Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information & Resources
Updates from Lexington
Health officials across the world are closely monitoring the coronavirus pandemic. Most colleges and universities throughout North America have implemented preventive measures including shifting to entirely virtual classroom instruction, placing limitations on in-person group gatherings, and requesting students to stay home to participate in virtual classes. Additionally, workplaces, communities, towns, cities, and states have instituted policies or guidance to increase social distancing.
We recognize these directives are impacting many chapter members and the operations of chapters and alumni entities. If you should need any assistance in navigating that impact, please contact Fred Dobry, Director of Health and Safety, at fred.dobry@sigmanu.org.
Below you will find copies of our statements on the coronavirus pandemic and resources you and your chapter may find helpful. We will continue monitoring the evolving situation and provide updated information on this page and through email and social media channels, as may be appropriate.
Quick links to each section of this page are below:
Past Statements
Academic Support - Guidance on adjusting the chapter's academic support plan to help members transition to a fully online classroom experience.
Chapter Communications - Advice on developing and implementing effective communication strategies for keeping chapter stakeholders informed.
Financial Management - Guidance on navigating financial operations of the chapter during the coronavirus outbreak.
LEAD: Phase I and Beyond - Adjusting use of the LEAD Program and the Fraternity's other educational programs to meet member needs in a virtual environment.
Officer Transitions - Guidance on conducting virtual elections and completing an effective remote-based officer transition.
Pursuit of Excellence - Information and guidance on submitting the Pursuit of Excellence Self-Assessment Booklet and supporting documentation by the April 30th deadline.
Risk Reduction - Guidance for postponing or canceling chapter event plans and adjusting the chapter house maintenance protocol.
Virtual Meetings - Tips and tools for leading effective virtual chapter and committee meetings. The Fraternity has a limited number of licenses to the Zoom premium account. The premium account version of Zoom has no meeting time limit, can allow up to 300 participants, and can record meetings, among other features. If interested in acquiring one of the Fraternity's licenses, complete the Zoom Premium Account request form.
Recruitment Resources
Values-Based Recruitment - Developing and implementing an effective year-round recruitment plan in a time of social distancing and virtual operations.
Virtual Recruitment Best Practices - A collection of best practices for engaging in recruitment while operating virtually has been added to the new Virtual Operations section of the Best Practices Library.
Year-Round Recruitment - Review the recruitment section of the Fraternity's website for all the Fraternity's recruitment-related resources.
Growth Strategies and Recommendations for effectively navigating the impact of disrupted operations. This resource was created by Phired Up, Techni Phi, and the Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values, a consortium of fraternity/sorority consulting and education organizations.
Phired Up’s Guide to Digital Recruitment – This resource includes the four likely scenarios to plan for, nine digital recruitment principles, three council-specific scenarios, and twenty-three specific tactical recommendations.
Multimedia Materials – Sigma Nu-specific video materials for sharing on chapter social media channels or through direct communication with potential new members and/or parents.
Greek Parent Orientation – a video created by LaunchPoint, fraternity/sorority member education consulting firm, for parents of prospective new members.
Recruitment Webinars
The Fraternity recently held a live three-webinar series that covered the recruitment scenarios chapters should plan for for this summer and fall, how to generate names and leads using new and traditional marketing tools, and how to extend bids in a virtual environment. Each webinar also includes a brief "Key Takeaways" page for future reference.
Webinar 1 - The Facts, The Reality
Recording on YouTube
Key Takeaways
Webinar 2 - Lead Generation
Recording on YouTube
Key Takeaways
Webinar 3 - Recruit!
Recording on YouTube
Key Takeaways
Alumni Volunteer Resources
Alumni Volunteer Webinar - Recording of the March 30, 2020 webinar led by General Fraternity staff highlighting the Fraternity's response and resources related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Advising in a Virtual Environment - Advice, tools, and resources for effectively advising in a virtual environment.
The coronavirus pandemic can prompt many forms of mental distress, including stress, fear, and anxiety. Many groups have developed helpful mental health resources specifically for students, parents, and alumni navigating the experiences and feelings many of us are having in this unique time.
Behind Happy Faces is the Fraternity's mental health education program. The Advisor Resource Series is five (5) 5-10 minute online modules designed specifically for collegiate officers and alumni advisors. The Collegiate Member Program is five (5) 15-25 minute workshops, with four (4) recently released add-on lessons, designed for all collegiate members. Much like LEAD sessions, these workshops can easily be adjusted for an online experience.
Mental Health Quick Takes is the Fraternity's video series, with accompanying discussion guides, addressing mental health topics critical to successfully navigating times of unique challenges and mental distress.
VirusAnxiety.com provides a collection of resources for anxiety and mental health in a global climate of uncertainty.
Calm has compiled a collection of meditations and mindfulness tools.
Headspace has released a special series of meditations called "Weathering the Storm."
CDC Guidance on managing anxiety and stress caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Many campus counseling centers offer teletherapy as an online counseling option. Consult your campus counseling center website to see if this is currently an option at your host institution.
Several companies are offering support specifically for impacted college students:
- U-Haul is offering free self-storage for up to 30 days.
- Comcast is offering expanded access to its Internet Essentials service.
- Charter Communications is offering free broadband and wi-fi access.