Changes

The year of 2020 was marked by great change. This spring Chi welcomed 6 additional members to the freshman pledge class. Shortly before their initiation, the University of Minnesota implemented safety protocols due to COVID-19. In addition to all classes switching to an online format, Chi did their part to slow down the spread by carrying out all activities virtually. Typically during the morning after initiation members of Kappa families get together for brunch and littles receive a basket of gifts from their big. Although initiation was virtual in the spring, members of the chapter did a drive by for each girl to celebrate their initiation and safely deliver their baskets. // To stay connected a weekly newsletter was sent out that included suggestions for books, podcasts, movies, and recipes to try during quarantine. In the spring and fall, members participated in various sisterhood events over zoom such as workout classes with current and alumnae Kappas and educational programming. Fall Recruitment was done virtually this year and we were able to welcome 37 new members! Chi was able to host some sisterhoods in person, such as a socially distanced bonfire. // Despite the switch to virtual learning, members were still very successful academically. The chapter’s average GPA was 3.73 and ranked the third highest GPA out of the 14 sororities on campus. 80 members made the Dean’s List with 29 members earning a 4.0. In the fall, Chi was able to host socially-distanced study nights by reserving a large lecture hall through the university. "

Chi continues to support two main philanthropies: Reading is Fundamental and Girls Academy. Every Spring Chi holds Breakfast at Kappa to fundraise for Reading is Fundamental. This spring this event was scheduled before COVID-19 had reached Minnesota and there were very few cases across the country so it was still held in person. In the fall, Chi opted for a virtual fundraiser to support Girls Academy by having members complete a 5k on their own. Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, Chi was able to raise sufficient funds for both of our philanthropies.

Outside of our formal philanthropies, members of Chi engaged in volunteering within our community. In addition to volunteering events at Feed My Starving Children and other local organizations, members supported our community this summer during widespread unrest in the Twin Cities due to racial injustice. Individuals participated in protests and fundraising efforts and took this time to both raise awareness and educate themselves. Members of Chapter Council also took this time to examine the ways in which change needed to occur within the organization. Leaders responsible for public relations worked on ensuring our presence online encouraged diversity while remaining genuine. Additional educational programming focused on intersectionality was added within various departments. Before recruitment all members participated in a training on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion which focused on values-based recruitment, a history of racial exclusion within recruitment as well as ongoing microaggressions. This was done in tandem with an implicit bias training. Later on in the year all members attended a presentation by one of the cofounders of the Mapping Prejudice Project. Members learned about the history and lasting impacts of redlining in the Twin Cities and how those impacts can be seen within Greek life and the university community at large. The Panhellenic Council also hosted various Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programming events that members from all pledge classes participated in. PHC has implemented a lot of welcome change this year, in part led by the president of PHC who is a member of our chapter! This past year Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts within Chi were led by the Vice President of Internal Affairs. Our chapter has added a director position for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion which will be within the Department of Member Development.