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The twelve fraternities and nine sororities at Sewanee provide a structured relationship among young men and women in which their intellectual and social life may be enriched. Each of these organizations serves as an outlet for athletic interests through intramural competition, provides a training ground for leadership, and helps offset the academic routine with social events. The fraternities and sororities are also responsible and held accountable for promoting scholarship, fiscal management, community service, respect for human dignity, and alumni relations.
The great majority of students wishing to join a fraternity or sorority are able to do so. In fact, approximately seventy percent of the undergraduates at Sewanee belong to social fraternities or sororities, although it should be noted that members of fraternities and sororities continue to live in college dormitories rather than fraternity or sorority lodges.
Philosophy and Commitment
Fraternities and sororities at The University of the South are expected to support the general purpose of the College and the mission of the University. Both the College and the fraternities and sororities seek to encourage excellence in various areas of personal and group development. To maximize the effectiveness of this effort, the relationship between the institution and the fraternities and sororities must be based on trust, cooperation, and mutual support. Both parties in the relationship are obligated to promote programs and activities that which support their common goals.
In recognition of the need for a mutually supportive relationship and in recognition of the positive contributions which fraternities and sororities can make to our community, the College pledges its staff and other appropriate resources to the development and maintenance of a healthy and constructive fraternity and sorority program.
Scholarship
Each fraternity and sorority pledges to support and encourage the academic achievement and scholarship of its active members and pledges.
Each organization also pledges to appoint or elect an academic affairs officer who shall monitor the academic performance of the chapter and its members and who will, if deemed appropriate and desirable, coordinate academic support programs. The University pledges support for these programs through offices such as the Dean of Students and the University Counseling Service.
The College will make available to authorized officers of fraternities and sororities information concerning academic performance in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. Also, the College will make annual awards for the highest pledge class average and the highest overall fraternity and sorority averages.
Service to Community
Each fraternity and sorority should plan for a minimum of one community service endeavor per semester to include both active members and pledges. The Office of the Dean of Students and the Office of Outreach Ministries agree to assist fraternities and sororities in identifying and planning these worthwhile service projects.
Each fraternity and sorority is expected to sponsor during the year at least one social event open to the entire community: e.g., tea, reception, holiday, or charity event. Fraternities and sororities should make a special effort to have faculty members attend these gatherings.
Respect for Human Worth and Dignity
The fraternities and sororities pledge to join the University in placing a high value on human worth and dignity. Most especially fraternities and sororities agree that no form of hazing will be allowed (as defined in Article I of the IFC Bylaws, and Article V of the ISC Bylaws) and that all students and guests will be treated with fairness and sensitivity by fraternity and sorority members. Fraternities and sororities agree to support fully the University's policy of prohibiting any form of discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, or disability.
The IFC and ISC, in conjunction with student life personnel, will help sponsor and support an annual event which celebrates the diverse composition of the University community.
Leadership Development
The fraternities and sororities pledge to promote responsible leadership by their active members and pledges. In conjunction with the Office of the Dean of Students, the fraternities and sororities agree to plan and participate in yearly workshops on leadership skill development. The College pledges to make programs on leadership training and skills available to Greek-letter organizations. Fraternities and sororities also will seek ways of promoting responsible leadership through participation in and active involvement with non-Greek student organizations.
In keeping with the goal of promoting sound and consistent leadership, presidents of fraternities and sororities should be elected for one year terms. Presidential elections are to be held during one of two specified election periods during the academic year.
Development of Individual and Group Responsibility
Fraternities and sororities pledge to promote among students at Sewanee a sense of good citizenship and agree to support a system of accountability which will foster personal and group responsibility. More specifically, each individual Greek organization pledges to offer (1) an atmosphere of cooperation, consideration, and civility in places like the dining halls where the fraternity and sorority members tend to congregate and exert an influence as a group; and (2) an example of cooperation with and adherence to rules of conduct, especially when sponsoring social events. This cooperation includes compliance with College policies, state and federal legislation, and Greek-letter organization rules and regulations as specified by IFC and ISC Bylaws.
Also, the fraternities and sororities agree to make a conscious effort to support the community of Sewanee by displaying a high level of consideration for its individual residents, especially in maintaining the appearance of fraternity and sorority houses, the Women's Center at Bairnwick, and other property used by the organizations, and in controlling noise levels.
In conjunction with the Office of the Dean of Students, each Greek letter organization will develop an annually-endorsed risk management policies, guidelines, and procedures document. The policies, guidelines, and procedures shall provide for and encourage peer review of alleged policy violations and will specify sanctions to be imposed on members who have breached the policies. Each chapter will select a risk management officer who will communicate to the chapter on an annual basis the chapter's risk management policies, guidelines, and procedures.
Fiscal Responsibility
The College and the fraternities and sororities agree to plan and participate in an annual fiscal management workshop. The College will provide to individual fraternities and sororities advice and consultation on the management of fraternity and sorority budgets.
Responsible Membership Selection and Pledge Education
The College and the fraternities and sororities agree to plan rush and selection procedures which minimize interference with the academic life of the College and which are sensitive to the interests and feelings of the individual rushee. Selection of potential members should be made in a fair manner.
Each fraternity should design a pledge education program that meets the requirements of the University as well as its national office, and that fits within the parameters of an approximate eight-week restriction on pledgeship. All national fraternities have very specific guidelines for pledge programs (including such items as alcohol awareness, acquaintance rape, and leadership development) which should be followed. Each sorority should also design a pledge education program that meets the requirements of the sororities and the University (including such items as alcohol awareness, acquaintance rape, and other programming). Pledge programs for the fraternities and sororities should be approved each year by the Associate Dean of Students by the end of the first week of the second semester.
Development of Alumni Support
The College will assist the fraternities and sororities in cultivating alumni/ae support. The Alumni and University Relations Office will provide assistance in planning and maintaining communication with alumni/ae. The College will also provide fund raising workshops upon request.
Maintenance of Property
Fraternities and sororities agree to effectively maintain their houses and grounds. Procedures for care of the house and for upkeep during vacations should be established and accepted by fraternity members and their chapter advisors. The fraternities are expected to take stern measures against any member(s) who destroy their property, and to cooperate with the Deans of Students in recovering expenses for repairing damage to their property by non-members. All fraternities must possess liability and fire insurance.
It is required that all Greek organizations maintain an active, viable house corporation or similar governing agency. The College will provide certain municipal services such as coverage by the fire and police departments. Information about resources available for repair and maintenance can be obtained from the Deans of Students Office.
Each sorority is responsible for the upkeep of its sorority house. Sororities agree to maintain effectively their houses and grounds, fraternity houses and grounds, and other University facilities and/or the fraternity houses and grounds when used for meetings and parties. Standards for care of the fraternity houses must be mutually accepted between the fraternity and sorority prior to use. The sororities are expected to take stern measures against any members who damage the property and to cooperate with the Deans of Students in recovering expenses for repairing damage to the property by non-members.
Social Life
The College and the fraternities and sororities pledge to assist each other and to cooperate with other legitimate organizations in providing a quality of social life that embodies a high level of enjoyment and in promoting responsible, ethical standards of conduct. The fraternities and sororities will honor the University policy that social events generally should be open to the student community. (Exceptions to this policy are allowed, for example, for the annual formals hosted by an organization.) The Associate Dean of Students will help to organize the advance scheduling of social events to ensure variety and continuity in weekend events.
Governance
Each fraternity and sorority must have a formal governance structure that will promote proper management of its affairs and ensure that improprieties and destructive acts are discouraged. This governance structure is also responsible for communicating pertinent College rules and regulations to its membership.
The Office of the Dean of Students will act as the College officers responsible for promoting a healthy fraternity and sorority system. It will be these administrators’ responsibility to protect the rights and well-being of both the College and the fraternities and sororities. They are responsible for enforcing College policy, providing guidance and support, interpreting policy, providing workshops, and working with the chapters to develop policy. At their discretion, they may designate other faculty or staff members to fulfill their fraternity and sorority related duties as described in this document.
The coordination and development of the fraternity system as a whole shall be the responsibility of the Interfraternity Council, which consists of the current presidents of all the recognized fraternities. The IFC will operate according to its Constitution and legislate interfraternity matters according to the IFC Bylaws. The IFC will work with the Associate Dean of Students to establish rules and dates for the Fraternity Rush, as specified in the Bylaws.
The coordination and development of the sorority system as a whole shall be the responsibility of the Inter-sorority Council, which consists of the current presidents of all the recognized sororities. The ISC will operate according to its Constitution and legislate inter-sorority matters according to the ISC Bylaws. The ISC will work with the Associate Dean of Students to establish rules and dates for the Sorority Rush, as specified in the Bylaws.
Also, a Greek panel, the IFC/ISC, will convene at least every other week to coordinate better Greek activities and improve communication between fraternities and sororities. It will consist of all current presidents in the Greek system and the IFC & ISC executive officers.
The Council of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors, consisting of the local advisors to all social fraternities and sororities recognized by the College, will advise the Associate Dean of Students on policy matters and will assist in promoting a mutually supportive relationship between the College and the fraternities and sororities.
Judicial Procedures
Violations of IFC or ISC Bylaws and policies, including Rush rules, are typically adjudicated by the Interfraternity or Intersorority Judicial Boards, as specified in the IFC and ISC Constitutions and Bylaws.
All infractions of College policy or regulations will be handled by the Associate Dean of Students or the appropriate College judicial body (i.e., Discipline Committee or Honor Council) acting on behalf of the College; however, it is understood that in cases where an infraction violates both a College rule or regulation and a Bylaw, the defendant may be subject to disciplinary action by the Interfraternity or Intersorority Judicial Board as well as the College judicial body for this same offense.
Annual Evaluation
Each fraternity and sorority agrees to be evaluated on the basis of its efforts in the ten areas described in section II. An ad hoc committee of the IFC and the ISC and the Associate Dean of Students, acting as chair, will review each fraternity’s and sorority’s performance in the ten areas according to explicit standards established jointly by the IFC and ISC and the Deans. This review will be conducted in order to recognize good performance, and in some cases may be used to advise less successful fraternities and sororities on methods of improvement, and in extreme cases to recommend censure to the Deans and the IFC or ISC.
Recruitment Plan and Rules
Most new students participate in rush. Both first-year students and transfer students are encouraged to participate in pre-rush and formal rush even if they do not plan to join a fraternity or sorority. Rush offers the chance to meet many upperclass students as well as other new students and it facilitates obtaining a greater awareness of campus life.
Fraternity and sorority rush for new students at Sewanee is divided into two periods. The first is pre-rush. Informal gatherings will give the rushee a brief and relaxed introduction to the various social groups on the campus. The second period is formal rush and begins second semester, when the rushees and the various social groups formalize their relations.
Any student who wishes to receive a bid must participate in formal house visits. At these visits the membership of each social organization has the opportunity to present itself to the rushees. Alcoholic beverages will not be permitted at these functions.
First Semester Pre-Rush Activities
In the first semester and after the first of October, each fraternity may schedule one and each sorority two official pre-rush functions. They must be scheduled before nine in the evening. During this period no competing organization may host potential rushees, unless agreed upon by the IFC/ISC. These events must be prescheduled on a calendar kept by the Office of the Associate Dean of Students. If the same time period is requested by competing groups the question shall be resolved by a lottery.
During the first semester outside of approved pre-rush functions, rushees participating in the second semester rush program may at no time visit property owned or operated by any fraternity or sorority from 6:00 p.m. on Sunday to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. Otherwise, fraternity and sorority parties will be open to freshmen and new students. The University’s alcohol policies and social host guidelines will apply for these functions.
Second Semester Formal Rush
(First Two Weeks of Second Semester)
Formal House Visits: Formal house visits will take place on the first Sunday and Monday after classes begin (both nights for fraternities, only Sunday night for sororities). The schedule and length of these visits will be determined by the IFC and ISC and will be made to conform to the interests and programs of the various organizations. Following a manner and schedule prescribed by the IFC/ISC, the rushees will move in groups from one social organization to another.
Return House Visits: The maximum duration of a return house visit will be forty-five (45) minutes. Rushees will call upon the organizations of their choice during this time. Those who wish to pledge sororities must visit at least four organizations and men are encouraged to return to as many fraternities as possible. Traditionally, students are not generally considered for bidding by an organization unless they have indicated an interest by making a call during the period of return house visits.
Men’s return house: second Wednesday of the term: 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Women’s return house: second Wednesday of the term: 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Shake Days
Shake days occur on the second Saturday of the Easter semester, men at 4:00 p.m. and women at 4:00 p.m. Bids issued at this time are valid for two weeks. Upon notification of the Convenor of the IFC or President of the ISC, any student who has previously participated in rush and has a 2.00 average in the previous semester and a 2.00 cumulative average may receive a bid at any time
More information about the Formal Rush Schedule can be found on the Greek Life Website.
Pledging
Fraternity and sorority pledgeship will begin immediately after rush is completed and initiation and activation must be completed by the tenth week of school. (This allows for an eight week pledge program.) Athletic Rushing Provision: A special and abbreviated form of rush shall be arranged for varsity athletes who might be unavailable for a normal schedule due to their athletic schedules. This shall be arranged by the ISC/IFC or other appropriate bodies which shall make provisions for those athletes unavailable for any phase of the rush process so that they may comply with the spirit of rush, the receiving of bids, and the shaking and pledging ceremonies. Returning upperclass students may participate in an abbreviated first semester rush. They must register in the Bishop’s Common, thus affirming a desire to participate and abide by the first semester rush rules. A list of those signed up for rush will be made available to the appropriate social groups. The process will be overseen by the Associate Dean of Students working in close harmony with the IFC/ISC.
Schedule and Rules
Rush Kick-Off Event: Thursday, January 15, 2009
Formal House Visits: Sunday, January 18 & Monday, January 19, 2009
Return House Visits: Wednesday, January 21, 2009
All About Shake: Thursday, January 22, 2009
Shake Day: Fraternities Saturday, January 24, 2009
Sororities Saturday, January 24, 2009
Upon notification of the Convenor of the IFC and ISC, any student who has previously participated in rush and has a 2.00 average in the previous semester and a cumulative average of a 2.0 may receive a bid at any time. Bids issued at this time are valid for two weeks. Fraternity and sorority pledgeship will begin immediately after rush. Initiation and activation must be completed by eight weeks after bids are accepted.
Advent Semester Rush
Returning upperclass students may participate in an abbreviated formal rush process during the Advent semester. Formal house visits for men and women will take place on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 from 6 - 8 p.m. Shake will occur on Saturday, Saturday, September 27, 2008 at 12:00 noon for both men and women.
Formal House Visits
Students participating in rush are required to visit the social quarters of all the organizations participating in the rush program. Exceptions may be granted by the ISC/IFC at the request of the rushee.
Grade Requirement
Persons who have not attained at least a 2.00 average in their previous semester of enrollment at The University of the South and who have not maintained a 2.00 cumulative average will be ineligible to participate in formal rush, pledgeship, or initiation.
Alcohol Prohibited
During first-semester pre-rush activities and the formal rush period, alcohol is strictly forbidden for any Greek or non-Greek participant. Additionally, any activity on- or off-campus in which a fraternity or sorority provides alcohol or other illegal substances to a first-year student or prospective member is a violation of rush rules, University policy, and state law.
Interaction Between Rushees and Greeks during Formal Rush
Other than dormitory staff on official business, no member of an organization involved in rush may enter a rushee’s room during the two week second semester formal rush period.
No rushee may leave or return to the designated rush area in the company of a member or members of an organization involved in rush. The designated rush area will include the Domain, areas contiguous to it, Cowan, Winchester, Manchester, South Pittsburg, Tullahoma, Monteagle, and Tracy City.
During this period, members and rushees may not intentionally meet outside the rush area. During formal rush members of social organizations may not host or attend closed parties (on or off the Domain) at which rushees are present. This includes dorm room gatherings. Going out for meals is considered a closed party, as are any parties that are not announced campus wide and open to all students. McClurg, the Bishop’s Common, the Pub, the Fowler Center, Stirling’s Coffee House, and dormitory commons areas are considered open areas in which members and rushees may freely mingle. Restaurants, taverns and similar establishments in the rush area are closed locations in which both rushees and members may be present but may not sit together or mingle.
During formal rush rushees may visit the premises of organizations involved only during official rush functions and/or at specific times designated by the rush schedule and rules. Members of social organizations may not interact with rushees during the designated time of a competing organization’s officially scheduled pre-rush and formal rush functions.
Informal Interaction
During the formal rush period in the interim between the time rushees have left the return house visits and the designated time for the first group to shake, members of organizations authorized to issue bids are allowed to extend only a passing “hello” to rushees. Members of social organizations may not give rides to their potential rushees during this period. This applies to both the first and second semester rush periods.
Violation Process
Violations of the rush rules are to be reported to the IFC/ISC Convenors or to the Associate Dean of Students and may result in adjudication by the judicial board which will be constituted in a manner to be determined by the Deans of Students.
Violations not involving Alcohol or Illegal Substances
Organizations and/or individuals found guilty of the above (non-alcohol or illegal substance) rules will be given such punishments as the reduction of the number of bids to be issued, the levying of fines and/or suspension from formal rush. Rushees found guilty of the violation of these rules at the first conviction will be subject to a fine of $50 and/or twenty hours of community service. Any second conviction will render the person ineligible to conclude the formal rush procedures or to accept bids for pledgeship or membership until the next rush period.
Alcohol or Illegal Substance Violations
The first time either individual members or an entire organization is convicted of an alcohol or illegal substance violation by the judicial board, the organization found guilty will be limited to issuing a maximum of fifteen bids and each member of the convicted organization will perform four hours of community service within two weeks of the conviction. For each subsequent conviction involving alcohol or illegal substances, the number of bids available for issue will be halved, a fine of ten [10] dollars per member will be levied and four more hours of community service per member will be imposed. Any rushee who violates this ordinance will be rendered unable to conclude formal rush, or to receive a bid from, or be initiated by, any social organization until the following semester.
Illegal Rush/Pledgeship
Before pledging, first year students are not allowed to participate in the formal activities of a fraternity or sorority (e.g. meetings). Any non-sorority/non-fraternity student, who, after being enrolled in the College for a semester, does not attain a 2.00 average in the previous semester and a 2.00 cumulative average may in no way participate in any activity intended for prospective members. Any prospective member who has participated illegally in a pledge program will forthwith be rendered ineligible to be initiated and ineligible to participate in any fraternity or sorority. Any social group which allows the illegal participation of a prospective member will be appropriately sanctioned by the ISC or IFC Judicial Board.
During the eighth and final week of pledgeship, chapter presidents and pledge trainers must submit and certify in writing the successful completion of their pledge program and full initiation. This certification must include the signatures of all new initiates.
NOTE: The Bidding and Shaking Procedures for fraternities and sororities are outlined elsewhere and will be incorporated into the bylaws of the IFC and ISC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How much does joining a fraternity or sorority cost?
Answer: Sorority dues range from $50-$300 a semester. This does not include an occassional t-shirt or pitching-in to pay for food for special events like parent's weekend or an alumni tea event. But even incidentals seldom exceed $50 a semester.
Fraternities also vary according to the organization, but tend to be more expensive than sororities because they have a fraternity lodge to maintain and a national organization with standardized fees and insurance charges per member. Dues range from $450 to $800 per semester, and like the sororities, they also charge members an occassional fee for special events like formals. Typically, pledges also have some initial expenses that are charged directly from the national organization for educational materials, fraternity pins, and insurance.
Question: Will joining a fraternity or sorority take much time?
Answer: Participation in a Greek organization is like any activity. Some Greek members may only spend an hour a week at a fraternity or sorority meeting, while other Greek leaders might spend as much as 10 hours a week meeting with advisors, serving on university committees, or planning a special event. As for pledging, each pledge program has a series of educational and/or social events required. Some are required by the individual fraternity and some by the institution. Every Greek organization, however, must end its pledge program after its eighth week.
Question: Which one should I join?
Answer: During the first semester there are several opportunities for first year students to interact with fraternties and individual fraternity members without the pressure of joining. These include Fall Fest, intramurals, pre-rush events, parties, and in the classroom. Take a close look during the fall to find the Greek organization that feels most comfortable. Take your time choosing. It is an important decision and one that should be made carefully. The choice is yours and typically new students know the answer to that question by the time they have completed the rush process.
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