April 10, 2020
The North American Interfraternity Conference is committed to supporting member fraternities and Interfraternity Councils with resources and information during this pandemic

The most current information and resources can be found at:
Weekend Reads:
Millsaps College president Robert W. Pearigen speaks about the history of some of the buildings at the small liberal arts college in Jackson, Miss., Friday, April 3, 2020. With students online learning in face of the coronavirus, Pearigen and other small college leaders face an unusual set of financial and enrollment challenges because of the virus. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Fraternal Think Tank
NIC President and CEO Judson Horras formed a Fraternal Think Tank charged with discussing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the fraternity industry and developing recommendations. Experts have been invited for discussions in different areas that impact the fraternal experience including public health, higher education enrollment forecasting, housing and more. The discussions are recorded as a resource for member fraternities, interfraternity councils and advisors.

NEW THIS WEEK: Discussion recordings:

  • Student Life Discussion - Q&A about impact of COVID-19 on student life and fraternity community with Chris Graham, Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Florida State; Jenny Loeffelman, Assistant Vice President for Student and Campus Life, Cornell University; Jeremiah Shinn, Vice President of Student Affairs, LSU
  • Technology & Virtual Experiences Discussion - Q&A about the impact of COVID-19 on the fraternal community and how technology can be used for virtual experiences with Mike Bourassa of WBT Systems; Holly Rider-Milkovich of EverFi; Chris Woods of Plaid
  • Collegiate Athletics & Campus Life Discussion - Q&A about impact of COVID-19 on collegiate athletics and campus life with Mary Ellen Gillespie, Deputy Director, Women’s Basketball Coaches Association

Previously recorded discussions:


Additional recordings will be available in the coming days in COVID-19 Resources.

Business Resources:

In addition to discussions with assembled experts, the NIC is researching additional resources that may assist in your operational assessments and decisions. While resources are added almost daily, the following are currently available:

Congress acting on COVID-19 stimulus
Educational Webinars
The NIC is both researching available webinars focused on responding to the COVID-19 impact and working with partners to develop webinars focused on topics specific to the interfraternal community. All currently known webinars can be found in our COVID-19 Resources on our website. If you have additional free webinars to include, email Todd Shelton.

Upcoming Webinars include:
Adjusting to Advising Remotely and Engaging Remote Advisors – with Chris Woods from PLAID
As students and professionals continue to adapt their advising of fraternity/sorority chapters, local volunteers and alumni have also felt stranded by not knowing how to best support their chapters. Unable to maintain standard advising practices through face-to-face consultations, or attendance at chapter meetings has led many volunteer advisors to wonder what steps they should be taking to help support their undergraduate members.

This webinar with NIC Alliance Partner PLAID will provide fraternity and sorority advisors and council presidents with advice on how to engage local advisors to help maintain chapter accountability, commitment, and reinforce brotherhood during this challenging time.
Recordings of previous webinars:
Crisis on Campus: College Students and Mental Health - Nearly 40% of U.S. college students report being unable to function due to depression1. With an average of 1 mental health counselor for every 1,700 students seeking support2, we know colleges are struggling to get students the support they deserve. In this webinar, Talkspace’s Director of Clinical Content, Dr. Amy Cirbus, will discuss the unique mental health challenges today’s college students are navigating, as well as strategies and tools to help them cope. (presented by Pennington & Co.)
Connecting through Closures and Chaos - Campus closures have sent many of us home. Ultimately, fraternities and sororities will bring us back. It is more important than ever to look at new solutions for stronger bonds (presented by Pennington & Co.)
Staying in Touch and Navigating Remote Community Operations - As campuses have moved to remote classes and guidance related to COVID-19 continues to evolve, let’s come together to discuss resources to help you remain connected, support chapters and members in your communities, make the most of the current environment and opportunities, and navigate a challenging situation that has and will continue to upend our daily lives.
Using Crises to Refine Strategy | Supporting Your Fraternity-Sorority Councils - CAMPUS ADVISOR FOCUSED: Moments of crisis can provide an opportunity to reflect on the strategy behind your work and evaluate the systems in place to support councils. (presented with RISE)
IFC Resources
Other Resources:
“During this difficult time, our member fraternities wanted to give back to the community by voting to allocate any dues that were not used this semester to support their peers at the university and those serving on the front lines to combat COVID-19,” said Brice Talley, IFC President. “We are excited to help in any way possible and we hope this allows other organizations to follow in supporting those in need.”
Take a break . . .
It is ok. We are all being overwhelmed with news and information about COVID-19 and its impact. Below are some resources and reading to allow you to take a break. If you have a particularly good read or activity you'd like to share, send to Todd Shelton .


(courtesy of Creative Mornings )

NIC Contacts:
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