Description

Institute Information

The Student Organization Misconduct Institute (SOMI) is taking place this year from November 4 - 5, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri in partnership with the Education Law Association (ELA)! 

SOMI is designed for campus-based conduct practitioners, sorority and fraternity headquarters staff, student organization advisors, and organizational stakeholders who wish to develop knowledge and skills related to navigating student organization misconduct specifically and behavior change-focused accountability approaches. The Institute will address the entire accountability process starting from receipt of report through final outcome as well as legislative impacts such as the Stop Campus Hazing Act.

As a result of participating in SOMI, participants will (including but not be limited to):

• Identify and articulate legislative impacts on such as FERPA, Stop Campus Hazing Act, etc. 
• Distinguish individual accountability processes from group adjudication procedures
• Explore differences among the various types of student organizations
• Discuss effective ways to evaluate credibility of reports and apply interim actions
• Discuss strategies for relationship building with campus and external partners supporting organizations
• Explore investigative approaches for full-scale investigations and fact-finding meetings including identifying and using investigative teams, pre investigation work, investigative strategies, and more
• Explore various resolution options including informal, formal, mutual agreement, and more
• Develop strategies for understanding and addressing root cause of group misconduct to inform outcomes (sanctions)
• Recognize the spectrum of hazing and approaches to hazing prevention/reduction practices
• Understand varying influences impacting organization behavior
• Identify resources that will support effective student organization adjudication processes

As the Institute is being offered in partnership with ELA, there is the ability to register for the Institute as either a stand-alone event or as an add-on to an ELA Annual Conference registration. All Institute participants are invited to stay through the Wednesday night opening session at no additional cost, even if not registered for the full ELA event. Prices below are for SOMI only. Please see the ELA Annual Conference website for ELA Conference rates.

Institute Pricing

Early Bird Registration (dates TBD)

• Member Rate: $199.00
• Non-Member Rate: $299.00

Regular Registration (dates TBD)

• Member Rate: $249.00
• Non-Member Rate: $349.00

Late Registration (dates TBD)

• Member Rate: $299.00
• Non-Member Rate: $399.00

**Please note, there will be no meals provided through the Institute.

Faculty Information & Bios

Christina Parle

Christina Parle (she/they), or CP, is an educator, thought leader, and consultant. Christina has specific experience in building effective systems, policies, and procedures, as well as curriculum writing, and leadership education. Much of her work is rooted in conflict resolution, effective communication, and building cultures that promote and embody belonging.

Christina has served in various roles over the past 10 years related to student and organizational misconduct, sororities and fraternities, and general student support. She served as the 2023-24 President of the Association for Student Conduct Administration, and most recently served as the Associate Dean of Students for Avila University. Christina received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Criminal Justice from the University of Central Missouri and her master’s in Higher Education with an emphasis in Student Affairs from Penn State University.

Christina lives in Kansas City, Missouri with her dog, Nugget, loves the musical Hamilton, and considers herself a tv show enthusiast. Contact: christina@cpedconsulting.com

Jeffrey Sun

Jeff is the Gradie R. & Mary D. Rowntree Endowed Chair in Higher Education Administration, Policy, and Law at the University of Louisville and Counsel at Manley Burke. His research and practice areas focus on higher education law and professional/career education policies and practice. Dr. Sun has served as Project Director and Principal Investigator for over $27 million in externally funded grants. He has published approximately 100 scholarly works and is co-author of 12 books including Law, policy, and higher education; Law and educational inequality: Removing barriers to educational opportunities; Student clashes on-campus: A leadership guide to free speech; and Academic leadership and governance of higher education: A guide for trustees, leaders, and aspiring leaders of two- and four-year institutions. Jeff received his law degree (J.D.) from the Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University and an M.Phil. and a Ph.D. from Columbia University.

Hotel Information

Book your stay at the Marriott Country Club Plaza at the discounted ELA rate of $169/night while there’s space!

Airport Transportation

(Note:  Kansas City International’s IATA Code is “MCI”, but you may hear it referred to as “KCI.”)

Book your transportation to and from the airport with 5 Guys Transportation. Uber/Lyft rides from Kansas City International Airport to the Country Club Plaza usually run about $80, subject to surge pricing and tips. With the promo code “ELAinKC2025”, riding with 5 Guys is $73.14 from the airport to the hotel and $68.36 from the hotel to the airport–all-inclusive of fees and gratuity.  

5 Guys will email you a confirmation, call to confirm the day before you fly, track your flight, and meet you inside the airport with a personalized sign. The price is fixed, and you’ll have a private ride.  If you know that you’ll arrive with a group, a cheaper shared is available as well.

Registration

Ready to register for the Student Organization Misconduct Institute? A link to complete the registration process through the Education Law Association will be provided soon!