BY-LAWS OF SIGMA DELTA TAU RHO CHAPTER REVISED OCTOBER 17, 2018 ARTICLE I – PREAMBLE SECTION 1 – NAME: The name of this Fraternity shall be Rho Chapter of Sigma Delta Tau. ​ The Rho chapter of this organization was founded on May 10, 1935 by M. Rosenbloom, L. Rosendorf, B. Israel, R. Copeland, B. Rothschild, F. Lewis, H. Alper, A. Meyers, C. Allen, and M. Boniske. SECTION 2 – PURPOSE: It shall be the purpose of this organization to form a close social and ​ fraternal union of those similar ideas and to foster, maintain, and instill such ideas in the hearts of its members and will result in actions worthy of highest precepts of true womanhood, democracy, and humanity. ​ SECTION 3 - COLORS: The colors of this fraternal organization shall be cafe au lait and old ​ blue. SECTION 4 - INSIGNIA: The insignia of this fraternal organization shall consist of a jeweled Torch. SECTION 5 - JEWEL: The jewel of this fraternal organization shall be the lapis lazuli. SECTION 6 - FLOWER: The flower of this fraternal organization shall be the yellow tea rose. ​ ARTICLE II – CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP: SECTION 1 – DEFINITION: A chapter shall consist of the undergraduate and graduate students and faculty members regularly admitted to membership in the chapter and in attendance at the college or university where the chapter is located. All undergraduates or graduates in good standing from other chapters may be admitted to membership as provided in ARTICLE II, SECTION 4, of the Chapter Rules, Regulations & Procedures. SECTION 2 – CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP AND VOTING RIGHTS: A. Active Members: Those full time (as defined by the college or ​ ​ university) matriculating undergraduate and admitted to membership in the chapter of this Society at the college or university where they are in attendance. Each active member shall have one vote on all matters coming before the members of the chapter. B. Inactive Members: Inactive status may be granted to a member by the ​ ​ National Board of Directors upon receipt of a written request for such status. See Rules, Regulations and Procedures, Article II, Section I, regarding Inactive Status. The request shall have the approval of the chapter Executive Board, and National Advisor, and the National Board of Directors. Inactive status shall be granted for one semester/quarter at a time. Reasons for inactive status include serious health problems and extreme financial hardship. Inactive members have no voting privileges. They may not attend recruitment or membership selection, or any SDT social functions or participate in any SDT Greek activities. If granted, the ​ ​ member shall be responsible for the payment of the National Inactive Fee ($37.50) but shall be relieved of the responsibility to pay chapter fees and other National fees. Inactive status must be requested within the first two (2) weeks of the semester/quarter and the applicant must be in good standing with the chapter. Second semester seniors are ineligible for Inactive status. C. Special Status Members*: ​ ​ (1) Temporary residence outside the campus community (2) Student Teaching a distance from campus (3) Full time internship away from campus (4) Study Abroad (5) Co-op and other academic programs away from campus *Active member status resumes upon return to campus Member must inform the chapter that they will be special status two weeks before the end of the previous semester. They must be up to date with payment of dues. Special status does not exempt a member from an existing housing contract. Special status members will be responsible for the national fees, local panhellenic dues, and local dues during her absence from campus. D. Alumnae Members: The following members shall be considered alumnae members: ​ ​ (1) Members who have graduated in good standing (2) Members, in good standing, who have left a college or university before receiving a degree (if undergraduate resumes college attendance and is admitted to sorority membership, she again becomes an active member rather than an alumna) (3) Members who transfer to another college or university where there is no chapter of the Society. (4) Members who transfer to another college or university where there is a chapter of the Society and who desire not to affiliate (if transfer student does decide to affiliate, she again becomes an active member rather than an alumna) (5) Members who marry as undergraduates and who desire to be considered alumnae members (6) Former members of a local group which becomes a chapter of the Society and who, having been approved by the Board of Directors, are initiated into the Society (7) Former members of a reorganized/re-colonized chapter still matriculating at the university but, by decision of the Board of Directors, not participating in the newly organized chapter. (8) Fifth year seniors: Those members in their fifth year of college who have completed at least two full years as an active member may be considered alumnae members. (9) If a sister chooses to become an early alumnae member, she must inform the chapter before the end of the previous semester. E. Honorary Members: The following members shall be considered honorary ​ ​ ​ members: (1) Local Honorary Members: Those persons who are not members of any ​ other fraternity, except an honorary or professional one, and who, by unanimous vote of the chapter and with the consent of two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors, have been elected to such honorary membership. She shall be regularly initiated and have all the privileges of non-voting membership upon payment of the Initiation Fee, the Publication Fee, and the Jeweled Torch Fee. (2) National Honorary Members: Those persons, not members of any other ​ fraternity except an honorary or professional one, who have rendered distinguished service to the Society or to a chapter of the Society and who, by a two- thirds vote of the Board of Directors or of the Convention are elected to such honorary membership. She shall be regularly initiated and have all the privileges of non-voting membership upon payment of the Initiation Fee, the Life Publication Fee, and the Jeweled Torch Fee. F. Senior Status Members: Senior status may be granted by a majority vote of the ​ ​ ​ chapter, and must be approved by the local or national advisor. To apply for Senior ​ Status, an active sister must meet the following requirements: (1) She has been an active member in good standing throughout her involvement within the chapter (2) She has a cumulative GPA above a 2.8. (3) The sister has completed all financial obligations to the chapter or has an agreement with the Director of Finance to complete them. (4) A letter must be submitted requesting Senior Status to the current chapter president, Standards Board, and National Advisor two weeks before finals begin the semester before she wishes to have senior status granted. The results will then proceed for approval from the chapter president, Standards Board, and National Advisor. (5) The chapter will vote to determine who will receive Senior Status based on her letter submitted and her contributions to the chapter. Senior Status privileges can occur in the last semester of an active member’s senior year. The privilege of senior status shall include: – Payment of discounted chapter dues are required. –Exemption from informal chapter –Required to participate in half chapter activities as decided on by the executive board for that specific semester. – Those on Senior Status will have a specific point system made for them by the Secretary based on their application. Mandatory events for members on senior status will be outlined at the beginning of each semester. Any senior granted Senior Status who falls into poor standing will temporarily lose her Senior Status until she regains good standing with the Standards Board. G. Deactivated Members: Members who were active but signed deactivation forms and are no longer affiliated with the chapter. (1) Cannot attend any events sponsored by the chapter, including but not limited to swaps, date parties, sisterhood events, tailgates, big/little reveal, recruitment, alumnae events, and rituals (2) Cannot wear any chapter apparel, including but not limited to Jerseys, t-shirts, hats, and buttons with the words or Greek letters Sigma Delta Tau (3) Letters cannot be used on deactivated members social media to represent the individual (4) Deactivated members will be allowed in the SDT house with an active member escort. SECTION 3 – ELIGIBILITY: An active member must be enrolled as a student as determined ​ ​ by their college at the University of Alabama, an undergraduate student at the University of Alabama, and have fulfilled her new member requirements. SECTION 4 – GRADE POINT AVERAGE: Each active must have a 2.6 cumulative GPA each ​ semester. Each member of this chapter that does not fulfill the grade requirements after one semester will not be considered a member in good standing. The member will be on academic supervision for the following semester and the following standards apply: (1) (2) The member may not be nominated, elected or, hold a position on the executive board. The member is not eligible for any local or national awards. The member can only attend chapter’s social functions if the Vice President of Scholarship approves. (3) The member must complete the set amount of study hall hours approved by the Vice President of Scholarship. (4) The member must meet with a tutor for one hour weekly. If the member attains a 2.6 cumulative GPA by the end of the semester of academic ​ supervision, then the member is automatically returned to good standing. ​ If a member fails to attain a 2.6 cumulative GPA by the end of the semester of academic ​ supervision, then the following semester, the member is on academic probation, and the ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ following standards apply: (1) The member may not vote.