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• Operational policies and guidelines
• Definition of social fraternal organizations
• Governance of social fraternal organizations
• Statement of policy
• Responsibilities of organizations
• Recognition procedures

Policy and Operational Guidelines for Social Fraternal Organizations
The University at Buffalo recognizes that organized student life programs are a valuable part of the student educational environment. Recognized student organizations further the University's educational mission. The organizations must encourage academic excellence, self governance, university, community service, and offer opportunities for leadership and service with mutual respect for others. Social fraternal organizations are a recognized component of student life. The groups are responsible for making positive contributions to the primary educational mission of the University and are expected to encourage intellectual and social development of members. In addition, these groups are expected to complement the University's mission and to comply with campus policies, rules and regulations, as well as federal, state, and local laws.

Social Fraternal Organizations
Social fraternal organizations are defined as student groups whose primary concern is the personal, intellectual, and social development of members. This can be developed through planned social, educational, and service programs. These groups may be fraternities, sororities, or co-educational, and local, regional, or national in nature.

Governance of Social Fraternal Organizations
A. Dean of Students
The Dean of Students (Dean), or designee, is responsible for all matters related to the establishment and functioning of social fraternal organizations, including the implementation of these guidelines. The Dean shall designate a member of the University staff to serve as a liaison between fraternal social organizations and the University.

B. Greek Life Advisory Committe (GLAC)
A Committee on Fraternity and Sorority Life may be appointed by the Dean. This advisory committee of at least four members (one of which would be the Coordinator of Fraternity/Sorority Life and at least one fraternity/sorority member student) would be charged to:

1. Oversee activities of social fraternal organizations, Inter-Greek Council (IGC), related organizations, and make recommendations to Dean.

2. Adjudicate appeals of IGC decisions and make recommendations to the Dean as requested.

3. Recommend to the Dean appropriate responses to alleged rules and regulations violations by social fraternal organizations and members.

4. Recommend to the Dean the granting term recognition to social fraternal organizations in accordance with these guidelines.

C. Inter-Greek Council (IGC)
There shall be an Inter-Greek Council composed of representatives of all term recognized social fraternal organizations. The Dean, or designee, shall be an ex officio member of the council. Representatives to the council and other officers shall be determined in accordance with its own constitution and by-laws. The council may not operate until its constitution and by-laws have been accepted by the Dean. Proposed amendments to the IGC Constitution and By-Laws must be approved by the Dean before becoming effective. IGC actions may be appealed to the Dean, or designee or Committee on Fraternity and Sorority Life. Additional governance councils may also be recognized by the Dean, including National Panhellenic Conference, Interfraternity Conference, the United Council of Cultural Fraternities and Sororities, or others.

Statement of General Policy
A. The University seeks to promote maximum flexibility and autonomy for social fraternal organizations as important student groups. Compliance by these organizations with University policies, rules, regulations, and guidelines will limit University's interference in fraternal affairs. Failure to comply may result in the loss of privileges until matters are properly adjudicated. The University may take appropriate administrative or disciplinary legal action against offending group(s) and individuals(s). The Dean may establish judicial procedures and bodies to adjudicate cases involving councils, organizations, or member misconduct. Judicial decisions may be appealed to the Dean or designee.

B. Social fraternal organizations are responsible for conduct consistent with University's "Student Conduct Rules, University Standards, and Administrative Regulations" and other university regulations. Allegations of violations by a fraternal organization shall be referred to the Dean, designee, or designated body for review and adjudication.

C. No Social fraternal organization shall be recognized or permitted to remain on campus if its constitution, rules, regulations, or practices deny membership to any person on the basis of race, creed, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation.

D. In order to function with University facilities and services, a social fraternal organization must be recognized by the University. Recognition is granted by the Dean.

E. All recognized social fraternal organizations must re-register annually with the office of the Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life. Annual registration must include a fully executed "Statement of Compliance" and rosters of names, addresses, and student personal identification (eight digit) number of members and officers. Rosters will be used to verify academic eligibility. Officer information may be used for directory information purposes. In addition, a brief statement signed by a University at Buffalo faculty or staff member serving as an advisor, indicating a willingness to serve for the year and a statement from an affiliated national organization, if appropriate, indicating that the campus chapter is in "good standing" must be included as well. A review of the previous years activities and plans for the current year must also be provided.

F. Social fraternal organizations shall open their membership to regularly enrolled full-time University at Buffalo students. Invitations for membership may be extended to students who have a minimum QPA of 2.0 and are not considered a first-semester freshman. Members and prospective members who have completed a semester or more at UB or transferred to UB with credits must have and maintain good academic standing.

G. Social fraternal organizations and governance councils shall have uniform terms of office for leaders as designated by the Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life to promote orderly transitions and improved program effectiveness. Exceptions based on national organization requirements may be requested of the Dean or designee.

H. Social fraternal organizations shall conduct annual educational programs on such topics as substance abuse, hazing, non-discrimination, and sexual harassment. Governance council and organization leaders will participate in other training programs as well.

I. Rules and new member education periods will be designated by Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life. No more than three (3) weeks of rush activities will be authorized (one week planning and promotion and two weeks of activities), unless an extended period is approved by the Dean, or designee, based on a request from the governance leadership. Such a request for extension will be considered for organizations that, after making a good faith effort, fail to meet reasonable new member levels. Extended rush periods will be limited in duration. No more than six (6) weeks of new member education program activities;* will be permitted unless an exception, based on a national organization requirement, is granted by the Dean, or designee. In addition, all new members must attend a University-sponsored information session prior to pledging.

Note: Exceptions may be made for NPC groups that follow a continuous open bid process. Exceptions must be approved by the Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life.

Note: The University recommends formal new member education periods be limited to four (4) weeks in the future to complete the membership process before mid-semester examinations and will be working with groups toward this goal.

J. Organizations with "city" or regional charters and memberships may be recognized, but must meet all UB guidelines.

Responsibilities of Social Fraternal Organizations
A. Recognition of social fraternal organizations shall not be construed as agreement, support, or approval by the University, but only as recognition of the rights of the organization to exist at the University, subject to established conditions. Recognized fraternal organizations may only use the name of the University to indicate location, not endorsement. Use of the University name and symbols is subject to conditions established by the University.

B. Each fraternal organization is required to exercise responsible management and financial integrity. Each organization will be solely responsible for its own financial, legal, and contractual obligations. The University assumes no responsibility for such actions. Organizations based on selective membership are not eligible to apply for use of mandatory student activities fees.

C. New York State law and University policy prohibits student organizations from hazing, pre-initiation activities, or other pseudo-initiation practices that may cause mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. It is the responsibility of each member to understand the law and policy and to adopt and implement healthy and constructive new member education programs in compliance.

Recognition Procedures
A. Temporary Recognition

1. Recognition procedures shall be essentially the same for a local organization or a chapter of a national organization.

2. Student groups desiring University Recognition must submit to the Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life an Application for Temporary Recognition as a Fraternal Organization. This application shall include a:

a. letter from national office stating the group's goals and purposes or a statement by the local group on its purposes and goals.

b. statement explaining why the group is needed and desirable.

c. list of the names and local addresses, telephone numbers, and student social security numbers of its members and temporary officers (a valid roster of ten (10) UB students is required).

d. statement signed by the group president indicating understanding and intent to abide by University rules, policies, and regulations, and these guidelines.

3. After appropriate consideration, Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life may approve or reject the application of temporary recognition. If approved, temporary recognition shall be for a maximum of one calendar year. If denied, a group may reapply in subsequent semesters.

4. Social fraternal organizations with temporary recognition may operate on campus and rush, educate and initiate new members. Attendance at Inter-Greek Council meetings is encouraged, although a temporarily recognized organization does not have a governance council vote. Participation in Inter-Greek activities shall be by IGC invitation.

5. The Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life, or designee, shall notify the Inter-Greek Council when a group is given temporary recognition. The IGC President shall appoint a three member liaison committee from IGC. The committee shall make written monthly progress reports on the activities, operations, and finances of the developing organizations. Upon request of the chairman of the liaison committee, a vote of IGC may be called. If the temporary organization receives less than two-thirds affirmative votes of an IGC quorum, a recommendation will be sent to Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life to discontinue temporary recognition. An affirmative vote of two-thirds or greater is required to recommend Term Recognition.

1. A temporarily recognized social fraternal organization may submit an Application for Term Recognition to the Dean of Students.

2. The application for Term Recognition shall include:

a. A statement of purposes, goals, and membership requirements.

b. A list of names, addresses, telephone and student social security numbers of the group and officers (valid roster of ten (10) UB students is required).

c. A UB faculty or staff member statement indicating willingness to serve as advisor.

d. An outline of community service, scholarship, and social programs undertaken during the period of temporary recognition, as well as plans for the future.

e. The proposed constitution, by-laws, and other articles of governance.

3. The Dean, or designee, shall notify the petitioning group on term recognition approval or denial. If granted, the new social fraternal organization will immediately become a voting member of the Inter-Greek Council. If denied term recognition, the petitioning group may request a continuation of temporary recognition status for a maximum of four months, during which they may reapply for term status. If their application is denied again, the group's recognition is terminated. One calendar year must elapse before reapplying for temporary recognition.

4. Term recognition shall be granted for a four-year period subject to compliance with policies, procedures, rules, and re-registration. Term recognition is renewable, subject to procedures established by the Dean, or designee.

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