UNCW Fraternity And Sorority Handbook And

UNCW Registered Student urrent.pdf(Taken from the UNCW Code of Student Life, Section V)V-1 INTRODUCTIONStudents at UNCW are encouraged to organize and join associations to explore their common interestsand develop knowledge and skills. Student organizations wishing to be registered with UNCW mustform and operate in compliance with university policies. It is through our registered studentorganizations that the university is able to promote a sense of community and offer students theopportunity to pursue the practice of involvement, leadership, engagement and service.Although critical to the fabric of campus life, student organizations are independent organizations andare not considered to be an extension of the university. Unless the university has specifically requestedthat a student organization host an event (and by doing so has deemed the organization an agent of theuniversity), the student organization will not be covered by the university’s insurance.A registered student organization is defined as a group of five (5) or more currently enrolled Universityof North Carolina Wilmington students who unite around a common interest. Student organizationsmay have other non-student members as part of the student organization but these non-studentmembers may not be considered voting members. Unless more specific membership requirements areprovided by the appropriate advisory council (appropriate advisory councils are StudentOrganizations Committee, Sport Club Council, Graduate Student Association, Panhellenic Council,National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Interfraternity Council), this section outlines university policiespertaining to the formation and operation of registered student organizations, including actions thatmay be taken by the university for noncompliance with these policies. In addition to the policiesestablished in this section, organizations must also adhere to all policies set forth by their respectivegoverning bodies.Page 8 of 20

V-4 RIGHTS/PRIVILEGES OF REGISTERED STUDENT ORGANIZATIONSA.A registered student organization is entitled to:1. Be listed as a registered student organization. Only student organizations registered bySOC and in good standing with the university (meaning not on disciplinary probation)may use the name of the university or an abbreviation of it as a part of their name.2. Sponsor or present a public event on university property. Organizations undertakingthisactivity may consult with the CAIC staff for procedures and approval.3. Raise funds or make other permissible solicitations on university property in accordancewith university policy (see Section VI-3).4. Reserve the use of university facilities and services (see Section VI and VII-3).5. Be eligible for possible funding by the UNCW Student Government Associationaccording to Student Government Association guidelines.6. Be listed on the “Student Organizations” web page for UNCW.7. Appoint or elect an advisor of the organization’s choice; although stronglyrecommended, an advisor is not required.8. Utilize the resources and services provided in the Involvement Center.9. Have access to technological resources provided by ITSD such as a web page, UNCWemail account and file sharing/storage space on the student server.B.Policies and actions of a student organization will be determined by those persons who holda bona fide membership in the organization.For additional information and resources, go dfPage 9 of 20

UNCW Fraternity and Sorority Recognition PolicyFraternities and sororities at the University of North Carolina Wilmington have certain privileges thatare associated with membership in and recognition by the respective governing council and theUniversity. In order to maintain these privileges, chapters must comply with the UNCW Code ofStudent Life as well as the following requirements, which are based on inter/national chapter andcouncil policies and regulations.To maintain University recognition as a fraternity or sorority, chapters must be nationally recognizedorganizations and meet the following criteria: Register your chapter with the Campus Activities and Involvement Center each year.o The registration checklist can be found lSubmit and update the chapter roster with the Assistant Director for Fraternity and Sorority Life inthe Office of Student Leadership and Engagement for after each new recruitment/intake periodand/or as requested. At minimum, the chapter must update the roster once within the first twoweeks of classes and once before final exams begin each semester. Add your New Members to your Roster through Wavelink. Submit an Officer Update Form through Wavelink within two weeks of an election or change inofficers to the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement. oWhen updating four or less officers, please use the Individual Officer Update Form.Conduct all New Member Education Activities within an eight-week period, with a maximum oftwelve weeks permitted. Chapters must comply with their national standards if their requiredtimeframe is less than stated herein. Should a new member decide to drop, they must be removedfrom the chapter roster on Wavelink. Submit a complete and accurate Social Event Registration Form found online both on our websiteand on WaveLink a minimum of 5 business days prior to any social event. All chapters inattendance must submit this form. Annually, beginning each August, the response for nonregistration of a chapter social event will be a required meeting with a staff member in the Office ofStudent Leadership and Engagement. Subsequent violations may result in a formal conduct chargeof “failure to comply” through the Office of the Dean of Students.oChapters must submit a Guest List 24 hours prior to the start of the event. This can befound on our website and on WaveLink.Page 10 of 20

Membership EligibilityThe Office of Student Leadership and Engagement requires individuals and chapters to adhere to thefollowing policies regarding recruitment of new members: Students who wish to accept any form of membership must be currently a full-time enrolled(12 credit hours) student at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Individual fraternityand sorority headquarters determine the number of credits earned in order to be eligible formembership.o Graduate student membership will depend upon the Inter/national fraternity or sororitypolicy.Individual fraternity and sorority headquarters or chapters determine the GPA required formembership. Typically, the minimum is a 2.5 GPA, which is recommended and supported,but it may be higher for some groups. Potential new members must register via the recruitment link on the Office of StudentLeadership and Engagement website.oRegistration includes a grade release agreement which grants permission for the Office ofStudent Leadership and Engagement to check academic credits and grades prior to theextension of a bid/invitation to join. If an individual receives an invitation to join, thisagreement will be in place through their entire membership and will assist chapters indetermining the members who are meeting the academic expectations set forth by theheadquarters or chapter, and to determine the chapter average GPA. Chapters must submit a New Member Roster online through Wavelink. The Office of Student Leadership and Engagement, specifically the Assistant Director and/orCoordinator for Fraternity and Sorority Life, will assist in the coordination of recruitmentactivities with the respective councils. For institutional purposes, active chapter members are defined as those members who areenrolled students at UNCW. In order for a student to be considered “Inactive” one of thefollowing criteria must be met:1.) the member is not enrolled in school or has graduated,2.) the member is studying abroad for an entire academic year,3.) the student is no longer a member of the organization, or4.) documentation provided by the national organization indicates the member is nolonger active.Page 11 of 20

HazingUNCW Student Standards of Conduct*applies to ALL students and ALL student organizations*Hazing violations are adjudicated as outlined in the Code of Student Life.SECTION II STUDENT CONDUCT AND APPEALSII-1 STUDENT STANDARDS OF CONDUCTB. OFFENSESNotwithstanding actions taken by civil authorities or private litigants, the vice chancellor for studentaffairs or his/her designee may initiate disciplinary proceedings as outlined in Section II-2 and/orSection V-9 against a student or student organization that violates or attempts to violate the UNCWCode of Student Life or other applicable rules, including the following:Engages in hazing. Hazing by university groups is prohibited on or off campus. Hazing isdefined as a covert or overt action, occurring on or off campus, by an individual or group ofindividuals in connection to recruitment, initiation, rite of passage, or membership in afraternity, sorority, UNCW sport club, group, organization or athletic team; that subjects anyother member of the university community, voluntarily or involuntarily, to activity whichcreates an atmosphere for potential or actual humiliation, degradation, verbal, emotional or 24physical distress, abuse or injury; or compromises the academic mission and/or reputation ofthe university.State of North Carolina Hazing LawNORTH CAROLINA GENERAL STATUTE 14-35. HAZING; DEFINITION AND PUNISHMENTIt is unlawful for any student in attendance at any university, college, or school in this State to engagein hazing, or to aid or abet any other student in the commission of this offense. For the purposes of thissection hazing is defined as follows: "to subject another student to physical injury as part of aninitiation, or as a prerequisite to membership, into any organized school group, including any society,athletic team, fraternity or sorority, or other similar group." Any violation of this section shallconstitute a Class 2 misdemeanor. (1913, c. 169, ss. 1, 2, 3, 4; C.S., s. 4217; 1969, c. 1224, s. 1; 1993, c. 539,s. 19; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 2003-299, s. 1.)Page 12 of 20

NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL STATUTE 14-38WITNESSES IN HAZING TRIALS; NO INDICTMENT TO BE FOUNDED ON SELF-CRIMINATINGTESTIMONYIn all trials for the offense of hazing any student or other person subpoenaed as a witness in behalf ofthe State shall be required to testify if called upon to do so: Provided, however, that no student or otherperson so testifying shall be amenable or subject to indictment on account of, or by reason of, suchtestimony. (1913, c. 169, s. 8; C.S. s. 4220.)Examples of HazingTaken from the Fraternal Information and Programming Group (FIPG) Risk Management Policy. TheFraternal Information and Programming Group (FIPG) is organized for the purpose of providinginformation on risk management issues. The mission is to promote sound risk management policiesand practices. FIPG’s mission is to be the leading resource of risk management education,programming and information to the broad based constituency involved in all aspects of Greek Life.http://www.fipg.org/HAZINGNo chapter, colony, student or alumnus shall conduct nor condone hazing activities. Permission orapproval by a person being hazed is not a defense.Hazing activities are defined as: "Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or offfraternity premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule.“Such activities may include but are not limited to the following:use of alcohol,paddling in any form,creation of excessive fatigue,physical and psychological shocks,quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any other such activities carried onoutside or inside of the confines of the chapter house; wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste, engaging in public stunts and buffoonery, morally degrading or humiliating games and activities, and any other activities which are not consistent with academic achievement, fraternal law,ritual or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution or applicablestate law."PLEASE NOTE: This list is by no means exhaustive of all activities and actions that can beconsidered hazing. Should you have questions or desire clarification of any of these items, pleasecontact the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement at 910-962-3877 or the Office of the Deanof Students at 910-962-3119. Page 13 of 20

Fraternity and Sorority Expansion ProcessEach council manages their own expansion process. National organizations interested in expansionshould contact the Assistant Director, Fraternity & Sorority Life to determine the council, which bestfits their organization and to review the council-specific expansion process. Students interested inbringing a national organization to UNCW should contact the national organization they are interestedin joining prior to scheduling a meeting with the Assistant Director, Fraternity & Sorority Life.Interfraternity CouncilThe following is an excerpt from the Interfraternity Council Constitution Article IV – IFC Membership, SectionVII. IFC Affirmation and Adoption of NIC Standards.K. Upon completion of these above mentioned responsible growth expectations:a. Any NIC member fraternity, upon expressing interest to establish a chapter, must begiven a time by the IFC for the expansion to occur. The IFC can determine the bestacademic term for the expansion, but the expansion must occur within a four-yearperiod from when the IFC is first notified of interest by the NIC member fraternity.b. NIC member fraternity with an interest group already formed will be granted IFCrecognition, though the IFC may elect to have an associate member status providedreasonable written expectations and metrics are established to move from associatemember status to full member status.c. The IFC will never take a vote on recognition or expansion for an NIC memberfraternity.d. The IFC will never require NIC member fraternities to present an expansion proposal tothe IFC, although the IFC can require the NIC fraternity to submit documentation or doa virtual presentation via a screen sharing program to determine the best academic termfor expansion.e. The virtual presentation with the IFC Executive board must include:i. The number of alumni within a 30, 60, and 120 mile radius;ii. Expansion and or Chartering timeline;iii. The expansion efforts of the National organization over the last five years andthe resultsiv. The new member education plan to be used for new member classesv. A list of chapters in the state of North Carolinavi. A list of chapters at institutions similar to UNCW (population between 16,000and 20,000, primarily white institution, regional university, with a fraternity andsorority population of about 15%, that do not have official chapter houses oncampus)vii. Any national requirements for membershipviii. The makeup of the advisory board for the chapter and their specific rolesix. The national organization’s plan for support for the first three years ofestablishmentPage 14 of 20

f.The inter/national organization headquarters shall receive the timeline established bythe IFC Executive Board no more than two months following their presentationg. Full membership in the IFC is limited to those fraternities (including non-NICorganizations), who have adopted all NIC Standards, are affiliated with an inter/nationalorganization, and are men’s fraternities. Associate membership may be granted toorganizations that do not meet the above criteria. Only members from Full Memberchapters within the IFC are permitted to serve as IFC Executive officers, serve on theJudicial Board, or have full voting power on Constitution and Bylaw amendments.National Pan-Hellenic CouncilInterested organizations should contact the Assistant Director, Fraternity & Sorority Life. Organizations mustbe members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council.Panhellenic CouncilUNCW Panhellenic Council follows the Extension process outlined in the National Panhellenic ConferenceManual of Information, which can be found HERE.United Greek CouncilThe following is an excerpt from the United Greek Council Constitution Article Five – Membership, Section Two:Application Process.5.2.05.2.2.5.2.3.5.2.4.5.2.5.Organizations applying must be registered with Campus Activities & Involvement as aRegistered Student OrganizationOrganizations applying must be Nationally Affiliated social Greek Letter Organizations that arenot affiliated locally or nationally with Interfraternity Council (IFC), National Pan-HellenicCouncil (NPHC), or Panhellenic Council (NPC)Organizations applying for Full Membership must submit a written application to the UGCExecutive Committee. Applications will only be accepted during an academic year.The UGC Executive Committee will vote on the application within two weeks of it beingsubmitted. A 4/5 vote of the Executive Committee is needed to accept a new chapter to begin theAssociate Membership process.After a 4/5 vote, the applicant chapter will be notified within 24 hours via e-mail of theExecutive Committee’s decision, and begin a two-month Associate Membership process, duringthe academic year, including, but not limited to: University closures, holidays, breaks or times inbetween Fall and Spring semesterPage 15 of 20

Best PracticesPage 16 of 20

Recommended Best Practices for SuccessIn addition to complying with the UNCW Code of Student Life and Fraternity and Sorority Liferequirements, chapters are encouraged to also observe to the following best practices which aid in thedevelopment of a successful chapter: Submit a New Member Education Plan (Appendix E) or outline one week before new membereducation begins to the Assistant Director and/or Coordinator for Fraternity and Sorority Life in theOffice of Student Leadership and Engagement. Chapter recruitment/intake plans should be incompliance with all inter/national headquarters standards, and comply with the UNCW Code ofStudent Life. The purpose is to offer feedback, NOT to approve the operations of the chapter. Encourage all new members to attend the New Member Education Sessions and/or participate inthe make-up assignment. Chapter presidents are invited to meet with the Assistant Director and/or Coordinator of Fraternityand Sorority Life in the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement once per month; chapterofficers are invited to meet with the Assistant Director/Coordinator as needed. Chapter Presidents, officers, initiated and associate members are encouraged to attend allmeetings, training sessions, and events offered by the Office of Student Leadership andEngagement. List a primary chapter advisor and any secondary advisors Submit chapter Standards of Excellence documentation (available athttp://uncw.edu/fsl/resources.html) at the end of each semester. Be familiar with your inter/national organization’s Risk Management Policies, procedures,timeline, and contact list. For some groups this may include the Fraternal Information andProgramming Group (FIPG) policies (http://www.fipg.org/). Be familiar with the Code of Student Life, in particular section V-8 Conduct Review for StudentOrganizations Page 17 of 20

Chapter EventsA function/event may be deemed as a fraternal chapter event if any of thefollowing criteria are proven: Event is paid for by the chapter (with chapter funds)Event is endorsed by chapter (this includes but is not limited to any promotion via social media)The average person would associate the event with the fraternal organization in questionAll chapters should follow their national risk management guidelines as well as the

These policies and procedures are subject to change. Fraternity and Sorority Life reserve the . Lambda Chi Alpha Delta Sigma Phi Gamma Delta Pi Chi Pi Kappa Alpha Lambda Phi Pi Kappa Phi Gamma Theta Sigma Chi Epsilon Colony Tau Epsilon Phi Zeta Tau Colony Tau