Code of Regulations Delta Zeta Sorority
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CODE OF REGULATIONS of the DELTA ZETA SORORITY 2012 Confidential Property of the Delta Zeta Sorority 1 2 CODE OF REGULATIONS REGULATION I MEMBERSHIP Section 1. Requirements for collegiate membership shall be to: a. Matriculate as a college student. b. Receive an invitation to become a New Member. c. Fulfill all obligations for initiation. d. Satisfy all local Panhellenic and National Panhellenic Conference requirements. Section 2. Requirements for non-collegiate membership shall be: The alumnae chapter shall submit to National Council, or a committee so authorized, a petition for a proposed member, signed by the alumnae chapter contact person and a collegiate chapter president if a college chapter is located in the vicinity of the alumnae chapter. After approval by National Council, the petitioning group will be notified to invite the candidate into membership upon fulfillment of obligations for initiation. Section 3. Admission into Delta Zeta shall be by vote of the members in good standing in the chapter in which the candidate is proposed for membership. Directions for presentation of candidates and for voting on these proposed candidates shall be provided by the College Chapter Director with the approval of National Council. Section 4. New Member. a. The new member education period shall continue until the new member has satisfied all local Panhellenic and National Panhellenic Conference requirements for initiation and any additional obligations adopted by Delta Zeta or until her pledgeship has been broken for cause and her pledge pin returned to the chapter. New members are subject to the same requirements for good standing as the initiated members. b. A new member who has met all requirements for initiation, but has been unable to be initiated during the period of her pledgeship and whose pledge has expired, may be repledged in accordance with the rules governing the election of any other new member upon approval of the College Chapter Director or the National New Member Education Chairman. 3 c. When a new member transfers to another campus, she is eligible to pledge the sorority of her choice at the earliest opportunity according to the National Panhellenic Conference Unanimous Agreements. d. A new member whose college affiliation is terminated by the advice or action of the college authorities shall automatically be depledged. If a pledgeship is terminated for any other cause, such action shall have the approval of the College Chapter Director. (Refer to National Panhellenic Conference Unanimous Agreements for rules governing depledging.) Section 5. Initiation. a. To be eligible for initiation, a new member shall complete her new member education and comply with all requirements as designated; she shall pay her total new member fee and the cost of the badge to the Chapter Treasurer prior to the initiation. b. The National Council or the National President, with the consent of the National Council, shall have the responsibility to approve, delay or prohibit the pledging or initiation of any individual. c. A new member who has met all requirements shall be initiated according to form and sign the chapter scroll. Her name shall be registered in the records of the chapter and of National Headquarters and she shall be furnished with a certificate and a membership card which entitle her to the rights and privileges of membership. Section 6. Special Classifications of Collegiate Members. a. Affiliated Members. An initiated member who transfers to a college or university where there is a chapter of Delta Zeta may become an affiliated member upon invitation of the chapter, provided a written statement of good standing is received from National Headquarters. When she becomes an alumna, her records show her as a member of the chapter into which she was initiated. b. Undergraduate Married Members. An undergraduate married member may continue as a regular college chapter member with all accompanying privileges and obligations, or she may choose married member status without voting privileges and financial obligations at the beginning of the next regular session of school. She shall give written notification of her intention to the College Chapter Director and the Chapter President two weeks prior to the beginning of that session. c. Graduate Students. A graduate student member may be allowed the privilege of membership in any Delta Zeta chapter if approved by the College Chapter Director. 4 d. Dual Classification. An initiated member of Delta Zeta Sorority shall not pledge or initiate into any other National Panhellenic Conference group. An initiated member of any other National Panhellenic Conference group shall not be eligible for membership into Delta Zeta Sorority at any time. Section 7. Statement of Membership Selection. Delta Zeta is a self-perpetuating friendship organization whose members enjoy the most intimate relationship next to that of the family. Membership in Delta Zeta is a privilege, not a right, and comes through the college chapter into the national organization. In a national organization, the democratic principle of majority decision implies acceptance of the prevailing convictions of the national membership. Inevitably, therefore, members of each chapter shall be acceptable to all chapters, college and alumnae, wherever such chapters exist. It is the duty and the responsibility of the College Chapter Directors to enforce the membership policy. In case of failure to observe these rules, it shall be the duty of the National Council to take formal action. REGULATION II OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP Section 1. Good Standing. Good standing is the fulfillment of all moral, academic, financial or other obligations required of a Delta Zeta member or chapter. Limitation of privileges for failure to meet good standing requirements shall be as prescribed in the Constitution and Code of Regulations and determined by National Council or National Convention. Section 2. Standards of Conduct Obligations. a. Strict compliance with all university regulations, local, state and federal laws shall be observed by all members of the Sorority. b. All Delta Zeta members, collegiate or alumnae, shall observe all house and college or university regulations while residing in or visiting a chapter apartment, lodge or house, or attending a function given in the name of Delta Zeta. c. Members shall be responsible for their invited guests. 5 d. The Sorority shall require and encourage the maintenance of high standards in proper living, good health habits, personal conduct and service to others through volunteer work in the chapter, college or community. e. Members and new members of Delta Zeta shall abide by all federal, state, local, college and Sorority regulations regarding the use of alcohol. f. Delta Zeta requires the strict observance of the property rights of her members by her members. Section 3. Academic Obligations. It is the obligation of each member of a college chapter to strive for high academic standing and to maintain at least the basic minimum academic standards for her chapter as defined by National Council and the college or university. Section 4. Financial Obligations. It is the duty of each member of Delta Zeta to fulfill the financial obligations as adopted by the national organization and the college and alumnae chapters. All initiates and new members of a chapter maintaining housing shall be required to live in the house up to the capacity under the discretion of the College Chapter Director, after approval from the Regional Collegiate Director, unless prohibited by university regulations or for reasons of health or to serve as a Residential Advisor. Section 5. Obligation of Secrecy. Each member of Delta Zeta shall be obligated to the pledge of secrecy made when initiated. All proceedings of chapter meetings shall be of secret nature and shall not be revealed. Section 6. Term of Obligation. Obligations to the Delta Zeta Sorority shall be assumed for life. Membership is granted by National Council with the recommendation of a college chapter and such membership shall remain on all records of Delta Zeta until removed by a vote of National Council. REGULATION III DISCIPLINE OF MEMBERS Section 1. Causes for Discipline. Any conduct of a member which is inconsistent with the standards and purpose of Delta Zeta Sorority or fails to meet the requirements of good standing shall be cause for discipline. Without limiting the foregoing, Delta Zeta Sorority shall recognize the following causes for discipline: 6 a. Violation of federal, state or municipal laws or regulations, or rules and regulations of the college or university which the member attends. b. Violation of any duty imposed by the Constitution or Code of Regulations of the Delta Zeta Sorority or any policies, procedures, or instructions adopted by the National Council. c. Failure to follow the instructions of a National Officer, College Chapter Director or Regional Collegiate Director or any person duly authorized by National Council. d. Violation of rules and regulations adopted by a chapter or a house corporation, failure to follow the instructions of the chapter executive board or chapter officers. e. Conduct which is prejudicial to the Sorority, tending to bring it into disrepute; obstructs the work or discipline of the chapter; or fails to uphold the standards of conduct expected of Delta Zetas, thereby offending her fellow members. f. Willful or continued failure to meet financial obligations to the chapter, House Corporation, national Sorority or college or university which she attends. g. Theft, attempted theft, unauthorized use, or attempted unauthorized use of funds or property of Delta Zeta, a chapter or a House Corporation. h. Failure to observe the obligations of secrecy of the Sorority. i. Failure to return badge when requested by an authorized Delta Zeta officer or any person duly authorized by the National Council. j. Threatening, participating or attempting to threaten or participate in any act or acts of hazing which injures, degrades, disgraces or tends to injure, degrade or disgrace any new member or initiated member.