University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
Fraternity and Sorority Standards
In order to implement positive change in the Fraternity/Sorority Community and for the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
to pledge its support for each chapter’s existence on campus, all fraternities and sororities must provide evidence, on a
semester basis, that they meet the following reasonable expectations, regardless of council affiliation. By meeting these
minimum and reasonable expectations, chapters will be recognized by the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh as a
fraternity/sorority on campus and will be provided with services and support; failure to meet these standards will result in
action on the part of the University, ranging from a written warning up to the loss of University recognition and removal
from campus.
Non-Hazing Agreements
Each member and new member will sign and uphold non-hazing agreements (bid cards) that affirm
Wisconsin statute and University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh policy. This agreement will also inform all
members and new members of the process for reporting violations to the Student Leadership and
Involvement Area of Reeve Union and the Dean of Students Office. Bid cards are then due within 48
hours of signing a bid (sororities), going through a new member ceremony (fraternities), or getting
initiated (NALFO groups).
Academic Minimum
Each chapter must maintain a minimum average chapter GPA of 2.50 for their current members and
new members every semester, unless a higher average GPA is established by their Inter/National
Headquarters. Further, each chapter must have the GPAs of their prospective members verified by the
Student Leadership and Involvement Area of Reeve Union prior to extending an invitation to join or
processing an application for membership. Minimum GPA for membership in a fraternity is 2.3 college/
2.5 high school and sorority is 2.5 college/ 3.0 high school.
Volunteerism
Each chapter is expected to commit its membership to the cause of promoting volunteerism within the
University and surrounding community. Specifically, each chapter is expected to maintain an average of
10 hours of volunteerism per semester per member. These hours are self-reported monthly on the
Volunteerism Monthly Report form.
Campus Involvement
One vital aspect to the Fraternity/Sorority Community is leadership and campus involvement. It is
essential that we promote involvement in various campus organizations to promote the leadership of
individuals within the chapter and Fraternity/Sorority Community as a whole. As such, each chapter is
expected to have 50% of the chapter membership involved in at least 1 other campus organization. This
information is self-reported on the chapter Membership Roster.
Member Development
Fraternities and Sororities should be catalysts for personal growth and leadership development.
Chapters should offer programming designed for the education of all members, not just new members.
One (1) membership development program is required per semester with 80% of the chapter’s
membership in attendance. These can be in the form of specific programs offered to the chapter,
attendance at other programs designed for a larger audience, and/or the sponsorship of educational
programs open to the whole Fraternity/Sorority or University.
Advising
Each chapter must maintain an active and involved advisor who attends chapter meetings on a regular
basis, has consistent meetings with chapter officers, and must attend at least two advisor meetings per
semester sponsored by the Student Leadership and Involvement Area of Reeve Union.
Council Involvement
Each chapter is expected to actively participate in its appropriate council. Including, but not limited to
having delegates attend all council meetings and participate in discussion (including updating the
council on chapter operations and updating the chapter on council events and business), chapter
members attend council events, and have the correct representatives present at all mandatory events
(Greek Leadership Academy, Emerging Greek Leaders Institute, roundtables, workshops, etc.).
New Members
1) Each chapter shall operate a new member education program that completes all education during a
single semester and over a period of no more than 12 weeks or the standard established by the
Inter/National Headquarters, if less. The program content shall be consistent with that established by
the Inter/National Headquarters. Delaying or extending initiation of new members may only be done
with prior, joint approval of the Student Leadership and Involvement Area of Reeve Union and the
Inter/National Headquarters.
2) Those chapter members with the responsibility of educating new members (New Member Educator,
etc.) are required to meet with the Program Advisor for Greek Life prior to the start of the new member
process to review their new member education program each semester.
3) 80% of chapter’s new members are required to attend the new member workshops sponsored by the
Student Leadership and Involvement Area of Reeve Union (excused absences will only be granted in
extreme circumstances and with at least 24 hours notice).
Financial Management
Each chapter must be in good standing with their Inter/National Headquarters, Council, Alumni/Housing
Corporations, and the University with regard to financial obligations and operate under a chapter
budget certified as sound and responsible by the chapter advisor, Alumni/Housing Corporation, and
Inter/National Headquarters.
In Compliance
Each chapter must document that they are in compliance with the expectations and policies of their
Inter/National Headquarters, Council, Federal, State, and Local law and codes, and for those with
landlords, their House Corporations.
Administrative Management
Each chapter must be in good standing with the Student Leadership and Involvement Area of Reeve
Union and the Oshkosh Student Association, completing all necessary paperwork in its entirety within
the designated deadlines and complying with all University policies. Each chapter is responsible for
keeping their chapter information updated each semester (including the Membership Roster, new
members, advisors, etc.).
Conduct
Each chapter is expected to promote conduct, which represents the ideals of the respective
fraternity/sorority and the values of the University. Chapters are expected to show evidence of internal
judicial procedures designed to address inappropriate conduct of its members. Chapters are also
accountable to the appropriate council’s Constitution & Bylaws and the University’s Code of Conduct
and may, as an organization, be found responsible and sanctioned for conduct prohibited according to
the code.
Social Responsibility
Social activities are an integral part of Fraternity/Sorority Life. Each chapter must plan and manage all
social functions with reasonable management of foreseeable risks. Each chapter must abide by any
applicable Inter/National, coordinating council, national, state, local, and/or University policies and
educate the chapter membership of such policies (including FIPG Risk Management Policies).
National Status
Each new chapter must be affiliated and in good standing with an Inter/National Fraternity or Sorority
organization. Furthermore, Inter/National Headquarters will send a representative, either staff or
volunteer, to campus at least once a year to certify that their chapter at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is abiding by standards established by their Inter/National Organization. Exceptions will be
granted by the Program Advisor for Greek Life for extreme circumstances.
Adopted November 5, 2008 for implementation starting in the spring 2009 semester
Updated December 2009.