Fraternity and Sorority Policies and Procedures Nationally, Fraternities and Sororities Have Increasingly Been Portrayed As a Risk Across Campuses
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Fraternity and Sorority Policies and Procedures Nationally, Fraternities and Sororities have increasingly been portrayed as a risk across campuses. To diminish liability on the National Organizations, the University, the Local Organization and the individual members, the Fraternity and Sorority Policies and Procedures have been established, to ensure the safety and security of all members. Fraternities and sororities at Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) are expected to follow the rules and policies of SVSU, the Interfraternity, National Pan-Hellenic and Panhellenic Councils, and their individual inter/national organization. The following is a listing of the rules and policies that pertain to fraternities and sororities at SVSU. 1. SVSU Student Handbook a. Alcohol and/or Other Drug Policies b. Misconduct Policies c. Student Life Policies 2. SVSU Policies for Fraternities and Sororities a. Standards and Expectations b. Expansion Policy 3. Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Panhellenic Council, and Constitution and Bylaws a. Interfraternity Council Constitution and Bylaws b. National Pan-Hellenic Council Constitution and Bylaws c. Panhellenic Council Constitution and Bylaws 4. Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, and Panhellenic Council Policies, Procedures, and Resolutions for Fraternities and Sororities a. Philanthropy Event Policy b. Public Relations Policy a. Fraternity and Sorority Risk Management and i. Guidelines for Alcohol and/or Other Drugs ii. Social Host Guidelines iii. Tailgating Policies iv. Third Party Vendor Event Registration Form v. Third Party Vendor Agreement Form vi. BYOB Guidelines vii. Pre-Event Checklist viii. Interfraternity Council Recruitment Rules ix. National Pan-Hellenic Membership Intake Regulations x. Panhellenic Council Recruitment Rules and Regulations 5. Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, and Panhellenic Council Fine Schedule 6. Student Judicial System – Fraternity and Sorority Judicial Board 1 | P a g e SVSU Policies and Procedures Fraternity and Sorority Philanthropy Event Policy The following guidelines are provided to member organizations as a set of guidelines to follow when hosting events, for the primary purpose of raising money for a non-profit organization and/or in relation to the organization’s inter/national philanthropy. 1. Registration a. In accordance with the University Student Code of Conduct, no student shall engage in, or invite any firm, individual, or group to engage in, the solicitation or consummation of commercial or business contracts for any service or product in any public area of the University without the prior approval of the Associate Provost for student Affairs/designee. b. All on-campus posting and solicitation for promotion of chapter-related events, must be approved through the Office of Student Life, as outlined on p. 3 of this document. Raffles are prohibited per the Michigan Gambling Laws, as they require raffle licensures. c. Member organizations must complete the “SVSU FSL Event Registration Form”, found on SVSU Engage, at least five (5) business days in advance of the event with the following information: i. Event Title ii. Event Description – a detailed description of the activities, themes, etc. iii. Benefitting Agency iv. Contact Person during the Event 2. Event Management a. Member organizations will ensure that the events, activities, and content of the philanthropy events are in line with the values of the organization and Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU, also referred to as “The University”). b. Member organizations will ensure that the events, activities, and content of the philanthropy event present a positive image of the chapter, the fraternity and sorority community, SVSU, and the inter/national organization. c. Events should not demean participants or include activities that could make participants, attendees, or members of the organization feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. d. Fraternities and sororities will not include the use of or presence of alcohol during the event. i. The sponsoring chapter should also give full consideration to any social events being held immediately after a philanthropy event to ensure that the social event is in no way connected to the philanthropy event, its participants, or is considered a continuation of the philanthropy event and the raising of funds or goods for the non-profit organization. e. Fraternities and sororities will not include actual or references to nudity, promiscuity, or “sexual favors” in any event, program or chapter activity. f. Chapter will ensure proper health and safety precautions have been taken prior to the event. This may include: i. First aid kit on site at the event ii. Emergency contact information is readily available iii. Participation waivers, as needed. iv. Public Safety staffing, as needed. g. Participation waivers are defined as needed when participants are partaking in any risky physical contact that could ensue in any bodily injury. 2 | P a g e SVSU Policies and Procedures Fraternity and Sorority Public Relations Policy The following guidelines are provided to member organizations as a set of guidelines to follow when using any form of public relations or marketing. While the Interfraternity, National Pan-Hellenic, and Panhellenic Councils do not have authority over individual member behavior, it is strongly encouraged that each chapter adopt a public relations and/or social medial policy to ensure that each individual member is being held to a high standard when using social media and other public relations outlets. 1. Content a. Member organizations will ensure that all advertisements, promotions, and other publicly displayed items will be in good taste and in alignment with the expectations and stated values of the chapter, governing councils, the University, and the inter/national organization. b. All advertisements, promotions, and other publicly displayed items will not be insensitive, racist, or promote a negative stereotype of any sexual, religious, or ethnic group. c. All advertisements, promotions, and other publicly displayed items will not be rude, lewd, or distasteful, promote drinking, promote sex, or objectify the opposite sex in any form. d. All advertisements, promotions, and other publicly displayed items will not make any references to alcohol in words or images. 2. On-Campus Posting Policy a. All fliers and posters are temporary advertising and communication tools. Individuals are not allowed to personally post their fliers on University bulletin boards. Student Life Staff are responsibility for posting all general campus postings in University facilities. Below are the approved guidelines: i. Event Fliers: 8.5”x11” Vertical Flier in 30 locations, to be posted up to one month in advance ii. Routine or ongoing postings: 8.5” X 11” or 11” x 17” Vertical Flier in 10 locations to be posted up to one month in advance 1. Submissions for posters should be sent to [email protected] for approval prior to printing. iii. All other promotional postings, including window painting and sidewalk chalk should be sent to Associate Dean for Student Life and Leadership Programs, Jason Schoenmeyer at [email protected] for approvals b. Guidelines for Fliers and Posters: i. All postings must be approved and posted by the Student Life Center. Postings without Student Life approval will be discarded. ii. Cannot promote the consumption of alcohol (such as, but not limited to drink specials, pictures suggesting alcoholic beverages, or mention of a “bar”) iii. Cannot include discriminatory statements or graphics. iv. Activity must comply with University/RSO policies and guidelines. v. Graphics must list sponsoring group’s name vi. All fliers will be removed after date stamp on flier vii. Each posting must include the following statements: “SVSU will provide reasonable accommodations for those persons with disabilities. Individuals who wish accommodations should contact the Office of Student Life at 989.964.6081 at least three days prior to the event. SVSU does not discriminate based on 3 | P a g e SVSU Policies and Procedures race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical impairment, disability, or Veteran status in the provision of education, employment and other services.” 3. SVSU Engage Guidelines a. All relevant and up-to-date forms from the Office of Leadership Programs will be accessible through SVSU Engage for all chapters. b. Member Organizations will have current and accurate information in each respective chapter portal, including contact information for the Executive Board officers at a minimum. c. If applicable, member organizations will provide an updated link to external chapter websites, that are representative of appropriate SVSU and inter/national values, including but not limited too: i. Does not contain representation of any alcoholic beverage(s), generic or brand name ii. Does not contain representation of the Chapter or an individual’s involvement with illegal drugs iii. Does not contain content that is violent or sexual in nature iv. Does not contain references to activities related to hazing or hazing activities v. Does not contain foul language vi. Must contain content of respect to the rights of others 4. Council Website Guidelines a. The Interfraternity, National Pan-Hellenic, and Panhellenic Councils will maintain websites and social media accounts associated with the SVSU Greek Life webpages/accounts. b. A quarterly review of the council