Sigma Chi – Kappa Upsilon

Risk Management Policy

Preventative Measures to be Executed While Hosting

  1. Music
  2. Music is to be played from the DJ booth only.
  3. There shall be no additional sources of music at any time, including speakers on the first floor.
  4. Brothers’ individual rooms upstairs, especially those with an adjoining wall to the left hand side neighbors, should also refrain from music, as the excess noise will travel through to next door.
  5. The DJ booth is a brothers-only area.
  6. Only brothers are allowed to work the music, especially the volume.
  7. Only one guest at a time with the DJ, and the brother working as DJ should have full control of the situation. If this is lost, no guests shall be permitted while on DJ shift.
  8. Flow of Guests
  9. As guests arrive, brothers should make a point for the basement to be the first venue.
  10. To ensure this goal, elimination of tables and alternative beverages on the main floor may be executed
  11. Use of normal lighting in the bar room may also be utilized
  12. Once the basement is sufficiently full, the main floor’s TV room and kitchen should be next.
  13. TV show/movie drinking games and Kings are good ideas to entertain.
  14. Avoid louder drinking games such as Thumper.
  15. Slap a hoe in the kitchen is better than beer pong to utilize space
  16. If the kitchen is to be used as a major room for parties, the Floater brother shift becomes a higher priority to check that the door to the back porch remains locked
  17. Door Shift/ Floaters
  18. The two brothers at the door should always be in constant communication with the floaters inside.
  19. Floating brothers are the eyes and ears for the brothers at the door.
  20. Their information on how the party is will determine the door shift’s policy of turning people away
  21. Criteria for floating brothers to determine the health of the party
  22. How easy is it for floaters to get from room to room, floor to floor? Is it difficult for floaters to do their job effectively?
  23. If floaters cannot maintain the health and safety of the party, then we cannot afford to have any more people.
  24. How is the noise level?
  25. Each time the door is open to allow more guests in, the doors allow sound out. Even if the house could have more people, excessive noisiness will be the social death of this chapter.
  26. In the event of an emergency
  27. Police
  28. One brother working the door will deal externally with the cops as the second brother working the door alerts the Consul and floating brothers.
  29. All brothers will help in maintaining strict silence indoors as the Consul/sober brothers/door shift brothers deal with the cops
  30. Injury
  31. A floating or sober brother will deal with all injuries
  32. Minimize moving the injured person as much as possible. Only move them to ease the flow of traffic for the rest of the party, maintaining some dignity/privacy for the injured, and get a chair for the person
  33. Under no circumstances does a brother transport a guest in his car
  34. All transportation will be done through Hopkins Security (410) 516-7777
  35. Extreme intoxication
  36. A guest or brother who cannot be woken up and is suspected to be drinking will immediately be put in an active recovery position to avoid choking on vomit and the sober brother will handle the situation
  37. HERU + Security can both be reached at (410) 516-7777
  38. Physical Altercation
  39. The two parties will be broken up and both be asked to leave.
  40. If one of the parties involved is within the Fraternity, then the brother can choose to cool off in a different part of the house.
  41. Door Shift
  42. The door shift brothers should always be in contact with the floating brothers to gauge the health and safety of the party.
  43. Under no circumstances should a guest be allowed in if
  44. The party is too full, even if he “knows [insert brother’s name here]”
  45. The door shift has ultimate authority on when people are allowed into the party
  46. The guest is too intoxicated.

Crisis Management

  • GENERAL NOTES
  • If an incident does occur, the policies set forth in this document should be used to handle the emergency situation. These procedures are general enough to apply to any emergency situation.
  • CHAIN OF COMMAND
  • The Consul maintains command of every emergency situation.
  • In the absence of the Consul, the next highest ranking officer will assume command. The order is as follows:
  • Consul (Alex D. Duncan)
  • Proconsul (Matthew Szaro)
  • Annotator (Joel Ramirez)
  • Quaestor (Jose Caiado)
  • Magister (Sinan Ozdemir)
  • Centurion (Trevor Chan)
  • Having exhausted this list, rank shall be determined by pin number.
  • CRISIS MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES
  • The chapter house will be closed immediately. Only chapter members and authorities will be allowed to enter, and all non-affiliates will be escorted outside. Two responsible brothers will guard the door.
  • Contact the proper people:
  • Call 911 to summon emergency personnel.
  • Contact the University.
  • During normal business hours, contact the Dean of Students Office at 410-516-8208.
  • Call Security at 410-516-7777.
  • Call the Chapter Advisor.
  • Nathan Neal (202) 427-4981
  • Notify Sigma Chi International at 847-869-3655.
  • Notify the rest of the chapter. The Consul should delegate two brothers to inform all brothers and pledges. Phone calls only; text messaging and emailing the list are inappropriate forms of communication.
  • The brother in charge of the situation will assemble the rest of the chapter:
  • Explain that there is an emergency situation and that the chapter house is closed.
  • With the exception of the Consul or any individual explicitly appointed by the Executive Committee, no brother will be allowed to speak to anyone outside the chapter regarding the situation. Individual statements may require the approval of the Executive Committee.
  • If a brother who is not present needs to be notified of the situation, the brother in charge should delegate this task to a responsible chapter member or authority.
  • If the media should contact the chapter, only the Consul or the chapter advisor should speak for the chapter. In their absence, the Executive Committee may delegate an official spokesman or representative.
  • If deemed necessary, the Consul may declare emergency meetings for the Executive Committee spaced at regular intervals (every 8 hours, for example) until the situation no longer requires it. The Consul may also form a Special Committee at any time and give it authority to aid the situation at his discretion.
  • SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH OF MEMBER
  • Do not notify the parents. Authorities handling the situation will notify the family. Afterwards, it is appropriate for the Consul or a delegated representative to call and share their concerns.
  • In the event of a death, do not remove any personal belongings from the room. Do not let any members in the room. Keep the door locked if possible. Ask the family what they would like with regards to the member’s possessions. Offer to help in any way (moving, packing…). Before their arrival, make sure any borrowed materials are returned. When the family arrives, have packing materials available (boxes, tape…) and offer to help.
  • Coordinate brother attendance at the funeral or memorial service. Discuss with the family the possibility of conducting the White Rose Ceremony.
  • In the case of serious injury or illness, find out the visitation wishes of the family and coordinate this with the brothers.
  • FIGHTS / SENDING MEMBERS TO THE HOSPITAL
  • If brothers are involved in any type of altercation, notify the Consul immediately. If a hospital visit is required, contact the Dean of Students Office at 410-516-8208. If assistance is required, contact Security at 410-516-7777.
  • If brothers are involved in a potential conflict, it is appropriate to calmly attempt negotiation. If a compromise cannot be reached, ask the outside party to please leave the party, and for the brotherhood party involved to disperse. De-escalate the situation; it is important not to provoke either party. If necessary, call Security at 410-516-7777.
  • OVERLY INTOXICATED MEMBERS OR GUESTS
    In the event that a brother or guest becomes over intoxicated and passes out, follows these important steps:
  • If you cannot wake the person, point to someone and have that person call Security (410) 516-7777. They may be injured or may have a medical problem you are not aware of that requires medical help.
  • Carefully place him/her in the rescue position making sure the airway is unobstructed, and wait for emergency personnel to arrive. The brother performing this recovery position should be first aid certified or on HERU. Monitor the person’s breathing until medical help arrives.
  • If friends are nearby, ask if they know of any medical conditions or extenuating circumstances that should be mentioned to emergency responders. Check for medical bracelets or necklaces.
  • GENERAL FOLLOW-UP PROCEDURE
  • The notification of further administrators and faculty will be arranged by the Greek Affairs Coordinator and other University officials.
  • In any emergency, use tact and caution in your statements to members, the press, and others. Where possible, litigation may follow, so be cautious about jumping to conclusions or speculation.
  • University staff is always available for counseling and general assistance. Do not hesitate to call for help. Individual counseling is strongly recommended following any crisis situation.

Important Phone Numbers

This list should provide a complete directory of phone numbers that should be called in various situations.

  • Campus Security: 410-516-7777
  • Dean of Students Office: 410-516-8208
  • Baltimore Police Department: 410-396-2444
  • Baltimore Fire Department: 410-887-4500
  • Poison Control: 800-222-1222
  • JHU Counseling Center: (410) 516 – 8278
  • Nathan Neal: (202) 427-4981

Drugs and Alcohol

  1. The Kappa Upsilon Chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity will adhere to all of the statutes set forth herein and in the Sigma Chi Risk Management Foundation Policy on Alcohol and Drugs, the Johns Hopkins University Alcohol and Drug Policy, and United States and Maryland law.
  1. Meetings
  1. Brothers are prohibited from possessing, using, or being under the effects of any illegal substance, alcoholic beverage, or tobacco product during a Fraternity meeting or ritual event.
  2. Any brother found to be in violation of this policy will be asked not to participate in the meeting or ritual event and treated as an unexcused absence. Further violations will be subject to discipline as determined by the Judicial Board which will consider the extent of the violation and whether all policies are being equally enforced.
  3. The policies outlined in this section will be enforced at the discretion of the Chapter members in attendance.
  1. Social Events
  1. The House Manager, in conjunction with appropriately delegated officers, shall be responsible for enforcing the policies stated in this document in the Fraternity house at his discretion.
  2. Any Fraternity-controlled social event must be registered with the Johns Hopkins University as per University Policy.
  3. Illegal substances are prohibited at any function or event that is controlled, sponsored, or officially attended by the Fraternity.
  4. At any and all Fraternity functions or activities where the legal consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted, the following shall be observed:
  1. Alternative, non-alcoholic beverages must be provided.
  2. Monitors must be delegated and present who shall not consume alcoholic beverages and make a reasonable effort to:
  1. Prevent uninvited guests and guests who may threaten the safety of the persons attending the function or introduce additional liability to the Fraternity from entering. (See Crisis Management)
  2. Prevent any individual present from threatening his/her own safety or the safety of others present by providing escort off the premises with the aid of University Security Personnel or law enforcement officials if necessary.
  1. No alcoholic beverages shall be present or consumed in public or in a manner that disturbs the peace of the community or violates applicable ordinances.
  1. Brothers
  1. A brother of Sigma Chi should always be mindful that his actions reflect and contribute to the reputation of the Sigma Chi fraternity. A brother shall not, while wearing letters in public or otherwise identifying himself as a Sigma Chi:
  1. Possess, use, or be under the effects of an illegal substance.
  2. Abuse or unlawfully consume or possess alcohol or engage in any activity that would otherwise impair his good judgment.
  3. Put himself or another individual at risk or engage in a violent confrontation with another individual.
  1. Any brother whose actions negatively affect the reputation of his fellow brothers and the Sigma Chi Fraternity will be subject to discipline as determined by the Judicial Board.
  1. Pledging and Recruitment
  1. Alcohol is strictly prohibited from being used as a vehicle for recruitment.
  2. At no time will a pledge or prospective pledge ever be required to consume alcohol in an unlawful manner or against his wishes.
  3. The consumption or presence of alcohol must never threaten the safety of any pledge or prospective pledge.
  4. A pledge of Sigma Chi should always be mindful that his actions reflect and contribute to the reputation of the Sigma Chi fraternity. A pledge may not, at any time:
  1. Possess, use or be under the effects of an illegal substance.
  2. Abuse or unlawfully consume or possess alcohol or engage in any activity that would otherwise impair his good judgment.
  3. Put himself or another individual at risk or engage in a violent confrontation with another individual.
  1. Any brother who is found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to discipline as determined by the Judicial Board.
  1. Any pledge whose actions negatively affect the reputation of his fellow pledges, brothers, or the Sigma Chi Fraternity will be subject to a formal review before the Chapter as organized by the Judicial Board.
  1. This policy is permanently subject to Chapter review and amendment.