FRATERNITY & SORORITY LIFE HANDBOOK
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction..........................................................3 Mission and Learning Outcomes .............................4 Points of Pride Standards and Accreditation Program ................................................................5/6 Advisors and Support Staff ....................................7/8/9 Governing Councils, Order of Omega, And All Council Committees...........................................................10/11/12/13 Fraternity and Sorority Life Calendar...................14 Double Booking Event Policy .................................15 Adding, Cancelling or Rescheduling Events............16/17/18 Hosting a Ticketed Event ......................................19 Hosting an Inter/national Conference or Event on Campus .................................................................20 Requirements to Join Fraternity and Sorority Life...21 Off Campus Affiliation............................................22 New Member Recruitment, Intake and Education......24 Hazing ...................................................................25/26 Chapter Expectations..............................................27 On Campus-Housing.................................................28 Fraternity and Sorority Life Expansion....................29 Other Policies/Procedures........................................30
INTRODUCTION FRATERNITY AND SORORITY LIFE HANDBOOK The Fraternity and Sorority Life Handbook is designed as an informational document. The information contained herein supersedes all previously published handbooks and is subject to change at the discretion of the University. University policies, practices, guidelines, and procedures, which may be updated and approved subsequent to the publication of this document, will in some instances take precedence over the contents of this handbook. To ensure that you have the most current information, you may contact the Office of Student Life at studentlife@widener.edu. The policies and procedures found in this document and the University Student Handbook mandate the expectations and policies for recognized general Greek-lettered fraternal groups at Widener University. Violations of the policies in this document may be adjudicated through the Office of Student Life, Office of Student Conduct, and/or the governing councils.
FRATERNITY AND SORORITY LIFE MISSION AND LEARNING OUTCOMES The fraternal community at Widener University strives for educational programming and leadership opportunities that focus on scholarship, service, character development, risk management, and new member development to comply with the cornerstones of our founding fraternal values. The goal of the fraternity and sorority experience is to provide a lifelong learning experience that supports the values of fraternity and Widener University. As a result of participation in Fraternity and Sorority Life, students will ‌ * Demonstrate personal responsibility, decision making, and behavior that is congruent with fraternal values. * Recognize the importance of scholarship by engaging in personal and organizational strategies that promote academic excellence inside and outside of the classroom. * Demonstrate awareness, engagement, and an appreciation for pluralism and diverse points of views. * Appreciate and become engaged in community service and philanthropic activities. * Develop and enhance leadership and relationship-building skills. * Be able to articulate how their involvement integrates with their personal and professional goals.
POINTS OF PRIDE STANDARDS AND ACCREDITATION PROGRAM The Widener University’s Fraternity and Sorority Life Points of Pride Standards and Accreditation Program serves as a chapter development process that allows Widener University to set consistent standards throughout all areas of chapter operations including; academic excellence, chapter operations and management, leadership development, community and civic engagement, campus and council involvement, and health and safety. The Points of Pride Standards and Accreditation Program was created from assessment data, conversation, and requirements of Inter/National Fraternal Organizations hosted at the University. In addition, the areas are based on the founding pillars of fraternal life; scholarship, service, leadership, and brotherhood/sisterhood. The program aids Widener’s Fraternity & Sorority Life chapters in their efforts to remain accountable for their responsibilities in the continuation of the principles on which these organizations were founded and fosters growth within the fraternal community. These expectations help chart a course for the continued development of each chapter and its members; and serves as the University’s semester assessment of the Fraternity and Sorority Life community.
POINTS OF PRIDE STANDARDS AND ACCREDITATION PROGRAM The goals of the Points of Pride Standards and Accreditation Program include: * To set basic chapter operation expectations between Widener University and its recognized chapters * To aid the chapters in their efforts to improve in the areas of academic excellence, chapter operations & management, leadership development, community & civic engagement, campus & council involvement, and health & safety * To monitor, evaluate, provide feedback, and recognize these efforts * To identify chapters that may need additional support and guidance * To establish measurable outcomes on the progress of sororities and fraternities at Widener University Chapters should refer to the Points of Pride document for the current semester to ensure compliance of expectations and the documentation and review process.
ADVISORS AND SUPPORT STAFF
Director of Student Organizations The Director of Student Organizations is a full-time professional employee who serves as an administrator for the University. The primary role is to act as the Fraternity and Sorority Life advisor to the fraternal community. As advisor to the community, the Director of Student Organizations directly supervises the governing councils and Order of Omega; while overseeing fraternal programming and implementing policy for the community. The Director of Student Organizations also serves as a resource for chapter officers and their members. All emergencies, policy violations, or concerns should immediately be reported to the Director of Student Organizations. Office of Student Life The Office of Student Life seeks to empower and develop students through innovative learning opportunities, programs, and services designed to prepare students to lead, serve, and achieve their educational goals and reach their potential. The Director of Student Organizations is a professional staff member in the Office of Student Life. In collaboration with the Director of Student Organizations, the office provides support for all members in the fraternal community.
ADVISORS AND SUPPORT STAFF On-Campus Faculty & Staff Advisors Like all recognized student organizations, each fraternal organization must maintain an organization advisor that is an on-campus full-time Widener University employee. Faculty and staff advisors play a pivotal role in the development and management of each organization in which they advise. As an advisor, there role is to assist the group by becoming a valuable reference and point of contact for the general members of the organization. Advisors assist with student development, budgeting, event planning, organization and other areas that support the mission of the student group. While the success of the organization is the responsibility of the students, not the advisor. The role of the advisor is to be a mentor and resource to students, providing feedback and advice in order for students to develop leadership skills and to reflect on what they are learning through their activities. Should a faculty/staff advisor change, the organization should submit an “Advisor Agreement� form within 48 business hours of the change. The organization must also complete a Student Organization Officer Update Form. If a faculty or staff advisor leaves the institution or no longer agrees to serve as an on-campus advisor to a group, the organization will be granted a 3 month grace period to find a replacement (should this occur over an academic break – the first day of classes will be the starting date of the grace period).
ADVISORS AND SUPPORT STAFF Alumni Advisors Each fraternal organization must have an alumni chapter advisor, who is to be selected by the inter/national headquarters. The alumni advisor serves as a liaison to the chapter and inter/national headquarters. In case of emergency, chapters are required to submit any contact information changes for the alumni advisor to the Director of Student Organizations via email within 48 business hours of the change. While the alumni advisor does not act as an employee of the University nor has any bearing on policy or procedures held by the Office of Student Life and the University – it is the responsibility of the alumni advisor to support all policies, procedures, and decisions that are adopted by the Office of Student Life and the University. Should an alumni advisor be found endangering the development and success of Widener University students, it is within the right of the University as a private host institution to no longer recognize that advisor despite any decision by a national organization. Fraternity and Sorority Life Office Assistant This student position specializes in all aspects of fraternity and sorority life including all expectations for chapters as well as forms associated with fraternal organizations. In addition, this position assists with the collection, tracking, editing, and grading of the Points of Pride Standards and Accreditation program.
GOVERNING COUNCILS, ORDER OF OMEGA, AND ALL COUNCIL COMMITTEES The governing councils of the fraternity and sorority life community are student-led, self-governing student organizations that provide guidelines and support to each fraternal organization. There are three governing councils who oversee the fraternal organizations at Widener University and are comprised of elected student officers who oversee particular areas and functions of the community. Often, the three councils work together to bring educational programming to the entire fraternal community. These programs include the Fraternity and Sorority Life Speaker Series, Sunhill Cleanup, Academic Workshops, Leadership Development Workshops, Greek Week, and more. Each individual council also has signature programs such as Walk-A-Mile In Her Shoes hosted by the Interfraternity Council, The Circle of Sisterhood Foundation and Women’s Leadership Conference hosted by the College Panhellenic Council, and the Black Excellence Series hosted by the Intercultural Greek Council. While each council hosts monthly town halls for its’ members or biweekly delegate meetings, the officers meet weekly as a team with their advisor to conduct business and further develop leadership their leadership skills.
GOVERNING COUNCILS, ORDER OF OMEGA, AND ALL COUNCIL COMMITTEES Council Officers A summary of council officer positions is listed below: The President oversees the executive board and presides over all organizations meetings. The position manages the budgeting and accounting for the organization, is in charge of major council programming, and acts as the representative of the community. The Vice President for Standards and Operations manages all governing policy violations and chapter conduct concerns. The position also is in charge of all Greek Week programming and Walk-A-Mile programming. The Vice President for Membership Recruitment oversees the membership recruitment process for the council and ensures that all policies and procedures regarding the process are adhered to. There is no Vice President for Membership Recruitment for the Intercultural Greek Council. Students with general questions in regard to intake should email fsl@widener.edu. The Vice President for Membership Development is in charge of all academic development programming and community building programming for the council. The Vice President for Community Outreach is in charge of all community service and philanthropy programming and fundraising for the council. The Vice President for Marketing and Communications manages all marketing, advertisement, secretarial duties, and communications on behalf of the council. Students should refer to each council’s constitution and bylaws for complete job descriptions, eligibility requirements, and duties of each position. If a member is interested in assisting the council in programming, they should apply or join one of the officers’ committees which meets at least monthly. a little bit of body text
GOVERNING COUNCILS, ORDER OF OMEGA, AND ALL COUNCIL COMMITTEES The Interfraternity Council The Interfraternity Council (IFC) is the selfgoverning student organization that oversees Widener University’s international and national men's fraternities. The Interfraternity Council adheres to the policies and best practices adopted by their umbrella organization, the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC). The Interfraternity Council provides guidelines and support to the following chapters: Alpha Tau Omega, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Tau Kappa Epsilon, and Theta Chi. College Panhellenic Council The College Panhellenic Council (CPC) is the self-governing student organization that oversees Widener University’s Panhellenic women's groups. The College Panhellenic Council adheres to the policies and best practices adopted by their umbrella organization, the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC). The College Panhellenic Council provides guidelines and support to the following chapters: Delta Phi Epsilon, Phi Sigma Sigma, and Sigma Sigma Sigma. Intercultural Greek Council The Intercultural Greek Council (IGC) is the self-governing student organization that oversees Widener University’s multicultural fraternal groups. The Intercultural Greek Council adheres to the policies and best practices adopted by the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and National Multicultural Greek Council (NMGC), despite some organizations not being associated with the umbrella groups. The Intercultural Greek Council provides guidelines and support to the following chapters: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and Theta Delta Sigma Society, Inc.
GOVERNING COUNCILS, ORDER OF OMEGA, AND ALL COUNCIL COMMITTEES Order of Omega Honor Society Order of Omega is a national Greek society that recognizes fraternity men and women who have attained a high standard of academics and leadership in fraternity and sorority community activities. Order of Omega encourages members to continue along this line, and to inspire others to strive for high levels of excellence. UNITE Task Force Committee The UNITE task force committee is a student led, volunteer group comprised of current fraternity and sorority members that program and push for community initiatives focused on developing pluralism, community building, and inclusion. The mission of the group is for the unification of the fraternal community through the education of shared founding values and experiences. The UNITE committee hosts several all-community town halls, workshops and speakers focused on pluralism, and other programming throughout the academic year. The group meet monthly or bimonthly to conduct business. Greek Week Committee The Greek Week planning committee is comprised of each organizations chapter president or vice president and is chaired by the Vice President for Standards and Operations of each council. Each chapter’s president or vice president must attend every scheduled committee meeting for the semester. Depending on the term, meetings may be held monthly or biweekly. Should the council Vice Presidents for Standards and Operations choose to allow other committee members, they will select an additional assistant per council based on nominations from the committee at the beginning of the Fall semester. The term of the assistants will mirror the term of the council officers.
FRATERNITY AND SORORITY LIFE CALENDAR The Fraternity and Sorority Life calendar allows organizations and the fraternal community to effectively plan in advance to ensure University space for programming and to limit over-programming for students. The calendar is not to be confused with the printed or online version of the Experience Widener calendar created by the Office of Student Life that showcases programming by recognized student organizations. All programming (with the exception of chapter meetings, brotherhoods/sisterhoods, or rituals) held by Fraternity and Sorority Life organizations are required to be listed on the Experience Widener calendar, and subsequently the online Fraternity and Sorority Life calendar. The Fraternity and Sorority Life calendar is managed by the Vice President for Marketing and Communications of each council. All violations will be managed by the Vice President for Standards and Operations of each council. Members may view the calendar on the Fraternity and Sorority Life committee page on Campus Cruisier under the specified tab.
DOUBLE BOOKING EVENT POLICY
In order to create parity for each organization, double booking is not allowed for fraternity and sorority life organizations. This policy allows each organization to host individual events that do not compete with resources, funding, or attendance. Therefore, no open events including but not limited to interest meetings, recruitment events, off-campus fundraising, and so forth will be permitted during a previously scheduled open event of another fraternal chapter, council, or all community event. The Director of Student Organizations may approve double booking based on special circumstances. All violations will be managed by the Vice President for Standards and Operations of each council.
ADDING, CANCELLING, OR RESCHEDULING EVENTS From time to time, an organization or member may have a great idea! Or as is student programming, event details or logistics may fail. Therefore, the Office of Student Life allows a limited amount of exceptions for each chapter to add, cancel, or reschedule events based on special circumstances. The procedures to request to add, cancel, or reschedule an event are as follows: Requesting to Add an Event 1. Ensure that the proposed event adheres to the “Double Booking Event Policy” by reviewing the Fraternity and Sorority Life calendar. 2. Email the Director of Student Organizations at least one month in advance requesting the addition of the event. The email should include the following: a. Confirm that the proposed event does not violate the “Double Booking Event Policy”. b. Explain the rational as to why the organization was unable to successfully plan ahead during the prior semesters’ calendar planning period and why an exception should be made. c. A detailed description of the event including the proposed start time, end time, and location. 3. If approval is granted, request that the council Vice President for Marketing and Communications adds the event to the Fraternity and Sorority Life calendar via email. 4. Complete and submit all required event forms (i.e. fundraising form, grill permit, public posting form, etc.) to the appropriate offices within the indicated timelines. 5. Follow all programming policies and University procedures.
ADDING, CANCELLING, OR RESCHEDULING EVENTS
Requesting to Cancel an Event 1. Request that the council Vice President for Marketing and Communications removes the event from the Fraternity and Sorority Life calendar via email. 2. Email the University reservationist of the facility in which you were hosting the event on the cancellation. (See the RSO handbook for a list of the reservationists). 3. Email studentlife@widener.edu to remove the event from Involvio. 4. Update all printed flyers and social media postings announcing the cancellation. 5. Send an email announcement cancelling the event to the Fraternity and Sorority Life Campus Cruisier committee email listing. 6. Send an email announcement cancelling the event to the Recognized Student Organization Campus Cruisier committee email listing. Requesting to Reschedule an Event 1. Ensure that the proposed rescheduled event adheres to the “Double Booking Event Policy” by reviewing the Fraternity and Sorority Life calendar. 2. Email the Director of Student Organizations at least one month in advance (if applicable) requesting the rescheduling of the event. The email should include the following: a. Confirm that the proposed rescheduled event does not violate the “Double Booking Event Policy”. b. Explain the rational as to why the organization needs to reschedule. c. The proposed start time, end time, and location. 3. If the approval is granted, request that the council Vice President for Marketing and Communications edits the event on the Fraternity and Sorority Life calendar via email.
ADDING, CANCELLING, OR RESCHEDULING EVENTS 4. Email the University reservationist of the facility in which you were hosting the event to reschedule. (See the RSO handbook for a list of the reservationists). 5. Email studentlife@widener.edu to update the event on Involvio. 6. Update all printed flyers and social media postings announcing the rescheduled event. 7. Send an email announcement rescheduling the event to the Fraternity and Sorority Life Campus Cruisier committee email listing and the Recognized Student Organization Campus Cruisier committee email listing. 8. Complete and Resubmit all required event forms (i.e. fundraising form, grill permit, public posting form, etc.) to the appropriate offices within the indicated timelines. 9. Follow all programming policies and University procedures.
HOSTING A TICKETED EVENT For events involving day of ticket sales or an entry fee, organizations must follow the procedures below: * Submit a fundraising proposal form no later than seven (7) days prior to the date of the fundraiser. * At least one Campus Safety officer and two student organization representatives must be present for the duration of ticket sales or entry fee collection. * Student organizations are NOT PERMITTED to retain their collected money at the end of the event. Widener University staff will count the money in the presence of two student organization representatives and a Campus Safety officer. A receipt for the money will be issued to the student organization by Widener University staff. A copy of the receipt will be kept by Campus Safety. The Campus Safety officer will be responsible for securing the money until the next business day. The student organization must deposit the money into their Widener University account on the first business day following their event. * Money collected during the event cannot be used to reimburse the student organization for personal expenditures or to pay the DJ and/or other service contractors on the date of the event. Services contracted by the student organization must be paid through the University payment voucher request system. All payments must follow established Widener University fiscal guidelines. * The on-campus faculty/staff advisor must be present for the entirety of the event. Another full-time Widener University faculty or staff member may serve as substitute if the advisor is unable to attend. If no advisor or appropriate substitute attends the event, the event must be cancelled or postponed to a later proposed date.
HOSTING AN INTER/NATIONAL CONFERENCE OR EVENT ON-CAMPUS In order to ensure a successful event, an organization should consult with the Office of Student Life and the University Center Administration office at least a semester in advance.
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REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN FRATERNITY & SORORITY LIFE Prior to students going through the recruitment process of the fraternal community, there are a few requirements that they must adhere to. They are listed below: 1. A potential member must be a full-time undergraduate day student with at least 12 credits. 2. A potential member must have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA for the current semester of which they are requesting membership into a fraternal organization to participate in the membership recruitment or intake process. 3. A potential member must complete an Affiliation Education online video session. They must receive at least a 90% on the affiliation education online quiz after viewing the video. o Affiliation Education for Interfraternity recruitment closes by a specific deadline for the Fall and Spring semester. o Affiliation Education for Panhellenic recruitment closes by a specific deadline in the Spring for formal recruitment, there is no closing date for Panhellenic sorority groups during Continuous Open Bidding in the Fall semester. o There is no closing date for students looking to participate in intake for our multicultural groups under the Intercultural Greek Council.
REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN FRATERNITY AND SORORITY LIFE 4. A potential member must register for recruitment during the semester in which they are interested in joining an organization. o Interfraternity recruitment registration closes by a specific deadline in the Fall and Spring semester. o There is no registration for Panhellenic sorority groups during Continuous Open Bidding in the Fall semester. However, potential new members must register and pay the registration fee by the specific deadline for Spring formal recruitment. o There is no registration for students looking to participate in intake for our multicultural groups under the Intercultural Greek Council. 5. A potential member must attend any mandatory potential member events held by a specific council during the semester in which they intend on participating in recruitment. o The mandatory Meet the Fraternities event is held in both the Fall and Spring semester for the Interfraternity Council. o Panhellenic potential members must attend one of the mandatory PNM orientation events in the Spring semester to participate in Spring formal recruitment. o There is no mandatory event held by the Intercultural Greek Council. 6. A potential member may not be on an active academic or judicial probation period. All academic or judicial probation periods must be concluded by the start of the semester in which they are interested in joining an organization. 7. A potential member may not have been initiated into another Inter/Nationally recognized general-fraternal organization on any campus.
OFF CAMPUS AFFILIATION Widener University students should only be affiliating with chapters and colonies which are on the campus and approved by the Office of Student Life. Students who choose to associate and/or affiliate themselves with a chapter at another campus, through a graduate/alumni chapter, or other means do so at their own risk and are not considered a part of our campus’ fraternity & sorority community. Students who assume this affiliation risk may be in violation of another institution or an organizational policy. This institution and its employees will not condone or assist students with the process for a non-Widener general Greeklettered organization. Widener University and the Office of Student Life are not responsible for students who join organizations not chartered on our campus.
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NEW MEMBER RECRUITMENT, INTAKE AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS Affiliation Education Affiliation Education is an online video and quiz that assists potential new members in learning and understanding the procedures and responsibilities that come with joining a fraternal organization at Widener University. Potential new members must watch the Affiliation Education online video and then take the short online quiz that follows it. Students must receive at least a 90% to successfully pass. Students may take the quiz as many times as necessary to pass. While new member education processes vary by each national organization. Each new member education program should be designed to teach the fundamentals of being an effective member of the fraternity or sorority. Programs should only include prescribed lessons, tests or quizzes, rituals, and workshops created by professional headquarter staff. Organizations must follow all policies and procedures outlined in their individual governing council’s “Chapter Guidelines for Membership Recruitment & New Member Education / Intake” document. When crafting the schedule for education, groups must take note of planned council and all-community life events so that the chapter meets all Points of Pride attendance requirements. Additionally, chapters should take into consideration the open events of other chapters as they plan their education events. No events outside of the proposed and accepted programs may occur without an emailed request at least one week in advance to the change and official acceptance by the Director of Student Organizations. All new member education activities must be in accordance with Widener University’s AntiHazing policies and federal and state laws.
HAZING
Policy Statement on Hazing The Fraternity & Sorority Life community at Widener University is committed to promoting an environment that fosters respect for the dignity and rights of all its community members. Each council and the Office of Student Life enforces this policy through internal disciplinary procedures and the external prosecution of alleged offenders. Individuals who participate in acts of hazing will be held accountable under this policy, their inter/national organization policies, the Student Code of Conduct, and state law. Widener University defines hazing to include any action that intentionally or recklessly causes or poses a substantial risk of harm to the mental or physical health or safety of one or more persons. Subjecting any person to and/or encouraging any person to commit an act that violates human dignity, the Student Code of Conduct, policies held by each inter/national organizations and governing bodies, or the law for the purpose of initiating, promoting, fostering, or confirming any form of affiliation with a group or organization is prohibited. The express or implied consent of participants or victims will not be a defense. The University will not tolerate any hazing activities by any individuals, groups, teams, or recognized student organizations. Any activities that constitute hazing must be reported immediately to the Office of Student Life.
HAZING In addition to reviewing each organization’s new member and intake program prior to any new member education processes beginning and having each organization provide written approval from a headquarters staff member and an alumni advisor acknowledging they have read and approve of the new member education program; the Office of Student Life requires each chapter to submit a “Chapter Anti-Hazing Contract” (even if the chapter is not participating in recruitment, new member education, or intake during that semester). The contract states that chapters must comply with and adhere to all Anti-Hazing State and Federal laws and Widener University’s Anti-Hazing Policy and outlines all policies and expectations associated with hazing prevention. It also outlines the state and University definition of hazing and violation procedures as listed within the Recognized Student Organization Policies and Procedures Handbook, Student Code of Conduct, and Student Handbook. The contract must be submitted to the Office of Student Life each semester. Signatures must include every active chapter member, the chapter on-campus faculty and staff advisor, and the chapter off-campus alumni advisor. Once a new member accepts a bid or invitation for membership, they must read and submit the “New Member Agreement of Rights” form, acknowledging that they have read the “New Member Bill of Rights and Anti Hazing Statement” made available online, in-person by the chapter, and inperson by the governing council with professional staff present. Copies of the New Member Bill of Rights and Anti Hazing Statement are then emailed to each new member.
CHAPTER EXPECTATIONS Chapter Attendance Policies Chapters must participate in all community and council sponsored events with 50% of chapter attendance (*unless a less percentage is communicated). Chapter members must sign in at each event to receive credit for their organization. While class conflicts are an acceptable excuse for failure to meet the attendance requirement - the chapter president must request an excused failure for each event by emailing the Director of Student Organizations, their council President, and their council Vice President for Marking and Communications via email at least 48 business hours before an event to gain approval. Additionally, any lack of attendance by a designated representative for Chapter President Roundtables, Delegate meetings, or committee meetings will result in Points of Pride deductions and/or sanctions. See the Points of Pride document for the current semester for further expectations. Chapter President Roundtable Meetings Once a month per semester, chapter presidents come together with the Director of Student Organizations for conversation, think tanking, chapter management and operations assessment, and leadership skills building. Since meetings are only once a month based on the availability of the chapter presidents, absences are not allowed. If a true emergency exists such as a hospital visit, the student was sick and stayed home from class, or a family emergency; then the Director of Student Organizations must be notified via email at least one hour prior to the scheduled meeting. The organization must send their chapter Vice President or third in line in place of the chapter president. Only one emergency excuse is allotted for the semester.
ON CAMPUS-HOUSING
All general Greek-lettered fraternities and sororities at Widener University that seek to reside in a themed housing residence hall on campus are required to adhere to the expectations and requirements outlined by the Office of Student Life and Office of Residence Life in the “Themed Housing Expectations Agreement�. The agreement will be used as an addendum to the standard Themed Housing Agreement provided by Residence Life, and will be signed by the Chapter President, Risk Manager, and House Manager. The agreement may be obtained by contacting the Office of Residence Life. The agreement will not be accepted as an application for themed housing and all interested organizations must submit an application for themed housing during the application process hosted by the Office of Residence Life.
FRATERNITY AND SORORITY LIFE EXPANSION POLICY The Fraternity and Sorority Life policy on fraternal expansion outlines the procedures and expectations set forth for all national or international general Greek-lettered fraternal groups interested in seeking recognition at Widener University under one of the recognized governing councils. To continue the enhancement of fraternity and sorority life at Widener University, consideration and recognition will only be granted to national or international organizations that meet the criteria set forth by the University. The University reserves the right to amend or update the expansion policy at any time given the changing needs of the student community. The expansion process can be initiated by one of the following methods: 1. Internal Expansion Request. When expansion is deemed appropriate by the Office of Student Life in conjunction with the appropriate local governing council at Widener University. 2. External Expansion Request. When the Office of Student Life receives a formal petition for expansion by a national organization staff member or volunteer. 3. Reactivation Expansion Request. When the Office of Student Life receives a formal petition for recognition by a national organization that has experienced loss of recognition at the University and / or National Headquarters level due to disciplinary action or inactivity in chapter membership. Each governing council will recognize no more than one interest group as a colony within the governing council at one time. Subsequently, the governing council in question will not be allowed to expand further until the colony has become a chartered chapter or has disbanded within the timeline indicated. For more information on the expansion policy see the Fraternity and Sorority Life Campus Cruisier page.
OTHER POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Chapters are responsible for ensuring that they understand and adhere to any additional policies set forth in their governing council’s constitutions, bylaws, or standing rules. These documents can be found on the individual tabs of each council on the Fraternity and Sorority Life Campus Cruisier page. For more information and resources on policies, procedures and forms please view the Fraternity and Sorority Life Handbook: Resources document.
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