Sorority & Fraternity Life Policies and Expectations

• All social sororities and fraternities must report to one of the four governing councils. 
• The opportunity to create an additional council is based on community need, number of chapters and chapter members to support a new council and new chapter expansion interest. 

• The recognition of each fraternity or sorority at the University of Kansas must be maintained through the organization’s adherence to all policies and procedures further outlined and all other related governing documents and policies maintained by the university, including but not limited to the KU Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities and the appropriate Governing Council Constitution, Bylaws and Policies. 
• The University of Kansas may suspend or remove the recognition of any fraternity or sorority as necessary. Suspension or removal of recognition shall mean the loss of all rights and privileges further explained. The University may suspend certain privileges of recognized fraternities or sororities as necessary and appropriate. • All social fraternities and sororities, local or national, are required to apply for, obtain, and retain membership in a recognized Governing Council. Membership in a Governing Council requires that the organization be in compliance with all rules and activities of that body. 
• Including but not limited to 
  • Rock Chalk Central Usage 
  • Chapter Roster Requirements
  • Organization Size Requirement 
  • Sorority & Fraternity Life Fee  

• Chapters shall follow all registration requirements outlined by the Student Engagement Center’s Annual Registration Requirements. Student Organization Registration | Home | The Student Engagement Center
• Failure to register through this platform will result in loss of recognition as a student organization and may result in chapters being listed as temporarily inactive with the Office of Sorority & Fraternity Life (SFL) and may have provided services, advisement and support paused until recognition is granted. 
• Additionally, chapters may face consequences through their respective councils. 
• SFL does not oversee the operation and maintenance of Rock Chalk Central, the maintenance of this platform shall be the responsibility of the individual chapter and shall include uploading chapter bylaws, maintaining active rosters and officer information, and agreement to the nondiscrimination policy. The chapter will need to obtain a faculty or staff advisor who is not a member of the SFL staff.
• SFL may request information to be submitted through the SFL page of Rock Chalk Central from chapters or individual members. Requests will be made as policy requirements or in writing to the chapter president at least 10 business days in advance of due date. 

• Chapters shall submit an updated active and new member roster to the Office of Sorority & Fraternity Life (SFL) at the beginning of each academic term. Rosters shall follow the format provided in the Active Member Status Change Directions handout. Active rosters shall be submitted by the second Wednesday of the academic term unless requested earlier due to an earlier recruitment process. New member rosters are due within one week following the end of a recruitment process. Failure to do so may result in chapters being listed temporarily inactive with SFL and may have provided services, advisement and support paused until a completed roster is submitted. Additionally, chapters may face consequences through their respective councils. 
• Chapters are expected to provide updates to their roster with SFL as membership changes occur as this will confirm compliance with organization size requirements, aid the office in providing support based on membership numbers as well as provide record of individual membership in the SFL community. 
• Rosters will be sent to chapter presidents and their advisors at the end of each semester for verification before academic reports are run. 

• All New Members must complete the SFL New Member/Neo Notification Form within 48hrs of accepting an invitation to join a KU sorority or fraternity. 
• New Members not having completed this form shall not be included in the chapter’s grade report. 

• Chapters shall be responsible for scheduling two meetings per semester, or as deemed appropriate, with their chapter designated Sorority & Fraternity Life (SFL) support staff. This meeting should include the chapter president. Chapters shall also maintain regular lines of communication with SFL staff and other University offices and personnel. 
• SFL strives to develop a community that enables individuals to make values-based decisions, learn tangible skills and contribute to the betterment of the global community through advising with a developmental approach, educating with a purpose, and cultivating partnerships 

• The Office of Sorority & Fraternity Life (SFL) requests that all chapters must notify the office of all events (socials, philanthropy, community service, events off campus, off chapter property, etc.) prior to the event occurring. 
• Event Registration Training occurs every semester to train students on Sorority and Fraternity Life and council expectations. 
• Councils may have their own expectations, deadlines, and forms for event registrations.
• An event is defined as any event, program, or activity in which members are construed to represent the organization while on chapter premises or during a sorority or fraternity gathering, in any situation sponsored or endorsed by the chapter, or at any event a reasonable objective observer would associate with the organization. This could include any social, philanthropy, community service, events on or off campus, or on chapter property.  
• SFL Event Notification Link

• Chapters shall be responsible for the recording and submission of chapter philanthropic donations and combined community service hours to the Office of Sorority & Fraternity Life (SFL). The submission of philanthropic donations will be due at the end of each academic term and shall be submitted through the SFL Rock Chalk Central page. The submission of community service hours will be due at the end of each academic term and shall be submitted through their respective council’s Rock Chalk Central page. Chapters are required to complete an average of 5 service hours per member each academic term. 
• The purpose of this policy is to ensure compliance with the core value that the sorority and fraternity community at the University of Kansas seeks to contribute to and maintain a healthy relationship within Lawrence and neighboring Kansas communities, through their acts of service and philanthropy. 

As representatives of the Sorority & Fraternity Life (SFL) Community, members shall exemplify the ideals and values that form our core values. It is a member’s responsibility to strive for success in academics, actively participate in services, and foster a sense of community within the Sorority & Fraternity chapters. It is expected that members will attend conferences and programs, as outlined below.  

• Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values (AFLV): 
  • Council executive boards attend annually
    • AFLV Central includes the National Black Greek Leadership Conference (NBGLC) and is the largest, most diverse gathering of fraternal stakeholders in the country. Each year, more than 3,000 participants from more than 200 campuses come together for an experience with programming at all levels of the fraternity/sorority experience. 
• ADVANCE:
  • All council exec members and chapter presidents 
  • This one-day program is intended to create meaningful relationships between council executive boards and chapter presidents across governing councils. In this space, students will learn more about their community at large and determine how we individually and collectively lead the community. At this event, students will engage in dialogue about critical issues facing the SFL community and develop individual, chapter, and council goals for the upcoming year. 

• We will be good neighbors in our community by practicing good stewardship of our properties, community, neighbors, and the University. 
• As a matter of respect for the neighborhoods in which our Chapters reside, each Chapter is expected to maintain exteriors of property/facilities in a manner consistent with reasonable community standards. Written concerns regarding property upkeep must be addressed within 2 business days and include reasonable measures to rectify the problem. 
• Chapters are expected to observe community standards regarding noise and other behaviors that impact neighbors (treatment of property, foot traffic, managing gatherings, etc.). Written concerns (e.g. neighbor complaints or police reports) regarding problematic behavior must be addressed within 2 business days.
• Whether at a recognized chapter facility, local or remote venue, or location in which members are construed to represent the organization, members must respect and abide by these expectations. 
• Additionally, chapters may face consequences through their respective councils.

• Goals: Student Affairs collaborates with the KU community to uphold the KU Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities and achieve the following goals: To assist students in examining and developing their beliefs and values. To assist students in understanding their rights, responsibilities and opportunities. To foster broad student involvement and participation in University life. To counsel students confronted with academic and personal challenges, teaching them the strategies required for progress and success. To provide opportunities for leadership and service on campus and in the community. 
• Student Learning Outcomes: Students who utilize or interact with services and programs provided by Student Conduct and Community Standards will be able to: Describe the campus and community expectations for behavior. Apply campus and community expectations for their behavior in their interaction with the community. Evaluate the congruence between their personal and community values. Explain how their actions (including the use of alcohol and drugs) impact their academic success at KU, other students in the community, and members of the larger KU/Lawrence community. 
• The Office of Sorority & Fraternity Life (SFL) will work collaboratively with this office to ensure the goals and student learning outcomes are met. This will be done through biweekly meetings to discuss current reports and investigations and assess the need for programming both at the community and individual chapter level. 

• Chapters shall follow all membership size requirements outlined by the Student Organization Registration | Student Engagement Center. A minimum of three members is required to register an organization with the Student Involvement and Leadership Center: President, Vice-President, and Treasurer. 
• Failure to meet this will result in loss of recognition as a student organization and may result in chapters being listed as temporarily inactive with The Office of Sorority & Fraternity Life (SFL) and may have provided services, advisement and support paused until recognition is granted. 

• KU Non-Academic Misconduct Hazing Statement: Students are expected to show positive regard for each other and for the community. Behavior that violates the core value of respect includes but is not limited to: Hazing: engaging in hazing of another person for the purpose of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, or continuation of membership in any organization operating under the sanction of the University. Hazing includes, but is not limited to, any action, activity or situation which recklessly, negligently or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health, welfare or safety of a person, creates excessive fatigue, sleep deprivation, mental or physical discomfort, exposes a person to extreme embarrassment or ridicule, involves personal servitude, destroys or removes public or private property, or implicitly or explicitly interferes with the academic requirements or responsibilities of a student. It is presumed that hazing is a forced activity regardless of the apparent willingness of an individual to participate in the activity. Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing is not neutral; both are violations of this rule. 
• The Sorority & Fraternity Life (SFL) Anti-Hazing Policy: Hazing will not be tolerated in the University of Kansas Sorority and Fraternity community. No student or organization has the right to inflict physical or mental harm on a person or to demean, disgrace, or degrade a person. Hazing is prohibited and defined by State of Kansas, in addition to the University of Kansas’ Code of student Rights and Responsibilities. All forms of hazing by any university student, or student organization members (including alumni/ae), are expressly prohibited and serious penalties, such as separation from the University or loss of recognition by University of Kansas, may be imposed on individuals or groups found in violation of these rules. 
• University of Kansas enforces a strict policy around alcohol in the best interests of the safety and well-being of the campus community. Any various hazing activities will not be tolerated. 

• The University of Kansas prohibits the unlawful possession, use, manufacture, purchase, or distribution of alcohol or drugs, or any attempt thereof, by students or by employees on its property or as part of its activities.  
• The University is committed to a program to prevent the illegal or irresponsible use of drugs and alcohol by students and employees. Any student or employee found to be using, possessing, manufacturing, or distributing controlled substances or alcohol, or whose behavior evidence being under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances, in violation of the law on university property or at university events shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with policies of the State of Kansas, the Board of Regents, and the University of Kansas.  
• University of Kansas enforces a strict policy regarding alcohol and drugs in the best interests of the safety and well-being of the campus community. Underage drinking, high-risk drinking, hazing activities, and other misuses of alcohol will not be tolerated.