Panhellenic Council Policies and Statements

The Panhellenic Council and its member sororities have approved the following policies and statements of position.

Code of Ethics

Revised March 2016, passed April 10, 2016

We, the members of the Binghamton University’s Panhellenic Council, agree to promote high standards and expectations throughout our entire community. By upholding the following standards, we will work to continuously strengthen our community so that our members may have a positive and enriching experience within Greek life.

Scholarship: As a whole, we understand that learning is the primary focus of our college experience. Each of our organizations prides themselves on high academic achievement. We hold all of our members to high academic achievement and a standard of excellence.

Service: Every sorority works to better our community through service and philanthropy. Chapters work effortlessly to raise thousands of dollars towards various philanthropic and service organization.

Unity: We create strong bonds and relationships with other fraternity/sorority organizations. These relationships foster an environment of open communication and respect.

Respect: Every day we work towards creating a more inclusive Greek community, where every member is welcoming and approachable. Self-respect is also key to creating the ideal representative of our organizations values and ideas. Chapters respect all individual members.

Leadership: Every member has the opportunity to hold leadership positions in their organizations and beyond, in which they can create real change. These experiences give our members skills they can utilize for the rest of their lives.

Integrity: We hold ourselves to the highest degree in terms of moral and ethical decision making. Chapters and council officers do not allow self-interest to interfere with daily behavior

Self-Governance: We strictly abide by the policies put in place before us establishing a strong sense of community. We actively hold each other accountable to live up to a higher standard.

Commitment: We dedicate ourselves to the realization of each of our respective organizations values, as well as those of Binghamton University. Chapters and council officers are loyal to the entire Panhellenic community.

Diversity: Binghamton University Panhellenic values the differences between our members and celebrates our diverse community.

Emergency Policy

Created August 2017, passed September 2017

The Binghamton University Panhellenic Council encourages all member organizations of our community to have their own emergency procedure to follow in the event any of the following situations arise.

Medical

In the event of a medical emergency at a council or chapter function, contact the following:

  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Harpers Ferry (607)
  • Vestal EMS
  • Vestal Police
  • Binghamton Police
  • Chapter or Council President
Fire

In the event of a fire emergency at a council or chapter function, contact the following:

  • Vestal Police and Fire Department
  • Binghamton Police and Fire Department
  • Chapter or Council President
Severe weather

In the event of a severe weather emergency, follow the procedure as determined by the University when on campus. During severe weather while off-campus, use your judgement based on the type of weather. During severe snow and cold emergencies, stay indoors to prevent hypothermia and avoid driving if possible to avoid accidents because of poor driving conditions. During extreme heat emergencies, stay indoors in air conditioning to avoid potential heat related illness. During extreme rain and wind conditions, stay indoors. In the event of extreme flooding, stay off the roads to avoid poor driving conditions and potential bodily harm, should an individual get caught in flooding. In the event of extreme winds, remain indoors. Should it become so extreme a localized storm system forms, seek protective shelter away from windows and doors.

Bomb/terror threat

In the event of a bomb or terror threat, follow local or University procedure, depending on the location of the incident, and remain calm.

Extended power loss

In the event of an extended power loss on campus, contact the Resident Director of the community you are located in and follow the procedure according to them and the University. In the event of an extended power loss off campus, contact the landlord, the local police and if you directly deal with the local power company, them as well. If power is not restored within 12 hours contact the University for possible assistance.

Personal (e.g. discovery of a long-term illness of a sister, sudden death, etc.)

In the event of a personal emergency, chapters should remain sensitive to all those immediately impacted by the emergency. All other chapters should be supportive of all those impacted. In the event of this, chapters should follow their own specific policies, locally and nationally. If a personal emergency occurs as a result of any of the previously stated emergencies, contact your national organization as well as the chapter and council president.

Judicial Policy

I. Appointments

  1. The judicial board will be composed of the Risk Management/Judicial Chair of the Panhellenic Council, one representative from each chapter in the council, and the President and Vice President of the Panhellenic Council.
  2. It is the job of the Risk Management/Judicial Chair to head the board and run the hearings. It is also the duty of the Risk Management/Judicial Chair to conduct judicial board training every semester.
  3. It is the job of the board as a whole to be present for and preside over hearings, deliver and enforce sanctions given by the board, attend training sessions each semester, host educational events and revise the policy once during their term. The board will also seek the advice and counsel of a campus judicial officer or other professional.
  4. Should a board member have a perceived conflict of interest, including but not limited to being actively involved in a group being sent to a hearing, she may be relieved of her duties for that hearing. Following the hearing, she may resume her position as long as she is in good standing with Binghamton University Greek Life and her organization.
  5. It is the responsibility of the members of the board to attend this training in order to be present at any hearing. Failure to attend this training will result in the board member forfeiting the right to sit on the board at a hearing until their training is complete.
  6. In order to be eligible to serve on the judicial board, one must meet the following conditions:
    1. An initiated, undergraduate member in good standing within their organization at the time of their appointment and throughout the duration of their term including but not limited to; academic standing, active membership, financial responsibility with payment of dues, and not implicated for any chapter or Greek Life judiciary cases.
    2. Board members, as well as council members, must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 in the semester prior to assuming office.
    3. An initiated member for a minimum of 2 semesters
    4. May not be an officer of the Panhellenic Council
    5. Must submit an application and interview with the Panhellenic Executive Board
    6. Must be able to serve one full-year term
    7. May not serve more than two consecutive terms

II. Submitting a Complaint

If there is a report of a violation of the risk management policy, those may be reported to any of the risk management chairs or a member of the Panhellenic Executive Board to formally submit to the board for evaluation. The Judicial Board will primarily handle cases involving groups of women displaying misconduct, but reserves the right, and will in certain cases, address an individual who has violated the policy if we feel it necessary. Any student, faculty, administrator, community resident or fraternity/sorority is allowed to make a complaint. Submitted complaints will only be pursued if they are based on fact, not hearsay or rumor. Should a complaint be filed during school breaks or vacations, they will be considered at the first Panhellenic meeting when school resumes.

III. Rights of the Accused

  1. All Panhellenic Women have the right to a fair and impartial hearing.
  2. Council Officers and Chapters will received fair, impartial, and consistent treatment.
  3. An official letter and/or email will be sent to the chapter referred indicating the charge and the date of the hearing. This will go directly to the president of the chapter, the national organizations executive director, and any alumnae advisors.
  4. Confidentiality
    1. Any cases brought before the Judicial Board must not be discussed with anyone except for the other board members.
    2. The accuser does not have the right to know specific details of the punishment but will be informed of the progress of the case.
    3. The public will have access to the hearings following their closing.
  5. All members of the council and peer councils will be notified of the results of the hearing in a timely and factual manner.

IV. Mediation

  1. The purpose of mediation is to find a solution satisfactory to both the complaining party and the accused fraternity that is appropriate under NPC UNANIMOUS AGREEMENTS and the College Panhellenic Constitution, Bylaws and rules.
  2. The Panhellenic President shall appoint a neutral party to serve as the mediator. The mediator shall not be an undergraduate student. The Panhellenic Advisor may serve as a mediator if she/he has not filed the violation.
  3. Mediation shall be closed to the public. The participants in the mediation shall be representatives from each fraternity involved, including a chapter advisor or the complaining party if other than a fraternity, the College Panhellenic President, the Panhellenic Advisor
  4. The Risk Management/Judicial Chair and President of Panhellenic in consultation with the Panhellenic Executive Board shall make the decision as to whether or not a filed infraction should be mediated or should be heard by a judicial board.

V. Judicial Board Hearing

If a report cannot be mediated and is referred to the Judicial Board, these are the steps to be taken:

  1. There is to be no more than three people representing the chapter at the hearing.
  2. Judicial board hearings are closed to the public.
  3. At the hearing the following agenda will be followed:
    1. Call to order and introductions
    2. Charges read by head of board
    3. Opening statements by accuser, then accused
    4. Accuser will call witnesses, cross-examination is allowed following
    5. Accused will call witnesses, cross examination is allowed following
      1. Witnesses are only allowed in the room at the time of their testimony
    6. Judicial board may ask witnesses questions
    7. Closing statements by accuser, then accused
    8. Judicial board members enter executive session for deliberation. Only judicial board members and fraternity/sorority advisors may be in the room
    9. Head of board restates charges, puts motion before the board as follows: “The motions before the members is: Is [organization name] guilty of the charge violating [state rule that was violated]?”
      1. If there are more than one violation, handle each separately
    10. Head of board requests motions from board members followed by discussion
    11. Vote on motions, “yes” or “no”
      1. A guilty verdict requires a majority of judicial board members
    12. If a chapter is found guilty, the judicial board must determine the appropriate sanctions according to severity of the violation. Judicial board members make a motion for a sanction that she believes is appropriate. Motion is debated and amended. Majority vote is required to adopt the motion concerning sanctions.
      1. Sanctions may include, but are not limited to community service, fines, social probation, and educational sanctions.
    13. Reconvene the hearing, and read the judicial board’s decision to the complaining and accused parties.
    14. Following announcement of decision, information for appeals process must be provided.
    15. In the case an entire organization has been charged, they will all be notified of the results through their university email addresses.

VI. Appeals Process

Any chapter may appeal a judicial board decision. If a chapter choses to do so, they must file a report with the Risk Management/Judicial Chair of the Panhellenic executive board. This report must state why the chapter wants to appeal the decision. The appeals committee will be made up of the Panhellenic President, Risk Management/Judicial Chair and advisor. They will meet and discuss the appeal and make the final decision on whether or not to overturn the original ruling. Appeals may be filed on the following grounds:

  1. Unfair process
  2. Previously unavailable evidence
  3. Unfair or inappropriate sanction

VII. Methods of Enforcement

First Offense: If the board is made aware of a violation of the policy, the sorority involved will receive a written notification stating that the board is aware of the issue and that it must be dealt with within 72 hours of receiving the written notification. Before the 72 hours is complete we need a written status update on how the situation was handled. If we are not notified of how the situation was handled within the 72-hour time span the sorority will be sent to the Judicial Board and given a punishment. The 72 hours is subject to change based on the severity of the offense.

Second Offense: If the same sorority violates the policy a second time the individuals will be called before the board to address the problem and see that it is handled. If a sorority reaches three warnings in one semester they will be given a punishment. If a sorority reaches five warnings in a year they will also be given a punishment.

VIII. Sanctions

Sanctions are granted and imposed based on the seriousness of the offense and are meant to serve as a deterrent and an educational tool. Punishments include but are not limited to fines, social probation, and educational sanctions. The board at the hearing of the case will decide the punishment.

IX. Training

Each member of the judicial board will go through a training session once per academic term. These training sessions will include the campus judicial officer or other qualified professionals.

Will include the following topics, followed by a test at the end:

  1. Fraternal Values
  2. Ethics
  3. Confidentiality
  4. University Policies
  5. Council Policies
  6. Case Studies
  7. Difference between the right to privacy for individuals and for organizations
  8. Holding chapters accountable for following their own policies

New Member Policy

New members of all the organizations affiliated with the Binghamton University Panhellenic Council, are entitled to specific fundamental rights during their time as new members of their organization.

  1. Be treated as an individual.
  2. Be fully informed about what is to be expected from the new member process.
  3. Be treated with respect and dignity.
  4. Be treated as a capable and mature person without being patronized.
  5. Ask questions and receive true and objective answers from the executive board and chapter members, as well as from officers of the Panhellenic Council.
  6. Ask how and why and receive straight answers.
  7. Have and express opinions to chapter and council officials.
  8. Have the right to report any behaviors or actions that counter this policy or any other Panhellenic or chapter policy, to the council officers and the University, without backlash from the implicated chapter.
  9. Be fully informed about binding agreements associated with the new member process.
  10. Have a POSITIVE, SAFE and ENRICHING new member experience.

As a new member, you are expected to abide by chapter and council guidelines.

From the council, you are expected to:

  1. Attend official council functions, including but not limited to the council organized new member program.
  2. Treat other new members with respect and dignity, regardless of the organization they are becoming a new member of.
  3. Report any activity that violates the Panhellenic Risk Management policy.

If, at any time, you are found to be in violation of this policy, your membership will be subject to review by the Panhellenic Judicial Chairman.

Philanthropy Policy

Every Panhellenic affiliated organization is required to participate in philanthropic events.

Every chapter is required to host at least one fundraiser or event raising money for their chapters selected philanthropy each semester.

Every chapter is required to attend all of the other Panhellenic chapters’ philanthropic events. 25% of each chapter must be in attendance, 15% of which must be active initiated sisters of the chapter, 10% of which must be new members of the chapter, who have not yet been initiated. Should a chapter not take a new member class for a semester, they are still required to send 25% of their chapter to every other chapters philanthropy event. New members of a chapter may not be used a replacement for the number of sisters required to be in attendance at each chapters’ event. Those attending other chapter philanthropy events must stay until the end of the event. Philanthropy chairs are required to communicate numbers of tickets bought by other chapters and the number of women that actually show up to their event, to the Panhellenic Council Philanthropy Chairman.

Attendance and support at other chapters events is crucial to the solidarity and strengthening of not only the Panhellenic Council community but also the entire Greek community.

When planning an event, chapters are required to communicate amongst themselves to determine dates that do not conflict. The Panhellenic Philanthropy Chair is responsible for facilitating the line of communication between chapters to prevent conflicts regarding dates and themes of events. In the event of conflict between chapters events the Panhellenic Philanthropy Chair is responsible for mediating. Chapter philanthropy committees should have at least two possible dates and at least potential themes and ideas, in order to be flexible for the sake of the rest of the community.

Risk Management Policy

I. Purpose

  1. To raise awareness about the level of risk that occurs at social functions, and to put in place appropriate policies and procedures to reduce the level of risk.
  2. To educate members on individual health, wellness, and risk reduction through education workshops.
  3. To promote the safety of all members of the Greek life community.
  4. These regulations do not replace any specific national chapter risk management policies as well as any federal, state, or local laws. The guidelines throughout do not supersede any individual chapter’s national risk management policies. Additionally, all university as well as federal, state, and local laws must be followed.

II. Appointments

  1. The judicial board will be made up of the Risk Management/Judicial Chair and one representative from each chapter of the Panhellenic Delegation at Binghamton University.
  2. It is the job of the Risk Management Chair to head the board and run the hearings.
  3. It is the job of the board as a whole to be present for and preside over hearings, deliver and enforce sanctions given by the board, attend training sessions each semester, host educational events and revise the policy annually. The board will also seek the advice and counsel of a campus judicial officer or other professional.
  4. It is the duty of the Risk Management/Judicial Chair to conduct judicial board training sessions every semester.
  5. It is the responsibility of the members of the board to attend this training in order to be present at any hearing. Failure to do so will result in the board member forfeiting the right to sit on the board or preside at any hearing until their training is complete.

III. Education

It is the goal of the board to promote education on risk management issues. Each chapter will be expected to have their risk management chairs attend at least one program on the following topics during their appointment.

  1. Legal Liability
  2. Academic Integrity
  3. Confrontational Skills
  4. Facilitating Change in Organized Culture
  5. Alcohol Poisoning
  6. Alternative (Substance Free) Socials
  7. Values Congruence

There will also be mandatory education for chapter officers and members on risk management reduction methods and to co-sponsor events with peer councils that support risk management as well as attend workshops on hazing awareness.

IV. Definitions

  1. Sober — Not under the influence of any alcohol or substance that impairs the judgment of an individual.
  2. Event — Any observer of the event would associate the event with a fraternity or sorority. (May include but is not limited to: Mixers, Date Parties, Semi-Formals, or Formals)
  3. Hazing — Any action taken or situation created involving prospective or new members of a group, or as a condition of continued membership in a group (fraternity, sorority, team, club, or other association or organization), which would be perceived by a reasonable person as likely to produce mental or physical discomfort, harm, stress, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule.
  4. Mixer — When two or more organizations come together to hold a closed social event.
  5. Date Party — A closed social event that is invitation only. Each member of the hosting organization brings a date, if they do so chose. Like a mixer in that it is more casual than a formal.
  6. Formal — A closed social event that is invitation only. Each member of the hosting organization invites a date, if they do so chose. This is when formal wear is encouraged and typically in a more formal environment as well.

V. Conduct

All sororities associated with the Panhellenic Council must abide by the following policies regarding their conduct.

Alcohol/Drug Policy

The Panhellenic Council opposes service to and consumption of alcoholic beverage by minors as well as other violations of the law and of university policy. The council’s policy states:

  1. Serving alcoholic beverages during mandatory sorority functions, including any recruitment or membership programming events is prohibited.
  2. No members, collectively or individually, shall purchase for, serve to, or sell alcoholic beverages to any minor.
  3. Open parties and/or events are prohibited.
  4. Mixers with organizations unrecognized by Binghamton University are prohibited.
  5. Sponsor or co-sponsor campus or open events where alcohol is served is prohibited.
  6. The use of chapter funds to purchase alcohol is prohibited.
  7. There must be one sober chapter member for every twenty (1:20) members at an event. In addition the Risk Management and Social Chair of that chapter must also be sober at these event. These two position holders do count toward sober chapter members.
  8. No social event will be solely centered around alcohol (for those who are of legal drinking age), but rather around an appropriate and acceptable theme.
  9. There is to be no open punch at social events.
  10. There must be at least one alcohol-free social event, per sorority, per semester.
  11. The possession, distribution or use of any illegal or controlled substances while on chapter premises or during a fraternity/sorority event or at any event that an observer would associate with the fraternity is strictly prohibited.
  12. All events and individuals must be in compliance with their national/ international regulations and policies, New York State Laws and Federal Laws.
Anti-Hazing Policy

The Panhellenic Council in no way supports hazing and/or any activities associated with it. Hazing is defined by this council as any act or tradition that includes but is not limited to:

  1. Any act that may endanger or harm the mental or emotional well-being of another
  2. The request, encouragement or suggestion of violation of any federal, state, local law or college or university regulation
  3. Engaging in mentally or physically demeaning activities
  4. Requires a personal or menial task of another individual, whether publicly or privately.
  5. Deprivation of food or sleep
  6. Personal servitude
  7. Forced consumption of alcohol or illegal substances
  8. Any activity that is considered degrading or humiliating
Social Media

Social media is a tool that must be used only to promote and portray Greek life in a positive light. It is prohibited to act unbecoming as a member of the Panhellenic Council on social media. This includes but is not limited to:

  1. Portraying yourself or other members of Greek life drinking, doing drugs, or any other inappropriate behavior.
  2. It is not permitted to write anything to defame or bully another member of the Panhellenic community online.

VI. Consequences

If a violation of the policy is reported to the judicial board the repot will be reviewed by the Panhellenic Executive Board. A written letter will be delivered to the chapter in question and we will proceed with the appropriate punishment for the violation committed.

Possible sanctions include (but are not limited to):

  1. In the event that a chapter is found responsible in a Judicial Board hearing, the Judicial Board may impose any sanction or combination of sanctions that it deems necessary.
  2. Charitable Acts — requiring the chapter to perform community service as defined by the
  3. Judicial Board and to be completed by the end of the semester of the violation.
  4. Programming — Mandatory participation in relevant alcohol and other educational workshops. These workshops will be run by the Risk Management Chair of the Panhellenic Delegation. The entire chapter must be present for the workshop, absences must be discussed with the Risk Management Chair/Judicial Chair prior to the workshop.
  5. Probation — Probation may be imposed for any length of time and may carry any combination of stipulations. (Including, but not limited to: the opportunity to host social events)
  6. Suspension — Suspension may be imposed for any length of time and may carry any combination of stipulations. If suspension is imposed, specific guidelines for re recognition of the organization will be outlined. Chapters that are suspended will be prohibited from partaking in formal and/or informal recruitment until they have completed the requirements for re-recognition.
  7. Expulsion — Expulsion, meaning complete removal from the Greek community on Binghamton University campus for an indefinite amount of time.

Written Statements

Safety awareness on campus and in the fraternity and sorority community

The Binghamton University Panhellenic Council encourages all women within our community to be knowledgeable and aware of the safety procedures both on and off the Binghamton campus. We encourage all women to actively promote safety in all environments. As a council, we encourage all chapters to participate in at least one safety awareness meeting/campaign/program each semester.

Fire safety

Not Applicable

Public displays of inappropriate behavior

The Binghamton University Panhellenic Council does not condone or encourage any inappropriate behavior, as is does not align with the Council’s values or any of our organizations values. Inappropriate behavior will be investigated and the council will determine appropriate sanctions for the chapter and/or women involved, based on the severity and seriousness of the behaviors. This includes, but is not limited to public displays of intoxication, reckless behavior putting others or themselves in danger, and blatant disregard for University and Greek Life policy.

Vandalism and pranks

The Binghamton University Panhellenic Council does not condone nor endorse any vandalism and pranks, regardless of if it causes monetary, physical, or emotional damage, as it does not align with the Council’s values or any of our organizations values. Any vandalism or pranks associated with our affiliated chapters will be investigated and the council will determine appropriate sanctions for the chapter and/or women involved, based on severity and seriousness.

Driving under the influence

The Binghamton University Panhellenic Council does not condone or endorse driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. We encourage all members of the Greek community to be smart and stay above the influence. Social functions that our sororities hold that feature alcohol should in no way promote this recklessness. As a council, we actively work to hold every member of our council to a higher standard. This includes abiding by local, state and federal law when holding social functions. No chapter should allow a woman to get in the driver’s seat of a vehicle after a night of drinking. Chapter executive boards will be held accountable for the wellbeing and safety of each of the members.