Greek Life
For a list of organizations see Greek Life under Getting Involved.
Georgia College & State University holds the Greek system responsible for making a positive contribution to the primary functions of the university. It is therefore under an obligation to encourage the intellectual, physical, and social development of its members. In achieving these objectives, the organizations should:
1. Promote conduct consistent with good morals and good taste;
2. Create an atmosphere which will stimulate intellectual and emotional progress and superior intellectual achievements; and
3. Instill principles of sound business practices, both in chapter finance and in the business relations of its members.
Membership in all social Greek letter organizations is open to all regularly enrolled students of Georgia College & State University who meet the academic requirements of the organization. No person, due to race, color or national origin, shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination with respect to membership in a social Greek letter organization or in any program or activity sponsored by the organizations.
Different aspects of the Greek Life system at GCSU are described in the following sections: Administration, Advisers, Pledge Education, Changes to Constitution, Hazing Policy, Human Dignity Statement, Relationship Statement, and the Formation of New Organizations.
Administration
The overall administration of the University's Greek system is the responsibility of the vice president and dean of students. He may delegate part or all of this responsibility to a member of the student affairs staff. Every recognized Greek letter social organization must be a member of one of the recognized governing bodies.
The respective bodies shall be the governing organizations for their members and shall collect assessments, provide sanctions, and make recommendations regarding all policies pertaining to their members to the Vice President and Dean of Students or his designee and according to their Constitution and Bylaws. Member organizations must be in good standing with their governing bodies in accordance with their Constitutions and Bylaws or recommendations will be made to withdraw recognition by the University. Further, all organizations must be in compliance with the Relationship Statement. The Vice President shall appoint advisers to each group in consultation with the respective organizations. The following groups assist the vice president and/or that office's designate:
1. The Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, and Pan-Hellenic Councils are the governing bodies of their respective member organizations.
2. Greek Presidents Council - Greek Presidents Council is composed of all social Greek presidents. This body meets with the advisers and the Vice President and Dean of Students to discuss relevant campus and community issues. The council serves as a hearing and appeals board for judicial situations.
Relationship Statement
1. Chapters and their individual members will be expected to comply with federal, state, and local laws-with special emphasis on those regarding underage drinking and public and fire safety-and to cooperate fully with the police, fire safety officials, and the Georgia Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
2. Chapters will be held accountable for the conduct of their individual members (and residents and guests), and will be expected to take disciplinary actions against those members who violate the rules and expectations of their chapter, the University, and the community.
Violations of chapter rules (e.g. missing a meeting) will be dealt with internally and need not be reported to the Office of the Vice President/Dean of Students or the Greek Judicial Board. All allegations of Rush violations will be heard by the IFC, Panhellenic, or Pan-Hellenic. Generally, matters between fraternities and sororities will either be settled by the groups themselves or the IFC, Panhellenic, or Pan-Hellenic. Matters that involve chapter violations of University regulations, this Relationship Statement or local, state or federal laws will be heard by the Greek Judicial Board.
Upon notice and hearing, the President of the University may review at any time the recognition of any student organization, or any decision or disciplinary charges against any student organization, and make whatever final disposition of the matter he or she deems necessary for the best interest of the University.
3. Chapters must recognize that Milledgeville is a residential community and individual members who reside off campus must be considerate of their neighbors and other residents of the community. Conduct that is offensive to neighbors and passers-by reflects poorly on all the Greek letter organizations and on the University as a whole. Chapters will be accountable for conduct of their individual members, residents and guests that results in complaints from other members of the community, including but not limited to:
- disorderly or disruptive conduct or excessive noise
- unauthorized signs or displays
- unauthorized use of residential property in a clean and orderly condition
- maintaining a public or private nuisance
- harassment of neighbors or passers-by
- interference with pedestrian or vehicular traffic
- any conduct that endangers the physical safety of any person
Chapter violations of these provisions will be heard by the Greek Judicial Board.
4. Each chapter will identify at least one person (e.g. chapter officers, alumni advisers, etc.) who can be contacted 24 hours a day to handle emergency concerns.
5. Greek Convocation is to be attended by Greek actives and pledges-which will be held each semester. The sessions will be offered on Thursday evenings. The following is a list of some program topics: Alcohol/Drug Abuse, Human Sexuality, Human Relations.
Make-up dates and times will be offered for those students with class and/or work schedule conflicts. The chapter presidents will keep attendance records or provide a chapter representative to submit the names of those absent to the Office of Greek Affairs.
Additional educational programs may be required depending on circumstances; a fine of $15.00 assessed per member, if no makeup occurs.
6. The chapters must comply with the IFC, Panhellenic, and Pan-Hellenic constitutions and by-laws. In addition, they must adhere to IFC, Panhellenic, and Pan-Hellenic policies including, but not limited to, the following:
1. The IFC and Panhellenic Liability Management Policy, which includes an explicit prohibition against the possession, sale, or use of illegal drugs or controlled substances, among other things
2. Dry Rush Policy
3. Human Dignity Statement
7. Active chapter members must be students at Georgia College & State University. In order to participate in intramurals and Greek Week, a member must be enrolled in six hours at the time of participation.
8. The following criteria will be used either individually or separately to determine if an event is the responsibility of a chapter or chapters:
1. The chapter pays for any part of the event.
2. Those present being either the lesser of a minimum of 10 persons (active & pledges) or 60% of the membership of a chapter.
3. The chapter officers (or an officer) plans the event.
4. The chapter widely advertises the event (e.g. flyers, maps to the party, etc.) and distributes the same.
5. The event takes the place of a regularly scheduled event.
Common sense will be the determinant of responsibility.
9. Each fraternity or sorority chapter (pledges & actives) will be expected to maintain a minimum semester GPA standard. (organizations or Councils may set higher standards):
Failure to do so will result in the following actions:
1. First semester-warning
2. Second Consecutive Semester-Probation with no access to campus facilities or services but able to participate in Rush or Interest Meetings.
3. Third Consecutive Semester-De-registration until the cumulative average meets the above referenced criteria.
10. Each semester the advisers to the Greek organizations will be invited to meet with the Greek Council of Presidents to discuss and review the relationship between the University and the Greeks, and between the Greeks and the community.
11. Sanctions for violations of this agreement will include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:
1. Warnings
2. Reprimands
3. Monetary Fines
4. Restitution in instances of property damage
5. Probation
6. Suspension of registration for a minimum of one semester
7. Withdrawal of registration for a minimum of one year before a chapter could be considered for reinstatement.
12. Each chapter active and pledge, individually, will sign the agreement. The sorority or fraternity president will submit the signed agreement to the Office of Greek Affairs seven business days after RUSH or MIP ends. The sorority or fraternity president is to submit additional names to his or her membership roster within seven business days of either pledging or intake of new members. It will be the responsibility of the president to purge the chapter roster at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters.
Human Dignity Statement
As Greek women and men, we believe in.....
- the integrity and dignity of all human beings
- showing respect for ourselves and others through our words and actions
- the creation of an environment which fosters human dignity
The members of Greek Organizations seek to foster an enriching college environment void of racial, sexual, physical, or religious discrimination.
Respect for human dignity and diversity is seriously and unacceptably diminished by any actions or statements that are discriminatory against any group on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
The derogatory portrayal of any person or group of people, through the deliberate alteration of one's appearance, with the expressed intent to demean or ridicule is intolerable. This belittling action will be subject to immediate investigation and the participants or chapters will be held fully responsible for their misrepresentation of the Greek systems high ideals and standards.
These portrayals would include, but not be limited to, lip-syncs, skits, exchange and party themes, T-shirts, sweatshirts, and other logo designs representing Greek organizations.
The importance of diversity in our society and the promotion of human dignity are ideals upon which our organizations are founded and maintained. We, as Greek members, will promote these ideals through education, communication, and our actions.
Advisers
Advisers are selected by the social Greek letter organization membership and approved by the Vice President and Dean of Students. Every recognized organization must have an approved adviser in order to participate in University activities or be recognized by the University.
Changes To Constitution/Local Charter
Any changes to the organization's constitution or local charter must be submitted through the procedures for registration. Constitutions are kept on file in the Office of Multicultural Affairs and must be updated every two years.
Formation Of New Greek Letter Organizations
Any group desiring to form a new social Greek letter organization must adhere to the following guidelines:
1. Make their intentions known by formal notification and consultation with the vice president and dean of students prior to any formal agreements with any Georgia College & State University student. The group shall make no formal agreement with a national or international organization without prior consultation with the vice president and dean of students.
2. Consult with the director of multicultural affairs to complete the proper paperwork to form a new social Greek letter organization. Provide the director with any information on the prospective national or international organization that the group plans to affiliate with at Georgia College & State University.
3. Complete and return to the director of student activities the Student Organization Application Form.
4. Provide copies of all paperwork to the respective governing body of the social Greek letter organization, (i.e., Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council or Pan-Hellenic Council.) The appropriate governing body shall provide a recommendation to the vice president and dean of students regarding membership of the proposed organization. The organization representative(s) should be prepared to meet with the appropriate governing body to respond to questions pertaining to the application for membership.
5. Develop a Georgia College & State University group constitution and return it to the director of student activities for review. The constitution shall be submitted to the appropriate governing body and the Student Government Association, the vice president and dean of students, and the president of the university for review and action. The local constitution is to have no restrictive clause in its bylaws, ritual and/or other types of selective procedures, different than the national or international office.
6. The vice president and dean of students shall grant final recognition of the group and authorize the acceptance of a local, national, or international social Greek letter chapter when the following requirements are met:
- The charter group must have a minimum of seven members who meet the prescribed eligibility requirements for social Greek letter organization membership, (i.e., be enrolled as regular students of the University, hold cumulative academic grade point averages of at least 2.0, be in good academic and social standing with the University, and meet all membership eligibility requirements with the national or international organization).
- The group must file with the Vice President and Dean of Students a formal petition for recognition along with a copy of its national, international, and local constitution and bylaws.
- The proposed organization must receive a recommendation to grant organizational status from all review parties, (i.e., the governing social Greek letter organization, the Student Government Association, the Student Affairs Council, the Vice President and Dean of Students and the President of the University).
- All newly formed and approved social Greek letter organizations may function as a local organization only for a period of two years at which time national or international affiliation must take place. The national or international affiliation must be approved by the Vice President and Dean of Students.
- All newly formed and approved social Greek letter organizations which affiliate with a national or international organization must function as a colony (approved affiliate group) for a minimum period of six months before they may be chartered by the national or international organization. The status of the organization shall be reviewed at the end of the six month period for final approval and recognition by the university.
- All newly formed social Greek letter organizations must have an approved charter and faculty adviser.
Hazing Policy
The University deplores hazing and any other inappropriate and dangerous behavior or related activities. The University prohibits this type of practice. If a chapter is found in violation of the standards of the University, the Interfraternity Council, the Panhellenic Council, the Pan-Hellenic Council and/or the affiliated national or international organization, disciplinary sanctions will be implemented.
All rites, ceremonies or practices of initiation or orientation into university life or into the life or membership of any university group or organization, should be of an educational, historical, functional, and inspirational nature consistent with the accepted principles of higher education at Georgia College & State University.
Any rites of induction, practices, ceremonies, or behaviors which require or allow mental or physical suffering are prohibited. Specifically, hazing is defined as any action taken or situation created, intentionally or unintentionally, on or off campus, which could be reasonably expected to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, ridicule, violation of University rules and regulations, violation of the laws or policies of the parent organization, and/or violation of any local, state, or national laws.
All rules and regulations of Georgia College & State University as well as local, state and national laws shall supersede policies of national or local organizations. All assessments as to the appropriateness of an action will be considered within the context of the standards of the total university community.
Activities considered to be hazing shall include one or both of the following elements: (1) coercion, either overt or covert, and (2) production of physical or mental discomfort in either the participants or the spectators. Such activities suggested by a group or a member of a group to new or trial members will be considered covert coercion even if the activity is said to be voluntary.
Several specific actions or practices that are considered to be hazing are:
1. Paddling in any form;
2. Physical and psychological shocks;
3. Performances producing excessive fatigue, physical exhaustion or physical injury;
4. Performances that are hazardous or dangerous in any way;
5. Tasks of personal servitude;
6. Physical disfigurements (temporary or permanent);
7. Wearing or displaying of improper apparel or other articles in public;
8. Nudity in public;
9. Any morally degrading or humiliating games or other activities;
10. Any late work sessions or meetings which interfere with scholastic activities or requirements;
11. Loud noises or other activities which disturb the neighborhood;
12. Activities or actions that require or include theft; and
13. Any action which brings the reputation of the group or organization into public disfavor or disrepute.
Each and every organization has the responsibility for informing its membership, both old and new, of University policies, including those of hazing. All Georgia College & State University student organizations are responsible for the actions of all visiting members, friends, and/or alumni who will be subject to the same behavioral standards and policies as members of the organization.
The staff of the Division of Student Affairs will assist in the proper implementation of these policies. Complaints and charges of violations will be investigated and forwarded to the Vice President and Dean of Students or his designee.
It is possible for either individuals or organizations to be held responsible in the event these policies are violated. Violations may result in University disciplinary action as well as action through the civil courts. University disciplinary action may include the withdrawal of University recognition from offending organizations through a due process hearing.
Note: These policies apply to associate groups, interest groups, pledges, associate member classes, and generally any activity associated with any student organization registered by the university.
Each organization must file with the adviser of the appropriate governing body by October 1 of each year a signed copy of the following policies:
1. The University Hazing Policy;
2. The organization's national, international, and local Hazing Policy;
3. The organization's national, international, and local Alcohol Education and Implementation Policy; and
4. The organization's national, international, and local Pledge Education Program.
Failure to provide these documents may result in University recognition being withdrawn from the organization.
Georgia College & State University is also on record as supporting House Bill No. 1661 enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Georgia which states, "It shall be unlawful for any person to haze any student in connection with or as a condition or precondition of gaining acceptance, membership, office, or other status in a school organization. Any person who violates this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $500."
Pledge Education
Georgia College & State University encourages cooperative and mutually supportive relationships among the institution, the undergraduate student chapters, advisers, and the international social Greek letter organizations. These organizations must adhere to the standards of discipline established by the University. Guidelines for pledge education will be established in accordance with the policies governing the various groups.
