Standards of Excellence

The upcoming information is taken from the Greek Life Task Force Report. Revisions were made on May 25, 2001 to facilitate a clearer understanding of the document. These changes are noted in bold and italicized.

Academics | Chapter Size/Recruitment | Advisers | Financial Matters | Community Service | Risk Management | Diversity Education

The Standards of Excellence have been designed with several goals in mind: To improve the quality of the academic programs in our chapters; to enrich the diversity of the Greek community; to enhance the quality of the student experience; and to increase the level of engagement in and service to the surrounding community.

Greek organizations and Greek students are expected to comply with national/international organization policies; Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic Association (PHA), or Pan-Hellenic Council (PHC) policies; the Code of Student Conduct; and the Student Organization Code. Though the Standards of Excellence are meant to be comprehensive, they are not an exhaustive list. They do, however, supplement and augment the above-mentioned self-imposed policies of the Greek organizations.

Chapters meeting or exceeding the Standards of Excellence will likely meet or exceed requirements of their national/international organizations. The university will continue to support national/international organizations' policies that are more rigorous than those outlined in the Standards of Excellence.

As chapters endeavor to meet and exceed the Standards of Excellence, the university stands ready to assist in any way it is able. Numerous university resources are available to the chapters, their leaders, and their members. The resources include, but are not limited to, the staff and resources of the Student Activities & Campus Programs office, all units of the Division of Student Life, the Council on Student Life, University Police, and Career Services, as well as other academic, administrative, or auxiliary enterprises of the university and its agents.

Questions of meaning, clarifications of intent, or similar inquiries should be directed to Student Activities & Campus Programs.

Part II: The Standards

1. A. Chapter Plan
   • Chapter Responsibilities:
     1. 1. In the Spring Quarter of each academic year, chapters must develop a comprehensive chapter plan (goals) that addresses, at minimum, the following areas of chapter management: Academics, Chapter Size/Recruitment, Advisers, Financial Matters/Budget, Community Service, Risk Management, and Diversity Education. The chapter plan must be developed in concert with and signed by the chapter's advisers. (revised)
     2. 2. The plan must be submitted to the Director of Student Activities & Campus Programs by the stated date and will be reviewed by the director or her/his designee.
     3. 3. By March 1 of each year, a report will be completed by the chapters to delineate progress on individual goals and standards. The report must be turned in to Student Activities & Campus Programs and will cover chapter activities on the annual cycle of March 1 to March 1.This report will be used to determine Greek awards that are presented at the Greek Leadership Awards celebration. (revised)
   • University Responsibilities:
     1. 1. Templates for developing the chapter plan and annual report will be given to chapters.
     2. 2. Upon request, Student Activities & Campus Programs will assist chapters in developing their chapter plans.
     3. 3. The University will develop leadership class offerings to enhance chapter development. (revised)
2. B. Academics
   • Chapter Responsibilities:
     1. 1. To be a new member (pledge) or in an intake class, students at The Ohio State University must have a cumulative Grade Point Average of at least 2.50, based on at least 12 earned college or university credit hours. Proficiency or examination (EM) credits do not qualify. Students already initiated into a national/international organization may immediately affiliate with that group.
     2. 2. Requests for exceptions to the minimum academic requirements for new members must be made, in writing, to Student Activities & Campus Programs before new members are selected. Exceptions may be made for organizations who recruit their members in manners different from the traditional fraternity/sorority recruitment models.
     3. 3. Some organizations may have more stringent academic standards for membership. The university supports these organizations' guidelines and will assist in maintaining their standards.
     4. 4. The Grade Point Average (GPA) for each chapter (new members and initiated members) must meet or exceed the all-undergraduate average (for the Columbus Campus) of the previous academic year.
     5. 5. Chapters failing to meet or exceed the all-undergraduate standard will be given three academic quarters (excluding Summer) to meet that goal. Those failing to meet the goal or to show steady, significant progress toward that goal within the three-quarter grace period will be referred to the Greek Progress Review Board.
     6. 6. Chapters failing to achieve a 2.50 GPA for the previous quarter must arrange a meeting with the Assistant Director of Student Activities & Campus Programs. In this meeting, the chapter must present a plan for improvement. (revised)
     7. 7. Improvement is relative to each chapter, but chapters below the all-undergraduate average must improve their quarterly average by any amount over the previous quarter until they reach that standard. (revised)
   • University Responsibilities:
     1. 1. The Assistant Director of Student Activities & Campus Programs will meet each quarter with officers of each chapter that failed to achieve a 2.50 chapter GPA for the previous quarter. The purpose of the meeting will be to review the officers' plan to improve chapter grades. (revised)
     2. 2. The Greek Progress Review Board may request a review if a chapter's GPA decreases in any two consecutive quarters. (revised)
3. C. Chapter Size/Recruitment
   • Chapter Responsibilities:
     1. 1. As part of its comprehensive chapter plan, each chapter, in consultation with its advisers, will set a realistic goal but not a limiting goal, for the ideal size of its membership by the end of the year. NPC-affiliated groups may continue to follow ceiling guidelines. (revised)
     2. 2. A uniform membership size would be unrealistic to apply to all groups, particularly the PHC groups, but Student Activities & Campus Programs will aid in achieving chapter goals.
     3. 3. To help them meet chapter goals, chapters must submit a yearly recruitment plan to Student Activities & Campus Programs as part of their chapter plan.
     4. 4. Chapter goals must be consistent with the chapter's national/international policies.
   • University Responsibilities:
     1. 1. The university, through Student Activities & Campus Programs, will help facilitate communication with unaffiliated students, will help develop public relations and information programs through inter-Greek organizations, will help register interested students, and will help coordinate recruitment activities.
     2. 2. The staff of the Division of Student Life, especially Student Activities & Campus Programs, will assist chapters in forming relationships with the rest of the university. (revised)
4. D. Advisers
   • Chapter Responsibilities:
     1. 1. Each chapter must select at least two advisers. At least one of the two must be a member of the university staff or faculty (University Chapter Advocate), though that person need not be a member of the organization he/she advises. Unaffiliated advisers need not be a part of private/ritual events.
     2. 2. Advisers and University Chapter Advocates must be at least three years removed from their undergraduate graduation and they must live within one hour of the Columbus campus. Student Activities & Campus Programs must approve exceptions. (revised)
     3. 3. The chapter's adviser and University Chapter Advocate must sign the Annual Chapter Plan and Annual Chapter Report.
     4. 4. A minimum of two advisers from each group are encouraged to complete the university's Chapter Adviser's Certification Program. It is mandatory that at least one adviser or University Chapter Advocate completes the training. (revised)
     5. 5. All advisers and University Chapter Advocates are encouraged to obtain and regularly check an e-mail account, to which the majority of university correspondence may be sent.
   • University Responsibilities:
     1. 1. A Chapter Adviser's Certification Program will be provided through the university that will inform advisers and University Chapter Advocates of common issues and concerns and identify available resources.
     2. 2. The university will assist chapters in identifying advisers, particularly among the faculty and staff. A list will be maintained in Student Activities & Campus Programs to identify faculty and staff members who are affiliated with Greek-letter organizations. (revised)
     3. 3. The university will facilitate e-mail accounts for advisers, thereby improving timely communication.
5. E. Financial Matters
   • Chapter Responsibilities:
     1. 1. The treasurer and executive officer are to prepare a balanced chapter budget each quarter, to be approved by the chapter or financial adviser and the chapter executive board. (revised)
     2. 2. Chapters will submit financial information within the Chapter Plan and the Annual Chapter Report. This information is to be signed by the chapter advisers. Unless university money has been allocated to the chapter (Council on Student Life, for example), no audit will be required.
     3. 3. The chapter must strictly enforce financial discipline as prescribed by the chapter's constitution & bylaws, or as mandated by their national/international organization.
     4. 4. The chapter must pay its bills due to the respective Greek council (IFC/WPA/PHC), the university, and all other agencies on time. Failure to pay the respective Greek council will result in a hearing with the respective council's judicial board. (PHC currently does not have a judicial board) (revised)
   • University Responsibilities:
     1. 1. If a chapter's executive officers and advisers cannot attest to the chapter's financial well being, the Greek Progress Review Board will request a meeting with the chapter in order to help resolve the issue.
     2. 2. At the request of the chapter, Student Activities & Campus Programs may serve as a resource for the resolution of the chapter's financial issues.
     3. 3. When asked, the university will provide chapters with financial consulting advice. Student Activities & Campus Programs will facilitate this process. (revised)
6. F. Community Service
   • Chapter Responsibilities:
     1. 1. Chapters must participate in sponsor at least one community service event per year that involves at least 75% of their membership present at the same time. A philanthropy event will not count for this requirement. The community service should engage the group's members in hands-on community service*. This can be a program or event sponsored by the group's national/international organization. A summary of the activity must be included in the chapter's annual report. Chapters will be taken on their word that the participation percentage requirement was met.
     2. 2. Upon completion of the event, the chapter will furnish a letter from the foundation or organization that their service event benefits documenting the event. In addition the chapter will complete a form available from Student Activities & Campus Programs that asks for statistics, contacts, objectives, and summaries. Both the letter and the form will be kept on file with Student Activities & Campus Programs.
     3. 3. Members of Greek organizations are expected to take part in at least one hour of hands-on community service* each year in a project of their own choosing that is not part of the chapter's group service requirement. A listing of the activities must be included in the chapter's annual report, but individual verification is on the honor system. (All members need not participate in the same event at the same time).
     4. * for clarification of hands-on service, please consult Student Activities & Campus Programs
   • University Responsibilities:
     1. 1. Student Activities & Campus Programs will assist chapters in getting appropriate publicity for their service projects.
     2. 2. Student Activities & Campus Programs will maintain a list of service opportunities and contact information for those wishing assistance in finding a service project.
7. G. Risk Management
   • Chapter Responsibilities:
     1. 1. Chapters must turn in new member cards (available in Student Activities & Campus Programs) for each new member within 10 days of the new member accepting an invitation to join. All new members must sign the new member card, indicating that they have been advised about hazing and other pertinent issues.
     2. 2. At least once per quarter, chapters must participate in and/or coordinate for their own chapter an educational session on risk management for a majority of their group. A summary of the activity must be included in the chapter's annual report. Chapters will be taken on their word that the participation percentage requirement was met.
     3. 3. In the risk management portion of their chapter plan, chapters will be encouraged to look at the larger issue of risk management and how to educate themselves on issues such as the use of fire extinguishers and the physical safety of their facilities.
     4. 4. Social functions of any kind must be registered with Student Activities & Campus Programs with a copy to the chapter advisers. This does not supersede the need to register social functions with other entities, i.e., headquarters or governing bodies. (revised)
   • University Responsibilities:
     1. 1. Letters from Student Activities & Campus Programs detailing the benefits of Greek life as well as legal information about hazing and alcohol policies will be sent to parents/guardians of new members within one month of pledging.
     2. 2. Student Activities & Campus Programs will regularly provide lectures and presentations to which all chapters are invited that can satisfy the requirement for quarterly educational sessions. These presentations will be made on the major risk management issues of sexual abuse, alcohol and other drug abuse, and hazing.
8. H. Diversity Education
   • Chapter Responsibilities:
     1. 1. Each chapter will educate its members on issues related to diverse populations identified by ethnicity, race, religious preference, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
     2. 2. During the academic year, 75% of the membership of each chapter, as a group, must participate in one diversity-oriented program or event. A summary of the program or event must be included in the chapter's annual report. Chapters will be taken on their word that the participation percentage requirement was met. This must be a program/event with a focus other than one central to the organization. (For example: A sorority attending a women's program would not necessarily meet the diversity requirement). Clarifications should be sought from Student Activities & Campus Programs. (Revised)