Fraternities and Sororities
Alcohol Policy
At all times chapters must follow FIPG rules, as set forth below, local and national chapter rules, the IIT Code of Conduct, and state and local law with regard to alcohol consumption with their houses.
- A bar monitor, that is not a current IIT undergraduate, must be identified and approved by the Office of Student Life and be present throughout the party or event. All bar monitors must, at a minimum, have gone through TIPS or other similar training.
- An event registration form must be submitted to the Office of Student Life no less than 5 days prior to the event. The event information will be forwarded to Public Safety.
- A complete guest list of attendees who are not current brothers/sisters and chapter alumni must be submitted to the Office of Student Life no less than 48 hours prior to the event.
- Visitors not listed on the approved guest list are not allowed to attend the event. Access to the house must be strictly controlled at all times and those above 21 and are eligible to consume alcohol must be identified on entry and given a wristband or similar marking which must be worn throughout the party.
- A Public Safety officer may conduct one random visit during each event for the purpose of walking through the public areas of the event to ensure the following:
1. All event participants are safe;
2. FIPG, state law, and the Code of Conduct are being followed;
3. Participants that are served and consume alcohol are wearing a wristband; and
4. An official bar-monitor is stationed appropriately.
Fraternities/Sororities agree to not impede, delay or otherwise obstruct the Public Safety officer during the course of such walk through. Officers will also assist the chapter members as appropriate and upon request. - Public Safety will ask that the event be closed within 30 minutes if any of the above 4 issues are not followed or if they are not allowed access to the event. Failure to close the event in the time specified will be reported by Public Safety and will lead to formal proceedings against the fraternity/sorority. Public Safety is not responsible for the closure of an event, unless invited by the fraternity/sorority to aid them in closure.
- Public Safety may also perform drive-bys or walk-bys between 1:00 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. of any housing holding a registered event to monitor safety during the closure of the event. Public Safety will not enter the houses at this time as the purpose is only to monitor the orderly end to the party.
- All events must officially end by 1:30a.m.
- The chapter RA, Risk Management Chair, and one other member of the executive board must be present at all times at the event and alcohol free for the purpose of monitoring the event for compliance with applicable rules..
- The chapter RA, Risk Management Chair, and executive board must annually receive the following training: TIPS, conflict management, conflict resolution, and community building. At least one member of the foregoing group must have attended a training session on each of the foregoing topics prior to an event.
- It is recommended that post- and pre-party reports detailing any actual or potential incidents, problems or violations as well as any other relevant or useful information be kept by all chapters.
Educational Programming
The Office of Student Life recognizes the merit in educational programming for fraternal organizations, based in the social and personal development of values. Encouraging community and engagement through programming, Student Life expects at least 30% of each fraternity and sorority chapter to participate in one Student Life sanctioned program each semester. Sanctioned program areas may include topics such as risk management, recruitment, personal health and finance. A list of programs will be available from the Office of Student Life each semester and communicated regularly to chapter presidents. Only programs approved by the Office of Student Life will meet attendance requirements.
Fire, Health and Safety
1. All chapter houses should meet all local fire and health codes and standards.
2. All chapters should have posted by common phones emergency numbers for fire, police and ambulance and should have posted evacuation routes on the back of the door of each sleeping room.
3. All chapters should comply with engineering recommendations as reported by their insurance companies.
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 forbidden.
5. Open fires are prohibited.
Fraternity and Sorority Advisors
Each Greek organization with a chapter house must have a resident advisor (RA) whose appointment is approved by the Office of Student Life. Each chapter house must submit the name of the person selected to be the RA to the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life for approval and must also notify the Office of Student Life if there is any change and/or absence of an RA. The RA must reside in the chapter house at all times when the house is occupied.
Each fraternity and sorority must have a staff or faculty advisor who holds a full-time appointment at IIT. All advisors must be approved by the Office of Student Life and listed each term on the fraternity and sorority membership lists. The Office of Student Life can assist a fraternity or sorority in finding an advisor. It is the function of both the faculty and resident advisors to encourage the scholastic, social and cultural growth of fraternity and sorority members.
Greek Council
Greek Council represents all social fraternities and sororities at IIT. Each social fraternity and sorority must be recognized by Greek Council, the Office of Student Life and the Student Government Association to receive university recognition as a student organization. The council coordinates all-Greek events, scholarship programs, Greek Week and recruitment, as well as other campus-wide events. The Greek Council is a self-governing and self-disciplinary body that monitors its own members in accordance with university policies, as well as the codes of conduct contained in its own constitution and bylaws. Greek organizations are responsible to follow all rules and policies as set for all student organizations. The university maintains the right to initiate the judicial process independently of Greek Council actions and independent organizations and/or individuals.
Hazing
Hazing is defined as any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off university premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule. Hazing and/or physical mistreatment of any individual is forbidden; anyone involved in such action is subject to university discipline. All members and prospective members of an organization must be treated in a manner consistent with the educational and ethical objectives of the university. Organizations found guilty of participating in hazing may have their recognition revoked. Any questions regarding activities that may constitute hazing should be directed to the Office of Student Life. All IIT students, faculty, and staff have a responsibility to immediately report any questionable activities to the Office of Student Life and/or the Department of Public Safety.
Indebtedness to Fraternities or Sororities
Fraternities and sororities are expected to take all necessary action to collect debts owed to them by their members. Unless the debt owed by a member is actually one owed to the university, the university does not have standing either to collect the debt from the member on behalf of the affected fraternity or sorority or to assist the affected fraternity with the collection efforts. To the extent that the debt is one actually owed to the university, such as a failure to pay board for living in university owned and operated housing or a university sponsored meal plan, a member who is so delinquent may be subject to penalties, including, but not limited to, denial of housing in subsequent semesters. Organizations wishing to discuss matters of indebtedness should contact the Office of Student Life.
Initiation
The fraternity or sorority must submit the names of all new/associate members to be initiated to the Office of Student Life for a check of eligibility at least one week before the initiation.
Membership
Membership in social fraternities and sororities is open to all regularly enrolled undergraduate students who are registered for classes at IIT. Regularly enrolled undergraduate students at Vandercook College of Music and Shimer Collerge are eligible to join the social fraternities and sororities as long as such membership is not in conflict with national organization regulations. Fraternity and sorority membership lists must be completed by the second Friday of each semester. The list must include all initiated members and new/associate members, as well as indicate whether they live in the chapter house, a residence hall or off campus. The list shall be sent to the Office of Student Life. After membership lists have been submitted for the semester, the Office of Student Life must be notified in writing, within 48 hours, of any changes in the lists.
New/Associate Members
Students are normally recruited during the formal period at the beginning of the fall or spring semester, however, chapters may also recruit new members outside of this formal time period. Chapters must follow all Greek Council policies pertaining to recruitment. Any student enrolled for at least 12 credit hours at IIT or at the Vandercook College of Music or Shimer College is eligible to join. The names of all students who are potential new/associate members must be submitted to the Office of Student Life at least two business days before they are pledged. A student on academic, conduct, or disciplinary probation is not eligible to join. The name of any student who is disaffiliated at any time must be reported in writing to the Office of Student Life within 48 hours.
Sexual Abuse and Harassment
In accordance with the IIT policy on sexual misconduct, the Greek Council will not tolerate or condone any form of sexist or sexually abusive behavior on the part of its members, whether physical, mental, or emotional. This is to include any actions, which are demeaning to women or men.
Social Regulations
The university expects fraternity and sorority members to accept both personal and group responsibility for meeting recognized standards of good conduct, which follow all local, state and federal guidelines as well as university, national and/or alumni guidelines. All Greek organizations must minimally comply with FIPG guidelines (see below) in regards to chapter functions. FIPG guidelines are also available through the Office of Student Life. Executive board leadership (defined as officers currently serving in a role on the chapter‟s leadership team) and any new member expected to be initiated during the current academic year from each chapter are required to attend Risk Minimization training at the beginning of each semester, as scheduled by the Office of Student Life. Failure to follow FIPG guidelines, a chapter‟s absence from Risk Minimization training, or improperly registered social events may result in judicial action by Greek Council or the Office of the Dean of Students.
FRATERNAL INFORMATION & PROGRAMMING GROUP (FIPG) GUIDELINES
Alcohol and Drugs
STATE OF ILLINOIS LAW MANDATES PERSONS UNDER 21 YEARS OLD CANNOT DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
1. The possession, sale, use or consumption of alcoholic beverages, while on chapter premises or during a fraternity event, in any situation sponsored or endorsed by the chapter, or in any event an observer would associate with a fraternity, must be in compliance with any and all applicable laws of the state, province, county, city and institution of higher education, and must comply with either the BYOB or Third Party Vendor Guidelines.
2. No alcoholic beverages may be purchased through chapter funds nor may the purchase of same for members or guests be undertaken or coordinated by any member in the name of, or on behalf of, the chapter. The purchase or use of a bulk quantity of common sources of such alcoholic beverages, e.g. kegs or cases, is prohibited.
3. Open parties, meaning those with unrestricted access by non-members of the fraternity, without specific invitation, where alcohol is present, shall be forbidden.
4. No members, collectively or individually, shall purchase for, serve to, or sell alcoholic beverages to any minor (i.e., those under legal “drinking age”).
5. The possession, sale or use of any illegal drugs or controlled substances while on chapter premises or during a fraternity event or at any event that an observer would associate with the fraternity is strictly prohibited.
6. No chapter may co-sponsor an event with an alcohol distributor, charitable organization or tavern (tavern defined as an establishment generating more than half of annual gross sale from alcohol) where alcohol is given away, sold or otherwise provided to those present.
7. No chapter may co-sponsor or co-finance a function where alcohol is purchased by any of the host chapters, groups or organizations.
8. All rush activities associated with any chapter will be dry rush functions.
9. No member shall permit, tolerate, encourage or participate in “drinking games.”
10. No alcohol shall be present at any pledge/associate member/novice program, activity or ritual of the chapter.
Please Note: Violations to the FIPG Risk Management Guidelines can result in loss of insurance coverage. Please contact the Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at ext. 7-5133 with any questions regarding these guidelines.
Event Procedures
By the second Friday of each semester, every chapter must submit a calendar of events to the Office of Student Life. This calendar shall include all chapter events, including regular meetings, social events, philanthropic ventures and educational programs. With no less than 48 hours‟ notice, each chapter must inform the Office of Student Life in writing of any organization chapter event (except those events where alcohol will be present) via the Organization Event Registration Form. Chapters wishing to hold an event with alcohol should refer to the requirements in the Fraternity and Sorority Alcohol Policy section of this handbook. Official organization events and organization social event registration forms are available through the Office of Student Life.
Student officers must accept the responsibility for control of social affairs and ensure proper behavior of students and guests in attendance. Those sponsoring the affair will ask students or guests who do not conduct themselves properly to leave the event. Additionally, each chapter house must submit proof of current liability insurance each year. The responsible persons for each event are encouraged to work with the Office of Student Life to ensure proper planning has taken place for the event.