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Schreiner
University
Fraternity and Sorority
Standards of Responsibility
Greek Life at Schreiner University has been an integral part of the
holistic education and development of students. They have been, and
continue to be, partners in seeking to create challenging and
supportive environments in which individuals can excel. The mission
of men’s and women’s fraternities is to promote the personal and
professional growth of their members, and to create out-of-classroom
education opportunities for their members.
In cooperation with the University, fraternities and sororities
share responsibility for strengthening the quality of student life
by making a significant contribution to present and future student
generations. These organizations provide a community where members
can acquire and develop communication skills, appreciation for civic
responsibilities, human relation skills and social and leadership
development.
Fraternities and sororities strive to fulfill the goals of the
University. They seek to compliment the academic mission of the
University by encouraging and supporting academic achievement. They
provide a significant contribution to the extra-curricular aspect of
the University by offering a strong sense of community to its
members, a commitment to community service and philanthropic
endeavors. Fraternities and sororities provide their members with a
sense of belonging that is evident in their loyalty to and generous
support of the University during their collegiate and alumni/ae
years.
Schreiner University recognizes the contributions fraternities and
sororities make to students and University life. Schreiner
recognizes the nationally or internationally affiliated general
men’s and women’s fraternities that remain in good standing with the
Institution and respective Inter/National organizations. The
University community is committed to support these organizations,
their undergraduate and alumni members, and their respective
headquarters, in their efforts to maintain their ideals and purposes
to the extent that they further the mission of Schreiner University.
Policies, guidelines and expectations are not limited to those
stated here.
Regulations and
Guidelines for Greek Organizations
Those organizations that fall under Greek Life are social fraternities.
Such associations are expected to encourage high standards of
leadership, scholarship, character, conduct and social education. In
accordance with federal law, these groups may impose membership limits
based on gender as long as they meet all of the qualifications of being
a social fraternity. In order to meet the standards to be a “social
fraternity,” the organization must be able to answer no to the following
questions:
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Is the
organization's membership limited to persons pursing or having
interest in a particular field of study, profession or academic
discipline?
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Is the membership
limited to individuals who have a high level of achievement in
scholarship or any other endeavor?
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Are the members
permitted to hold membership in other fraternities or sororities at
The University?
If a group answers
"yes" to any of the questions, it is not a "social fraternity" and
therefore is not exempt from the requirements of Title IX and therefore
must accept members of both sexes. For more information, please contact
the Department of Student Activities. Greek organizations are also
subject to the rules and policies established by the University, any
University rules that apply only to fraternities or sororities, and
rules and policies of the Greek Council.
Fraternities and sororities and other groups affiliated with national
organizations are required to adhere to all policies enforced by the
national office representing that organization. Contact will be
maintained with the national offices regarding the conduct of these
organizations.
The following policies are intended to define the relationship between
fraternities/sororities and Schreiner University, to provide guidelines
for successful Greek Life on campus, and to guide successive generations
of fraternity and sorority members in maintaining the strengths of the
Greek system at Schreiner University. Policies, guidelines and
expectations are not limited to those stated here.
Definitions – In this and other documents, “fraternal
association” or “fraternal organization” indicates both national social
fraternities and sororities. The term “chapter” denotes individual Greek
organizations on campus. “New member” is used instead of “pledge,” and
indicates any person who has been accepted by, is considering an offer
of membership from, or is in the process of qualifying for membership in
an organization. “Rush” or “Recruitment” is a time when Greek
organizations formally and officially coordinate recruitment and
selection of new members.
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Formation – The
proposal for formation and recognition of any fraternal associations
or the affiliation of any association with a national fraternal
organization should be discussed with the Director of Student
Activities. The Dean of Students, in consultation with the Director
of Student Activities, and the Greek Council will then determine the
feasibility of the request. Establishing a need for a new
organization is essential to the recognition process. In addition, a
prospective group must follow the same steps in becoming a
Recognized Student Organization (RSO) as any other student group.
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Recognition –
Accepted association with a national fraternal organization must be
formalized with the University by that organization becoming an RSO.
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Membership –
Membership in social fraternities and sororities is open to all
regularly enrolled, full-time Schreiner University students.
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New Members – All
new member activities must be consistent with Schreiner University
policies and statutes of the state of Texas. At no time should new
member activities or programs interfere with a student’s class
attendance or preparation. Within the first three weeks of classes
each semester, fraternities and sororities must have a signed
statement on file certifying that they are in receipt of and
compliance with the hazing policy of the university.
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Hazing – Activities
that endanger the health and safety of a student will be considered
hazing under state law and University policy. By law of the state of
Texas, institutions of higher education must publish a summary of
provisions prohibiting hazing in its student handbook and publish a
list of organizations that have been disciplined or convicted of
hazing, on or off campus, during the preceding three years. Please
refer to the section on hazing in this manual or the Student
Handbook for more information.
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Advisors – Each
fraternity and sorority shall have at least one, and preferably two,
advisors who are available to attend chapter meetings and to advise
the membership about chapter activities. One advisor must be a
full-time faculty or staff member at Schreiner University as
outlined in the expectations for RSOs.
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Group
Responsibility – Fraternities and sororities accept responsibility
for the actions of members and guests in association with chapter
sponsored events or programs. The chapter may also be held
responsible for the actions of individuals involved in other
official or unofficial events on or off campus.
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Greek Council – In
spring 2003, the fraternities and sorority of Schreiner University
formed an Inter-Greek Council made up of representatives from each
Greek organization. Fraternities and sororities are required to be
members of the Greek Council. The Council will coordinate all-Greek
events such as Greek Week, all Greek Service projects, all Greek
Socials and other campus-wide events. The Greek Council will work
with the Director of Student Activities and the Director of Judicial
Affairs to utilize the judicial process established for Greek Life
in regards to violations of Greek Council policy, and related
University policy. As a forum for communication between all
fraternities and sororities and the University, the Council is
expected to promote the common interests of all Greek organizations.
I. Registered Student Organization
Status/Inter-Greek Council Status
• Fraternities and sororities must register annually with the Office of
Student Activities. All single-sex fraternities and sororities are
required to be members of the Inter-Greek Council. Sorority chapters are
required to be members of the Panhellenic Council.
• To maintain registered status, Greek organizations must comply with
the following guidelines and policies:
1. Each academic year, organizations must submit a copy of the chapter’s
Constitution and Bylaws before registration is completed. A copy of the
organization’s Inter/national Constitution and Bylaws should also be
submitted.
2. Each organization agrees not to deny membership because of race,
religion, sex, sexual orientation, physical disability or national
origin unless the organization meets federal exemption specifications.
3. Each organization must comply with Schreiner University’s Hazing
Policy, which states, “Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless
act, occurring on or off campus, by one person alone or acting with
others, directed against a student that endangers the mental of physical
health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being
initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining
membership in an organization whose members are, or include students at
Schreiner University.” Please refer to the Schreiner Student Handbook
policy against hazing. Examples of hazing include, but are not limited
to: Physical brutality (whipping, beating, striking, branding,
electronic shocking, placing a harmful substance on the body or similar
activity); Physical activity such as sleep deprivation, exposure to the
elements, confinement in a small space, calisthenics, or other activity
that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm that adversely
affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student;
Consumption of food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, drug, or other
substances that may negatively affect mental or physical health;
Activity that intimidates of threatens a student with ostracism;
Activity that subjects the student to extreme mental stress, shame or
humiliation; Activity that induces, causes, or requires the student to
perform a duty or task that violates the law;
4. Each organization must have either a faculty or full-time staff
advisor. The organization is responsible to initiate the search for an
advisor.
5. Organization registration forms must be completed and submitted to
the Office of Student Activities within the first two (2) weeks of the
fall and spring terms or each time a major officer transition occurs.
6. Officers must be in good academic standing, enrolled in a minimum of
12 units and maintain a GPA of 2.25 during their term of office.
7. Organization representatives must attend monthly President’s
Mountaineer meetings throughout the year and/or schedule one on one
meetings with the Director.
8. Organizations will be assigned a mailbox in the Office of Student
Activities and should pick up mail on a weekly basis.
9. Greek letter organizations must be in good standing with the
Inter-Greek Council and Panhellenic Council.
10. Must provide proof of liability insurance each semester.
11. Must complete Chapter Excellence program and submit paper work in a
timely manner.
II. Inter/National Status
• All new single-sex fraternity and sorority chapters wishing to
register as a student organization at Schreiner University must be
affiliated with an Inter/national fraternity or sorority. Those
Inter/national organizations wishing to have a chapter on the campus
must first receive express written invitation from the Dean of Students.
III. Membership and Academic Requirement
• Students must be a full-time enrolled student with Schreiner
University with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in order to participate
in formal recruitment and/or accept an invitation to join a fraternity
or sorority. Some fraternities and sororities may set higher academic
standards for membership due to national policy or University
requirements.
IV. Scholarship
• Each fraternity and sorority chapter a semester grade point average
at, or above, the university’s all undergraduate grade point average
each semester to remain in good standing with Schreiner University.
A. The first semester a chapter falls below the all undergraduate grade
point average they will be placed on Academic Probation. Academic
probation is a written warning to the fraternity/sorority chapter
notifying them that they have one semester to raise their overall
chapter GPA. A copy of this letter will be retained in the Office of
Student Activities with an additional copy being forwarded to the
organization’s Inter/national headquarters. Each chapter that is below
the all undergraduate grade point average will submit a outline of an
scholarship program to the Director of Student Activities that
demonstrates how they plan on improving the organizations overall GPA.
B. Should a chapter fall below the all undergraduate GPA for two (2)
consecutive semesters the chapter will be on Social Probation. Social
probation will continue until the chapter raises their chapter GPA to
at/or above the all undergraduate grade point average. Social probation
will consist of no registered events on or off campus. Formal
Recruitment will be excluded from social probation. All chapters will be
allowed to participate in Formal Recruitment regardless of their
academic standing.
• Each chapter must develop an general academic plan including a
scholarship mission statement, statement on academic policies, and a
rewards or incentive plan. This plan will be submitted to the Director
of Student Activities and the Retention Counselor.
• Each chapter will appoint a Scholarship Chair and have a written job
description of the position.
• Each chapter must develop an academic eligibility standard for
potential members.
• The membership of each chapter must maintain a minimum academic
standard as stipulated by the chapter.
• Each chapter must establish a minimum academic standard for members to
hold chapter office. The chapter must also support the University
requirements for students/members on probation.
V. Initiation/New Member Education Policy
• New member education programs may be no longer than eight weeks in
length. Initiation dates must be submitted, in confidence, to the
Director of Student Activities by the second week of each semester.
Specific organizations may have different standards for membership
education programs due to Inter/national policy and/or University
requirements.
VI. Member Education•
Each chapter will adhere to a written member education program. The
program must promote scholarship, leadership, good citizenship, and
educate on membership roles and responsibilities. The program must
include a written job description for the Member Education Chair. A copy
of the program must be kept on file with the Office of Student
Activities.
• At least 75% of New Members must attend all mandatory Greek
orientation and education programs.
• Each chapter must initiate at least 80% of their new members.
• Each chapter must sponsor one educational program each semester.
VII. Alcohol and Illegal Substance Policies
Each chapter will abide by Schreiner Alcohol Policy, which states,
“Schreiner University, in compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and
Communities Act of 1989, prohibits the unlawful manufacture,
distribution, dispensing, possession, or the unlawful use of alcohol on
the campus or any other property under the control of Schreiner
University and at university sponsored events. Alcohol may be served at
on-campus and off-campus events only when the appropriate university
personnel have given authorization. Recognized student organizations
wishing to serve alcohol at an event must submit an Event/Alcohol Event
Form with appropriate authorizations to the Student Activities Office no
later than ten days prior to the event date. Authorization will be given
to those groups demonstrating sufficient evidence that the following
guidelines will be observed. Alcohol cannot be purchased with student
organization funds. The following precautionary measures will be taken
to ensure that alcoholic beverages are not accessible or served to
person under 21 years of age or to persons who appear intoxicated:
o The lawful sale and/or service of alcoholic beverages will be
conducted solely by non student employees of Sodexho Food Services when
the event is on campus or an approved third party vendor when the event
is off-campus. Also, no one under the age of 21, other than
(non-student) employees of the third party vendor, may assist with,
handle, sell or serve alcoholic beverages.
o There can be no serving of alcoholic beverages before 12:00 noon on
any day, or after 12:00 midnight Sunday through Thursday. Alcohol may be
served until 1:00 am on Friday and Saturday.
o One security guard per 100 people must be contracted by the
organization hosting the event. Security must arrive 15 minutes prior to
the start of the event and remain 15 minutes after the conclusion of the
event.
o Free, attractive food items must be available in the area where
alcohol is served.
o Attractive non-alcoholic beverages must be available in the same
location and featured as prominently as the alcohol beverages.
o Wristbands will be issued by a Student Services professional or
designated full time faculty or staff member. to those who are 21 or
older.
o No event shall include any form of “drinking contests”
o Consumption of alcohol is permitted only within an established an
approved area designated for the event. Beverage containers will not be
allowed in or out of the event location. All open alcohol containers
must be disposed of before leaving the designated event area.
o An organization’s faculty/staff advisor and one Student Services
Professional must be present for the entirety of any event where alcohol
is being served. In the event that the advisor cannot be at the event,
then another faculty of staff members must be present with an approval
of the Director of Student Activities.
o Organizations my not sponsor an event with alcohol, on or off-campus,
during the weeknights (Sunday-Thursday) when classes will be in session
the following day, with out the written approval from the Dean of
Students.
o Members of the event-sponsoring organization are responsible for the
clean up of the event area immediately following the conclusion of the
sponsored event.
o At least four members of the hosting organization will agree not to
consume alcohol during the event and will help ensure that the
conditions of the alcohol policy are followed.
o Fraternities or sorority’s can not use the sale of alcohol as a
fundraiser for their group. Greek’s cannot receive any money or
donations from the sales of alcohol.
o All advertisements for events with alcohol must have the appropriate
stamp of approval from the Director of Student Activities.
• Each chapter will abide by Schreiner University Handbook: Drug use
policy which states, The University prohibits the use, offer for actual
sale, distribution, possession, or manufacture of any controlled
substance or drug except as expressly permitted by law is prohibited.
This includes the use of prescription drugs not as intended or obtained
illegally of their use in a fraudulent manner. The use, offer for sale,
sale, distribution, possession, or manufacture of chemicals, products,
or materials for the purpose of use as an intoxicant except as expressly
permitted by law is also prohibited
• In addition, all chapters will comply with all FIPG, Inc. Risk
Management Policies as well as each group’s liability insurances
policies.
VIII. Campus/Community Involvement
• Each chapter will conduct one major community service or philanthropic
project per year with at least 75% of members in attendance. In
addition, each chapter will conduct one other community service or
philanthropic project per semester.
• Each chapter complies with all Inter-Greek Council and University
policies.
• Designated chapter representative or their alternate attends all
Inter-Greek Council and/or Panhellenic Council meetings each semester.
• At least 50% of the chapter members are registered members of other
campus organizations. Chapter presidents must verify this participation
with the Director of Student Activities annually.
• Each chapter (minimum of 25%) participates in at least one community
service project, educational program/speaker and non-alcoholic social
function sponsored by a non-Greek student organization per semester
(these types of programs can be designated or required by Inter-Greek
Council).
• Chapters should actively participate in campus events such as Welcome
Week, Family Weekend, Schreiner Saturday, Student Activities and Campus
Recreation programming.
• Each chapter must co-sponsor an event with another chapter at least
once per semester is expected. Every chapter needs to complete an all
Greek event at least once per semester is expected. This event to be
determined by Inter Greek Council.
• Each chapter participates in Greek Week –facilitated by Inter-Greek
Council.
• Each chapter maintains a web page linked to the University homepage.
• Each chapter will submit a typed and dated calendar with all chapter
activities and events to the Director of Student Activities within the
first two weeks of each semester. All chapter events will be placed on
the University’s main calendar on the Schreiner webpage.
IX. Advising and Review
• Each chapter president will meet with the Director of Student
Activities a minimum of twice a semester or a determined by the Director
of Student Activities.
• Each chapter will adhere to a written Code of Conduct including clear
membership standards and an enforcement vehicle with prescribed
sanctions for non-compliance.
• Each chapter has an active advisor who attends most chapter meetings.
• Each chapter will meet regularly with the Chapter Advisor.
• Each chapter executive board will maintain written reports.
Each time a chapter has a National Consultant or Representative visiting
campus they must schedule time for the consultant to meet with the
Director of Student Activities and if specifically requested by the Dean
of Students.
X. Financial Management
• An adequate bookkeeping system is maintained and monthly reporting to
the chapter advisor and general membership is required.
• Each chapter strictly adheres to the financial discipline and
enforcement policies in their bylaws for all members.
• Each chapter is up-to-date on all financial responsibilities to the
Inter-Greek Council, Panhellenic Council, the University and their
inter/national headquarters. The chapter will not have any outstanding
balances with any community businesses.
XI. Leadership
• Each chapter representative attends all IGC meetings each semester. In
case of necessary absence, it is the representative’s responsibility to
find an alternate delegate.
• Each chapter has an executive board member that attends either a
national or regional leadership program sponsored by their
inter/national headquarters. All chapters must send at least one (1)
delegate annually to a national workshop or convention.
• All chapters must provide an updated list of executive board members
with necessary contact information (address, email, phone, etc.) to the
Office of Student Activities each semester. This paperwork can be
completed through the Chapter Excellence program for Greek Life.
• Each chapter will submit a dated and typed membership roster within
the first two weeks of each semester to the Director of Student
Activities. As new members join the chapter, their names and pertinent
information must be submitted to the Director within 72 hours of signing
a bid.
XII. Risk Management Policy
• Chapters must educate all members on every aspect of risk management
and risk avoidance.
• Each chapter must fully comply with risk management policies of the
University, their respective inter/national organization and the state
of Texas.
University Responsibilities and Commitment
The University has institutional obligations to fraternities and
sororities just as the Greek-letter organizations have obligations to
the institution. To enable the University to contribute effectively to
the well-being of the fraternity and sorority community, and to
implement means that encourage the recognition and discharge by Greek
organizations of their responsibility to Schreiner University, the
University shall:
• provide fraternities and sororities with guidance through the Director
of Student Activities. The Director of Student Activities will work with
the fraternities and sororities to assist them in complying with the
responsibilities delineated in this statement. The Director of Student
Activities serves as the primary Greek Advisor of the University.
• provide them with resources for leadership training, scholarship
improvement, alcohol and drug education, problem-solving, program
planning and other educational programming;
• assist them in planning to recruit members and communicate with their
alumni;
• maintain files on Inter/national organizations, specifically regarding
policies and procedures pertaining to risk management, legal liability,
member education, and scholarship;
• maintain accurate and timely records on membership, new members,
officers and advisors of the chapter;
• provide chapters with accurate scholarship reports.
Evaluation Process
Chapters that do not meet the above standards may face additional
sanctioning as follows:
Reprimand: an indication of significant failures to comply with the
agreement, which must be corrected by a certain time if the chapter is
not to be placed on probation.
Violation: revocation of one or more privileges of the chapter and/or
imposition of additional conditions on it for a specified period to time
due to an event or circumstance in violations of the expectations and
requirements of the University or failure to comply with the conditions
of a warning.
Suspension of Recognition: revocation of the chapter’s campus charter
for no less than one academic term and no longer than three academic
terms.
Revocation of Recognition: revocation of all privileges as a recognized
fraternity or sorority and termination of all aspect of affiliation with
the University.
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