LADDER OF RISK:
MGC/NPHC
EDITION
What is FIPG?
The letters FIPG have become well known through out the Fraternity and
Sorority Life community. FIPG has become the standard of Risk Management
for nearly every Fraternity and Sorority.
FIPG is more than just risk management. It is the document for our members
to reduce our risks as an organization and as individuals.
At first glace the FIPG Policy can be very
Intimidating.
When boiled down, it is simply a way to STAY
LOW ON THE LADDER OF RISK.
Each time we violate one of the guidelines, we
climb up a rung on the ladder and increase the
chance that a fall from the ladder will harm
our organization.
RUNG ONE
The possession, sale, use, or consumption of alcoholic
beverages during a chapter event, in any situation
sponsored or endorsed by the chapter or at any event an
observer would associate with the fraternity must be in
compliance with any and all applicable laws of the state,
city, and institution of higher education, and must comply
with either BYOB or third party vendor guidelines.
RUNG ONE
The possession, sale, use, or consumption of alcoholic
beverages during a chapter event, in any situation
sponsored or endorsed by the chapter or at any event an
observer would associate with the fraternity must be in
compliance with any and all applicable laws of the state,
city, and institution of higher education, and must comply
with either BYOB or third party vendor guidelines.
RUNG ONE
The possession, sale, use, or consumption of alcoholic
beverages during a chapter event, in any situation
sponsored or endorsed by the chapter or at any event an
observer would associate with the fraternity must be in
compliance with any and all applicable laws of the state,
city, and institution of higher education, and must comply
with either BYOB or third party vendor guidelines.
RUNG ONE
The possession, sale, use, or consumption of alcoholic
beverages during a chapter event, in any situation
sponsored or endorsed by the chapter or at any event an
observer would associate with the fraternity must be in
compliance with any and all applicable laws of the state,
city, and institution of higher education, and must comply
with either BYOB or third party vendor guidelines.
RUNG ONE
Simple: DRINKING AGE IS 21 in all states and anyone (a
member or guest) who consumes alcoholic beverages
underage runs the risk of trouble.
In addition, chapter events ( Which can be any event an
observer would associate with the chapter) with alcohol
present must abide by BYOB or 3rd party vendor
guidelines. Simply put chapters do not have a liquor
liscenses.
Anything else is a set up the ladder.
RUNG TWO
No alcoholic beverages may be purchased through or with
chapter funds nor may the purchase of same for members
or guests be undertaken or coordinated by any member in
the name of or on behalf of the chapter. The purchase or
use of a bulk quantity or common source(s) of alcoholic
beverage, for example, kegs or cases, is prohibited.
RUNG TWO
There is a major risk when chapters purchase or
coordinate the purchase of alcohol.
This includes drink specials at 3rd party events or free
drinks for members at events.
What is wrong
with this flyer
based on Rung
Two?
RUNG THREE
OPEN PARTIES, meaning those with
unrestricted access by non-members of the
fraternity, without specific invitation, where
alcohol is present, are forbidden.
RUNG THREE
NO OPEN PARTIES!
In order to decrease risk events with
alcohol MUST HAVE A GUEST LIST
and non-members of the Fraternity must
have an invitation or have bought a ticket.
Know who your guests are.
RUNG THREE
What is wrong
with this flyer
based on Rung
Three?
RUNG FOUR
No members, collectively or individually,
shall purchase for, serve to, or sell alcoholic
beverages to any minor (i.e., those under
legal drinking age).
RUNG FOUR
Don’t break the law!
(Should be pretty easy)
RUNG FIVE
The possession, sale or use of any
ILLEGAL DRUGS or CONTROLLED
SUBSTANCES during a chapter event or
at any event that an observer would
associate with the chapter is strictly
prohibited.
RUNG FIVE
Don’t break the law!
(Should be pretty easy)
RUNG SIX
No chapter may co-sponsor an event with an alcohol
distributor or tavern (tavern defined as an establishment
generating more than half of annual gross sales from
alcohol) at which alcohol is given away, sold or otherwise
provided to those present. This includes any event held in,
at or on the property of a tavern as defined above for
purposes of fundraising. However, a chapter may rent or
use a room or area in a tavern as defined above for a
closed event held within the provisions of this policy,
including the use of a third party vendor and guest list.
An event at which alcohol is present may be conducted or
co-sponsored with a charitable organization if the event is
held within the provisions of this policy.
RUNG SIX
No Co-Sponsoring! What does this look like?
When clubs and bars offer to pay for extras such as flyers,
or drink specials.
RUNG SEVEN
No chapter may co-sponsor, co-finance or attend or
participate in a function at which alcohol is purchased by
any of the host chapters, groups or organizations.
RUNG SEVEN
Any chapter co-hosting or co-financing an event with
another chapter or student group is liable for an incident
where alcohol is purchased if any of the groups do the
purchasing. That means the chapter SHARES THE
RISK even if they follow all of the other FIPG
guidelines.
RUNG EIGHT
All INTAKE activities associated with any chapter will be
non-alcoholic. No INTAKE activities associated with any
chapter may be held at or in conjunction with a tavern or
alcohol distributor as defined in this policy.
RUNG EIGHT
Don’t mix neo activities/intake activities with alcohol.
What about new member shows?
If members drink prior or to after new member shows, this is alcohol at a new
member event.
RUNG NINE
No member or pledge, associate/new member or novice
shall permit, tolerate, encourage or participate in "drinking
games”. The definition of drinking games includes but is
not limited to the consumption of shots of alcohol,
liquor or alcoholic beverages, the practice of consuming
shots equating to one’s age, “beer pong”, “century club”,
“dares” or any other activity involving the consumption
of alcohol which involves duress or encouragement
related to the consumption of alcohol.
RUNG NINE
NO DRINKING GAMES
Just like bulk quantity “DRINKING GAMES” ENCOURAGE HIGH RISK
DRINKING which increases the risk of an accident. Chapters that do not
permit drinking games reduce their risk.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE
EVENTS?
SO WHAT DOES THIS ALL BOIL
DOWN TO?
Events can take place at a third party vendor
Must be a guest list/ticket sale list
The space must be secured for your chapter event only – cannot be a general
population party/event
If charging to attend the party, tickets can be sold in Break Point Games Room
No ticket sales at the door
The chapter cannot make money off of the bar sales
HAZING
No chapter, colony, student or alumnus shall conduct nor condone hazing
activities. Hazing activities are defined as:
"Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off fraternity
premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment,
or ridicule. Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: use of
alcohol; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and
psychological shocks; quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any
other such activities carried on outside or inside of the confines of the chapter
house; wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good
taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating
games and activities; and any other activities which are not consistent with
academic achievement, fraternal law, ritual or policy or the regulations and
policies of the educational institution or applicable state law."
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
Hazing is any action taken or situation created intentionally:
that causes embarrassment, harassment or ridicule
risks emotional and/or physical harm to members of an group or team
whether new or not, regardless of the person's willingness to participate
Still confused? Ask yourself these questions:
Would I feel comfortable participating in this activity if my parents were watching?
Would we get in trouble if the Dean of Students walked by?
Am I being asked to keep these activities a secret?
Am I doing anything illegal?
Does participation violate my values or those of my organization?
Is it causing emotional distress or stress of any kind to myself or others?
If someone were injured, would I feel comfortable being investigated by the
insurance carrier?
When I apply for jobs, can I take the onus of having a criminal arrest on my record?
TRUTHS ABOUT HAZING
Can you haze someone who is not yet in an official process?
Can you haze someone who has already completed process?
HAZING AT VCU
Theta Delta Chi – 2001
Hazing
Kappa Sigma – 2008
Hazing
Alpha Kappa Alpha – 2010
Inappropriate contact outside of approved MIP
Sigma Gamma Rho – 2011
Hazing
VIRGINIA HAZING LAW
§ 18.2-56. Hazing unlawful; civil and criminal liability; duty of school, etc., officials
It shall be unlawful to haze, or otherwise mistreat so as to cause bodily injury, any
student at any school, college, or university.
Any person found guilty thereof shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, unless the
injury would be such as to constitute a felony, and in that event the punishment shall
be inflicted as is otherwise provided by law for the punishment of such felony.
Any person receiving bodily injury by hazing or mistreatment shall have a right to sue,
civilly, the person or persons guilty thereof, whether adults or infants.
The president, or other presiding official of any school, college or university, receiving
appropriations from the state treasury shall, upon satisfactory proof of the guilt of any
student found guilty of hazing or mistreating another student so as to cause bodily
injury, expel such student so found guilty, and shall make report thereof to the attorney
for the Commonwealth of the county or city in which such school, college or
university is, who shall present the same to the grand jury of such city or county
convened next after such report is made to him.
IMPLICATIONS
No tolerance policy on any hazing activities where the chapter is found
responsible
If you don’t know . . . Ask
Many activities can be re-worked so that they are not hazing or so that they do not
break the policies and procedures outlined by the council, university or your
organization
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Hazing is everyone’s problem. At HazingPrevention.Org, our mission is to empower
people to prevent hazing. How can you be empowered? First, understand what hazing
is and be able to recognize it. Second, take responsibility when you see it occurring or
when it happens to you by reporting it immediately. Third, make others aware of what
hazing is and their responsibility for preventing its occurrence. Finally, use the
resources, programs and services we offer at HazingPrevention.Org and help support
our efforts by becoming a sponsor, donor or volunteer for our organization.
Hazing is everyone’s responsibility.
Virtually every college or university, school, national governing body, athletic
department, fraternity/sorority, organization and workplace has an anti-hazing policy
and most have procedures for reporting violations. If you don’t know what those are,
ask an administrator or executive.
The most important thing you can do is report it. Don’t be a bystander. Right now, 44
states have laws against hazing. Find out if yours is one of them: Hazing Statutes
You can call the national toll-free anti-hazing hotline at 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888668-4293). If you have an iPhone, you can use the free GIN Anti-Hazing iPhone App.
To learn more about the app, visit http://info.theginsystem.com/antihazing/
QUESTIONS