2015-2016 Chapter Excellence Packet
Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction Pg. 3
Mission Pg. 2
Vision Pg. 2
Evaluation Process Pg. 2
Evaluation Rankings Pg. 3
Scholarship Pg. 4
Service Pg. 4
Leadership Pg. 5 Friendship Pg. 6
Membership Pg. 7
MISSION
The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life enhances the undergraduate fraternity and sorority experience at the University of South Carolina by:
Cultivating an environment conducive to leadership development for fraternity and sorority members.
Partnering with fraternal organizations and community stakeholders to establish co- curricular experiences and learning communities which enhance the academic experience.
Providing support, guidance and mentorship for the operations and strategic growth of the fraternity and sorority community. VISION
The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life at the University of South Carolina develops global citizens by enhancing their academic pursuits through a values based fraternal experience. EVALUATION PROCESS
During this process each chapter will be given the basic level of requirements required to be a chapter in good standing at the University of South Carolina. The evaluation panel made of at least one member of Fraternity and Sorority Life and additional faculty/staff will then conduct an interview allowing the chapter to talk through each of the criteria and give context to the work they are doing in the USC community. Interviews will be no longer than 45 minutes per chapter and each organization will have the option to provide a resume or other visual aids as supplemental material. This is not a requirement, and will not directly adversely affect their overall score although bonus points may be rendered for unique and meaningful presentations.
After the final scores have been rendered, each chapter will be notified and there will be a follow up meeting with their respective FSL advisor. Chapter and faculty advisors as well as regional or national offices will also be notified of the final scores as well as a breakdown of how those scores were calculated.
September 28, 2015: The OFSL will meet with all chapter and council leadership to discuss the accreditation timeline, criteria, and expectations. Chapter leadership will also be given all resources and literature related to the accreditation process.
March 11, 2016: Chapters will be given a time slot for their accreditation interview.
March 28, 2016: Excellence packet materials are due
April 11-15, 2016: Interviews
July 1, 2016: Chapters and national entities will be notified of their final accreditation status after final grades have been posted.
Fall 2016: Chapter leadership will meet with their respective advisor to discuss their status and set goals for the upcoming year. EVALUATION RANKINGS
The OFSL staff will interview each chapter and assign points to each category based on the expectations set forth in the packet. Listed below are the rankings assigned with the ranges of possible scores as well as the maximum points possible for each section.
Chapter of Excellence (100-90): These chapters have exceeded the expectations set forth by the OFSL at USC based on the categories of friendship, leadership, scholarship, and service.
Chapter in Good Standing (89-70): These chapters have achieved an overall satisfactory score based on the criteria and have maintained all standards required by the OFSL.
Chapter in Poor Standing (69-0): These chapters have performed at an unsatisfactory level and have failed to meet the minimum requirements.
Service Category: 20 points maximum Friendship Category: 20 points maximum
Leadership Category: 20 points maximum
Scholarship Category: 20 points maximum
Membership Category: 20 points maximum
Deductions: Any responsible or FIO findings with the Greek Conduct Board or the Office of Student Conduct will result in a loss of 5 points from the overall total score. SCHOLARSHIP (20 points total)
Level 1 (worth 1 point each)
GPA is at or above a 2.75 for the Fall and Spring semesters
There is a minimum GPA standard for active membership within the chapter.
Level 2 (worth 2 points each)
There is a chapter leader designated for scholarship whose responsibilities are outlined in either the constitution or bylaws or the chapter. These responsibilities can be a portion of an executive officers responsibility.
Chapter has a written scholarship plan inclusive of incentives for those who achieve academically.
Chapter is at or above a 3.0 for the fall and spring semesters.
Level 3 (worth 3 points each)
Chapter is at or above the undergraduate GPA for both the fall and spring semesters.
Chapter has a written scholarship plan with an academic probation/intervention policy, new member plan, and term GPA requirements.
Designated chapter leader meets regularly with ACE regarding scholarship (2 or more meetings per semester).
Chapter hosts programing related to academic success for members SERVICE (20 points total)
Level 1 (worth 1 point each) Chapter produces at least 15 hours of community service/member over the academic year.
Chapter raised at least $50/member over the academic year.
Level 2 (worth 2 points each)
Chapter hosts one event that results in the education of the USC community on their philanthropy either local or national.
Chapter raised at least $100/member over the academic year
Chapter produces at least 30 hours of community service/member over the academic year.
Level 3 (worth 3 points each)
Chapter hosts at least one philanthropic event that results in money being donated to the charity of their choice.
Chapter has co-sponsored events with other student organizations or departments on campus as related to service and philanthropic efforts.
Chapter raised at least $150/member over the academic year
Chapter produces at least 45 hours of community service/member over the academic year. LEADERSHIP (20 points total)
Level 1 (worth 1 point each)
Chapter is present at, at least 75% of their governing council /or board meetings each semester.
Chapter has a functioning executive board consistent of a disciplinary board and a risk management officer.
More than 50% of the chapter is involved in organizations other than their fraternity/sorority (intramurals and employment do not count).
Level 2 (worth 2 points each)
Chapter holds an annual officer transition program including a chapter evaluation and a goal setting activity. More than 75% of the chapter is involved in organizations other than their fraternity/sorority (intramurals and employment do not count).
Chapter can articulate how its programming, decisions, and behaviors are congruent with their organization’s values.
Chapter meets one of the three requirements:
o At least one active member on the Fraternity/Sorority Council Executive Committee, Greek Programming Board, Greek Conduct Board, Multicultural Greek Board Executive Committee, or National Pan-Hellenic Council Executive Committee.
o At least one active recruitment counselor
o At least one new member participates in the Greek Emerging Leaders Program
Level 3 (worth 3 points each)
Chapter representative attends their (inter)national convention, leadership school, regional or sectional conference and/or any other leadership conferences sponsored by the (inter)national organization during 2014.
Chapter completed the fall and spring administrative packets both on time and accurately.
Chapter attended all mandatory activities including Greek Camp and Greek Leadership Retreat. FRIENDSHIP (20 points total)
Level 1 (worth 1 point each)
Chapter new member program incorporates education on alcohol, hazing, and other high risk behaviors.
Chapter advisors attend at least one of the two mandatory advisor meetings hosted by FSL over the academic year.
Chapter communicates with alumni annually via newsletter, electronic update, etc.
Chapter has a functioning judicial and disciplinary board with defined roles and responsibilities.
Level 2 (worth 2 points each) Chapter hosts at least 3 educational programs with an outside speaker over the academic year. There must be at least 50% chapter attendance at each program.
Chapter attends at least one risk management program utilizing an outside source (programs facilitated by FSL are permitted) over an academic year.
Level 3 (worth 3 points each)
All recruitment and intake functions both on and off campus are 100% alcohol free and in compliance with all risk management policies and the national new member education policies of the organization.
Chapter hosts a minimum of 2 substance free brotherhood/sisterhood events each semester.
Chapter has an up to date website linked to the official FSL website.
Chapter meets one of these two requirements:
o Chapter hosts at least 4 educational programs with an outside speaker over the academic year. There must be at least 50% chapter attendance at each program
o Chapter hosts at least 4 civic engagement programs over the academic year. There must be 50% attendance at each program. MEMBERSHIP NPHC/MGB
Level 1 (worth 6 points)
There are at least 5 active people in your chapter
Level 2 (worth 6 points)
There are at least 7 active people in your chapter
Level 3 (worth 8 points)
There are at least 10 active people in your chapter OR you successfully conducted membership intake during the academic year. NPC
Level 1 (worth 6 points) Retention above 75%
Level 2 (worth 3 points each)
Met quota OR chapter total
Retention above 80%
Level 3 (worth 8 points)
Retention above 90% IFC
Level 1 (4 points each)
Chapter has a retention plan for chapter membership
Chapter has a 4 year membership development program
Level 2 (12 points)
Chapter is at or above IFC average Bonus
Each chapter can receive up to 10 points bonus for their presentation during the interview. This is an opportunity for the chapter to tell us what may not be included in the packet or give context to the information provided. Visual aids are not a requirement but can be used to enhance their interview/presentation. The bonus section does not have a rubric and points will be rendered at the discretion of the interview panel.