Center for Student Life  (724) 357-1264 

Statement of Relationship of General Fraternities and Sororities

Introduction

Since 1914, IUP has acknowledged that general fraternities and sororities can be a valuable component of the undergraduate experience.  Fraternal organizations maintain, as their primary purpose, the enhancement of the student learning and growing process through activities encouraging leadership development, organization management, interpersonal and group dynamics, social awareness, philanthropic spirit, university loyalty, and career orientation and development, thereby earning them the privilege of university recognition.

A recognized general fraternity or sorority can complement the curricular and co-curricular aims of IUP by enhancing opportunities for personal development of its members and providing significant contributions to the campus and community environments.  If the group is successful in meeting these goals, the fraternal organization has fulfilled its purpose of providing members with the potential of a positive co curricular experience.

To strengthen their positive presence and to ensure the continued contributions of its recognized general fraternities and sororities, IUP has adopted the Statement of Relationship of General Fraternities and Sororities.  The statement details the relationship between each general fraternal organization and the university in terms of definition, obligations, benefits, and accountability.  The statement details the criteria and means by which the potential of the membership experience is measured and reinforced.

The issuance of recognition by IUP to any organization or activity is not to be necessarily taken as approval by the university or agreement with any particular point of view that might be expressed by the organization, nor is it to be taken as approval of any or all activities in which the organization engages.  The university does not, by issuing recognition or approval, assume responsibility for any damages that might arise from expressions or activities of student organizations.  

University Recognition 

1. Definition of a Fraternity or Sorority
    
   A general fraternal organization is defined as:
    
   A chapter of undergraduate men and/or women which has been chartered by a National Interfraternity Conference, National Panhellenic Conference, or National Panhellenic Council member organization and which satisfies the university criteria for recognition as defined within the statement.  The organization maintains goals which are articulated by the chartering national sponsor, and these goals are interpersonal/fraternal rather than exclusively or primarily honorary, professional, religious, political, or social in nature.  A recognized chapter and its chartering national organization maintain a fraternal ethos of high ideals, principles, and values as enshrined in esoteric ritual and embodied in mission and practice consistent with the aims of the university. 
    

2. Purpose and Statement of Relationship
    
   University recognition is granted to a chapter, which contributes to the educational mission of IUP as defined by the statement.  The university maintains the burden of proof to demonstrate that the chapter is not contributing to the educational mission of IUP, as determined through the formal hearing procedures defined by the statement, should the withdrawal of recognition be considered.
    
   University-recognized general fraternal organizations remain independent of the university and do not serve as agents or employees of the university.  University recognition and accompanying benefits should not be misinterpreted as meaning that the chapter and its members are controlled by the university, that the university is responsible for the chapter's contracts or other acts or omissions, or that the university approves of the chapter's goals or activities in total.
    
   Through recognition, the university enters into an agreement with each chapter only within the basic parameters applied to university recognition of any organization.  There must be:

   1. Commonality with IUP goals and standards

   2. Adherence to university rules and regulations

   3. Mechanisms for accountability

   4. Provisions for the withdrawal of recognition should goals diverge or standards decline in ways that would expose the university to liability and/or should the chapter fail to provide the members with a positive educational experience as defined within this statement.

When Greek-letter organizations exist and operate with university recognition, the statement describes the relationship between the university and the chapter.
 
A complete copy of the Statement of Relationship can be obtained from the Center for Student Life, 724-357-2315.
 

The University Senate approved this policy on September 10, 1991.