September 7, 2020
As we near the start of the academic year and many of our students’ return to campus, we want to welcome you back to the hybrid lifestyle at the University of Michigan. Whether your form of learning is in-person or virtual, we can’t wait to get the semester started! As we welcome you, we are reminded of the last time our university community was gathered together. Since the end of in-person instruction in March so much has changed, and we have been challenged in ways we never anticipated. Many of us returned home and had to fulfill our academic and extracurricular responsibilities while forgoing the social and interpersonal benefits of being college students. Some of us have seen financial hardship or lost job opportunities as a result of COVID-19, and others have experienced mental health challenges due to isolation. Most tragically, many have lost loved ones to the virus. As council leaders, we offer our sincere condolences for the families from which COVID-19 has taken, and share our solidarity and hopefulness as we persist towards the fall.
This fall will look different for all of us as students and as individuals. Since last March, we have learned more about COVID-19 and how it affects various populations. We cannot ignore the broader implications and responsibilities of being a member of Fraternity & Sorority Life during this unprecedented time. We must also be mindful of how the virus has disproportionately affected communities of color, and do our part to work against this inequity. As we acknowledge this inequity, we want to recognize those in our community who displayed incredible resilience and continued to create a safe environment for the community. They faced a variety of uncertainties and managed to support their organizations through these challenging times along the way.
Worldwide, people are trying their best to practice self-isolation and social distancing to stop the spread of the virus. Since the beginning, the councils of Fraternity and Sorority Life encouraged students to stay connected with the council and the University and support one another as we face an uncertainty of these times. By keeping in contact with the council, students will stay informed on the latest information on how the council is proceeding in the fall. We must continue to cope, battle, and persevere through this outbreak as we put forward an effort to remain active within our organizations. The university offers a variety of resources to help us through this unpredictable time. In this time, we must remember to take care of ourselves, so that we can continue to take care of those around us.
Additionally, within the fall semester the Fraternity & Sorority Life community will be celebrating its 175th anniversary! As we go into semester, encourage students to explore the Instagram pages for the all four councils so they can continue to learn about each council and participate in their virtual activities. Fall intake is still important to our communities, so ensure that you are conducting safe programming and extending an open line of communication to the community to let them know they are welcomed to learn more about any council of their choosing.
It is of the number 1 priority to keep the community safe. In doing this, we must continue to wear face coverings, practice social distancing, limit social gatherings, and continue to monitor our personal health. If you are exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, or are experiencing symptoms, it is essential to self-isolate, get tested, and notify other persons you may have come into contact with. Fraternity and sorority chapters should continue to operate during COVID-19 by conducting meetings and hosting events virtually. The positive work our chapters do should not change even though the semester may look different. If we continue to practice these safety measures, we will continue to be an example for the community and actively be a part of the change we wish to see in the future.
See you soon,
Chyanne Elle Ian Maria
NPHC President Panhel President IFC President MGC President