Greek Judicial Board
November 4, 2014
Dear ______
The Greek Judicial Board met with you on October 31, 2014 to resolve the pending violations of Greek Social Policy:
Greek Social Policy(s): Article I Section 2, Article I Section 3, Article III Section 1, Article III Section 6, Article III Section 7, Article IV Section 1, and Article IV Section 2.
These violations stemmed from allegations that the chapter hosted a party at which individuals present were not listed on the guest list and liquor was present on the following dates: September 11, 2014 and September 13, 2014.
After the hearing the Greek Judicial Board decided to hold Phi Sigma Phi responsible for the following violations:
Greek Social Policy(s): Article I Section 2, Article I Section 3, Article III Section 1, Article III Section 6, Article III Section 7, Article IV Section 1, and Article IV Section 2.
Proposed Discipline:
As a result of this decision and after reviewing the proposed sanctions stemming from the Mediation Meeting held on September 25, 2014, the following sanctions have been proposed:
Sanction 1. Phi Sigma Phi will be on social probation until December 31st, 2014. According to the Interfraternity Council Constitution, social probation is defined as follows:
“Social Probationshall be defined as a loss of all social privileges. Privileges include social events with other organizations recognized by Eastern Michigan University, parties, chapter sponsored events, and all rights allowed to them under the Campus Life Policies. Philanthropic, educational, fundraising, and recruiting events may still be held. A letter must be submitted and approved by the Interfraternity Council Executive Board prior to the end of thesocial probation. Upon approval the chapter will be removed fromsocial probationat the end of the designatedtime set by the Interfraternity Council Executive Board. In the event the letter is not approved, mediation with the Greek Life Advisor, the President of the Interfraternity Council and the President of the chapter on social probationmust be held.”
Phi Sigma Phi will, however, be allowed to register one event (only semi-formal) during the Fall 2014 semester. This event must follow all Greek Social Policy rules and regulations and a meeting before and after the event (as outlined in Sanction 6) must be held in order for the event to be approved.
Each sanction that follows must be completed by December 31st, 2014. If these sanctions are not completed by the due date, then social probation will be extended until all sanctions have been completed.
Sanction 2. Phi Sigma Phi will invite an officer from the Office of Conduct and Community Standards at EMU to discuss with the chapter members, discussing the consequences that can arise when multiple social policy violations occur. The discussion should also center around the importance of the Greek life social policy, why it was created, and what judicial situations would look like if it were absent. At least 80% of the chapter must be in attendance to this presentation. The sign in sheet must be submitted to the Officer from Student Conduct to be given to the Greek Life Coordinator.
Sanction 3. Phi Sigma Phi will reserve a date for a FASTforWARD presentation called “Policies Affecting You.” This can be done on the Greek Life website and a peer presenting team will come to a chapter meeting or other chosen date to present to the chapter. At least 80% of the chapter must be in attendance to this presentation. The sign in sheet must be retained by the FASTforWARD peer presenters to be given to the Greek Life Coordinator.
Sanction 4. Each Phi Sigma Phi member will write a letter to the Greek Life office, explaining their current view of the social policy, the role of the Interfraternity council, and what they would change about the social policy constructively, along with sound rationale for each suggested change. After all letters have been submitted, the President and Greek Life Coordinator, along with the IFC President and EVP will review the letters and consider the changes, as well as respond to the chapter in writing.
Sanction 5. Phi Sigma Phi’s President will set up a phone conference with the Greek Life Coordinator, the chapter advisor, and a National Headquarters staff member. This conference call will occur before December 31st, 2014 and must be coordinated in advance. The outcome of this phone call will be the development of an action plan for the chapter in the area of risk management. There will be 3 scheduled follow up phone calls to check in on the progress of the chapter.
Sanction 6. The next three registered events that Phi Sigma Phi hosts beyond the social probation period will include a meeting beforehand with the Executive Vice President and President of IFC. Chapter members that will need to be present at each of these meetings include:
Chapter President
Chapter Social Chair
Chapter Risk Management Chair
*If different than above, sober monitors, individuals checking in and IDing guests, and individuals working the bar.
This meeting must occur before the chapter will be given approval for a social event.After the social event, and within one week’s time, the same group will reconvene to review the event, discuss what went well, what could be improved, and changes to be made for the next registered event.
Sanction 7. Phi Sigma Phi will invite a representative from the Division of Information Technology to come discuss positive use of social media and how to use social media to portray Greek Life in a positive light and combat stereotypes surrounding Greek Life on social media. At least 80% of the chapter must be in attendance to this presentation. The sign in sheet must be submitted to the representative from the Division of Information Technology to be given to the Greek Life Coordinator.
Failure to comply with the proposed discipline, if imposed, will result in a formal referral to the Student Conduct and Community Standards Office for a review and possible disciplinary action.
RATIONALE – The Greek Judicial Board issues these sanctions, and sets these expectations, with the goal of making Phi Sigma Phi a more positive influence for students in the EMU community. We set ourselves to a higher standard due to the stereotypes we face every day. We, the Greek Judicial Board, show great concern about the behaviors shown by Phi Sigma Phi. The disregard for the guest list and the allowed consumption of liquor at these events shows a lack of alcohol safety and risk management prevention strategies. The fact that these violations surfaced through a social media website shows a lack of responsible use of social media sites that needs to be addressed. The Greek Judicial Board greatly considered taking away Phi Sigma Phi’s semi-formal privileges, however, decided that we would allow chapter members an opportunity to prove that they are capable of following our Greek Social Policy in its entirety. While it is unethical to require new members to perform these tasks, the board believes individuals seeking membership of Phi Sigma Phi should share the drive to fulfill these sanctions, and it is encouraged for them to participate. Our goal for these sanctions is that they will serve as an educational tool that will help better the chapter and hold Phi Sigma Phi to the values of our Greek Life at EMU. Being a part of a Greek Lettered Organization is a privilege, but with that privilege comes expectations. As a community we hold ourselves and each other to the standard and values set out in the Greek Standards and Assessment Program. These standards are Positive Relationships, Civic Engagement, Integration of Purpose, Intellectual Development, and Leadership Development. What is Phi Sigma Phi doing to promote these standards in our community? How have your previous actions promoted these standards? Please reflect on these questions and apply this method of thinking to all of your organization’s future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Chief Justice
Greek Judicial Board
Greek Judicial Board
Proposed Disciplinary Action
Justin Belcher, President
Phi Sigma Phi
The Chief Justice of the Greek Judicial Board has informed me that for the misconduct stated above, she/he proposed to impose the discipline stated above against me, and that I have seven (7) days in which to make a decision to accept this proposal or to reject the proposal by signing the rejection, thereby invoking my right to appeal the decision to the Office of Student Conduct per Article VII Appeals- Section A. I a. of the Greek Judicial Board Constitution and Bylaws.
If I do not sign either statement below I have seven (7) days to make my decision to return the form signed to the Greek Life Coordinator in 340S Student Center. Failure to return this form within the seven (7) days will result in immediate implementation of the proposed discipline.
I accept the proposed discipline stated above and waive my rights to formal procedures, review, and appeal in this matter.
______
Student’s SignatureDate
I do not consent to the proposed discipline and invoke my rights to formal procedures through the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.
______
Student’s SignatureDate