night soon! Take Back the Night is an annual
event in which survivors of sexual assault as well as sexual assault and
domestic violence prevention activists participate in a march and a
vigil/speak out where survivors can choose to share their experiences
anonymously in a safe space.
We would like to invite your organization to co-sponsor
the event with us
this year, and ask for you to send representatives (or anyone interested)
to
attend a planning meeting on Tuesday, January 30, at 8 pm in Minor 130.
Planning for TBTN requires tons of input from many different organizations,
and we hope you will be able to join us again this year to prepare an
event
that is both powerful and inspiring for all involved. The tentative date
for
this year's event is Thursday, April 12, and there will be week-of
programming as well.
In short:
Take Back the Night Planning Meeting
Tuesday, January 30, 8 pm
Minor 130
Please forward this information to anyone you think may
be interested in
helping to plan Take Back the Night!
Thanks!
Steph Salter
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VI. . Vagina Monologues Auditions - Sunday, January 21st
- 12-3 PM (Sign up
at the lawn beforehand) - South Meeting Room of Newcomb
Hello all,
Surely many of you have heard of The Vagina Monologues,
and hopefully some
of you are familiar with its connection to the V-Day Campaign, a global
effort to raise awareness, support, funds, and resources for ending
violence against women. Spectrum Theater will present benefit
performances of The Vagina Monologues on February 23-25, and we want the
production to incorporate the experiences and viewpoints of all students
interested?in other words, we're not looking for any specific 'type' of
person, just anyone who wants to share input. That includes men! Though
men
cannot perform in the show, we really encourage men to come help with
fundraising, publicity, outreach, the whole works. Women, if you want
to
audition, please sign up this week at 30 East Lawn for a timeslot between
12-3pm this Saturday, January 20 ? the audition will be in the South Meeting
Room of Newcomb. All you have to prepare is a poem or monologue (1-2
minutes) of your choice to perform; it does not have to be memorized.
Walk-ins will
be welcome to read from material provided at the audition. Callbacks will
be Sunday, January 21 between 12-3pm and no preparation is needed.
ALL women and men who are interested in participating in
V-Day or The Vagina
Monologues in ANY capacity (that includes performing, advertising,
fundraising, ushering, selling tickets, moral support, etc): please contact
me at meganross@virginia.edu .
Thanks for your time! Good luck with the new semester!
Megan Ross
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VII. President Casteen's Annual State of the University
Address
Wednesday, Feb. 7 o Noon o Old Cabell Hall
President John T. Casteen III invites ALL members of the University Community to a discussion on the State of the University.
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VIII. Applications Available for the Nationally-recognized OAAA Peer Advisors Program
Peer Advisor Applications for the 2007-2008 academic year are now available in the Office of African-American Affairs for pickup and online via http://www.virginia.edu/oaaa/paprogram/ .
The application deadline is Friday, February 2, at 5:00 p.m. Applications must be submitted to the Office of African-American Affairs.
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IX. DREAMGIRLS - The First Official Party of 2007
The Lovely Ladies of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. present
DREAMGIRLS
The First Official Party of 2007
SAT, Jan 20
10pm
SAB - $5
To Start their Last Spring Semester Off Right,
Women of the Class of 2007 are Free until 12
After 12, graduating ladies are ONLY $3
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X. Seven Society Graduate Fellowship Nominations - Nominate your Graduate TA for their hard work…
Have you taken a course here at U.Va. that you?ve enjoyed more than any other? Was a graduate T.A an integral part of this collegiate learning experience? Was your last T.A. both an excellent teacher and guide for your courses and beyond? Here is your chance to nominate a past T.A. for recognition and money!
The Seven Society and the Teaching Resource Center proudly announce the Seven Society Graduate Fellowship for Superb Teaching. T.A. nominations will be accepted from December 18th until February 9th.
For information about the award and nomination process,
please visit our website. Event URL http://trc.virginia.edu/Awards/GTA/Seven/Nomination.htm
Contact: Sarah Tweedt
Seven Society Fellowship Coordinator
trcseven@virginia.edu
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XI. CLAS Research Grant Applications due Feb 28th - $1500 to do research with a faculty mentor
Looking for money to do research? The CLAS Research Grant will give 5 students in the College $1500 each to conduct research on any topic of their choice.
Applications will be available for the grant starting on Thursday, Feb. 1st online at www.virginia.edu/cue/urn and www.student.virginia.edu/~college/.
Applications are due on Wednesday, Feb. 28th at 3 pm to Garrett Hall. All applicants must have a faculty mentor.
Contact: clasgrants@gmail.com
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XII. Miscellaneous
A. Quote of the Week
In the depths of Winter, I finally learned there was in
me an invinsible summer.
~Albert Camus
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Thanks for taking the time to skim this newsletter! Welcome Back…
Greek News is a public list that is available for folks
involved in the Fraternity & Sorority community at U.Va., so feel free
to forward the list membership link (https://list.mail.virginia.edu/mailman/listinfo/greeknews).
If you would like me to add something to this newsletter in the future,
please email your info blurb (see format above) to clwe@virginia.edu.
Cheers.
~Chris Wilcox Elliott
Office of the Dean of Students/Fraternity & Sorority Life
Lower Level, Madison House
434.924.7430