Faculty Assembly

April 9, 2002

RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL SOCIAL FRATERNITIES
AND SORORITIES AT CU-COLORADO SPRINGS

 Statement of Principles

Many social fraternities and sororities meet the social and/or educational needs of students on college and university campuses. Fraternities and sororities can offer new members structure, provide a forum for exchanging ideas, and facilitate interpersonal interaction.

When/if an institution like UCCS, which is committed to learning and community building, permits social fraternities and sororities to come on campus, it will do so with the understanding that these organizations are willing to be part of the larger community on campus. The university cannot permit any arrangement to exist that undermines the mission of the institution. As a result, UCCS has developed the following standards that must be subscribed to and complied with by fraternities and sororities at UCCS.

Standards for Chapters of National Social
Fraternities and Sororities at UCCS

1.   The organization should actively promote the intellectual, social, recreational, moral, and career development of  students.

    • A major focus of both the campus chapter and any national organization with which it is affiliated or plans to          affiliate must be on academic excellence.

    • The organization should promote student involvement in co-­curricular activities.

2.   The organization must make sincere efforts to achieve a diverse membership.

    • Organizations should reflect this ideal of a diverse membership within both their written charter and actual            practices.

            i. Membership is permitted on a fair and equitable basis.
           ii. The chapter/national must not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin,                   individual handicap, veteran status, or sexual orientation.
            iii. The national’s reputation and the local’s practices must not condone any practice that conflicts with                   University policy. Unacceptable activities include, but are not limited to:   
            o  Sexual harassment (see University of Colorado Policy on Sexual Harassment)
            o  Discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, individual handicap, veteran                   status, or sexual orientation (see UCCS Affirmative Action/Non­Discrimination Statement)
            o   Behaviors prohibited in the document “Students’ Rights and Responsibilities: CU-Colorado Springs Standards                   of Conduct.”

3. The chapter must be structured purposefully and managed effectively.
        •      The national should be prepared to provide various levels of support to the local chapter.
        •      The chapter should have access to and receive various levels of support from alumni members of the                  organization who live in the community.

4.  The organization should agree to host alcohol and drug free activities, as well as alcohol and drug education training programs. The national’s reputation must be consistent with this position at chapters throughout the United States.

5. The organization must agree to strictly prohibit (individually or collectively) hazing of any kind, anywhere on or off campus, as stipulated in the “CU-Colorado Springs Standards of Conduct.” In addition, the national’s practices should be consistent with this position at other chapters throughout the United States.

6.  The organization should sponsor and promote participation in community service projects.

Expectations of National Organizations with
Which Local Chapters Wish to Affiliate

1.  UCCS expects that national organizations will reflect all the same standards listed above.

2.  It is preferred that national organizations meet the following criteria:
        •   The existence of other state/regional chapters that are prepared to lend support to a UCCS chapter.
         •   The national organization is strong in terms of its principles, organization support, and finances with a               proven track record of demonstrated support for a local chapter that is organizing or is already on a
              campus.
        •    A strong local alumni group that is willing and prepared to offer support to the university chapter.

Expectations for UCCS

The University will:

- Outline any conditions, expectations and/or standards expected of fraternities and sororities.
a.  Organizations must embrace the Statement of Principles and agree to comply with the Standards and Expectations set forth herein.
b.  A formal request for establishing a chapter at UCCS as a student organization must be submitted to the Director of        Campus Life.  A standing advisory committee appointed by the Chancellor will review the request and make a                 recommendation to the Chancellor.  The committee will be comprised of three faculty recommended by the                 president of the Faculty Assembly, one staff recommended by the president of Staff Council, and three students                 recommended by the student body co-executives; the staff work for the committee will be done by the Office of                Campus Life.
c.  Groups will be reviewed for compliance at least every three years, or more often if circumstances warrant, by the            same committee and through the same process described above.
- Provide an orientation to campus and university policies and state laws each semester/year.
- Provide all the same rights and privileges of other registered student organizations at the University.

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