Sorority & Fraternity Life Policies

    Sorority & Fraternity Life Office Logo

    General Policies and Procedures

    Updated: 1.8.2025

    TO COMPLY WITH THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACTS OF 1964 (AMENDED), STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS WHICH ILLEGALLY DISCRIMINATE IN THEIR MEMBERSHIP AS TO RACE, CREED, *SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, OR HANDICAP WILL BE DENIED THE USE OF UNIVERSITY FACILITIES, SUPPORT, AND SERVICES.

    *An exemption to Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments permits social fraternities and sororities to maintain single-gender memberships. 

    I. General Policies

    To remain in good standing with Sorority and Fraternity Life (SFL), fraternal organizations must be compliant with the following:

    1. Recognition
      1. Any social fraternal organization at OHIO University (OHIO/OU) must be registered with SFL and must be a member or former member in good standing of one of the six (6) national interfraternal partner trade associations or governing councils (NALFO, NAPA, NIC, NMGC, NPC, & NPHC) to be considered eligible for local Council membership. Interest groups must be approved by their governing council, SFL, follow SFL policies/guidelines, and abide by their respective council’s guidelines found in their constitutions. The governing councils recognized at OHIO are:
        1. Interfraternity Council (IFC)
        2. Multicultural Greek Council (MGC)
        3. National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
        4. Panhellenic Council (CPC)
      2. The purpose and activities of these recognized fraternal organizations must not conflict with the mission and regulations of Sorority & Fraternity Life, OHIO University, or with state and federal laws.
      3. All chapters/provisional chapters at OHIO must follow their council constitution and bylaws, Sorority & Fraternity Life policies/procedures, the OHIO Student Code of Conduct, policies set forth by the University, and their national/international policies.
      4. Each chapter/provisional chapter must have at least one faculty/staff advisor or one chapter advisor unless the organization’s headquarters has stricter requirements or qualifications.
      5. Faculty, staff, and chapter advisors cannot be enrolled OHIO students who are also active members of the undergraduate chapter/provisional chapter.
    2. Community Ethics
      1. All chapters/provisional chapters and their members are to treat other members of the Greek community with human dignity.
      2. Chapters/members should not:
        1. Host events that degrade, mock, or trivialize race, culture, ethnic, religious, political group, etc.
        2. Support means of communications that may cause pain or suffering (physical or emotional) to internal or external members of said group.
        3. Engage in behavior that is unbecoming of our community and organizational fraternal values.
      3. This includes but is not limited to the distribution or consumption of materials related to alcohol, drugs, sex, hazing items, weapons, and related high-risk behaviors.
    3. Community Assessment
      1. All organizations must participate and complete the PAWPrint, which is OHIO’s Fraternal Community Assessment and Achievement Program, by the specified dates each semester. Each chapter must provide the following to Sorority & Fraternity Life:
        1. Evidence of continued education and development within the Chapter and with SFL continuous educational community programming based the following areas:
          1. Chapter Operations
          2. Health & Safety
          3. Member & Leadership Development
          4. Community Service & Philanthropy and Campus Involvement
          5. Mattering & Belonging
          6. Recruitment/Intake & Retention
        2. Letter of good standing from the inter/national organization during the end spring semester.
        3. Proof of liability insurance from the inter/national organization on an annual basis. Proof is due once a calendar year at the end of the spring semester.
        4. Copy of the chapter’s constitution/bylaws to be submitted at the end of each fall semester, or when amended, and a copy of the inter/national copy constitution/bylaws as amended through the PAWPrint.
        5. All PAWPrint submissions must be submitted by a current active executive board member of the organization. An active member is defined as an enrolled OHIO student who is listed on the chapter’s official roster filed with Sorority & Fraternity Life.
    4. Community Programming
      1. Programs coordinated by the SFL Office have priority over all other community programming.
        1. SFL will place events on the calendar at least one semester in advance to ensure enough chapter planning and notice.
      2. Programs coordinated by the Governing Councils will have priority for programs over all of their member organizations.
        1. Each governing council will place events on the calendar at least one month from the date of the event in advance to ensure enough chapter planning and notice.
      3. Programs coordinated by Member organizations will be approved on a first come, first save basis based on the discretion of their chapter coach.
      4. Member organizations cannot partner, co-sponsor, or collaborate with fraternal organizations that are not recognized by any of the Governing Councils within the OHIO Fraternal Community or are a recognized organization in good standing with the Center for Student Engagement & Leadership, or Academic Unit.
      5. Each semester, the chapter/provisional chapter will participate in all-Greek educational activities sponsored by Sorority & Fraternity Life, known as PAWS for a Cause Educational Series, with a designated percentage of chapter/provisional chapter attendance based on the event. Failure to do so will result in a fine of $10 per person missing to meet the required attendance percentage.
        1. All checks should be made payable to OHIO University .
        2. All fines must be paid within 30 days of assessment. Fines not paid within the 30 days of assessment will accrue a late fee of $10 a day until the fine is paid.
      6. All community programming will be placed on the OUGreek Life Community Calendar on Outlook to ensure that all chapter leadership and membership can check on events for the semester/year.
      7. As events are submitted for approval and are approved, they will be added to the OUGreek Life calendar.
      8. More detailed policies on events (social events with alcohol, philanthropic events, retreats, etc.) are listed in Section III: Event Planning and Programming.
    5. Academic Requirements
      1. All chapters/provisional chapters are required to maintain a 2.7 semester grade point average (for fall/spring) to retain privileges on campus. Community Grade Reports will be compiled and shared during the Fall and Spring semesters with each chapter/provisional chapter president, advisor, and their headquarters.
      2. SFL does not compile and report out Summer Semester grades due to the variation in enrollment numbers of chapter members and because chapters are not considered active during the summer.
      3. Active is defined by dues collection processes of individual councils.
      4. If a chapter/provisional chapter falls below a 2.7 semester grade point average, they will be placed on academic probation. Chapter headquarters will be notified of the current academic chapter status.
        1. Chapters/provisional chapters who are initially placed on academic probation will be limited to three social, philanthropic, or educational events to refocus on academic improvement.
        2. Approved recruitment/intake events are exempt while a chapter is on academic probation.
      5. If a chapter or provisional chapter is on academic probation for two consecutive semesters, failure to meet the standard GPA requirements will result in:
        1. No approval of signature events (i.e. week of events, formals, major philanthropy events/weeks, etc.).
        2. Only being able to host two social, philanthropic, or educational events during the semester.
        3. No participation in Homecoming Events or Greek Week.
      6. Failure to meet the standard GPA requirements for three consecutive semesters will result in the chapter/provisional chapter losing all event privileges until the GPA minimum is acquired.
        1. An SFL review of the chapter’s standing on campus will be held inconjunction with a representative of the Chapter Headquarters to determine continued council and campus recognition.
        2. It is up to the SFL Advisor to determine the final action items and timeline for improvement to ensure recognition after three consecutive semester academic probations.
        3. Lack of communication and improvement of the chapter following this review can result in full loss of chapter recognition.
      7. When on academic probation, the chapter/provisional chapter must present and implement the academic plan and meet with their council advisor (or designee) and their respective council’s scholarship or academic chair at least once a month during the probation period.
      8. All council executive board members must have a GPA equal to or higher than a cumulative 2.7 grade point average and must be registered for at least nine credits (undergraduate) or at least six credits (graduate). Officers not meeting this standard must resign from their position.
    6. Social Media Policies
      1. All Chapters and members of the OHIO Greek Community are expected to follow all Organizational National Headquarters policies regarding social media posts.
      2. Members of the Greek Community should not post any social media content that contributes to the “cancel” culture of Sorority and Fraternity Life. This includes but is not limited to posts related to inappropriate behavior involving hazing, alcohol, drugs, sex, weapons, and (pandemic) related high risk behaviors.
    7. Judicial Matters
      1. All judicial matters will be handled through the based on the set ofstandards that has been violated by the organization.
      2. Infractions involving:
        1. A violation of the Student Code of Conduct will be heard by the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility (OCSSR).
        2. Violation of the Fraternity and Sorority Community StandardsAgreement will be heard by the Greek Standards Board – that is a collaborative partnership with OCSSR.
        3. A violation of the Council constitution and recruitment violations will be heard by the respective council judicial board.
        4. A violation of the SFL General Policies and Procedures will be heard by the Director of Sorority & Fraternity Life.
      3. Sanctions
        1. Will be determined by the level of severity of the infraction deemed by the corresponding body of adjudication.
      4. Appeals
        1. Appeals will be heard by the respective representative of each judicial body hearing the case. An appeal involving
          1. OCSSR will be heard by the Dean of Students or designee
          2. Community Standards Board will be heard by the Director of SFL
          3. Council Judicial Board will be heard by the respective Council Advisor
          4. General policies will be heard by the immediate supervisor of the Director of SFL.
        2. Organizations are only able to appeal once, per sanction.
      5. Chapter Standings
        1. Sorority & Fraternity Life will make all organizational standings available online and through formal requests.
      6. Community Standards Board
        1. Each chapter must have a representative to serve on the GreekStandards Board to be part of the pool to hear cases that arise because of Community Standards violations.
        2. Guidelines for the Community Standards Board are determined by a collaborative effort between Sorority & Fraternity Life and the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility
      7. Authority of Sorority & Fraternity Life includes, but is not limited to:
        1. Removal of event privileges
        2. Removal of reservation privileges
        3. Fines, when applicable; and
        4. Removal of chapter/provisional chapter recognition.

    II. Recruitment, Intake, and New Members

    1. All organizations must complete the required paperwork required for their respective council to participate in new member recruitment.
    2. Sorority and Fraternity Life requires that students looking to join a chapter/provisional chapter must have the following minimum GPA/credits (Please note: Some chapters/provisional chapters may have higher GPA requirements):
      1. IFC
        1. A cumulative unweighted 2.5 high school GPA or a 2.5 cumulative GPA if they have earned 12 or more OHIO or transfer credits.
      2. MGC:
        1. A cumulative unweighted 2.5 high school GPA or a 2.5 cumulative GPA if they have earned 12 or more OHIO or transfer credits.
      3. NPHC:
        1. A 2.5 cumulative GPA if they have earned 12 or more OHIO or transfercredits.
      4. CPC
        1. A cumulative 2.5 high school GPA or a 2.5 cumulative GPA if they have earned 12 or more OHIO or transfer credits.
      5. Students must be enrolled in at least 12 credits at OHIO, fully matriculated at OHIO, and in good academic and conduct standing with the university.
      6. Students joining in fall/spring must be registered in 12 credit hours at the university.
      7. Students joining in the summer must be registered in at least one summer class.
        1. Individual councils and organizations may have additional requirements.
        2. MGC and NPHC organizations requesting a summer intake process must be formally submitted in writing to Sorority & Fraternity Life.
          1. Documentation must include a letter of approval from their national office.
          2. Each request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

          3. All recruitment events are required to be single-gender events. Please see the individual council constitution and policies for additional information regarding recruitment guidelines.  

          4. All organizations must follow their local, national and/or international recruitment/intake policies.  

          5. All recruitment or intake activities must be non-alcoholic. Additionally, no alcohol or alcohol paraphernalia can be present at any recruitment event, associate member/new member education session, novice program activity, ritual, or meeting.  

          6. Social events such as parties, mixers, or events involving alcohol will not be permitted the weekend immediately before or the weekend immediately after recruitment period/bid day.
          7. All new member education processes/programs must be completed prior to finals week each semester in the same semester it begins.
            1. All new member processes cannot exceed more than 8 weeks from the day the new member is offered an invitation to join.
          8. All new members are required to attend a new member workshop facilitated by the SFL Office.
          9. For any organization presenting new members, all new member presentations must be completed within 10 days of initiation, pinning, or crossing.
          10. Any organization that fails to fulfill any of these expectations will be further reviewed by Sorority & Fraternity Life and the council or umbrella organization under which it operates.

    III. Event Planning and Programming

    1. General Policies
      1. Sorority & Fraternity Life programming takes precedence over major council and chapter programming events. Overall community events include, but are not limited to:
        1. Week of Welcome events
        2. PAWs for a Cause Events
        3. Greek Week
        4. Homecoming Week
        5. Council sponsored events SFL reserves the right to create new overall community programs, when deemed necessary.
      2. The Event Planning Form (EPF), found on BobcatConnect, must be submitted for events containing alcohol and/or with anticipated crowds larger than 100 people (parties, mixers, new member presentations, formal events, semi-formal events, philanthropic events, date functions, etc.). Organizations must follow the policies listed on the event planning form.
        1. Any chapter/provisional chapter hosting or cosponsoring any event/activity, on and off campus, with a recognized fraternity or sorority from another accredited institution must register that event/activity with Sorority & Fraternity Life.
        2. Functions and events must be registered with Sorority & Fraternity Life and the EPF must be submitted via BobcatConnect at least 10 business days before the function or event.
        3. Failure to submit a form/register an event involving alcohol will result in a referral to the Greek Standards Board.
      3. Organizations must have event flyers and t-shirts reviewed by Sorority & Fraternity Life prior to printing or posting within 14 days of the event. Promotional items that include or allude to alcohol, illegal substances, disparaging, lewd, and/or inappropriate materials, and those that are inconsistent with University Policy will be denied.
      4. Organizations are not allowed to host fundraising or social events that include the auctioning or selling of other human beings (i.e. date or service auctions), or those that include any form of gambling.
      5. All functions must adhere to local, state, and federal laws and must uphold the risk management policies of their national organization.
      6. A gathering of a group of individuals of the same fraternity or sorority chapter or provisional chapter that gives probable cause, could be considered an event.
    2. Social Events

      1.  All social functions or events sponsored or hosted by a sorority or fraternity at OHIO University must be registered and approved with Sorority & Fraternity Life. 

        i. The sale, intent to sell, and use of illegal drugs is prohibited, on or off campus, including official or “unofficial” chapter houses, and at any fraternity and/or sorority events.

      2. All social events scheduled for the semester should occur by the Friday of the last week of classes. Social events will not be approved for the Saturday or Sunday preceding finals week or during finals week.
      3. The sponsoring organization, as well as the co-sponsoring organization(s), are held liable for the operation and conduct of the event, whether on or off campus.
        1. It is expected that any organization’s role in planning, hosting, funding, and/or advertising an event is considered a co-sponsorship.
        2. The EPF must be signed and submitted individually by all co-sponsoring organizations.
        3. If an event occurs at the chapter house, they are automatically a co-sponsor, even if they are not the sponsoring organization.
    3. Social Events with Alcohol
      1. Any event including alcohol hosted by a sorority or fraternity, on or off campus, must be either a BYOB or use a licensed and insured Third Party Vendor, as outlined by the Student Code of Conduct and the EPF policies of Sorority & Fraternity Life. Additionally, any events with alcohol must follow the risk management policy of the corresponding inter/national headquarters.
        1. Presence of alcohol will constitute a social event.
        2. Organizations who are permitted to host events with alcohol, per their national policies, may host a maximum of 4 events with alcohol per semester. This does not include formal or semi-formal events.
      2. Guest lists should be turned in at least 5 business days prior to the event. A post guest list must be submitted no later than 48 hours after the event.
      3. Social events that involve alcohol must also be accompanied by a substance free monitor list that is turned in via the EPF.
        1. For every ten (10) people present, there must be one (1) substance free monitor and a list of approved substance free monitors must be submitted via BobcatConnect when the event is registered.
        2. Substance Free Monitors must have attended substance free monitor training provided by Sorority & Fraternity Life.
      4. Any event must be in adherence to the local, state and federal laws concerning alcohol consumption both within the chapter’s house and at third party establishments.
      5. Alcohol cannot be purchased using chapter funds or by a common source (i.e. donations, pass the hat, member(s) pays, or alumni members pay).
      6. No member(s) can purchase or give alcohol to anyone under the age of 21.
      7. No chapter event with alcohol can be co-sponsored with a third-party establishment.
      8. No event can be planned with other chapters/organizations that purchase alcohol for the event.
      9. Common source containers are not permitted. This includes, but is not limited to, kegs, trash cans, recycling bins, kiddie pools, cases of beer, and coolers.
      10. No drinking games will be played in fraternity houses, or at fraternity or sorority events, including tailgates. This includes, but is not limited to, flip cup, beer pong, beer Olympics, shot gunning, dye tournaments, etc.
      11. Possession and use of paraphernalia designed or used to deliver a high volume of alcohol or to facilitate rapid alcohol intake is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, ice luges, funnels, shot skis, etc.
      12. Nonalcoholic beverages and non-salty foods must be provided for events that have alcohol.
      13. Service of alcohol must stop at least one hour before the end of the event.
      14. Bring Your Own Beverage (BYOB) (Adapted from the National Insurance Policies)
        1. BYOB Definition: An event where chapter members and guests are required to provide their own alcoholic beverages
        2. Guest List: A guest list must be provided with Bobcat IDs of those in attendance. This must be submitted five business days before the event takes place. All guests must be personally invited to the event by a chapter member, with their attendance confirmed.
        3. Alcohol Limits: Each person is limited to six 12-ounce cans of beer, four 10-ounce wine coolers, or one box of wine (25.4oz).
        4. Monitors: Substance Free Monitors checking in guests/participants or dispersing alcohol must be over the legal drinking age and must not consume or be under the influence of alcohol. Check-in and alcohol dispersal cannot be done by the same monitor.
        5. Identification: The host organization(s) is/are responsible for identifying those participants who are of legal drinking age (stamping, banding, I.D. checks, etc.) and ensuring that there are no individuals under the legal drinking age consuming alcohol.
        6. Timing: Events can be no longer than 5 hours and the events/function must end no later than 3:00 am. The serving of alcohol will stop at least one hour prior to the end of the event/function.
        7. Serving Area: There is to be only one serving area, monitored by the substance free monitors of legal drinking age. Servers will not serve any persons who are visibly intoxicated. A list of substance free monitors and their birthdates must be submitted to Sorority & Fraternity Life at least five business days prior to the event. Chapters must have a system in place to track consumption of alcohol by guests (i.e. ticket system, etc.).
        8. Leaving: Individuals choosing to leave the function and wishing to claim their remaining alcohol may do so by turning in all remaining tickets and exiting the premises. All remaining alcohol must be poured out in the presence of a Public Safety Officer or approved designee by Sorority & Fraternity Life.
        9. Containers: All beverages packaged in glass must be poured into and served in a plastic cup.
      15. Third Party Vendor (Adapted from the Student Code of Conduct)
        1. License: A licensed/insured company caters and serves the function and controls the identification of legal aged consumers and the dispersion of alcohol. The company must be licensed and insured as required by state and local ordinances.
        2. Responsibilities:
          1. Each sponsoring/co-sponsoring organization is prohibited from entering into arrangements with the catering company to provide them a set amount of alcohol. This is the same as purchasing alcohol with chapter funds. The catering company must be paid for services only, not the purchase of alcohol in any manner. Only cash bars are permitted.
          2. Each sponsoring/co-sponsoring organization must provide a copy of the insurance permit of the third-party vendor to Sorority & Fraternity Life at least five (5) business days prior to the event.
          3. Each sponsoring/co-sponsoring organization must monitor the location’s entrances and exits.
          4. Each sponsoring/co-sponsoring organization must provide necessary security to ensure the proper safety for all guests
          5. Each sponsoring/co-sponsoring organization must check the identification of each member and guest to ensure that, if they choose to drink, they are of legal age to do so.
          6. Each sponsoring/co-sponsoring organization must provide food and non-alcoholic beverages.
    4. Philanthropic Programming:
      1. Profits/fundraising dollars from the sale or distribution of alcohol is strictly prohibited at all philanthropic events.
      2. All philanthropic events, in which the goal is to raise money for charitable organizations or memorial funds, must be registered with Sorority & Fraternity Life through the Event Planning Form. This includes off-campus philanthropic events.
      3. Organizations are only able to host one signature philanthropic event per semester.
        1. Signature events include, but are not limited to , pageants, participant-based events, team-based events and sporting events that require pre-event fundraising or participation.
        2. The term “signature event” will be applied at the discretion of the Sorority & Fraternity Life with information and input from chapter and council leadership.
      4. All philanthropic programming is done at the discretion of the Sorority & Fraternity Life--meaning, any chapter whose philanthropic programming is found to be inappropriate, not aligned with our fraternal values, or who violates the spirit of this policy may be subject to disciplinary consequences and/or event cancellation.
    5. Week of Events for MGC & NPHC
      1. Week of Events will be selected in the last general council meeting.
      2. Week preference pick will be based on the last semester council grade report, with the highest-ranking chapter GPA getting first pick.
      3. Event days outside of the Week of Events will be submitted to the calendar on a first come first serve basis to the chapter coach at the beginning of each semester.

    IV. Reporting Emergencies, Acts of Bias, Student Code of Conduct Violations, and Student in Distress

    1. Reporting Emergencies
      1. If you need to report an emergency, call University Police at (740) 593-1911, or dial 911.
    2. Reporting Acts of Bias
      1. Incidents of bias can be reported via the Bias Incident Reporting Form.
      2. Incidents of bias are defined as incidents of bigotry, harassment, intimidation, coercion, violence, or damage to property by known or unknown perpetrators which may occur on the OHIO University campus or within an area that impacts the OHIO community (addressed by the Bias Education & Response Team).
    3. Reporting Student Code of Conduct Violations
      1. Any violation of the Student Code of Conduct can be reported via the online reporting form
    4. Reporting Students in Distress
      1. If you are concerned about a friend, a fellow student, let us know so we can help. It is not uncommon for peers to be the first person to recognize when a student is in distress. If you see dramatic changes in a friend's behavior, if you're concerned about a fellow student, share your concern with someone who can intervene and assist. The Dean of Students can assist in this situation. Students can report their concerns via the online reporting form.

    V. Process for Unrecognized and Suspended Chapters

    1. Any chapter that is suspended or unrecognized by OCSSR, Sorority & Fraternity Life, their Governing Council, and/or their [Inter] National Headquarters will immediately lose the rights and privileges of a recognized group with Sorority & Fraternity Life and OHIO.
    2. Any chapter that is suspended or unrecognized is:
      1. Prohibited from convening as an organization and participating in any events at OHIO University;
      2. Separated from the University and automatically loses University recognition with all rights and privileges associated with recognition;
      3. Prohibited from participating in all intramural and University activities and the free use of University facilities at all OHIO campuses; and
      4. Prohibited from using OHIO or OHIO University from all your promotional items and social media accounts. The latter is a violation of the OHIO brand.
      5. Prohibited to conduct official business in person or via any online medium at OHIO University.
      6. Prohibited use of all paraphernalia which includes but is not limited to shirts, jerseys, lanyards, or flags as it pertains to any university and/or organized student activity/function.
    3. New and former chapters who wish to be considered for community recognition will be required to follow the desired governing council’s expansion/extension policies/guidelines:
      1. Interfraternity Council (IFC)
      2. Multicultural Greek Council (MGC)
      3. National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
      4. Panhellenic Council (CPC)
    4. Chapters selected for recognition by OHIO Sorority & Fraternity Life and a governing council will receive a written invitation from the Director of Sorority & Fraternity Life or designee. Specific timelines for recognition will be determined with the OHIO Sorority & Fraternity Life staff and respective council.

    Failure to comply with any part of this policy will result in fines or a loss of sponsoring or co-sponsoring event privileges. In the case of global, national, state, county, or community crisis (including pandemics) the policies adopted by these entities and/or OHIO University shall take precedence. All fines assessed within the parameters of these policies should be made payable to the University  and will be deposited to the Greek Community Council  account to be used for future leadership development programs for the OHIO Greek Community.

    If you have any questions regarding the form of the policies/guidelines, please contact Sorority & Fraternity Life at (740) 593-0027.

    View Site in Mobile | Classic
    Share by: