The Tightrope program by Plaid (the learning platform we use) is an online safety and risk management program designed for college students, which covers real topics and realistic experiences in Greek life and more across the holistic university experience. It provides education on alcohol and substance abuse, hazing prevention, mental health, and sexual assault awareness.
The program is meant to help students navigate common risks and landmines they might come across. Tightrope provides students with relevant and important information needed to make better decisions and to keep themselves & others safe.
It is REQUIRED that every Associate Member access Plaid (in the Phi Tau Portal) and FULLY COMPLETE THE TIGHTROPE PROGRAM.
The curriculum is split into several short modules, and ALL must be completed by every Associate Member.
Modules include:
Tightrope Introduction
Alcohol and Substance Use Survey
The Facts About Alcohol and Other Drugs
The Culture of Drinking
Mental Health and Hazing Survey
Hazing and Being a Safe Student
Healthy Relationships
Mental Health
=============================================================
MENTAL HEALTH
POINT OF DISCUSSION:
What did you learn about warning signs in a brother that are easy to miss or write off as "he's just stressed" or "he's just busy?"
Fraternities often pride themselves on brotherhood and support, but stigma around mental health can still exist inside them. Where have you seen that stigma show up, even subtly — a joke, a dismissive comment, a "man up" attitude?
If a brother told you he was struggling, what would you actually say? Have you thought through real words, not just "I'd be there for him?"
What's the difference between being a supportive brother to someone in crisis and acting like a therapist? Why does knowing that difference matter for how you respond?
Who are the actual resources — on campus, in the chapter, or professional — you'd point a struggling brother toward? Could you name them right now without looking them up? Who in the chapter is your best resource for this information?
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Health & Safety costs continue to rise, and can have a very real impact on how much your chapter pays...which means it has a real impact on how much each member of the chapter pays in their total dues. When members of the fraternity are well-informed, they have a better chance of being safe and avoiding health & safety violations that could put the chapter at risk of surcharges. Completion of Tightrope is mandatory, it is important for every member's safety, and it is also an important way to help ensure your chapter's costs remain as controlled as possible...which impacts every brother.