Table of Contents

Article I - University Recognition
Article II - Authority and Jurisdiction
Article III - Proscribed Behavior
Article IV - Risk Management of Chapter Premises
Article V - Risk Management of Social Events
Article VI - The Greek Relationship Statement
1.1        Missouri State University exists to produce educated persons. This is the central mission of the University. All units of the University have, as a primary function,
the obligation to support the University’s central mission. The University explicitly states that the out of class experience is a major component of the educational experience of students. The University therefore seeks to encourage those student organizations that provide a positive learning experience for students. The University provides this encouragement through the process of recognition and registration of student organizations. In return for meeting and upholding University standards, the University grants certain privileges based on the level of recognition or registration.

1.2        The University explicitly recognizes the value of Social Greek chapters as an out of class experience that provides students with unique leadership and social opportunities. Consequently, the University actively seeks to promote a strong Greek community.

1.3        Students who wish to form a Social Greek chapter will do so through procedures established in concert with the appropriate Greek governance council.

1.4        Social Greek chapters voluntarily assume the responsibility of maintaining the standards established by the University policies as a condition for recognition. Social Greek chapters are expected to be in compliance with all policies of the inter/national chartering organization as a condition of recognition.

1.5        The University reserves the right to sanction Social Greek chapters which do not meet established standards or who violate University policy, rules, or regulations.

1.6        The University reserves the right to withdraw recognition from a Social Greek chapter upon determining that good cause for such action exists.

1.7        All standards of behavior established by the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities apply to the Social Greek chapter. The University reserves the right to determine whether charges are placed against a chapter or an individual on a case-by-case basis.

1.8        No disciplinary sanctions may be imposed (except on an interim basis) upon any chapter without following procedural due process, as described in the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities

2.1    The State of Missouri has delegated, by statute, authority for the governance of Missouri State University to the Board of Governors. This includes full power and authority to adopt all needful rules and regulations for the guidance and supervision of the conduct of all students while enrolled as such and the authority to enforce compliance to those rules and regulations. It also has the power to delegate disciplinary authority.

2.2    Responsibility for the governance of Social Greek chapters is specifically delegated to the Dean of Students. The Dean of Students may assign responsibility for advising and working with Social Greek chapters to an administrative office within the area of Student Life and Development.

2.3    The University, as an institution with a public affairs mission, recognizes the inherent value of shared governance in working with student organizations. Therefore, the University recognizes the Interfraternity Council as the coordinating and governing body of the fraternity system, the Panhellenic Council as the coordinating and governing body of the sorority system, and the National Pan-Hellenic Council as the coordinating and governing body of the NPHC organizations. The authority of these groups is outlined in each respective constitution and set of by-laws as an internal authority. The presidents of these three councils will work directly with the Dean of Students in the application of this Governance Statement.

2.4     Judicial decisions will be made according to procedures specified by the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Judicial matters related to individual members of the Greek organizations are governed by the procedures established for all students in the Code. Although the language in the Code appears most often to be directed at the individual student, the Code applies in all aspects to student organizations as well. When a Greek social organization enters a plea of “not responsible” to disciplinary charges and/or pleads “responsible” but cannot reach agreement with the Judicial Advisor on appropriate disciplinary sanctions, the Greek Standards Board shall be utilized as the judicial authority.

2.5    Generally, jurisdiction and discipline shall be limited to conduct which occurs on University or chapter premises or at chapter sponsored activities or which adversely affects the University Community and/or the pursuit of its objectives.

2.6    Although not all acts of individual chapter members can or should be attributable to the chapter, any chapter or its members should be held responsible for its actions as described herein. Occasional lapses by individual members or isolated individual failures in restraint should not be chargeable to the chapter, but evidence of chapter conduct exists where:

a. Members of the chapter act in concert, or the chapter provides the impetus for members, to violate University standards of conduct; or

b. A violation arises out of a chapter-sponsored, financed, or endorsed   event; or

c. A chapter officer has knowledge of the incident before it occurs and fails to take corrective action; or

d. The incident occurs on the premises owned, operated, or leased by the chapter; or

e. A pattern of individual violations is found to have existed without proper and appropriate chapter control, remedy, or sanction.

In determining whether a chapter may be held collectively responsible for the individual acts of its members, all of the factors and circumstances surrounding the specific incident will be reviewed and evaluated. As a guiding principle, chapters will be held responsible for the acts of their members when those acts grow out of, or are in any way related, to chapter life.

3.1    All Social Greek chapters are specifically required to comply with Article IV of the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Additional proscriptions that apply to the chapter collectively include, but are not limited to, the proscriptions stated herein.

3.2    Any possession, use, and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages, while on chapter premises, during a chapter event, or in any situation sponsored or endorsed by the chapter is discouraged, but in any case must be in compliance with any and all applicable laws and ordinances of the state, county, and city, and University policy, appropriate council policies and/or national fraternal policies.

3.3    No alcoholic beverages may be purchased through the chapter treasury nor may the purchase of it for members or guests be undertaken or coordinated by any member in the name of or on behalf of the chapter. The purchase and/or use of a bulk quantity of such alcoholic beverages, i.e., kegs, party balls, etc., is prohibited.

3.4    No chapter members, collectively or individually, shall purchase for, serve to, or sell alcoholic beverages to any minor (i.e., those under the legal drinking age).

3.5    The possession, sale, and /or abuse of an illegal drug or controlled substance at any chapter house, sponsored event, or at any event that an observer would associate with the chapter is strictly prohibited.

3.6    No chapter may co-sponsor any event with an alcohol distributor or tavern. This includes Homecoming floats. This section does not preclude the chapter from securing a tavern as a third party vendor for an event.

3.7    No chapter may co-sponsor or co-finance a function where alcohol is purchased by any of the host chapters, groups, or organizations.

3.8    Any recruitment activity associated with any chapter will be a "dry" function, that is, without the presence of alcohol.

3.9    No alcohol shall be present at any pledge/associate member/novice program or activity of the chapter.

3.10  Open Parties (meaning those with unrestricted access by non-members of the fraternity, without specific invitation) are expressly prohibited.

3.11  No member shall permit, tolerate, encourage, or participate in drinking games.

3.12  No chapter shall conduct hazing activities. In addition to Hazing as defined in the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities, hazing activities are defined by the National Interfraternity Council as: Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off chapter 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 on outside 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 fraternal law, ritual, or policy, or the regulations and policies of the University

3.13  At the beginning of each semester a list of current chapter members, with birth dates, will be submitted to the Office of Student Activities. As new members join the organization he/she will need to sign a Membership Card authorizing the Office of Student Activities to report ember academic information to their chapter. This card also signifies their knowledge of hazing policies.

4.1    All chapter houses shall, prior to, during, and following occupancy, meet all local fire and health codes and standards, including all city ordinances relating to house capacities, congregations, and assemblies.

4.2    All chapters must have posted by common phones emergency numbers for fire, police, and ambulance and must have posted evacuation routes on the back of the door of each member’s room and each sleeping room.

4.3    All chapters shall comply with engineering recommendations as reported by the company providing insurance for the chapter.

4.4    The possession and/or use of firearms or explosive devices of any kind, within the confines and premises of the chapter house, is expressly prohibited

5.1    The risk management policies described in Article V apply specifically to social events at which alcohol will be present.

There are 3 main types of social events.

a.       An event that is held on chapter premises and is BYOB.

b.      An event that is at an off-campus location and that is BYOB.

c.       An event that is held at a third party vendor and the business is responsible for the distribution of alcohol.

  When an event does not clearly fall into one of these definitions, the Dean of Students will determine how to define the event,

5.3        All social events at which alcohol is served will be either a BYOB (as defined by FIPG) or hosted by a third party vendor.

5.4    All social events shall be invitation only. Open parties are expressly prohibited.

5.5    No event more than 300 persons shall attend or the maximum capacity of the facility used (chapter premises, third party vendor, etc.) whichever is less. Chapters may seek approval from the Office of Student Activities to host for more than 300 people. Chapters seeking such approval must submit a proposal outlining specific event plans and risk management procedures to the Office of Student Activities at least one month prior to the event.

5.6    Any social event involving alcohol shall follow the Risk Management policy issued by the Fraternity Insurance Purchasing Group (FIPG). Public intoxication is prohibited.           

5.7    No less than one chapter member for every 25 people of each sponsoring chapter shall be present at such an event and will refrain from all consumption of alcohol. These individuals shall be responsible for the coordination and supervision of the event. Under no circumstances will these persons be pledges/associate members/novices. At least one of these members shall be an executive officer. In cases where the total chapter size would make this compliance with this section impractical, an exception may be sought to the Dean of Students, with the appeal to the Vice President of Student Affairs.

5.8    At each social event held on chapter premises, the chapter will hire bonded, private security personnel to monitor the entrance to the social event, to assist the members in coordinating and supervising the event, and to facilitate any necessary communication with law enforcement personnel.

5.9        Social events held at some location other than chapter premises that are BYOB will comply with section 5.8. The Dean of Students or his/her designee will make exceptions to this requirement on a case-by-case basis. Appeals of this decision will be to the Vice President for Student Affairs.

5.10  At events hosted by a third party vendor, held at a location other than chapter premises, compliance with section 5.8 will not be required if documentation demonstrating compliance with FIPG guidelines is presented at the time of registration. See Appendix A for FIPG guidelines. The Office of Student Activities will provide the forms documenting compliance with FIPG policy. In registering such an event, the host chapter shall provide in writing the provisions made to comply with these regulations.

5.11  All social events that include alcohol will be registered with the Office of Student Activities no less than two weeks in advance of the event. This registration will include the names of the chapter members and the names of chapter officers who will coordinate and supervise the event. Events that are non-alcoholic shall be registered with the Office of Student Activities no later than seven days before the event.

5.12  Persons designated for the distribution of alcohol at any social event shall be of legal age and shall refrain from the consumption of alcohol. Under no circumstances will this person be a pledge/associate member/novice.

5.13  Wristbands will be given at the entrance to the social event and will be issued only to those of legal drinking age. For jointly held functions, it is recommended that the sponsoring groups should use different colored wristbands.The people distributing wristbands shall be those listed as sober party monitors.

5.14  The University recognizes and expects that all sponsored events through National Pan-Hellenic Council are to be alcohol-free in accordance with the National Pan-Hellenic Council by-laws.

6.1    The University will issue the Greek Relationship Statement, which specifies the support the University will provide Greek letter chapters, and the standards the chapters must maintain to remain in good standing.

6.2    Each year an evaluation meeting will be scheduled with each chapter. The meeting will include the Dean of Student Life and Development, the designated staff member who advises Greek letter chapters, the chapter president, the faculty advisor, a representative of the alumni (a member of the housing corporation if the chapter owns a house), and the chapter consultant or an inter/national officer from the chapter’s inter/national office. A conference call or form of e-mail will also qualify as a sufficient means of communication.

6.3    At the evaluation meeting the chapter’s performance on each applicable standard will be discussed. When deficiencies in meeting a Greek Relationship Statement standard are determined, the chapter will have a designated time frame to prepare an action plan to come into compliance with the standard. A single failure to meet an individual standard will not usually result in sanctioning.

6.4    The fraternity/sorority executive boards of Social Greek Chapters, along with Panhellenic, IFC, and NPHC executive councils, will be able to assess the support available to Greek organizations by the University and University staff during each academic semester.

6.5    Failure to meet applicable standards can be considered good cause  for revocation of University recognition

7.1    Any question of interpretation regarding the Governance Statement shall be referred to the Dean of Students or his/her designee for final determination, subject to appeal to the Vice President for Student Affairs.

7.2    The Governance Statement and the Greek Relationship Statement should be reviewed yearly under the direction of the Office of Student Activities. Review of these documents should be done by bodies, which include students appointed by the IFC, Panhellenic Council, and NPHC.