Policies

Fraternity and Sorority Information

Greek Relationship Statement

Introduction

This statement affirms the relationship between Marquette University and the nationally recognized fraternities and sororities who are members of the Marquette community. It is expected that of the values and beliefs of the University and the Greek system both provide a mutually supportive educational and co-curricular environment for the benefit of all students, including those who choose to join the Greek community at Marquette University.

The relationship that the Greek system shares with the University is one based not only upon collaboration and trust, but also the concepts of excellence, faith, leadership, and service.

Excellence

Our commitment to a lifetime pursuit of knowledge

Faith

Our commitment to explore and utilize our personal beliefs and teachings in life

Leadership

Our commitment to fostering skill development for use in the broader community

Service

Our commitment to foster a lifetime commitment to be involved with and work towards the betterment of the human community

The partnership between the University and Greek system allows students to gain experiences that will positively contribute to their future endeavors. This partnership aims to further the concepts of excellence, faith, leadership and service.

Greek Letter Organization Rights

Each member organization of the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, and National Pan- Hellenic Council is entitled to choose its own
members in accordance with university regulations and national standards.

Each member organization of the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Association, and National Pan- Hellenic Council is entitled to receive University support through the Office of Student Development specifically in the form of a Greek advisor, programs, and services.

Each member organization of the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, and National Pan-Hellenic Council is entitled to participate in self-governing practices with advisement by the University.

Each member organization of the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Association, and National Pan- Hellenic Council is entitled to provide membership education programs.

Responsibilities of Greek Letter Organizations

It is the responsibility of Greek letter organizations to: uphold the mission of the University; comply with their charters as well as the constitutions of the organization at the national, regional, state, and chapter level; operate their chapters in a business-like manner, including conducting chapter meetings and election of officers; establish general goals and objectives in consultation with the University; comply with all University policies, including deferred recruitment, behavioral and academic standards, hazing, sexual harassment, and abuse.

Purpose and Scope of the Greek Community

The Greek community at Marquette University provides students with an atmosphere that promotes academic excellence. The Greek community provides educational programming and support and at no time make demands on the students that might undermine their academic success. The community also provides students with a caring atmosphere that motivates its members to work in campus and community service. This service to the campus and community provides students with opportunities for growth in ethical development in the Jesuit tradition. The Greek community also provides an ongoing meaningful relationship between students and the larger Marquette University campus community. This relationship allows students to aid the campus in living out the values of the Marquette University Mission Statement.

Recognition of Greek Letter Organizations

Greek letter organizations follow the standard rules for recognition as detailed in the Marquette student handbook, At Marquette. In addition, governing boards of the respective groups hold the ability to grant or reject recognition of a particular organization in their respective body. For example, the Interfraternity Council must vote to recognize new chapters as either colonies or member fraternities of the Interfraternity Council.

System Expansion

Within the Greek community, there are three governing boards – the Interfraternity Council, the Panhellenic Association, and National Pan-Hellenic Council. The rules and procedures for expansion vary for each of the three governing boards. Each governing board has prescribed rules pertaining to expansion. In all situations, expansion must be done in an effort to strengthen the entire organization, with each member organization’s best interests in mind as well as those of the university community.

Representation of Organizations

Each member organization is represented at meetings of its respective governing board. Currently, the University and Greek organizations are striving to increase representation for Greeks within all aspects of campus life.

Removal of Recognition

The governing bodies of Greek letter organizations may suspend or terminate the recognition of member organizations should they fail to meet the standards of the system (i.e. repeated or egregious violation of chapter, governing body, or university policies). In addition, Marquette University may also withdraw the recognition of Greek letter organizations in cases in which the jurisdiction of the Greek letter governing bodies would be exceeded. In the case of suspension, requirements for reinstatement are clarified in the letter indicating withdrawal of recognition.

University Support

As is the case with university recognized student organizations, it is recommended that each Greek letter organization have a faculty member or administrator as an advisor. IFC, Panhellenic, and NPHC have an assigned university advisor who is affiliated with the Office of Student Development. This advisor works with both the Greek and university communities to ensure positive student development.

Use of Campus Facilities

Greek letter organizations have access to campus facilities according to the guidelines within the Marquette student handbook, At Marquette. Facilities may include, but are not limited to, rooms and other space in the Alumni Memorial Union, rooms in academic areas of campus, lockers, office space,
desks, or other storage areas in the Alumni Memorial Union.

Recruitment Assistance

Greek letter organizations receive recruitment assistance through the Office of Student Development. This is accomplished through programs such as new student orientation, formal recruitment programs and marketing endeavors.

Peer Review Board

The Greek community is self-governing through several measures. Among these components are Greek peer judicial boards. These boards, comprised of Marquette University students in IFC and Panhellenic organizations, adjudicate disciplinary matters associated with fraternity and sorority chapters. Any member of the Marquette University community may file a grievance. All cases will be dealt with according to the provisions of the respective board. The Greek community recognizes that Marquette University has the authority to intercede in disciplinary matters if it is deemed necessary by university administration.

Greek Letter Organization Membership

All full-time undergraduate students of Marquette University in good standing are eligible to join a Greek letter organization. Any undergraduate must have a minimum of twelve credit hours earned at Marquette or transferred from a college or university and a minimum cumulative quality point average of 2.0 before associating with a Greek letter organization. These requirements will be monitored by the Office of Student Development in cooperation with governing councils.

Hazing/Sexual Harassment or Abuse

All acts of hazing by a university registered fraternity/ sorority or a student organization or group and/ or any of its members or alumni are prohibited. It is a violation of state law and University policy for students to engage in any activity that may be described as hazing.

Hazing is a broad term encompassing any action or activity which does not contribute to the positive development of a person; or which inflicts or intends to cause mental or physical harm, or which may demean, degrade or disgrace any person regardless of location, intent or consent of participants. In addition, hazing can be defined as any action or situation that intentionally or unintentionally endangers the physical or mental health of a student for the purpose of initiation, full admission, or affiliation with any organization operation under the sanction of Marquette University. The University believes that any activity that promotes a class system within organizations is inappropriate. Subservience in any form is unacceptable. Subsequently, activities that facilitate inappropriate levels of authority over students may be deemed as hazing and will not be allowed.

Marquette University is committed to maintaining an environment in which the dignity of each member of its community is respected. State and federal law prohibit sexual harassment by or of, either sex. It is a violation of the University sexual harassment policy for anyone—faculty, staff, students or other individuals who may be present on Marquette’s campus or in any other location for a Marquettesponsored activity—to engage in any form of sexual harassment or to retaliate in any way against an individual who has initiated a sexual harassment complaint. The University maintains a “zerotolerance” stance towards sexual harassment and will address and investigate all complaints in a timely, comprehensive, and equitable fashion. Violators of this policy will be subject to appropriate corrective and disciplinary action, up to and including separation or termination from the University.

Academic and non-academic management and supervisory personnel, at all levels, are responsible for taking reasonable and necessary action to prevent sexual harassment. All members of the University community, faculty, staff and students are required to promptly report, pursuant to these policies and procedures, conduct that could be in violation of this policy.

Risk Management

The member organizations of the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Association, and National Pan-Hellenic Council maintain insurance and risk
management policies that protect the University and member organizations in the case of an occurrence, and in addition, chapters are strongly encouraged to strive toward minimizing their risks and liabilities in the design and implementation of their programs and activities.

Conclusion

Marquette University is committed to assisting each member chapter of the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, and National Pan-Hellenic Council to develop and pursue a positive intellectual, social, and spiritual atmosphere, and to meet both University standards and the standards of its inter/national organization. In recognition of the potentially important role of Greek-letter organizations in individual student formation and the significant contribution they can provide to the comprehensive mission of the University, Marquette University continues to support their growth and development.

Approved October 1999

Fraternity and Sorority Membership Eligibility

All full-time undergraduate students of Marquette University in good academic and disciplinary standing are eligible to join a Greek letter organization. Any undergraduate must have a minimum of twelve credit hours earned at Marquette or transferred from a college or university and a minimum cumulative quality point average of 2.0 before associating with a Greek letter organization. These requirements will be monitored by the Office of Student Development in cooperation with governing councils.

Fraternity and Sorority Recruitment Policy

Marquette University has a deferred joining policy for social fraternities and sororities. Social Greek organizations may recruit throughout the year. In order to be eligible to participate in recruitment events or to receive a bid or invitation to join a social Greek organization, a student must:

  1. All students participating in recruitment events must be verified as eligible led by the Office of Student Development. After each recruitment event, a Recruitment Registration Sheet must be completed for all students who attended the event. This form must be submitted the business day following the event and a report of eligibility will be given to the chapter within 24 hours. No bids or invitations to membership shall be given to students who are ineligible or to students who have not been verified. If an ineligible student is found to have received a bid or invitation to join, it shall immediately be retracted and the chapter issuing the bid shall appear before the University, Panhellenic Association, Interfraternity Council, or National Pan-Hellenic Council Judicial Board.
  2. Students who fail to meet these criteria will not be eligible to receive a bid or invitation to join a fraternity or sorority chapter. However, they will be allowed to have normal social contact with any member of a Greek organization, including but not limited to: studying, eating meals together,
    participating in athletic activities, etc.

Each Greek organization must be registered with the Office of Student Development and in good standing with the university to participate in recruitment. Each chapter will be required to send a representative (preferably the Recruitment Chair or President) to a meeting in the fall semester, hosted by the Office of Student Development, dedicated to review of the University, Panhellenic Association, Interfraternity Council, and National Pan-Hellenic Council policies governing membership recruitment.

  1. All recruitment events must be registered with the Office of Student Development at least 24 hours prior to the event. Recruitment events must be free of alcohol and free of any and all conduct that violates any law, ordinance, University policy, rule or regulation, or any part of the Marquette University Ethos Statement. The Office of Student Development reserves the right to attend any and all recruitment functions without prior notification.
  2. Marquette University expects each organization to comply fully with any inter/national and local chapter guidelines governing recruitment activities. Moreover, the University expects all participants to conduct themselves in such a way as to bring credit to the Greek system as a whole and the university in general.

Release of Academic Information

The academic and disciplinary information can be released to an active member of the chapter if the student signs an Authorization for Release of Academic Status form available in the Office of Student Development.

Academic and/or disciplinary records will not be released without written permission from the student. Students have the right to void this authorization at any time by submitting a written request to the Office of Student Development.

Risk Management Policy

The Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic Association have established a joint policy governing events sponsored by member organizations where alcohol is present. The policy closely follows the recommendations provided by the Fraternal Insurance Purchasing Group (FIPG) and covers events where alcohol is provided by a third-party vendor, as well as events hosted under the “bring your own beverage”
procedures. The University is supportive of efforts by these councils to effectively reduce the amount of risk associated with sponsoring events with alcohol. For more information on the policies, contact the IFC or Panhellenic Association presidents.

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