Constitution of the
Interfraternity Council of the University of Kentucky
Preamble
We, the social fraternities of the University of Kentucky, are united in the pursuit of scholarship, community service, character, and friendship through our brotherhoods. It is apparent that these goals can be fully attained only through our cooperation. Thus, the Interfraternity Council of the University of Kentucky is established in order to better its members and improve its community through focused strength.
Article I – Name: The name of this organization shall be the Interfraternity Council of the University of Kentucky, hereinafter referred to as IFC.
Article II – Memberships: The IFC shall be a member of the South Eastern Interfraternity Council (SEIFC) as well as INTERCHANGE, sponsored by the National Interfraternity Conference (NIC).
Article III – Functions: The functions of the IFC shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
Section 1: To promote relationships that are conducive to the general preservation of the fraternity system at the University of Kentucky.
Section 2: To improve the fraternity experience through helping the fraternity system to remain acceptable and relevant to student life as it changes on our campus.
Section 3: To serve as a forum for consideration of the mutual concerns of member organizations.
Section 4: To provide assistance to any fraternity in the accomplishment of its goals and activities when such assistance is considered appropriate.
Section 5: To provide programs and activities, both developmental and social, for all member organizations in order to help improve their functioning.
Section 6: To provide common experiences that encourage cooperation and unity among organizations.
Section 7: To initiate resolutions and recommendations that will further the purposes and ideals of member organizations.
Section 8: To uphold and promote the fraternity criteria of the NIC and the SEIFC.
Article IV – Membership
Section 1: Any men’s social fraternity chapter or colony affiliated with a national/international fraternity and recognized as a social fraternity by the University of Kentucky may hold membership in the IFC.
Section 2: A member fraternity must operate in accordance with the Constitution, Bylaws and Policies of the IFC, as well as the latest edition of the University of Kentucky Code of Student Conduct.
Section 3: Membership and participation in the IFC and its member fraternities shall be free from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, age or disability.
Article V – Organization: The general organization of the IFC shall consist of the legislative body, the executive board and other committees, as deemed necessary to accomplish the functions of the IFC.
Section 1: The legislative body of the IFC shall consist of two (2) official representatives from each fraternity of which one (1) must be the chapter president. The fraternity official representatives shall each have one (1) vote. A quorum shall consist of two-thirds (2/3) of the legislative body.
Section 2: Officers
A. The officers of the IFC shall be as outlined in the Bylaws.
B. The University advisor to the IFC shall be the Assistant Dean of Students whose primary responsibility is fraternities.
C. The faculty advisor to the IFC shall be appointed and approved by the legislative body.
Section 3: Impeachment
A. The failure to perform the duties as prescribed in the Constitution and/or Bylaws of the IFC shall constitute grounds for impeachment of an IFC officer.
B. Officers shall be removed from office by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the members present at a meeting of the IFC provided that a quorum is present.
C. Notice of a motion for impeachment shall be made a minimum of one (1) meeting before a vote is taken.
D. In the case of impeachment of an officer, the office shall be filled according to the procedures described in the Bylaws.
Section 4: Executive Board
A. The executive board shall be charged with the responsibility of directing the day-to-day functions of the IFC.
B. Membership in the executive board shall be outlined in the Bylaws.
C. The executive board may exercise one (1) additional vote in case of a tie.
Section 5: The IFC shall meet regularly during the school year as prescribed in the Bylaws.
Article VI - Bylaws
Section 1: Bylaws shall be written by a committee appointed by the President. They may be proposed by any member of the IFC.
Section 2: Proposed bylaws shall be read one (1) meeting prior to the vote. A bylaw shall be approved by a majority vote at a regularly scheduled meeting, provided that a quorum is present.
Article VII - Amendments to the Constitution: This Constitution may be amended by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of its voting members in attendance at any regular meeting, provided that a quorum is present. Notice of a vote to amend this Constitution must be given at least one (1) meeting prior to the vote.
Article VIII - Ratification: This Constitution shall be ratified by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the member fraternities. This Constitution shall become effective immediately upon its ratification and supersede any previous Constitution of the IFC.
Revised: April 2009
Bylaws of the Interfraternity Council of the University of Kentucky
Section I: Membership
1. Member fraternities shall be registered student organizations with the University of Kentucky.
2. The attachment "Fraternity Expansion Procedures" delineates the procedures and guidelines for establishing membership in the IFC.
3. Dues
A. The IFC shall charge each full status member fraternity dues of seven dollars ($7) per returning member and twelve dollars ($12) per pledge/new member.
B. Invoices must be issued no later than second full council meeting each semester.
C. A fine of 10% of the amount due shall be assessed if the invoice is not paid within one (1) meeting of issuance and an extra 10% of the amount due every week it is tardy. Fraternities with dues that are not paid within two (4) meetings of the issuance shall be referred to the IFC Judicial Board.
D. Any chapter delinquent in paying their dues for the Fall semester after four (4) full chapter meetings will be ineligible for IFC Recruitment Assistance for the following Spring semester. (i.e. white sheets, removal from IFC Maps, Eligibility lists). Any chapter delinquent in paying their dues after four (4) full chapter meetings for the Spring semester will be ineligible for Summer and Fall IFC Recruitment Assistance.
Section II: Representatives
1. The IFC shall be composed of the President and one (1) delegate, who will be appointed or elected for a term equal to that of their President, from each member fraternity. Each chapter delegate must be an initiated member of the chapter he represents, with the exception of colonies.
2. Substitutes
A. At the beginning of each semester, each fraternity will appoint a substitute delegate.
B. The appointed substitute will be able to vote on all matters.
Section III: Elections
1. Nominations shall be opened at least two (2) weeks prior to the date of elections and shall be closed immediately prior to the balloting for each respective office.
2. Elections shall be held no later than two (2) weeks prior to the end of the fall semester. Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the legislative body. In case of a tie, two (2) re-votes will be taken following discussion. If a tie vote remains, the executive board shall break the tie. The new officers will take office at the last meeting of the fall semester.
3. The order of elections shall be as follows: President, Executive Vice President, Vice President of Recruitment, Vice President of Internal Relations, Vice President of External Relations, Vice President of Chapter Services, Vice President of Education, Vice President of Public Relations, Judicial Board Chairman, and the six Judicial Board committee members.
4. In case the president is unable to fulfill his term in office, the executive vice president shall become president. In the event neither is able to serve as president, a special election to fill both offices will be held. Vacancies in the offices of vice president of recruitment, vice president of internal relations, vice president of external relations, vice president of chapter services, and vice president of education shall be filled by a special election. Nominations will be opened at the meeting in which the offices are declared vacant. Nominations will be reopened and the elections held at the first regular meeting after the vacancies have been declared.
5. Qualifications of Officers
i. Officer Nominees shall not concurrently hold the office of chapter president, vice president, social chairman, or any duties equivalent within the chapter. Nominees for vice president of internal relations shall not concurrently hold the office of chapter treasurer. Nominees for vice president of recruitment shall not concurrently hold the office of chapter rush chairman.
ii. Officer Nominees shall have passed a minimum of thirty (30) hours of college work.
iii. Officer Nominees must be full-time students at the University of Kentucky, with a cumulative GPA equal to or greater than 2.75 or a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 over their previous two semesters.
b. Officer nominees shall have been in attendance at the University of Kentucky for at least one (1) full school year immediately prior to the time of election.
c. Officer nominees must be initiated members in good standing with their respective fraternities.
d. Suspension Clause: These specific By-Laws concerning the eligibility of officer candidates can only be suspended by a three-fourths (3/4) vote from IFC full council.
Section IV: Duties of Executive Board Officers
1. General Duties of every officer
A. To attend all regularly scheduled and special meetings.
B. To prepare an annual report of activities before the end of their term.
2. Duties and powers of the President are:
A. To conduct the meetings of the IFC and the executive board.
B. To call special meetings of the IFC and the executive board.
C. To supervise all activities and operations of the IFC.
D. To represent the IFC in all dealings with the University community and the general public.
E. To create and appoint any special committees deemed necessary by the IFC and/or executive board, and to sere as an ex officio member of all committees.
F. To serve as co-coordinator of the Presidents Council, an informal body of the fraternity and sorority presidents, with the Panhellenic Council President.
G. To appoint IFC representatives or delegates to other committees as necessary.
3. The duties and powers of the Executive Vice President are:
A. To assume the role of the President, in the absence of the elected President.
B. To serve as the executive board representative to the IFC Judicial Board, but not serve as a member of the IFC Judicial Board.
C. To oversee the implementation of the IFC Risk Reduction Guidelines.
D. To serve as chairman of the IFC Constitution and Bylaw Revision Committee.
4. The duties and powers of the Vice President of Recruitment are:
A. To direct and coordinate the IFC rush program, with a complete fall and spring review of the program.
B. To develop and coordinate an IFC summer rush publication.
C. To represent the IFC during the Summer Advising Conferences.
D. To publish a list of individuals who pledged, associated, or joined fraternities and give a copy to each chapter.
E. To serve as the chairman of the IFC Recruitment Committee.
5. The duties and powers of the Vice President of Internal Relations are:
A. To submit to the IFC before the end of the school year an annual budget to be approved by the legislative body.
B. To bill for, receive, disburse, and keep an accurate account of all IFC funds and to give an accurate financial report at each full council meeting.
C. To be legally bonded.
D.
At the
4th full IFC council meeting of the spring and fall semester,
propose a budget to be approved by the full council.
E. To record the minutes of all IFC and executive board meetings.
F. To distribute the minutes of all meetings, one copy going to each fraternity president, the Assistant Dean of Students, Panhellenic Council President, Chairperson of the IGPA, and the IFC Faculty Advisor.
G. To maintain a membership list of the IFC and check attendance at all full council, executive board, and committee meetings.
H. To enforce the attendance policy as stated in Section VII, 2.
I. To be responsible for the maintenance of the IFC office, equipment and supplies.
J. To appoint a parliamentarian to serve an entire year and assist in any procedures involving Robert’s Rules of Order.
6. Duties and powers of the Vice President of Public Relations are:
A. To develop and coordinate the public relations efforts of the IFC.
B. To develop and coordinate, in conjunction with the Panhellenic Council, an annual report detailing all activities of the Greek system.
C. To oversee the completion of the SEIFC Awards Program and any other such awards programs.
D. To serve as the chairman of the IFC Public Relations Committee.
7. Duties and powers of the Vice President of Chapter Services are:
A. To organize and coordinate all philanthropic/community service projects of the IFC.
B. To serve as the IFC representative to the IGPA.
C. To serve as the chairman of the IFC Chapter Services Committee.
8. Duties and powers of the Vice President of Education are:
A. To develop and coordinate the educational programming of the IFC.
B. To coordinate all scholarship activities of the IFC.
C. To serve as the chairman of the IFC Education Committee.
9. Duties and powers of the Vice President of External Affairs are:
A. To organize and coordinate the alumni relations activities of the IFC.
B. To serve as the IFC representative to the Intramural Office.
C. To serve as the IFC Alumni Relations Committee Chairman.
D. To coordinate biannual meetings of IFC chapter alumni relations chairmen.
E. To coordinate all IFC sponsored alumni functions/activities. (Homecoming, Greek Week, alumni databases, etc.)
F. To coordinate the promotion of IFC sponsored alumni activities.
10. Duties and powers of the Judicial Board Chairman are:
A. To conduct the IFC Judicial Board as outlined in Section VI of these Bylaws.
B. To distribute the procedures for the IFC Judicial Board to chapters on an annual basis.
C. To ensure that all Judicial Board and Executive Board decisions are carried out and enforced.
Section V: Committees
1. The standing committees, as stipulated in section 4 of these By-Laws, are the Expansion Committee, the By-Laws Revision Committee, the Recruitment Committee, the Public Relations Committee, the Chapter Services Committee, and the Education Committee.
2. The IFC delegate from each member fraternity is encouraged to serve on at least one standing committee. Chapter presidents are encouraged to serve on a standing committee, but are not required to do so.
3. Any additional members may be added at the request of the committee chairman.
4. Committee chairmen and committee members hold office at the discretion of the IFC President and Executive Board.
5. Committees shall meet regularly through the Fall and Spring semesters at the discretion of the committee chairmen.
Section VI: Judicial Board
1. Purpose- The IFC Judicial Board shall arbitrate conflicts between fraternities and consider for disciplinary action, violations of IFC rules and regulations.
2. Jurisdiction- The IFC Judicial Board shall have original jurisdiction for IFC recognized fraternities on the Lexington campus that violate any, all, or part of the following:
A. The IFC Constitution, Bylaws or any other voted piece of IFC legislation that has been formally accepted by the council.
B. The IFC judicial Board shall have jurisdiction for violations of the Code of Student Conduct which involve a fraternity such that the alleged violation may be said to be associated with a particular fraternity.
3. Requirements -
A. The judicial Board shall consist of one chairman and eight at-large members elected by a majority vote of the IFC. The four highest vote recipients shall serve as the regular at large members to the Judicial Board. The remaining four shall serve as alternates should any of the four at large members not be able to fulfill their duties for any reason.
B. Only one member from a fraternity may be elected to a position on the judicial Board (including the chairman).
C. Applicants for any of these positions must be initiated members in good standing with a member fraternity and a student at the University at the time of appointment.
D. Applicants for the chairman position of the judicial Board must be a past or current IFC judicial Board member, past fraternity president, past IFC Executive Board member, or be approved by the Executive Board.
4. Judicial Procedures
A. Any complaints shall be presented in writing to the Executive Vice President or chair of the judicial Board.
B. It is the judicial Board chairman’s duty to determine when there is just cause for a hearing to take place. If not, further evidence may be requested of the Executive V-ice President at the chairman's discretion.
C. Four members and the chairman must be present for a case to be considered. No board member will sit on a case involving his own fraternity. If there are not enough members, special board members will be appointed by the IFC Executive Board.
D. If the chairman of the judicial Board's fraternity is involved in a case, an alternate will be appointed by the IFC Executive Board from the other judicial Board members.
E. Upon receiving a complaint, the judicial Board must inform the fraternity of the charges to be considered within ten class days
F. The IFC Executive Vice President shall present the evidence against the accused chapter one week before the judicial hearing. He will also present the facts in prosecution of the accused fraternity.
G. The Judicial Board must arrive at a decision within twenty class days of receiving the complaint from the Executive V-ice President or chairman of the judicial Board.
H. Further procedures are included in the attached, “Judicial Board Hearing Procedures."
I. A “no-show” to a scheduled court appearance will receive a default judgment of “guilty” to their alleged charges.
5. Judicial Appeals
A. Written intent to appeal must be submitted to the IFC President or Executive Vice President within ten (10) school days of receiving the judicial Board decision.
B. As soon as the Judicial Board makes a decision on a particular case the sanctions will be enforced. As soon as the chapter in question informs the IFC in writing of their intent to appeal the sanction will be lifted until the appeal can be heard during the next full council meeting. It will take a two-thirds (2/3) majority of voting members in attendance to send the appeal to the Executive Board. If the Executive Board does not overturn the sanctions, the elapsed time will be added to the end of the sanction
C. The Executive Board will make the final decision on appeals. If an Executive Board member’s fraternity is involved he will not sit on an appeal. The Executive Vice President will give a brief summary of the case before the board, but will not participate in the Executive Board decision. The accused fraternity will also have an opportunity to present their case at the time. The Judicial Board Chair will only vote in the event of a tie. It takes a majority vote of the Executive Board considering a case to change the judicial Board decision.
D. The Executive Board must make a decision within ten (10) school days.
Section VII: Meetings
1. The IFC Full Council shall meet every two (2) weeks throughout the academic year, or more often as circumstances require. Each fraternity shall have two (2) representatives in attendance at each meeting.
2. If at any time a fraternity does not have two (2) representatives, as previously specified, the following assessments will be made:
Meetings Missed Per Semester
Missed 1 meeting Fine of $20 (for each meeting missed)
Missed 2 meetings Loss of IFC vote (for semester)
Missed 3 meetings Social Probation (for semester)
Missed 4 meetings Referred to Judicial Board
3. IFC meetings shall be run by Robert’s Rules of Order.
Revised: April 2009
Attachments to the
Constitution and Bylaws of the
Interfraternity Council of the University of Kentucky
Hazing Policy
A. No fraternity shall employ a program of pledge/new member education which includes hazing in any form. Hazing is defined as any action taken or situation created intentionally to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, ridicule, or harassment, whether on or off fraternity premises.
B. The University of Kentucky Interfraternity Council shall support the state hazing law, the Kentucky State Board of Regents’ Hazing Policy, Fraternity Executives Association, National Interfraternity Conference and International Fraternity Hazing Policies and Statements.
C. These hazing policies are applicable to individual fraternity chapter members as well as IFC fraternity chapters.
D. All infractions of above stated shall be dealt with in a serious manner by the IFC Judicial Board and the University of Kentucky.
IFC Recruitment Guidelines
Section 1. General Recruitment Guidelines
A. All rush activities shall be held on the University of Kentucky campus or on fraternity-owned property, unless prior consent is obtained from the IFC Executive Board.
B. A rushee accepting alcoholic beverages during a rush activity shall not be permitted to pledge the chapter responsible for one calendar year from the date of infraction. This is also applicable to those rushees who have already accepted an invitation to join.
C. The IFC President, Executive Vice President and the Vice President of Recruitment will make up the Rush Enforcement Committee and will be responsible for monitoring the compliance of chapters with the rush regulations set forth by these Guidelines.
D. All alleged infractions shall be brought before the Interfraternity Council Judicial Board within one week of the alleged incident.
E. Fraternities may hold open rush functions outside of formal rush periods with the approval of the Interfraternity Council Executive Board prior to the event.
F. In order to be eligible to pledge a fraternity at the University of Kentucky, unaffiliated students must be enrolled full time at the University of Kentucky and must first complete and sign a registration form giving the IFC consent to release grade information to member fraternities’ rush chairmen. Potential new members must have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.5 or a transfer/college GPA of 2.0 or better. If a student has a college/transfer GPA below a 2.0, they will be considered ineligible for recruitment regardless of their high school GPA.
G. The formal Fall and Spring IFC Recruitment meeting shall be held no later than Friday before formal recruitment begins. The presence of chapter officers (including President, and Recruitment Chairman) are mandatory.
H. The information sheets not entered into the IFC database or collected by the IFC executive officers the night of Formal Recruitment must be submitted into the database or turned into 575 Patterson Office Tower no later than 10:00 a.m. the following morning of the unaffiliated student’s visit.
Section 2. Formal Recruitment Guidelines
A. There shall be one formal recruitment meeting held no later than the Friday before fonal recruitment begins. This meeting shall be conducted by no fewer than two (2) members of the IFC Executive Board or any member of the Greek Community appointed by the Vice President of Recruitment.
B. The purposes of the Recruitment meeting are as follows:
i. To Educate Chapter Executive Officers on IFC Recruitment Guidelines (see Recruitment Guidelines Sec. 1 & 2).
ii. To inform the Chapter Executive Officers of the procedures required to register each potential recruit into the IFC Database or through the Recruitment Registration forms (white sheets).
C. At no time during a fraternity open rush event or during the specified formal rush period shall alcohol be permitted in correlation with the fraternity or that event.
D. There shall be no fraternity social functions the Friday, Saturday, or Sunday preceding the formal rush periods. Also, the Friday and Saturday night social functions after the formal rush period are not rush functions and should not be promoted in any such manner; therefore they should be registered accordingly.
E. All rush activities shall be conducted within the guidelines of “Regulations Governing Student Organizations.” No fraternity advertisement can include references to alcohol (i.e. beer, keg party, etc.) and must be approved by the Interfraternity Council Executive Board and Dean of Students Office before being posted.
F. Each chapter is prohibited from extending a bid before 9:00 a.m. on Thursday during the formal rush period. A rushee receiving a bid before the specified date and time shall not be permitted to pledge the chapter responsible for a calendar year from the date of infraction.
G. Formal Fall recruitment shall be announced no later than the first full council meeting in March. Furthermore, Spring recruitment shall be announced no later than the first full council meeting in November.
H. The signing period of the Formal Recruitment shall extend from 9:00 a.m. on the Friday of the formal rush period to 4:00 p.m. one week later. During this time only those rushes who have registered for Formal Recruitment and have been deemed eligible by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs to receive bids will be allowed to accept bids and sign with a chapter. Registration for Formal Recruitment will be closed at 11:00 p.m. on the fifth day of the formal recruitment period.
I. The Office of the Fraternity and Sorority Affairs will release a list of rushes who have met the grade requirement to pledge/join an IFC member fraternity prior to the beginning of rush events on the fourth day of the formal rush period. This list will be updated again on the fifth day (i.e. Friday) of the formal rush period and again on the first work day following the formal rush period (i.e. Monday). Any rushee whose name does not appear on this list shall be considered ineligible to pledge/join an IFC member fraternity, and any chapter who bids a rushee not on this list shall be referred to the IFC judicial board for a rush infraction.
J. Immediately following the formal rush period, IFC member fraternities will be allowed to hold continuous recruitment functions as long as they are registered and approved by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. Any potential new member attending these continuous recruitment functions must have their grades checked by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs before they are allowed to receive a bid. If the chapters wish to extend a bid during continuous recruitment they must pay a $20 fee to be able to do so.
K. If a bid is extended to a rushee and the rushee decides to “hold the bid over” to another semester, the fraternity must turn the list of “hold overs” into the Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Office by October 1st in the Fall semester and by March 1st in the Spring semester. The bid will be good for the entire calendar year following the recruitment period in which it was given. The rushee “holding the bid over” must register for recruitment through IFC in the semester that they wish to accept the bid and begin the pledging process. Failure to register the “hold over” rushee will result in bidding and unregistered rushee and the IFC Judicial Board will deal with the infraction accordingly
Revised: April 2009
Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association of the University of Kentucky
Greek Risk Reduction Guidelines
In planning and implementing social events, members of the University of Kentucky Greek community are bound by a number of laws, regulations and policies concerning alcohol and other risk-related issues. The Commonwealth of Kentucky, the University and each international fraternity/sorority have implemented policies and programs that impact directly upon Greek-sponsored social events. The responsibility for compliance with these policies and the subsequent liability for negligence rest solely on each individual chapter.
In no event may council funds be used for the purchase of alcohol for individual chapter or council events.
Chapter events must be planned well in advance in order to ensure compliance with national risk management policies as well as related State laws and University guidelines. Chapters co-sponsoring an event must work together to ensure compliance with the strictest national policies of the sponsoring groups. The UK Greek governing councils (IFC, PC) have created and adopted the Greek Risk Reduction Guidelines in order to assist member chapters in the planning and implementation of safer events. Chapters must meet the following requirements for chapter-sponsored events that include the consumption of alcohol:
1. At least four class days prior to the date of the event, the following information must be submitted to the appropriate governing council in 575 Patterson Office Tower:
a. A completed event planning form;
b. Duty schedules for sober door monitors, bar monitors and designated drivers.
c. A typed guest list that includes the names of all members of the sponsoring organization(s) and all non-members who have been invited to the event (if the event is closed);
d. A copy of the invitation that is being sent to non-members on the guest list (if the event is closed);
2. Alleged violations of these guidelines will be forwarded to the judicial body of the appropriate governing council as well as the international headquarters of the chapter(s) involved for further action.
3. Philanthropy events and fundraising events cannot be considered as social events with alcohol.
4. A written risk reduction plan which cites the National Risk Management Guidelines for all co-sponsoring organizations must accompany the event planning form.
5. A risk reduction meeting must be held between the sponsoring chapters, the appropriate IFC, NPC and NPHC council officers and at least one (1) of the Assistant Deans of Students for Fraternity and Sorority Affairs before each chapter sponsored and co-sponsored event.
6. All Fraternity and Sorority chapter events which involve the use of alcohol must follow the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, and National Panhellenic Council of the University of Kentucky Risk Reduction Guidelines and must be submitted to the Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Office via the Event Planning Form. The events include, but are not limited to: Formals, date parties, Alumni Events, and Off-campus house parties.
University of Kentucky Interfraternity Expansion Policy
I. General Philosophy
A. Realizing the importance of controlled growth to the continuance of the men's fraternity system, the University of Kentucky Interfraternity Council hereby sets forth the following policy and procedures for expansion and colonization on the University of Kentucky campus.
B. The IFC and the University jointly reserve the right to invite specific national fraternities to colonize at the University.
C. New social fraternities shall be subject to the expansion policy from the time of first contact with the IFC and/or the fraternity advisor until accepted as a member of the IFC.
D. Expansion is a step by step process and the completion of one or more steps in no way guarantees a commitment to extend an invitation to colonize.
E. The University does not recognize local fraternities. All men's fraternities who desire membership in the IFC at UK must have affiliation with a national organization recognized as a member of the National Interfraternity Conference (NIC).
II. Expansion Committee
A. The IFC Executive Board will appoint an Expansion Committee each semester following the formal recruitment process to examine the feasibility of expansion of the fraternity system.
1. The Executive Board will appoint an Expansion committee chairman.
2. The committee will consist of one (1) member from at least 33% of the IFC-affiliated fraternities represented at UK including one representative from the most recently colonized fraternity and one representative from the most recently chartered fraternity.
3. The University Fraternity Advisor, IFC President, and IFC VP of Recruitment will act as ex officio committee members.
4. The committee chairman shall request that the Dean of Students appoint two Student Affairs staff members to serve as ex officio committee members to assist in his/her final decision. The Student Affairs staff officers must be present for the review of information sent to the expansion committee once the decision has been made by the IFC whether of not to expand.
B. The committee shall deal with all matters pertaining to expansion of the men's fraternity system. All action in the area of colonization must be approved and sanctioned by this committee.
1. As their primary mission, the committee shall review the current climate of the men's fraternity system at UK. This review should focus on the interest of unaffiliated male students on campus and their interest in a new opportunity for fraternity membership.
2. The Expansion Committee's concerns should be for the long-term benefit of all male students to have the opportunity to join a fraternity. They need also to focus on the benefit to the University of Kentucky IFC with additional chapters.
3. If the committee votes to expand, the committee will notify the IFC and wait for its approval before beginning the formal process of expansion.
4. If the committee determines that expansion is not feasible, all interested parties will be notified in writing by the Chairman of the Expansion committee in conjunction with the Dean of Students Office.
III. IFC Approval to begin Inquiry Stage
A. In order for the expansion committee to move on to the inquiry stage, there must be an IFC full council vote and discussion.
B. After discussing the motion to expand, the IFC, in order to move ahead with expansion, must approve the recommendation with a ¾ vote.
C. It is essential that IFC be wholeheartedly supportive of expansion before IFC propositions proposals from NIC-affiliated fraternities to expand.
D. If IFC, after bringing in the national fraternities, does not wish to expand it will take the same 75% vote to reverse the decision.
IV. Inquiry Stage
A. The Expansion Committee Chairman shall compose a letter to all NIC-affiliated fraternities not established on campus extending the invitation for each to submit a letter of interest of expansion to the University. The invitation should include a copy of pertinent campus policies, including the Expansion Policy.
B. Upon invitation, any interested fraternity must provide to the Expansion Committee the following information:
1. number of alumni within a 100-mile radius of Lexington;
2. number of colonization attempts in the last five (5) years, their respective status, and the names of the institutions at which they are located;
3. number of colonization attempts presently pending and the names of the respective institutions;
4. name of the institution housing the nearest chartered chapter of the fraternity and its status;
5. the ratio of field staff/consultants to chapters/colonies and the set visitation program;
6. reason for interest in colonizing at the University of Kentucky; and
7. status of housing corporation/alumni boards and plans for facilities in Lexington.
C. The fraternity, its constitution and its governing laws shall be in compliance with the latest edition of the Code of Student Conduct: Rules, Procedures, Rights and Responsibilities.
D. The committee shall give consideration to the following instances in the decision for invitation to colonize:
1. national fraternities who have previously had a chapter on campus which was removed for non-disciplinary measures; and
2. national fraternities who have filed letters with the committee, IFC, or fraternity advisor expressing previous or continuing interest in the campus.
E. All members of the committee shall take time to review all materials received in order to familiarize themselves with all the respective fraternities' programs and philosophies prior to any discussion on such information.
V. Selection Stage
A. Upon review of submitted information, the Expansion Committee, through open discussion and dialogue, shall develop a small fixed group no larger than three (3) candidate fraternities per expansion opening. These groups will be invited to visit the campus and make presentations before the full IFC and interested Dean of Students staff for the purpose of mutual evaluation.
B. The committee chairman shall compose a letter to those finalists inviting them to campus for the purpose of educating the full IFC on the philosophies and programs of the fraternity.
C. The visits by the fraternities shall be individual and distinct for each invited fraternity.
D. The committee shall prepare ranking sheets for the evaluating members to use in determining fraternity rankings towards potential colonizations. The following criteria shall be considered in selection of colonizing fraternities (in no particular order):
1. success ratio of colonizations over the past 5 years;
2. number of alumni within a 100-mile radius of Lexington;
3. number of chapters within a 100-mile radius of Lexington;
4. location of national headquarters and respective staff members;
5. completeness of requested application materials;
6. timeliness of application materials;
7. former affiliation with the University of Kentucky;
8. specific student, faculty, and/or staff interest in establishing a new chapter;
9. demonstrated interest by the fraternity; and
10. quality of presentation by those fraternities invited to appear before the selection committee.
E. Following the final presentation of the National Fraternities, a special meeting will be held to select the fraternity or fraternities that will be invited to expand.
F. The invited group must attain a majority vote by the IFC. Therefore, if there are three groups invited to present and none receives a majority on the first ballot, the group with the lowest number of votes will be removed and a second vote will be taken between the two groups receiving the highest vote totals.
G. If the IFC no longer wishes to expand following the campus presentations of finalists, then as stated earlier in Art. III Sec. D, a ¾ vote by the IFC is necessary to cancel expansion.
H. IFC approval authorizes the IFC President and Expansion Chairman to present to the Dean of Students the recommendation and desire to extend an invitation to the selected fraternity. A letter shall be sent to the Dean of Students advising him/her of the IFC approval of a particular fraternity's colonization. With his/her agreement, a joint invitation will be extended to the approved fraternity.
I. The Dean of Students shall have the opportunity to review the IFC decision in an open forum and make final decision to approve or disapprove the IFC recommendations.
J. After University approval is granted, the Expansion Chairman shall compose a letter of invitation to the selected fraternity to expand on campus.
K. If the invited fraternity declines, the committee shall then invite the next fraternity on the priority list with the approval of the IFC Full Council.
L. The Expansion Committee shall keep on file for two calendar years the information submitted from all fraternities not selected for colonization.
VI. Petition/Colonization Stage
A. Upon receipt of the fraternity’s acceptance, the IFC and fraternity advisor shall work with the appropriate fraternity staff member(s) to offer any assistance possible to ensure the success of the colonization.
B. The beginning date of the colonization will be decided by the IFC and fraternity advisor in consultation with the respective fraternity.
C. The approved fraternities will submit to the IFC and fraternity advisor a plan/program for their colonization at the University of Kentucky within thirty (30) days of approval.
D. Upon receiving permission of colonization, the new colony shall be a non-voting member of the IFC, recognized as a "petitioning status" member.
E. The rights and privileges afforded the colony shall include the below-listed items. If necessary and at their discretion, the Expansion Committee may waive any of the following requirements. The colony shall:
1. attend all IFC meetings as a petitioning status member;
2. receive all services granted to the full status members of the IFC, except for voting privileges;
3. pay no dues to the Interfraternity Council;
4. comply with all University and IFC rules and regulations, policies and procedures;
5. maintain an active alumni advisory committee as prescribed through the national fraternity;
6. as represented by the colony president, meet with the fraternity advisor and the IFC president on a monthly basis;
7. provide IFC and fraternity advisor with a report three (3) times per semester on the status of the colony
8. be encouraged to participate in all Greek system activities;
9. have a national representative visit a minimum of once each semester for as long as it exists as a colony of the national fraternity or a petitioning status member of the IFC, whichever is longer; and
10. function as a petitioning status chapter for not less than three academic months and not more than two years.
VII. Full Status Membership
A. A petitioning status chapter or colony may petition the IFC for membership after being an officially recognized petitioning status member for one calendar year or upon being granted a charter from the national fraternity. A petition for recognition as a full status member must be made no later than one month after the chartering of the chapter.
B. The petition shall be presented at any official IFC meeting and voted upon at the next meeting.
C. Acceptance of the petition by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the total membership of the Interfraternity Council shall admit the chapter as a full status member of the IFC.
D. Full membership is contingent upon approval.
E. At the time of acceptance, the group shall pay a one-time fifty-dollar ($150) admission fee.
VIII. Alternative Procedures
A. Interest Groups
1. For this policy, an interest group shall be defined as those fraternities formed independent of IFC with no pre-determined national fraternity affiliation.
2. The interest group should seek IFC approval for assistance in selecting a national fraternity.
3. The IFC Expansion Committee shall work with the interest group to ensure sound investigation of interested fraternities.
4. The interest group should express their choice to the IFC Expansion Committee for support and approval.
5. The IFC Expansion Policy should be following at the point of Expansion Committee approval.
B. Interest Groups with Pre-Determined Fraternity Association
1. The IFC Expansion Committee shall ask the interest group to provide written documentation from the chosen national fraternity that the fraternity does support and desire to expand with the interest group as their base.
2. The IFC Expansion Committee shall clearly state that the interest group must abide by the stated IFC Expansion Policy.
3. The IFC shall clearly inform the fraternity of the Expansion Policy which the affiliate group and national fraternity must follow.
4. If the fraternity and interest group seek and receive Expansion Committee approval then the IFC shall proceed with the formal approval.
C. General Fraternity Expanding Without an Invitation
1. Upon being notified of a fraternity’s attempts at on-campus fraternity expansion outside of the guidelines established by the IFC Expansion Policy, the IFC should communicate to the fraternity the University and IFC Expansion Policy.
2. The fraternity shall be notified of the process of expansion and be requested to follow it.
3. The IFC shall understand the right of association that fellow students have on a public university, such as UK.
IX. Policy Re-Examination
A. The procedures and policy on expansion shall be reviewed, and if necessary, revised each semester by the Expansion Committee with the approval of the IFC.
Adopted November 21, 1994
Revised February 7, 2000
UKIFC Scholarship Program
Minimum Standards
1. In order to maintain good standing with the IFC, a chapter must maintain a semester grade point average equal to or above the campus All Male Average (AMA).
2. In order to be eligible for an IFC elected or appointed office, a person must have a minimum of a 2.75 cumulative grade point average or have achieved a 3.0 or better in his last two semesters of course work. If at any time the cumulative GPA of an elected or appointed officer falls below 2.75, he automatically forfeits the office and it shall be filled as outlined in the Bylaws.
Assistance
When a chapter falls below the AMA the chapter automatically enters into the IFC Scholastic Assistance Program. The program has five levels of assistance based on a chapter’s GPA: 1) Academic Caution; 2) Academic Warning; 3) Academic Reprimand; 4) Academic Probation; and 5) Academic Suspension. Since the AMA fluctuates every semester, the assistance program’s actual numbers, which determine a chapter’s level, will be modified accordingly. The levels of assistance are defined as follows:
Level 1: Academic Caution
A. A chapter is placed at this level if its GPA is less than or equal to 0.05 below the AMA.
B. The chapter president and scholarship chairman must arrange a meeting with the IFC VP for Education and the Assistant Dean of Students in order to review the chapter scholarship program and develop alternative measures to be implemented within the chapter.
C. The chapter must submit a mid-term report to the IFC Executive Council outlining progress and/or programming that has been held.
D. The chapter may participate in a maximum of four social events in the following semester.
Level 2: Academic Warning
A. A chapter is placed at this level if its GPA is between 0.05 and 0.10 below the AMA.
B. The chapter president and scholarship chairman must arrange a meeting with the IFC VP for Education, the Assistant Dean of Students, and the chapter advisor in order to review the chapter scholarship program and develop alternative measures to ensure improvement.
C. The chapter must submit a mid-term report to the IFC Executive Committee outlining scholastic progress and/or scholarship programming that has been completed.
D. The chapter may participate in a maximum of three social events in the upcoming semester.
Level 3: Academic Reprimand
A. A chapter is placed at this level if its GPA is between 0.10 and 0.15 below the AMA.
B. The chapter president and scholarship chairman must arrange a meeting with the IFC VP for Education, the Assistant Dean of Students, and the chapter advisor in order to review the chapter scholarship program and develop alternative measures to ensure improvement.
C. The chapter must hold at least one scholastic workshop at which at least 95% of its members are in attendance.
D. The chapter must submit monthly reports to the IFC Executive Committee outlining progress and/or programming that has been completed.
E. The chapter may participate in a maximum of two social events in the upcoming semester.
Level 4: Academic Probation
A. A chapter is placed at this level if its GPA is between 0.15 and 0.20 below the AMA.
B. The chapter president and scholarship chairman must arrange a meeting with IFC VP for Education, the Assistant Dean of Students, and the chapter advisors to review the chapter’s scholarship program and develop other measures for improvement.
C. The chapter must hold at least three scholastic workshops at which at least 95% of its members are in attendance.
D. The chapter must submit monthly reports to the IFC Executive Council outlining progress and/or programming that has been completed.
E. The chapter may participate in a maximum of one social event in the upcoming semester.
Level 5: Academic Suspension
A. A chapter is placed at this level if its GPA is 0.20 or more below the AMA.
B. All assistance program requirements of Academic Probation apply to this level.
C. The chapter may participate in no social events and may only field one A-team for each intramural team sport.
Programming
The IFC will sponsor scholastic programming for member chapters throughout the academic year. Such programming will include:
A. An orientation/training session for chapter scholarship chairmen.
B. Study skills workshops for new member classes.
C. Consulting sessions with chapter scholarship chairmen to assist in the development of chapter scholarship programs.
Recognition & Incentives
The IFC will sponsor a program to recognize chapters and individuals who excel scholastically.
Chapter Recognition will include:
a. Each semester, awards will be presented to the new members, returning members and chapter with the highest GPA.
b. Each semester, awards will be presented to the chapter with the most improved GPA.
c. Each semester, all chapters that are above the AMA will be recognized.
d. Chapters achieving a semester GPA greater than 2.95 will receive a $50 reduction in IFC dues for the following semester, greater than 3.0 will receive a $100 reduction in IFC dues for the following semester, and greater than 3.4 will receive a $250 reduction in IFC dues for the following semester. The chapter showing the most improved semester GPA will also receive a $100 reduction in IFC dues for the following semester.
Individuals will be recognized in an advertisement in the Kernel for achieving semester GPAs at the following levels: Summa Cum Laude (3.8+); Magna Cum Laude (3.6+); and Cum Laude (3.4+). Revised April 2009
Judicial Board Hearing Procedures
Prior to the Hearing
1. In order to initiate the judicial process, a formal Incident Report Form must be completed in detail to clearly indicate the rule infraction and reason for a hearing.
2. The Judicial Board Chairman must determine whether the evidence presented in the formal Incident Report Form is substantial enough to require a hearing, or whether further evidence is required.
3. Should a hearing be needed, it is the responsibility of the Judicial Board Chairman to assure that the 6 judicial board members and the Executive Vice President of the Interfraternity Council are in accordance with the chosen hearing date and to notify the accused chapter formally in writing of both the charges and the date. The Executive Vice President must also present the evidence to the Judicial Board and the charged party one week prior to the case date.
4. The Judicial Board Chairman must review all relevant background information with his committee, to establish a chronological sequence of events and create possible questions that could be necessary when hearing the case.
During the Hearing
1. The Judicial Board Chairman should introduce all those present, including the 6 board members, chapter representatives, IFC executive vice president and any further people in attendance that are necessary to the hearing.
2 The Judicial Board Chairman must deliver a confidentiality statement and require that all those present to offer an account of the incident in question must tell only the truth. Then he should ask if there are any questions regarding this.
3. The Judicial Board Chairman then asks all witnesses to leave the room with the board members, the accused chapter and the IFC executive vice president remaining.
4. The charges against the accused chapter should then be read as stated in the incident report form.
5. It is then the responsibility of the IFC executive vice president to present the full case against the accused chapter, including any witnesses or pieces of evidence. Following each witness's account, the accused will have the opportunity to briefly question the witness. This is followed by questions from the board for the witness. Finally, when the executive vice president has completed his entire presentation, the accused will have the opportunity to briefly ask questions, once again followed by the judicial board.
6. The accused chapter will then be able to present its defense, including witnesses and any further evidence in their support. After each witness's account, the executive vice president will be able to ask questions. This is followed by the judicial board's questioning of each witness. Finally, at the conclusion of the accused's entire defense, the executive vice president has the opportunity to question the accused, followed by the judicial board.
7. After each witness completes his account during the hearing, he is asked to leave the room.
8. Following the executive vice president and the accused's presentation, any final questions the board members may have, can be answered at that time.
9. The executive vice president is then allowed to give a brief final statement to summarize his prosecution. This is followed by the accused chapter's representative offering their final statement.
10. Finally, both parties are thanked for their cooperation during the proceedings and then excused, while given the choice to wait for a decision or leave.
After the Hearing
1. Allow a brief period for all board members to write down their thoughts and consider their conclusions.
2. Determine first, as a group, if the hearing was clear and conclusive, and if so, then determine if the accused chapter is innocent or guilty of the charges at hand through discussion and finally a vote. In the case of a tie, the Judicial Board Chairman shall provide the tie breaking vote.
3. Should a verdict of guilty be decided upon, an appropriate sanction must be found through a consensus decision making process.
4. Present the findings and rationale behind the decision of the board to the accused chapter in writing, whereby, indicating the formal process of appeals, should the verdict be guilty.
5. The formal letter of decision should be filed in the IFC Judicial Board file of all hearings that are held.
Revised April 17, 2001
Resolution on IGPA
WHEREAS, a fundamental purpose of the UK Interfraternity Council is to provide assistance to member fraternities in the accomplishment of their goals, and;
WHEREAS, the goals of all IFC member fraternities include certain philanthropic responsibilities, and;
WHEREAS, many IFC member fraternities choose to meet their philanthropic goals through sponsorship of events geared primarily toward the UK Greek community, and;
WHEREAS, to avoid over-programming and unnecessary competition, the UK Interfraternity Council recognizes the need for a centralized process of scheduling and screening such events, and;
WHEREAS, the UK Interfraternity Council recognizes the need for cooperation with the UK Panhellenic Association and the UK NUBIAN Council in the scheduling and screening of such events,
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the UK Interfraternity Council assigns responsibility to the Inter-Greek Programming Assembly (IGPA) for scheduling and screening events that are sponsored or co-sponsored by IFC member fraternities and request or require participation by four or more Greek organizations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that IFC member fraternities holding events that are not properly scheduled and screened by IGPA are subject to immediate referral to the IFC Judicial Board by the IGPA.