Stony Brook University
Fraternity & Sorority Life
Expansion Policies
Stony Brook University supports a vibrant fraternity and sorority community on campus and recognizes that
expansion is a sign of a healthy interest in the fraternity and sorority community. The University considers
current student population and resources in all expansion efforts. Stony Brook University will only entertain
expansion requests from organizations that have established national or regional executive boards and have a
support structure for undergraduate chapters.
Inter/national fraternity and sorority headquarters or members may not solicit, recruit, or initiate Stony Brook
University students without consent of the Department of Student Activities. Failure to follow this basic rule
will result in a moratorium on the group’s eligibility to expand for a time to be determined by the Assistant
Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life that will be no less than two years. This rule is to ensure the safety of
Stony Brook University students.
Table of Contents
Expansion Procedures
2-5
Inter-Fraternity & Sorority Council Open for Expansion
2
Inter-Fraternity & Sorority Council Not Open for Expansion
3
Tiered Recognition Structure
4
Organizations Seeking Re-recognition
5
Expansion Application Packet Materials
6
1
Inter-Fraternity & Sorority Council Seeking Expansion
Steps to Expansion
1. An individual council (NPC, NALFO, etc.) presents a request for expansion to the Inter-Fraternity and
Sorority Council. Expansion decisions should be based on the council’s need and current interest.
2. The Inter-Fraternity & Sorority Council votes on expansion with approval from the Department of
Student Activities. Expansion must be approved by a 2/3 vote of the Inter-Fraternity & Sorority Council.
This expansion must be advertised for one specific semester and not as a general call for expansion.
3. The Inter-Fraternity & Sorority Council or individual council notifies the campus community and any
inter/national organizations affiliated with that council of their intent to expand.
4. Any interested inter/national organizations submit expansion application packets to the Assistant
Director for Fraternity & Sorority Life.
5. The Inter-Fraternity and Sorority Council expansion committee will review expansion applications and
invite final candidates to host on campus presentations. The expansion committee should consist of one
representative from each organization in the expanding council, two members of the Inter-Fraternity and
Sorority Council not affiliated with the expanding council, and the Assistant Director for Fraternity &
Sorority Life. All inter/national organizations selected as final candidates will make on campus
presentations. The entire campus community is invited to these presentations. The expansion committee
must attend these presentations.
6. The expansion committee reviews feedback from the on campus presentations and makes a final
recommendation to the Inter-Fraternity & Sorority Council. This recommendation can be the selection
of one group or the selection of two groups for two different years (only one expansion effort will be
allowed per council per academic year).
7. The Inter-Fraternity & Sorority Council makes a final vote to support/not support/or amend the
expansion committee’s recommendation to the Assistant Director for Fraternity and Sorority Life for
final approval in conjunction with the Director of Student Activities.
Steps after Selection
1. The Inter/national organization will meet with the Assistant Director for Fraternity & Sorority Life to
discuss recruitment efforts. These efforts may begin on the first day of classes in the semester of
approval.
2. When a group has been established and officers have been identified, the organization will be allowed to
complete the campus club and organization registration process.
3. The newly formed organization will be required to participate in the Five Star Standards Program the
year they receive provisional recognition. This may be modified if recognition is obtained in the spring
semester.
4. Newly formed organizations will remain on Provisional Recognition for a minimum of one year.
2
Inter-Fraternity & Sorority Council NOT Seeking Expansion
Steps to Expansion
1. Interest group or inter/national organization contacts the Assistant Director for Fraternity & Sorority
Life with the interest to expand. No interest groups will be allowed to continue without a letter from the
inter/national organization stating that they will be in contact with the group regarding requirements of
interest groups and steps to receive inter/national recognition.
2. The interest group or inter/national organization shall submit an expansion application packet to the
Assistant Director for Fraternity & Sorority Life. If materials are submitted by the interest group, a
support letter from the inter/national organization must be included. Expansion packets much be
received by the conclusion of the third week of classes in order to receive consideration for that
semester.
Interest Group
1. The interest group will be allowed to complete the campus club and organization registration process.
This will grant them the benefits that are received by all clubs/organizations on campus.
2. The interest group will be placed into the “Petitioning” status of the “Tiered Recognition Structure”. The
full recognition process with the “Tiered Recognition Structure” is outlined on the following page. Any
movement in the “Tiered Recognition Structure” must be approved by a 2/3 vote of the Inter-Fraternity
and Sorority Council.
3. All organizations within the “Tiered Recognition Structure”, regardless of status, will be allowed to host
membership recruitment and education/intake and are expected to follow all University policies
governing fraternities and sororities. In addition, all organizations in the “Tiered Recognition Structure”,
regardless of status, are expected to become Red Watch Band trained.
4. Any violation of the Inter-Fraternity & Sorority Council Constitution and Bylaws, Department of
Student Activities policy, or the Student Code of Conduct while seeking full recognition, regardless of
current status, automatically disqualifies an organization from being promoted to the next status level.
Inter/national Organization Sponsored
1. The inter/national organization shall meet with the Assistant Director for Fraternity & Sorority Life to
discuss recruitment efforts. These recruitment efforts may begin after the third week of school.
2. When a group has been established and officers have been identified, the organization will be allowed to
complete the campus club and organization registration process. This will grant them the benefits that
are received by all clubs/organizations on campus.
3. The interest group will be placed into the “Petitioning” status of the “Tiered Recognition Structure”. The
full recognition process with the “Tiered Recognition Structure” is outlined on the following page. Any
movement in the “Tiered Recognition Structure” must be approved by a 2/3 vote of the Inter-Fraternity
and Sorority Council.
4. All organizations within the “Tiered Recognition Structure”, regardless of status, will be allowed to host
membership recruitment and education/intake and are expected to follow all University policies
governing fraternities and sororities. In addition, all organizations in the “Tiered Recognition Structure”,
regardless of status, are expected to become Red Watch Band trained.
5. Any judicial action while seeking full recognition, regardless of current status, automatically disqualifies
an organization from being promoted to the next status level.
3
4
Organizations Seeking Re-recognition
Organizations who had their recognition removed or removed recognition at the inter/national level for a
specific period of time should take the following steps to re-organize. Any organization who was asked to leave
campus must have completed all terms of their suspension or expulsion prior to beginning these steps.
Organizations who have left campus due to low membership numbers and have been gone for more than one
academic year must follow the expansion guidelines outlined on pages 2-4 of this manual.
Any organization that is found to be supporting a group of students operating under the name of the fraternity or
sorority and not recognized by Stony Brook University will not be granted recognition until all members of that
group have graduated or left the university.
1. Contact the Assistant Director for Fraternity & Sorority Life with intent to re-organize. If a group of
students wishes to form an Interest Group for an organization who is no longer recognized by the
University, that inter/national organization must support the efforts.
2. The inter/national organization shall submit an Expansion Application Packet to the Assistant Director
for Fraternity & Sorority Life. This packet should include information on what has changed at the
inter/national level since the organization left campus to ensure the organization’s success at a reorganization effort.
3. The organization shall conduct an on campus presentation for current fraternity and sorority members to
educate the community about the organization and its benefit to the campus.
4. The Inter/national organization will meet with the Assistant Director for Fraternity & Sorority Life to
discuss recruitment efforts. These efforts may begin on the first day of classes in the semester of
expansion. One informational session may be held the semester prior to re-organization.
5. When a group has been established and officers have been identified, the organization will be allowed to
complete the campus club and organization registration process.
6. The newly formed organization will be required to participate in the Five Star Standards Program the
year they receive recognition. This may be modified if recognition is obtained in the spring semester.
7. Organizations seeking re-recognition will remain on Provisional Recognition for a minimum of one
year.
5
Expansion Packet Materials
1. Letter of intent supporting the group from inter/national headquarters explaining the organization’s
benefit to campus life. This should also include a statement agreeing to all principles and guidelines
outlined in the Stony Brook University Relationship Statement and the Fraternity & Sorority Policy
Handbook.
2. Sponsoring group contact information. This should include email addresses and phone numbers for the
following:
a. Inter/national leadership
b. Headquarters staff who may be involved in the expansion effort and colony support
c. The expansion director or the individual empowered by the national organization to drive the
expansion effort
d. Regional leadership
e. Local alumni involved in the expansion effort
3. A brief summary of organizational history. If this is a re-colonization effort, please include the history of
the organization at Stony Brook University including: information regarding why the group went
inactive or left campus, why there is a desire to return to campus, and how any previous issues have
been addressed.
4. Inter/national statistics on the current number of active chapters, average chapter size, and the number of
current undergraduate members.
5. List of local chapters (within 150 miles), list of current colonies and the status of those groups, and a list
of the past three to five successful expansion or colonization efforts.
6. Inter/national expectations of individual members, including grade requirements and financial
commitment.
7. Outline of support to be provided for campus chapter or colony. Including the following information:
a. a timeline for expansion and colony/chapter support
b. minimum expectations of colonies/chapters
c. the frequency of chapter consultant visits
d. a list of alumni committed to serving as advisors
e. the inter/national plan for support for adherence to campus guidelines and the tiered recognition
system
f. additional support resources available
8. Summary of inter/national organizational governance structure and local chapter governance structure.
This should indicate how the local chapter will assign responsibility for the following items: financial
activities and budget, program planning (educational and service), individual member expectations, and
individual accountability and compliance.
9. The constitution and bylaws of the inter/national organization. This document must reflect the purpose
and goals of the organization, which must be in consonance with the mission of Stony Brook University.
10. All Recruitment/Membership Intake policies including information regarding recruitment, selection,
new member education, and initiation of new members. This should include a(n) inter/national
organization non-discrimination statement.
11. All inter/national policies including, but not limited to, risk management, hazing prevention, and
scholarship.
6
12. Information about continued education and leadership development opportunities provided by the
inter/national organization
13. A list of chapters who had a major policy violation (alcohol, hazing, etc.) in the past 24 months, what
action the inter/national organization took with that chapter, and what safeguards are in place to assure
that a violation will be prevented if granted recognition.
14. If forming with an interest group, a completed interest group officer contact form and membership
roster.
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