”Either or, Not as a Whole:” Challenges of Multiracial Student Placemaking and Belonging in Sorority and Fraternity Chapters

This qualitative narrative inquiry study explored how Multiracial members negotiate multiple racial identities and locations to find a sense of belonging within sorority and fraternity environments. Participants eventually found a sense of belonging within their chapters through peers who they educated about their multiraciality. Their placemaking was fraught with experiences of monoracism, colorism, and relationships, which positioned them to serve as racial buffers and cultural translators for their monoracial chapter peers. The tenets of interest convergence and monoracism of Multiracial critical theory are used to interrogate these findings. Implications are provided to help campus-based professionals engage in identity advocacy and inclusion

A Descriptive Quantitative Exploration of College Students of Promise During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The term Students of Promise is used for students considered to have a heightened risk status, which not only has a negative effect on students but also on the higher education institutions they attend. This quantitative study explored how the COVID-19 virus has impacted student populations at various US higher education institutions and to uncover what specific issues (financial, emotional, social) impacted students during this unprecedented time in light of student categories and student demographics. This study found statistical significance in Students of Promise characteristics and presents data on the behaviors, activities, and tools necessary for success, concerns surrounding COVID-19, and opinions on higher education factors. Implications are also discussed to include a deeper understanding of Students of Promise needs, social mobility, and advising. This study shows that Students of Promise continue to need academic resources but also ways to lower stress levels and to afford college

Sisterhood and Authenticity: The Experiences of Generation Z Sorority Women in National Panhellenic Council (NPC) Chapters

Generation Z (Gen Z) has entered higher education and is not the traditional undergraduate student (18-24) and are the contemporary members of sororities. Gen Z is different from their Millennial predecessors and requires a reexamination to meet the needs of college students today. This qualitative study examined how National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sorority members who are in Gen Z described their connectedness through sense of belonging and their own generation. We identified two themes: (1) the importance of authenticity and deep connections and (2) emerging Gen Z group identity. Recommendations for practice include more interpersonal recruitment efforts and leadership development for authentic conversations in fraternity/sorority life

Educating Future Leaders in Fraternities: Outcomes from Participation in a National Fraternity Emerging Leaders Program

Campus engagement opportunities such as leadership development have potential for students to strengthen their personal skills. As such, fraternities and sororities can play an influential role in strengthening students’ leadership skills. The present study examines the efficacy of a fraternity emerging leaders program, which is an educational opportunity focused on the development of new leaders. Data were collected from participants at three time intervals. Findings suggest students develop across several leadership domains, creating a stronger appreciation of their organizational values and fraternity ritual compared to non-participants. Recommendations for practice are included to address the transfer problem of leadership application and provide future directions for emerging leader program development

SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence: Demographic and Behavioral Factors Associated With Seropositivity Among College Students in a University Setting

Purpose: Examine SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and the association of seropositivity with demographic, geographic, and behavioral variables among University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) undergraduate students enrolled in the fall 2020 semester. Methods: All UNC-CH undergraduate students were invited to participate in the Heelcheck study; participants were weighted to the UNC-CH undergraduate population using raking methods. We estimate SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence at study entrance (11/12/2020–12/10/2020) and bivariable associations using log-binomial regression. Results: SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 7.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 5.4%–9.2%) at baseline. Compared to students who were living off-campus in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area (CH) for the Fall 2020 semester (8.6% seroprevalence), students who never returned to CH had lower seroprevalence (1.9%, prevalence ratio (PR), 95% CI: 0.22, 0.06–0.81), whereas, students who started the semester on-campus and moved to off-campus CH housing had 18.9% seroprevalence (PR, 95% CI: 2.21, 1.04–4.72) and students who spent the semester living in a Sorority/Fraternity house had 46.8% seroprevalence (PR, 95% CI: 5.47, 2.62–11.46). Those who predicted they would join an indoor party unmasked had 3.8 times the seroprevalence of those who indicated they would not attend (PR, 95% CI: 3.80, 1.58–9.16). Compared to students who disagreed with the statement “…I am not going to let COVID-19 stop me from having fun…”, those who agreed had higher seroprevalence (14.0% vs. 5.7%; (PR, 95% CI: 2.45, 1.13–5.32)). Discussion: Increased seroprevalence was associated with congregate living and participation (actual or endorsed) in social activities. During pandemics, universities must create safe socializing opportunities while minimizing transmission

Searching for gravitational waves from known pulsars

We present upper limits on the amplitude of gravitational waves from 28 isolated pulsars using data from the second science run of LIGO. The results are also expressed as a constraint on the pulsars' equatorial ellipticities. We discuss a new way of presenting such ellipticity upper limits that takes account of the uncertainties of the pulsar moment of inertia. We also extend our previous method to search for known pulsars in binary systems, of which there are about 80 in the sensitive frequency range of LIGO and GEO 600.Comment: Accepted by CQG for the proceeding of GWDAW9, 7 pages, 2 figure

First LIGO search for gravitational wave bursts from cosmic (super)strings

We report on a matched-filter search for gravitational wave bursts from cosmic string cusps using LIGO data from the fourth science run (S4) which took place in February and March 2005. No gravitational waves were detected in 14.9 days of data from times when all three LIGO detectors were operating. We interpret the result in terms of a frequentist upper limit on the rate of gravitational wave bursts and use the limits on the rate to constrain the parameter space (string tension, reconnection probability, and loop sizes) of cosmic string models.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures. Replaced with version submitted to PR

Analysis of LIGO data for gravitational waves from binary neutron stars

We report on a search for gravitational waves from coalescing compact binary systems in the Milky Way and the Magellanic Clouds. The analysis uses data taken by two of the three LIGO interferometers during the first LIGO science run and illustrates a method of setting upper limits on inspiral event rates using interferometer data. The analysis pipeline is described with particular attention to data selection and coincidence between the two interferometers. We establish an observational upper limit of $\mathcal{R}<$1.7 \times 10^{2}$per year per Milky Way Equivalent Galaxy (MWEG), with 90coalescence rate of binary systems in which each component has a mass in the range 1--3$M_\odot$.Comment: 17 pages, 9 figure