Washington University in St. Louis- Student Involvement and
Leadership
Fraternity and Sorority Life
Standards Board
Philosophy of the Greek Standards Process .............................................................................................. 2
Greek Standards Process ......................................................................................................................................... 2
Greek Standards Board .............................................................................................................................................. 2
Definition of Terms ................................................................................................................................................... 4
Intake Meetings............................................................................................................................................................. 5
Hearing Rules ................................................................................................................................................................. 7
Sanctioning Guidelines ............................................................................................................................................ 9
Documentation ............................................................................................................................................................. 9
Educational Programming ..................................................................................................................................... 9
Warning ............................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Review ............................................................................................................................................................................ 10
Organizational Probation ................................................................................................................................. 11
Suspension................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Rescinding of Recognition ............................................................................................................................... 12
Appeals .............................................................................................................................................................................. 13
Sanctions Determined by Hearing Panel .................................................................................................. 13
Sanctions Determined at Intake Meeting................................................................................................ 13
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Philosophy of the Greek Standards Process
 To regard each situation with individual attention, consideration, and
respect.
 To consider the facts fully and carefully before resolving any case.
 To speak candidly and honestly to each chapter.
 To hold each organization to a high standard of behavior, both to protect
the campus community and to promote student ethical development.
 To recognize the reality of human fallibility, as well as the stresses
associated with collegiate life, and to demonstrate compassion and
understanding.
 To contribute to the educational mission of the University by designing
policies, conducting programs, and offering instruction that contribute to
the ethical development of students.
Greek Standards Process
The Greek Standards process is based on the belief that individual and group
responsibility is a part of the educational process at Washington University.
Upholding community standards can be helpful to students and chapters in
encouraging and promoting individual responsibility and self-discipline,
protecting the rights, freedoms and safety of members of the Washington
University community and promoting respect for the rights of others. Chapters
appearing before the Standards Board are not entitled to have legal counsel
appear with them at any stage of the investigation or hearing process. The
purposes of the Greek Standards process are:
1. To provide an equitable, educationally valid process resulting in
appropriate decisions that hold organizations accountable for their actions;
2. To establish basic procedural rights of the involved organizations;
3. To protect the rights of members of the college community;
4. To promote the development of individual and group integrity;
5. To uphold the co-curricular rules, Greek Community Standards, and
policies/procedures of the University.
Greek Standards Board
The Standards Board will be appointed at the beginning of each academic year to
hear Greek organizations conduct cases. The Standards Board will consist of
Greek students who receive ongoing training regarding issues involving student
conduct and community standards. (Each chapter will select one member to serve.)
Hearing Panels will be appointed by the Executive Director of Campus Life to hear
cases involving Greek chapters. A Hearing Panel is composed of seven members of
the Standards Board and will hear cases involving charges brought against a
fraternity or sorority chapter.
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The IFC/WPA Executive Committee will appoint/elect hearing chairs each year to
organize, administrate and chair the Hearing Panel for each case. The chair is
ex officio and remains neutral during the case and deliberations.
Students may not serve on a hearing board when their chapter is being charged
and/or sanctioned. The absence of not more than one member of a seven or five
person hearing board shall not be cause for delay or adjournment of a hearing.
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Definition of Terms
1. Greek Standards Board: consists of students who receive training regarding
issues involving student and organizational misconduct. Hearing Panels will
be appointed by the Standards Chairs in consultation with the Executive
Director of Campus Life.
2. Guest: any non-Washington University individual who is present on
University premises or at a University or chapter sponsored activity. A
student is considered to be hosting a guest, if the guest is present in the
student’s residence, is responsible for the guest for a given period of
time, or has invited the guest to campus.
3. Distribution: giving, exchanging or selling.
4. Hearing Panel: are comprised of members from the Greek community. A
hearing panel that hears cases will be composed of seven members selected
from Standards Board members.
5. Hosting: refers to any Washington University community member or
organizations that formally or informally provide space for students, guests
or functions. A student is responsible as the host for his or her assigned
residence and may be held accountable for violations occurring in the
residence regardless of his or her presence.
6. Organization:
a group consisting of a number of persons who have followed
the University requirements for recognition.
7. Possession: holding, having on or about one’s person, having in one’s room
or living area, or having in one’s vehicle.
8. Providing: to furnish, supply or make available to another individual.
9. Respondent: an organization spokesperson or individual charged with a
violation of University policy.
10.
Student: any person pursuing studies at the University, including:
(a) a person not currently enrolled who was enrolled in the fall or spring
term at the time of the alleged violation; or (b) a person who, while not
currently enrolled, has been enrolled in the University and may reasonably
be expected to seek enrollment at a future date; or (c) an accepted student
who has paid a deposit.
11.
University premises: buildings or grounds owned, leased, operated,
controlled, affiliated with or supervised by Washington University.
12.
University-sponsored activity: any activity, on or off campus, which
is initiated, aided, authorized or supervised by the University or by any
groups recognized by the University.
13.
Weapon: any object or substance capable of inflicting a wound or
causing injury, including, but not limited to firearms, pellet guns, BB
guns, switchblade or gravity knives, clubs, blackjacks or brass knuckles,
ice picks or paddles.
14.
Intake Meetings: take place with a Student Involvement and Leadership
staff member to discuss a pending judicial case.
15.
Administrative Hearing: most often utilized when the Standards
Process and/or a Hearing Panel is unable to hear a case and/or issue
sanctions. However, in certain cases, the Greek Standards process may be
by-passed at the discretion of the Executive Director of Campus Life.
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Intake Meetings
Frequently Asked Questions about Intake Meetings
1.
What does the charge letter mean?
If the University receives information that there has been an alleged policy or
community standards violation, follow up is needed. This charge letter is a way
to let the respondent know what the alleged policy violations are. It also
highlights information in the Student Code or Social Management Policy that may
be helpful. This letter does not mean the chapter is automatically responsible
for a violation, but there is information that needs to be discussed. National
Headquarters will be copied on all official correspondence within 24 to 48 hours
after the chapter has received it.
2.
What happens next?
The chapter will have an intake meeting with a Student Involvement and Leadership
staff member. This meeting allows you the opportunity to ask questions, clarify
information, describe circumstances, and accurately share information related to
this incident.
3.
How should a respondent prepare for the Intake meeting?
We encourage you to take ownership for the choices you have made and be honest
about your involvement in a situation. An open dialogue allows an opportunity
for mutual respect between you and the staff member.
4.
What will we talk about in this meeting?
First, the staff member will review the Greek Standards process with the chapter
so the chapter knows what options it has and can make informed decisions.
Second, the chapter has an opportunity to read a summary of the report associated
with the incident. Third, the chapter will have a conversation about the alleged
policy violation and issues surrounding this incident. Finally, the chapter will
be asked to either admit or deny violating the allegation.
5.
What happens if my chapter admits violating a policy?
The staff member will either send the case to the Standards Chair for a
sanctioning hearing or, in some cases, determine the appropriate sanction using
the guidelines in this document.
6.
What happens if a chapter denies violating a policy?
You will have the opportunity to share your information in a Greek Standards
hearing. A typical Hearing Panel will consist of seven students. During your
initial meeting, the Student Involvement and Leadership staff member can share
more information about hearing procedures and answer any questions you may have
about the process.
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7.
If a chapter denies, does it have to automatically go to a Standards hearing?
If the information in your initial meeting clearly shows that you are not
responsible, then charges can be dropped or alternative actions may be taken.
All other situations will go before the Standards Board so the information can be
considered before a board of Greek community members.
8.
Are all sanctions punitive?
It is our hope that the Standards process is an educational experience. The
conversations chapters will have are intended to address campus expectations and
discuss educational concepts related to accountability. As students and
organizations at Washington University, you have many rights and freedoms, as
well as increased responsibility. Sanctions are designed to address educational
issues as well as support community expectations.
9.
How are sanctions determined?
The Hearing Panels have general sanctioning guidelines.
Specific sanctions are
determined based on the severity of the incident, the presence of any previous
violations, and the specific details of the incident. Sanctions are tailored to
address the unique circumstances of the incident.
10.
What if my chapter feels it is not responsible for violating this policy?
Then share this perspective at your intake meeting, with the staff member,
clarify what the charges mean, and ask questions about the policy. One of the
reasons to have a Standards process is to provide organizations a process that
offers organizations procedural rights and a mechanism to hear their perspective.
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Hearing Rules
These hearing rules apply to proceedings involving Greek organizations.
Whenever a hearing is to be held regarding an alleged violation of the
University’s Judicial Code, Greek Community Standards, or Social Management
Policy, the charged organization (“respondent”) will be given adequate notice of
the charges and of the date and time of the hearing. Failure of the respondent
to attend the hearing may result in the case being heard in the respondent’s
absence.
All hearings will be closed.
their testimony.
Witnesses may attend during the actual time of
All relevant information will be admissible. The Standards Chair, in
consultation with the board, will determine relevance of information presented.
It is the responsibility of the Panel to consider impartially all relevant
testimony and evidence, determine the facts, and determine appropriate sanctions
if the chapter is found responsible for the alleged violation.
All evidence and testimony presented to the Hearing Panel is expected to be
truthful, accurate and complete. Failure to give truthful and complete testimony
at a hearing may result in additional charges and sanctions.
Hearings are administrative, rather than criminal, in nature. The Panel is
expected to weigh the evidence and determine responsibility based on a
preponderance of evidence.
The order of presentation of the hearing will normally be as follow:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Introductions and reading of the charge(s) by the Chair,
Opening statements by the respondent
Presentation of witnesses supporting the charge, if applicable
Presentation of witnesses by the respondent, if applicable
Hearing panel questions of the respondent
Closing statements by respondent
Following the hearing, the Panel will meet in private session to deliberate
whether the respondent is responsible for the charge based on the board’s
judgment based upon a preponderance of the evidence. A Student Involvement and
Leadership staff member serves as an ex officio member of the Hearing Panel and
will be available as a resource person but will not participate in the
deliberations.
A majority vote determines the outcome. In the event of a tie vote, the outcome
of the hearing will be determined as not responsible.
If the respondent is found responsible for the violation, the Panel will
determine a sanction and will take into consideration any prior violations.
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When the decision is reached, the Hearing Chair will prepare written
notification.
The respondent will then receive written notification of the decision of the
Panel within seven (7) working days of the hearing. This notification also will
include information on the appeal process.
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Sanctioning Guidelines
Any combination of the following sanctions or other sanctions may be imposed
through the community standards process. Multiple and/or repeated violations can
result in increased sanctions up to and including withdrawing University
recognition. The sanctions listed are not inclusive but merely serve as
guidelines.
Documentation
A written record documenting that an incident occurred. Documentation is not a
decision on chapter responsibility. However, documentation may be considered if
future violations arise as the chapter has already received information and
notification that action is a violation of University policy.
Educational Programming
The goal of this alternative is to promote safety and education by creating and
presenting solution-focused information to chapters in engaging ways. Actively
involving representatives from the chapter in co-designing the educational
conversation will allow tailored programming that addresses the specific problems
that resulted in policy violations.
Restitution
Compensation for loss, damage or injury. This may take the form of appropriate
University service and/or monetary or material replacement.
Fine
A monetary penalty for property damage, theft or other violations that result in
inconvenience or cost to others. The type of sanction (ie. Warning, Review,
Suspension) dictates the minimum and maximum level of fine which can be given.
Warning
A written reprimand of the chapter’s actions and warns against any future
violations of University policy. Warning level violations may carry educational
sanctions and a fine of up to $250.
Violations warranting warning include, but are not limited to:
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Noise violations
Alcohol violations that have low risk or secondary impact
Alcohol violations in which chapter can demonstrate safety management
practices
Residence hall disruptions
Campus or neighborhood disruption
Incidents with minimal chapter involvement
Unregistered non-alcohol party
Inappropriate organization marketing materials/attire
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Review
Moderate and/or first time violations of the Judicial Code of Conduct will result
in the chapter being placed on Chapter Review. Chapter Review is a period of
observation in which the sanctions for the chapter will focus on education,
guidelines and requirements being implemented to assist the chapter in corrective
actions associated with the violation. The length of the review period for
chapters will typically range from four weeks to twelve weeks, and may extend to
a full semester. Fines for chapters on probation may range from $250 to $500.
Substance and social guidelines may be put in place for the chapter during the
review period. These may include, but are not limited to:
 The requirement to implement additional safety management guidelines at
registered events
 The requirement to utilize third party vendors at registered events;
 Stricter attendance restrictions
 The requirement to host a non-alcoholic event prior to registering an event
with alcohol.
When chapters are placed on Review, if applicable, there will be automatic
notification of the chapter’s advisor and respective governing council. National
headquarters will also be notified of a chapter being placed on Review.
Violations warranting Review include, but are not limited to:
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Violations after receiving a Formal Warning
Multiple lower level violations during same incident
Repeated noise violations
Unauthorized entry/use of University premises or chapter
Unregistered parties with alcohol
Possession of common containers
Low level fire safety violations
Organization to organization “pranks” that violate University policy or
community standards
Alcohol violations after chapter has received Warning for alcohol violations
Lewd, indecent, obscene behavior
Destruction of property
Alcohol violations that result in high level of harm or secondary effect and
chapter can document and verify the implementation of proper safety
management initiatives
Low level alcohol violations in which chapter was not implementing proper
safety management initiatives
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Organizational Probation
Repetitive and serious and/or major violations of the Judicial Code of Conduct
and Social Management Policy will result in Probation. Probation is a period of
oversight and significant restrictions and requirements may be put in place.
Prior to the end of the probationary period, the president of the organization is
required to schedule a probation assessment meeting with the chair of its Hearing
Board or their designee. The probationary period will not end until the
conditions of the probation have been met. Any additional violations or failure
to comply with requirements stipulated during this period can result in
suspension or an increase in the length, severity or requirements of the
probation. The length of the probationary period for organizations may range
from four weeks to one full year. Fines for organizations on probation may range
from $500 to $750.
Social restrictions while an organization is on probation may include:
 no chapter parties or co-sponsored events with alcohol;
 no chapter parties or co-sponsored events;
 loss of chapter and campus-wide social privileges except
service/philanthropy and intramurals;
 loss of chapter and campus-wide social privileges except
service/philanthropy.
When chapters are placed on Probation the chapter’s national headquarters, alumni
governing council, chapter advisor and respective governing council will be
notified.
Violations warranting probation include, but are not limited to:
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Drug violations, organization sponsored or enabled
Multiple major violations during same incident
Violations of the hazing policy
Conduct that threatens/endangers the safety of others
Harassment, threats, intimidation
Physical assault
Major fire safety violations
Failure to comply
Falsification, distortion or misrepresentation of facts, information and/or
documents
Multiple significant violations during same incident
Repetitive pattern of alcohol violations
Alcohol violations that result in high level of harm or secondary effects
and organization was not implementing proper risk management initiatives
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Suspension
The second most severe violation of the Judicial Code of Conduct and Social
Management Policy by a chapter will result in suspension from the University for
a minimum of one full academic year up to four full academic years. Any
additional violations or failure to comply with other requirements stipulated
during this period may result in expulsion. During suspension, the
organization’s recognition will be conditional.
Violations warranting expulsion or suspension include, but are not limited to:
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Violations while on Probation
Multiple significant violations during same incident
Hazing, direct harm to others
Conduct that threatens or endangers the safety of others
Harassment, threats, intimidation
Physical assault
Major alcohol violations without proper safety management
Alcohol violations that result in significant harm or secondary affects
Drugs, organization provided, distributed, or enabled
Rescinding of Recognition
The most severe violation of the Judicial Code of Conduct and Social Management
Plan by a chapter will result in dismissal and permanent separation from the
University for a minimum of four years.
University property/facilities restrictions
Chapter may be restricted from certain University facilities or property for a
definite period of time.
Loss of Chapter House
Separation of the chapter from the living unity for a definite period of time,
after which the members are eligible to return. Conditions for readmission may
be specified.
Loss of privileges
Denial of specified privileges for a designated period of time.
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Appeals
Standards decisions may be appealed to the Executive Director of Campus Life.
Appeals must be filed in writing with the Executive Director of Campus Life
within three days of receiving the written notification of the decision.
The Executive Director of Campus Life will decide whether or not there is a basis
for appeal and, if so, upon consideration of the appeal may change any
determination. The decision of the Executive Director of Campus Life is final,
subject only to review by the Associate Vice Chancellor of Students/Dean of
Campus Life.
Sanctions Determined by Hearing Panel
The respondent or the University may appeal the decision of the Hearing Panel
based on one or more of the following:
1. New evidence not reasonably available at the time of the original hearing,
the absence of which can be shown to have affected the outcome; or
2. Procedural error that can be shown to have affected the outcome of the
hearing; or
3. Errors in the interpretation of the University policy so substantial as to
deny either party a fair hearing.
Sanctions Determined at Intake Meeting
Sanctions determined in an intake meeting may be appealed to the Executive
Director of Campus Life in consultation with the Associate Vice Chancellor of
Students/Dean of Campus Life.
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