Introduction
Chapter Standards
Chapter Management
Rush
New Member Education
Financial Responsibilities
Scholarship and Service
Risk Management
Chapter Strength
Community
The Inter-Fraternity Sorority Council (IFSC) is the governing body of the fraternities and sororities at Boston University. The IFSC has been created to oversee and assist all Greek chapters, and to maintain the welfare of the Greek system. The specific
duties of the IFSC are as follows:
- To institute laws that pertain to its own government.
- To serve as a liaison between Greek chapters, Boston University, and the Student Union.
- To determine its membership with regard to any addition to the present membership in conjunction with the University.
- To levy dues upon fraternities and sororities.
- To serve as an arbitrator to review grievances involving Greek chapters.
- To establish and enforce its own attendance requirements at all events, including general meetings.
- To assist in evaluation of chapters and make recommendations on recognition to the Student Activities Office.
Introduction
Boston University recognizes the positive contributions that Greek-letter organizations can make to the University community. However, the University also realizes the need
for standards to ensure the quality of the Greek-letter system. The Student Activities Office will offer formal recognition only to those Greek-letter organizations whose
conduct meets a satisfactory level in regards to these standards. The status of a recognized student organization is a privilege that carries with it the ability to utilize
the name Boston University as a designation of affiliation. Along with this privilege comes a responsibility to adhere to all Boston University policies, particularly those
listed in The Student Programming Handbook. All recognized chapters must present all programs and business for approval by the Student Activities Office.
The goal of these standards is to enhance the quality of the involvement for individuals and chapters. The Greek system at Boston University is founded upon a commitment
to provide a community environment by initiating educational, cultural, recreational, social and service programs and to promote individual scholastic achievement and
personal development. These standards have been developed to strengthen that commitment.
Greek-letter organizations wishing to maintain their status as a recognized student organization must adhere to the chapter standards. These standards will serve as a
benchmark for evaluation and will be integral to the registration process each year. Boston University policies and Massachusetts State Laws take primacy over the rules
and procedures of fraternity and sorority chapters, their alumni/ae corporations, and their (inter)national organizations. Fraternity and sorority chapters that cannot
operate within these policies and laws will be denied the privilege of existing as a recognized student organization at Boston University.
Chapter Standards
The Greek-letter system is composed of several relationships between Boston
University, each chapter, (Inter)national organization, alumni/ae, and the Inter-
Fraternity Sorority Council. In order to have a strong Greek-letter system it is
important that each group communicates fully with all parties concerned.
Communication is an essential component of these standards, and all channels
of communication must be kept open for the chapters to exist and flourish at
Boston University. Chapters and individual members are representatives of
Boston University and the Greek-letter system and each has the responsibility
to represent both favorably. One way of doing that is to abide by the standards
set forth in this document.
Chapter Management
- Each chapter must follow all Boston University policies, particularly those in The Student Programming Handbook, Massachusetts State Laws, IFSC policies and Chapter Code of Ethics, and its own
(Inter)national organization’s policies.
- Each chapter must meet the following administrative responsibilities within the prescribed deadlines:
- Complete the Student Activities Office registration process.
- Provide the following lists: officers, membership, pledge, advisor and (Inter)national contact lists to the Student Activities Office.
- Chapters must present all programs and business for approval by the Student Activities Office.
- Chapters must maintain a strong relationship with their own (Inter)national organizations and alumni/ae boards and keep both
groups informed about chapter activities and problem situations. Chapters are also expected to encourage these groups to remain
in regular contact with Boston University. Chapters must conform to all (inter)national policies that are not in conflict with Boston University policies.
- Chapters must participate in the governance structure of the Greek-letter system through the IFSC, including General Council, Standing Committees, and Presidents’ Roundtables.
- Chapters must support the Greek-letter community by participating in IFSC-sponsored events as well as events sponsored by other chapters.
Rush
Rush is an essential activity in the Greek-letter system. It is important that each chapter communicates the responsibility that comes with being a member of the Greek-letter
system. Each chapter must clearly communicate to potential members information about its chapter’s foundation, activities and responsibilities.
- Chapters must provide rushees with a statement of purpose and are strongly encouraged to discuss with the rushees religious inferences or beliefs upon which the chapter is
founded and which may be found as part of rituals or ceremonies.
- Chapters must provide the IFSC with the financial responsibilities that rushees would incur as members of the organization and the IFSC will distribute this information to the rushees.
Chapters must make this information available to rushees upon request.
- As with all events, rush events must be approved and fall within University guidelines.
New Member Education
New member education is an important component of Greek-letter programming. Passing the knowledge of University, IFSC, and chapter policies and functions from one generation to the next is crucial.
- New member/pledge lists must be submitted to the Student Activities Office within one week of bids being accepted.
- All (inter)national policies and materials with regard to new member education must be on file with the Student Activities Office.
- A schedule of all events for new members, including meetings and initiation, must be submitted for approval to the Student Activities Office, including any events arranged by alumni or national representatives.
- Chapters must abide by Massachusetts Hazing Laws. A copy of these laws must be distributed and reviewed with all pledges/new members.
- New members/pledges must attend new member education programs sponsored by the IFSC and/or Boston University.
Financial Responsibilities
Greek-letter chapters typically have large budgets. These budgets provide the chapter with the opportunity to learn to manage large sums of money. As responsible members, it is important that
each chapter practice sound financial responsibility.
- Chapters must be in good standing financially with their (Inter)national organization, Boston University, the IFSC, and outside vendors.
- All financial transactions executed as part of an approved Boston University program, or as part of any official business in the name of a Boston University chapter, must be
conducted through the Student Activities Business Office.
Scholarship and Service
Greek-letter organizations were founded on the values of service, academic excellence, and personal development. Boston University believes these values are still important and at the heart of the mission of the Greek-letter system.
- Chapters must hold and/or participate in programs which enhance personal development and academic excellence.
- Chapters must attain the required GPA (2.80 for the Academic Year) in order to take in new members the following fall semester.
- Chapters must hold and/or participate in community service activities which contribute to the community and enhance personal development.
- Chapters must conduct their organizations in a manner that does not inhibit the personal development and academic achievement of the individual members.
Risk Management
Chapters are fully expected to adhere to the provisions in their policies and manage to the best of their ability the risk that
they are exposed to in all situations. Society has become increasingly litigious and therefore proper risk management at social events is crucial.
- Chapters must be responsible in their use of alcohol. Chapters must follow Massachusetts State laws, Boston University policies, The Fraternity Insurance Purchasing Group, Inc.
policies, or, if they are not members, their (Inter)national risk management policies regarding the services and consumption of alcohol.
- Chapters are encouraged to host and/or participate in education programs on the issues of proper serving and use of alcohol.
Chapter Strength
In order for a chapter to be strong and healthy the membership must feel connected to the group and its goals and mission. Chapters must do all they can to present a positive image of the chapter and Greek-letter system.
- Chapters must have a framework to encourage participation of chapter members, including participating in activities and goal setting.
- Chapters must hold events which bring a focus to strengthening brotherhood/sisterhood.
- Chapter members must attend campus events and activities, particularly those which are designated by the Student Activities Office.
Community
Boston University students are members of the Boston area community and must act accordingly. Actions of individuals in the community are often viewed as actions of the chapter. Chapters must be aware
of this, and bear responsibility for the actions of individual members.
- Members of the Boston University Greek community, as Boston University students, are expected to conduct themselves within the standards of the community in which
they are living. This includes, but is not limited to, housing arrangements, social behavior, and conduct as neighbors.
- Chapters may not hold chapter activities in an off campus residence that has not been properly licensed and approved by the city and the University. These activities include,
but are not limited to, meetings, rush, social events, actions which would imply the existence of a chapter house such as collecting parlor fees, hanging letters or a flag, or receiving
chapter mail at the off campus residence.
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