Kai Committee Guidelines

Article I: Intention

This Kai Committee has been put together not as a chapter police force but rather as a means of using brotherhood to deal with internal conflict on an individual and house policy level when necessary. Its main focus and the attitude taken by the committee members is to be one of brotherhood building in every aspect of the committee's responsibilities. It is the hope that that this will be the majority of what the committee does. The future of the chapter will depend on the continuance of brotherhood to steer member's actions. The structure outlined below will serve as a safeguard when that brotherhood fails.

Article II: Responsibilities

  1. Brotherhood Building (primary reason for committee)

Responsible for planning and organizing the "Eye of Wooglin", and 1 planned brotherhood event for every six weeks of each semester.

  1. Self-Governance

If a chapter cannot handle problems internally, external forces (the university, general fraternity, or alumni) must intervene resulting in unpleasant situations for all involved. This committee creates a structure of self-governance that will increase the efficiency of the chapter and show the above mentioned external forces that problems within the chapter can and will be dealt with by the chapter.

  1. Accountability

It is easy for all members of Beta Theta Pi to vocalize the principles embodied by the Fraternity. However, it is often difficult to execute these principles in our daily lives. The Kai Committee must promote, support and nurture these Principles to facilitate the accountability of all those associated with the chapter.

  1. Education

All members have a responsibility to know and understand the rules by which they have chosen to live. This committee will help to reinforce members’ knowledge of these rules to prevent ignorance of such matters.

Article III: Structure

  1. The committee will be made up of five members. The vice president external will serve as the committee head. The other members will be made up of one person from each of the classes. The chapter will elect all members of the committee.
  1. The term of office for the committee members shall be one semester, except the committee chairman (Vice President External), whose position lasts a duration of two semesters.
  1. Elections shall take place before the close of each semester.
  1. The Kai Committee answers directly to the authority of the chapter.
  1. Meetings will be held weekly and a regular meeting time will be chosen at the committee's first meeting at the beginning of the year.
  1. After initiation of the fall pledge class, one member of the newly initiated class will be elected to the committee as the fifth member.
  1. During pledgeship, the pledge education committee will have jurisdiction over the pledges on the chapter's behalf.
  1. Minutes will be taken at every committee meeting to be viewed upon request of any chapter member.

Article IV: Jurisdiction

The Kai Committee holds jurisdiction over all active members of the Gamma Epsilon chapter of Beta Theta Pi.

Article V: Accountability Proceedings

  1. Problem Occurrence - Conduct unbecoming a member of Beta Theta Pi.

definition: violating State and/or Federal Law, breaking the rules or bylaws of Gamma Epsilon Chapter and/or the General Fraternity of Beta Theta Pi, failure to uphold the 3 Great Principles and/or 7 Obligations of Beta Theta Pi, or any action that may blemish the name of Beta Theta Pi or endanger the chapter in any way.

  1. Case Recommendation A member finds another member or members’ actions unbecoming a member of Beta Theta Pi. If unable to deal with the situation on a personal level with the individual, the member may submit a statement, in writing, of the action that has occurred to any member of the Kai Committee. The submittal should have a date, time, place, description of the problem, and list of all people involved. The member or members who submit the recommendation must sign the submittal.

NOTE: Complaints may be brought to the Kai Committee by committee members, and all other chapter members.

NOTE: Complaints of a personal nature should be resolved between the members in conflict. If the conflict cannot be resolved, it should then be brought to the Kai Committee. If a member of the committee brings a complaint of a personal nature to the committee then that member will not be allowed to deliberate on the situation. However, if the complaint is of a house policy nature the committee member will be allowed to deliberate.

NOTE: If a member or members’ violations are clearly apparent, the Kai Committee may take action without a written case recommendation.

  1. Notification – Both the member(s) submitting the case recommendation and the subject(s) of the case recommendation, are notified of their required attendance at the next committee meeting.

NOTE: If a member is called to a committee meeting and is unable to attend at the designated time, that brother must talk to a member of the committee before the designated time of the meeting. If the brother doesn't attend the meeting without contacting a committee member prior to the meeting (with a reasonable excuse for absence) he will automatically receive whatever sanction is decided upon. The absent brother will then be notified of the sanction he has received.

NOTE: Brothers being required to attend a Kai Committee meeting will be given no less than 48 hours notice prior to the meeting.

  1. Deliberation - At the next committee meeting, the committee will review the submittal and upon hearing testimony from both parties, shall decide whether further action by the committee is appropriate.
  1. Decision - The committee formulates and recommends courses of action to take in accordance with the severity of the action. These sanctions will be mandated in accordance with the chapterapproved Kai Committee guidelines.
  1. If the member receiving the sanctions feels it is unfair then he may bring it up at the next chapter meeting. If the chapter agrees by a 2/3 vote of a 2/3 quorum that the sanctions are inappropriate then the committee will discuss it again at the next committee meeting and new sanctions will be given.
  1. If sanctions are given and not fulfilled in the given time then it will go back to the committee. The committee will then give additional sanctions in the same class. If the obligations are again not fulfilled within the prescribed time, then it will go back to the committee and additional sanctions will be given in the next class of sanctions. If all obligations are not met after the third time it is brought to the committee, then the committee will take the situation to the chapter with a proposal.

NOTE: A Class “B” sanction may never be bumped to a Class “A” sanction following the incompletion of the Class “B” sanction on two occasions.

Article VI: Violation Categories

  1. Class “A”
  1. Violations

-possession and/or use of any illegal drug

-committing of a felony

-reckless endangerment of any person

  1. Sanctions

- Automatic expulsion from membership (pending a 3/4ths vote by the chapter.)

NOTE: If expulsion from membership is not passed by chapter, Kai Committee will apply “B” class sanctions.

  1. Class “B”
  1. Violations

- DUI

  1. Sanctions

-Loss of social privileges for four months (required)

-Removal from chapter office

-Any other sanctions found appropriate that relate to community service, service to the Chapter, or personal growth on the part of the brother in violation (length of “project” to be determined by the committee)

NOTE: A second “B” class violation (or “A” class violation not passed by chapter) shall result in termination of housing contract in addition to all other “B” class sanctions.

  1. Class “C”
  1. Violations

-Failure to fulfill DD duty

-Possession and/or consumption of alcohol on property

-Destruction of property

-Financial delinquency of greater than 7 days, as stated in the Gamma Epsilon of Beta Theta Pi Housing and Membership Agreement

-Violation of official printed House Rules

-Any Action defacing the name of Gamma Epsilon of Beta Theta Pi

-MIP

-Disrespect to Mom

-Chapter Officer Violations

-Failure to do House Cleaning

-Violation of any risk management policy as outlined in the Beta Theta Pi of Gamma Epsilon Risk Management Policy and accompanying documents, as outlined in Section 11 of that document

  1. Sanctions

-1 night of DD

-Required to seek counseling

-FARCE duty

-Removal from Chapter Office

-House-improvement project as dictated by House Manager

NOTE: For the violation of failing to do DD duty, the offender must DD for two nights: Once to make up for the skipped duty, and the second as additional punishment.

  1. Class “D”
  1. Violations

-Quite hour violations (Hours from 7pm-10pm, Sun.-Thurs., as outlined in the House Rules)

-Accidental damage to property

  1. Sanctions

-Formal Apology

-Any repairs that may be required