Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update from the National Leadership
The Pi Alpha Phi National Leadership continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation and how it is affecting our members on their respective campuses. Many institutions are moving towards online or remote education, and we have compiled the following guidelines and suggested actions.
University/Government Guidelines
Each University and/or local municipality will communicate their own set of rules and regulations regarding COVID-19. We ask that you follow those recommendations first and foremost. Our utmost concern is the health and safety of our members and those localized guidelines will have the best interest of the community in mind. If any of our suggested actions contradict a local policy, please defer to, and execute, the local guidelines.
If remote or e-learning has been established at your school, we encourage you to follow your institution’s recommendations. If your school is asking students to return to their primary residences during the time when face-to-face instruction is prohibited, please do so.
Gatherings
As mentioned previously, follow any directive from the institution and/or local government as it pertains to the size of gatherings that are allowable. One of the easiest ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to limit or eliminate non-essential social interactions, especially in large group settings.
Initiation and Volunteer Support
Many of our chapters are in the middle or end of the New Member Education process. We encourage chapters to schedule and execute initiation as soon as possible if their local campus guidelines allow for it.
Given the growing focus on social distancing from the CDC, we are encouraging Chapter Advisors and other alumni volunteers to transition to remote support of local chapters.
If your chapter needs pledge or active pins:
- To request PLEDGE pins,click here.
- To request ACTIVE pins for new brothers,click here.
Virtual Chapter Operations
The health and safety of each member is our utmost priority in this uncertain time. Accurate rosters are vital for us to provide timely communications to all members. If your chapter has not provided an updated roster with the National Fraternity this month, please email one toadmin@pialphaphi.com.
Additionally, we encourage chapter executive boards to take time to focus on chapter strategic planning by hosting a virtual, executive officer retreat to prepare for summer and fall programs and events.
Risk Management Policies
In this time of change and instability, the National Board wants to reinforce that our policies and procedures are still active and enforceable. If your respective campus has transitioned to a remote or e-learning platform, the daily routine will differ as there are no rigid commitments and the potential of social gatherings outside the normal time frame can become more prominent.
If a Chapter Member displays signs of potential illness...
1. Currently, the CDC recommends facilities housing residents followInterim Guidance for US Institutions of Higher Educationto isolate ill persons. Contact your host institution’s health center or state or local health officials for further guidance.
2. Cleaning and/or disinfecting the chapter property is best left to professionals.
3. Regularly checkthe CDC websitefor up-to-date information on COVID-19.
Study Abroad/Spring Break
If your chapter has members returning from study abroad or spring break trip, specifically from a CDC Level 3-country, they should not return to the chapter until completion of the required fourteen-day self-quarantine. For all international travel return or lodging, we encourage chapters to follow the CDC, campus, and local guidelines on self-quarantine or social distancing.
2020 Convention
The National Board of Directors is monitoring the COVID-19 situation very closely. We understand the situation is changing rapidly. We have been in contact with the Embassy Suites Dallas multiple times about COVID-10.
At this time, WE WILL HOST the National Convention in Dallas on June-18-20, 2020.
While we continue to plan for the most likely eventuality that our convention in Dallas, TXwilltake place, Pi Alpha Phi is balancing this with the best interests of all of its stakeholders. In the interest of making plans for a successful gathering this June, Pi Alpha Phi will open registration and encourage attendance as normal. If the National Convention is cancelled as a result of COVID-19 related risks or shutdowns, the fraternity will refund or credit individual payments.
In essence, we want you to make plans to join us with the peace of mind that any monetary commitment you make through individual registration fees will be refunded back to you in the event of a convention cancellation.
Sincerely,
The Pi Alpha Phi National Board