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ALCOHOL/DRUG POLICY
Phi Sigma Sigma and its member chapters are concerned about the use and/or abuse of alcoholic beverages and drugs on college campuses.
The dangers of use and/or abuse of alcohol and drugs to individuals, groups, the Greek system and the campus community are becoming increasingly evident.
An affirmative program to deal with the problem will be effective only through common consent and unified action;
Therefore, the following shall be adhered to by all Phi Sigma Sigma chapters, colonies and members:
- The possession, sale or use of illegal drugs is never permissible in any situation.
- The sale or abuse of prescription medication is prohibited. Further, the abuse of over the counter medication is prohibited.
- The possession, use, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages on the premises of any chapter house, suite, or dorm floor is prohibited.
- Moderation in consumption of alcoholic beverages is encouraged and shall be practiced.
- Members shall not wear apparel or insignia that readily identifies them as members of Phi Sigma Sigma when consuming alcoholic beverages.
- Alternative food and non-alcoholic beverages shall be provided at any Phi Sigma Sigma event where alcohol is available for purchase.
- Alcoholic beverages shall be prohibited at all membership recruitment functions including 24 hours after the first bid is distributed on bid day or as otherwise stipulated by the College Panhellenic Association.
- No chapter funds shall be used, directly or indirectly, to purchase alcoholic beverages or to pay for the dispensing of alcoholic beverages. (For example: an event funded by chapter monies or individuals within the chapter cannot involve an “open bar.”)
- There shall be no solicitation, sponsorship or encouragement of alcohol consumption through any contest, promotion, fund raiser or philanthropy in any chapter. Collegiate chapter events may not be held in “bars” of any type that serve alcohol to the general public.
- All sisters and guests attending any off-campus function sponsored by Phi Sigma Sigma are obligated to obey all rules, regulations and laws set forth by the university, state and/or local municipality regarding alcohol possession, consumption and codes of behavior.
- At such off-campus functions:
- Designated individuals shall abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages during the event and shall be responsible for the enforcement of the aforementioned rules, regulations and laws.
- Alternate transportation (i.e., bus, van or similar vehicle) to and from the event must be provided by the chapter.
- Each chapter shall develop and implement an alcohol/drug use/abuse educational program for chapter sisters at least once a year.
- This program should be integrated into the chapter's existing Reflections program.
- The chapter is encouraged to make this program available to the campus and community.
ANTI-HAZING POLICY
Hazing is against the law; therefore, all forms of hazing are prohibited.
Hazing is defined as any action taken or situation created, with or without consent, intentionally or unintentionally, whether on or off Fraternity premises, that endangers the life or safety of a member or has the potential to cause bodily injury, that produces mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule. Such activities and situations include creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; wearing apparel that is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and jokes; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; late night sessions which interfere with scholastic activities; and any other activities that are not consistent with the regulations and policies of the educational institution.
Phi Sigma Sigma believes in member development – not hazing. The objective of member development is to develop a dynamic sisterhood. Member development should promote interest in Phi Sigma Sigma and be positive, informative and enjoyable. Member development should embody the principles of our ritual and core values.
All member activities should accomplish one or more of the following goals:
- Help members become better acquainted with each other.
- Help members learn about life, the university, community, the chapter and self.
- Help members to learn about Phi Sigma Sigma, its core values, ritual and traditions.
- Help members involve themselves in the work and success of the chapter.
- Help members learn about group interaction.
- Help members further develop leadership skills and accountability.
It is a responsibility of all members to report any hazing incidents to Phi Sigma Sigma Headquarters.
HUMAN
DIGNITY POLICY
Phi Sigma Sigma supports the statement on human dignity and sexual harassment endorsed by the National Panhellenic Conference member groups, “that college women should have a positive influence in the direction and achievements of the university community and that activities should promote self-worth, human dignity and a positive Greek image.”
The dignity of the individual is a basic element of a civilized society.
Individual self-worth is a necessary factor in establishing healthy relationship.
All activities, including acts of hazing, activities based in a negative manner on gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age or disability and competitive games that are destructive, demeaning or abusive, promote a negative image of the Greek community.
Participation in such activities that are demeaning to the individual do not promote a sense of self-worth nor a positive Greek image, and do not reflect the high standards, core values and ideals maintained by Phi Sigma Sigma.
Therefore, Phi Sigma Sigma does not endorse or support activities that are demeaning in nature, do not respect the dignity of the individual, cause disharmony among NPC groups or whose purpose is counterproductive.
Further, Phi Sigma Sigma advocates education on the Fraternity and chapter level to promote positive self-esteem.
OVERNIGHT POLICY
Phi Sigma Sigma and its member chapters are concerned about the welfare and safety of the individual members at overnight social activities.
Phi Sigma Sigma supports the National Panhellenic Conference resolution which discourages overnight social activities.
Overnight social activities can increase the Fraternity's host liability - on both a chapter and Fraternity level – and could reflect negatively on Phi Sigma Sigma and the Greek community.
Phi Sigma Sigma recognizes that not all campuses and college communities present suitable facilities for large groups.
Therefore, Phi Sigma Sigma requires that each chapter and colony adhere to the following regarding overnight accommodations:
- Make every effort to hold all social functions, except those that are rededication/appreciation activities for members only (e.g., Founders' Day celebration, Leadership Conference or Convention), in the college community area where overnight accommodations are not necessary.
- Whenever a social event must be held away from the campus community, the chapter must provide group transportation to and from the social function.
“LITTLE SISTERS” AND
“LITTLE BROTHERS” POLICY
Phi Sigma Sigma holds as one of its highest ideals the advancement of womanhood.
Auxiliary groups, organized by fraternal chapters commonly referred to as “Little Sisters” and “Little Brothers,” or the equivalent thereof, are inconsistent with the concept and philosophies of human dignity and self-esteem.
Phi Sigma Sigma believes that these groups inhibit the accomplishments of chapters by:
- Diverting resources of time, effort and money, which are needed for chapter operations and programming
- Distracting chapter members in the performance of essential duties such as membership recruitment and member development
The North American Interfraternity Conference, the Fraternity Executives Association and several inter/national fraternities have taken a position against “Little Sister” groups.
Therefore, Phi Sigma Sigma believes that auxiliary groups are not a desirable addition to the collegiate chapters of women's and men's fraternities and therefore requires that members and chapters to eliminate participation in such organizations.
Further, no Phi Sigma Sigma chapter or colony shall have its own “Little Brother” group or serve as “Little Sisters” to any organization.
MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT POLICY
Excellence in membership recruitment is a reflection of the high standards and ideals for which Phi Sigma Sigma continuously strives.
Such excellence is reflected in the consistent increase in membership up to the chapter's maximum recruitment potential as determined by the Panhellenic/Intersorority Council (ISC), campus, and/or Fraternity.
The preservation of the integrity of the recruitment process reflects the basic tenets of the ritual and traditions of Phi Sigma Sigma.
Phi Sigma Sigma recognizes and supports the recruitment guidelines set forth by the member groups of the National Panhellenic Conference and the greater Greek world's practices of fairness and ethical conduct.
A standard of recruitment excellence is best achieved through common and unified recruitment practices.
Therefore, the following practices and policies shall be implemented by Phi Sigma Sigma chapters and colonies:
- Each chapter will submit a recruitment plan and a marketing plan for the upcoming semester at the close of each semester. Plans will be submitted to membership managers and applicable Fraternity personnel. Membership managers will coordinate feedback on plans, which will be provided to the chapter three weeks before the semester begins.
- Each chapter must strive to obtain maximum recruitment potential through the formal/primary recruitment period. If maximum recruitment potential is not attained during the formal/primary recruitment period, the chapter will implement continuous recruitment (CR) until maximum recruitment potential has been attained.
- When no Total figure is set by a Panhellenic/ISC or where no Panhellenic/ISC exists, the executive director, in conjunction with the membership manager, will set Total based upon the following factors: the number of sisters and/or new members who transfer out of the chapter, graduate and/or are no longer active from the previous year's roster; the size of the other groups on campus; and an appropriate growth factor as determined by the executive director, in conjunction with the membership manager.
- Where necessary, a chapter recruitment task force will be assigned to provide support and guidance for any chapter in need of additional support to reach maximum recruitment potential.
- During a formal/primary Panhellenic/ISC recruitment period when there is a round robin/open house/tour series of events followed by invitational parties and preference, the chapter will invite all prospective members back to the first round of invitational events, unless such a practice is specifically prohibited by the Panhellenic/ISC.
- All voting on prospective members must be conducted by secret ballot.
- Only sisters who have met a prospective member during membership recruitment may cast a ballot on that prospective member, except final preference list balloting following the preference events(s).
- All prospective members who accept a bid must sign a written bid acceptance card.
- A legacy is the daughter, sister, granddaughter or, through marriage, the daughter, sister, or granddaughter of a Phi Sigma Sigma. When a chapter is made aware or is aware of a verified (by the chapter membership recruitment chairman contacting Headquarters) legacy participating in the recruitment process, the legacy must be accorded special consideration as a courtesy to the soror. Special consideration is defined as being invited to all invitational events before the preference party unless the chapter has determined that the legacy is definitely not a suitable prospective member or the legacy has chosen not to accept an invitation to return to an event. If the chapter makes the determination not to consider the legacy for membership, that decision must be approved by the chapter key advisor (or membership recruitment advisor) after consultation with the membership manager. In no instance should a legacy be denied an invitation to at least one invitational event after round robin/open house/tours during a Panhellenic/ISC recruitment period. At any point during the recruitment period when the chapter and their chapter key advisor concur that a legacy is not a suitable prospective member, the membership manager, in consultation with the community archon, must determine if the soror contacted the chapter or Fraternity regarding the legacy and, if so, the chapter key advisor or membership manager must communicate with the soror. If the concern of the chapter is that the legacy has expressed strong interest in another sorority and lesser interest in Phi Sigma Sigma, recruitment efforts should be increased.
MULTICULTURALISM
AND DIVERSITY AWARENESS POLICY
Phi Sigma Sigma was founded by a group of friends who at the time could not all join the same sorority because of their varying religious faiths.
Phi Sigma Sigma maintains a non-sectarian based ritual.
Phi Sigma Sigma's constitution, bylaws and policies do not tolerate membership selection based on discrimination.
Phi Sigma Sigma is a private membership organization for women.
Candidates for collegiate membership in the Fraternity shall be fully matriculated in an institution where a chapter is located and shall be selected based upon their meeting the eligibility requirements prescribed in the local and Fraternity constitutions, and according to the rules set forth by the College Panhellenic Association, the host institution, and the National Panhellenic Conference Unanimous Agreements.
Therefore, membership in each chapter shall be determined by meeting membership obligations, educational achievement, commitment to our core values and criteria related to the goals and purpose of the Fraternity. Membership is open to all women without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, age, handicap, disability, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation or any other classification protected by law or ordinance.
Phi Sigma Sigma encourages education on the Fraternity and chapter levels with respect to multiculturalism and diversity awareness and advocates sensitivity to such topics as it relates to daily living situations and fraternity activities.
Each Phi Sigma Sigma chapter shall establish a multiculturalism and diversity committee whose purpose it shall be to conduct an on-going program as part of the Reflections program to develop an understanding and appreciation for cultural and other heritages brought to the group by its membership.
RISK MANAGEMENT POLICY
Phi Sigma Sigma is concerned for the well-being of its sisters and their guests, and that concern is best realized by providing safe activities in safe environments.
Phi Sigma Sigma recognizes that awareness, education and planning are vital aspects to providing safe activities in safe environments.
Therefore, each Phi Sigma Sigma chapter and colony and its members shall:
- Abide by all local, state/province and national laws.
- Abide by all campus regulations and policies.
- Abide by Phi Sigma Sigma's constitution, bylaws and policies specifically those related to risk management (such as the alcohol/drug, anti-hazing and overnight policies).
- Cooperate with Fraternity personnel.
Further, each Phi Sigma Sigma chapter and colony shall:
- Adopt a Safety Commitment Statement. This statement shall demonstrate the chapter's commitment to safety relative to their members and guests. Chapter sisters shall enhance, review, and sign the statement on an annual basis in conjunction with installation of the chapter's executive board members.
- Establish a committee to oversee the risk aspects of all chapter activities.
- Include risk management education, such as programs on legal liability, financial liability, hazing, sexually transmitted diseases, date rape and eating disorders, as part of its chapter programming at least twice a year.
POLICY ACKNOWLEGEMENT
Each new member will receive an e-mail at the beginning of her new member period requiring her to review all policies and acknowledge that she will adhere to the policies. Each collegiate member is required to review the Phi Sigma Sigma policies and acknowledge that she will adhere to the policies on an annual basis. All policy violations must be reported to the collegiate chapter's member-at-large and/or membership manager.
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