2013-14_standing_rules_final

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Epsilon Lambda Chapter of

Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Standing Rules

**Revised 6/8/13; Subject to approval by 2/3 chapter vote and Regional Coordinator

Article I- Purpose

The purpose of the Standing Rules shall be to effect positive student development on an

individual and chapter level while forming the foundation for lifetime commitment to

Gamma Phi Beta. Development implies that the growth is to be pursued as much as a

desirable psychological, educational, and moral end.

Article II- Chapter Meetings

All initiated members and new members of the Epsilon Lambda chapter are to attend

weekly meetings; which are held during the school year on Wednesday nights. Chapter,

PACE and Crescent Values will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. Chapter meetings will be held at

the designated meeting place.

Any excuse for chapter meetings should go to the standards chair in writing on the

universal excuse form. No excuses will be viewed if it is not written on this form. No class

should be taken during the scheduled Wednesday night meetings. The only exceptions

made are for required major classes and study sessions.

Article III- Attendance

Section 1- Merit Point Policy (See Addendum A)

A. Every member is subject to adhere to the merit point policy for the Epsilon

Lambda Chapter.

B. Each month every sister is expected to complete a certain amount of Merit Points

in order to attend social events in the following month. The amount of Merit Points

is based on the mandatory activities that fall in each month. Some months may have

more required points based on the amount of mandatory events.

C. Merit points will be calculated on a monthly basis; as outlined in the Merit Point

Policy.

D. If a member is having difficulty meeting the required point total for the month,

she should make arrangements to meet with the Merit Points Chairwoman.

E. Those members who do not meet the required point total for the first month will

receive a phone call or will have a standards meeting. The second month missed will

result in a standards hearing with the standards chairwoman. If the third month is

missed with-in the same semester an exec hearing will be held.

F. The Merit Point Policy will be in effect September through April.

G. The number of merit points required per month will be posted in the stairwell

and announced at chapter within the first week of each month. The total points on

each sheet will consist of the mandatory events required for each sister to attend

that particular month. Once the sheet has been posted, the mandatory events and

total points cannot be changed. However, as other activities come up, extra points

may be added to help sisters boost their totals.

H. If members do not meet the required merit point total per month, that member

will lose social privileges for the month the member did not meet their required

total.

I. Monthly mandatory events will consist of: Chapter, Recruitment workshops,

Ritual, as well as other designated Brown events, as outlined in Addendum A.

J. All members will be informed during the middle of each month of their current

point total for the month.

Section 2- Fineable Events

A. Members will be required to attend mandatory events throughout the year that

are critical to the success of Epsilon Lambda Chapter. An unexcused absence for

these events will result in the following fines:

1. Recruitment Events: $50 per roll call (Recruitment workshops, teas,

Panhellenic weekend)

2. Week of Recruitment: $100 per party missed

3. Founder’s Day: $75

4. Ritual Events: $35 (Formal pinning, initiation practice, post initiation

workshop)

5. Initiation: $75

6. Chapter Retreats: $30

7. Scholarship: $3 for every proctored hour missed / $15 for every

mandatory study hall session.

8. Crescent Classic: $15 per roll call

B. Standards chairwoman will give the attendance sheet to the FVP. The FVP will

issue fines immediately upon receipt. Members will be on social probation until all

fines are paid. Money paid through fines will be used at the discretion of the

executive council.

C. Excuses must be submitted to the standards chairwoman one week prior to the

event. The standards chairwoman will review the excuse and the member will be

notified of the decision made.

1. Examples of acceptable excuses include the following:

a. Illness with a doctor’s excuse

b. Death in the family

c. Wedding (participation or family member)

d. Class, if not available at any other time and required for major, this

also includes study sessions as well as make-up tests. Proof from the

member’s professor is required, as well as an attached schedule, on a

case-by-case basis.

2. Unacceptable excuses are as follows, but are not limited to:

a. Family vacation during ANY recruitment event

i. Recruitment is always the 2 weeks before the start of classes.

Plan to be back in Tuscaloosa by August 1.

b. Studying for a test/writing a paper

c. Work is not considered to be an excuse for any Gamma Phi Beta

event because you are given a minimum of two weeks’ notice prior to

the required event. This includes but is not limited to: Rush related

events, initiation, Wednesday night meetings, etc. – Special

consideration will be given on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of

the Standards Chairwoman.

d. Not being able to attend mandatory study hall hours. Turning in an

excuse into standards is not acceptable. If issues arise, contact the

Scholarship chair or the Education Vice President.

e. Each member is responsible for finding out what she missed at each

meeting and obtaining the information that is necessary, i.e. handouts,

forms, etc.

D. All members who attend sisterhood dinner on Wednesday nights must also be

present at Chapter that same night, since both are required.

Section 3- Recruitment Requirements

A. No class should be taken during Summer II if this conflicts with recruitment

workshop. Exceptions to this are made only for classes that are not available during

any other time during the week, are required for a member’s major, and would

otherwise keep a member back a semester in their academic progress. Proof of this

must be shown to the Membership Vice President through a letter or signed

schedule from an academic advisor. This must be shown to the MVP within one

week of registering for classes. If absent due to class the member will have up to 2

days or case-by-case basis dependent on your location with approval from MVP and

advisors to get back to Tuscaloosa from the end date and be fully prepared to

partake in the following recruitment day activities. Contact and approval with the

standards chair is necessary.

B. Any member who is absent from: Rush workshop, Recruitment school or the

Week of Recruitment with an unexcused absence will automatically be subject to a

fine.

C. All dresses for recruitment must be approved by the Membership Vice President

before the end of the spring semester.

D. Any tattoos seen while wearing recruitment attire must be covered during all

recruitment parties.

E. Any facial piercings: nose ring, eyebrow ring, etc. must be removed during

recruitment parties.

F. Ear Piercings: Only one earring is allowed in each ear. Cartilage piercings must be

removed during all recruitment parties.

G. No dress worn during recruitment should be too tight, too revealing, or too short.

Appropriate undergarments must be worn during recruitment.

H. Internships: Excuses must be turned in 60 days prior to the 1st day of rush

workshop and include documentation, provided by an advisor or managing

superior, that the internship is required for your major or academic future. If

applicable, internships must be completed by August 1st.

I. No member has specific privileges and must participate during all recruitment

events no matter class ranking.

J. With the discretion of the MVP and advisors, approval of up to one day of

recruitment workshop can be granted to miss due to move in: documentation must

be provided by the office of residency or landlord with 2 weeks notice.

K. There will be hair, dress and makeup checks every morning before each day of

recruitment begins. If you are not properly dressed, you will be asked to modify

your hair/makeup/clothing. If you do not, you will be asked to leave and will be

fined for missing parties.

Article IV- Alcohol/ Drug Policy

Section 1- There shall be no consumption of alcoholic beverages at new member programs

or activities, ritual activities, recruitment events or related activities, Bid Day, philanthropy

events, required chapter events and chapter retreats.

Section 2 – There shall be no consumption of alcohol within 24 hours before or after

Initiation, Bid Day or any other Ritual activity.

Section 3- All members will adhere to the rules and regulations of Gamma Phi Beta

Sorority, The University of Alabama, and local, state and national laws in regard to the use

of alcohol.

Section 4- No member shall engage in excessive drinking which results in the

embarrassment of individuals or chapter members.

Section 5- Designated drivers are not to be under the influence of any substance.

Section 6- There shall be no consumption or storage of any alcoholic beverages or illegal

drugs in any residence owned by, rented by, or used by in the name of Gamma Phi Beta

Sorority.

Section 7- Use and/or possession of marijuana, narcotics, or any other illegal substance are

prohibited.

Section 8- The International Council upon recommendation of the executive council shall

handle any violation of this policy.

Section 9 – No chapter funds may be used, directly or indirectly, for the purchase of alcohol.

Section 10 – The possession, use and/or consumption of alcohol during any Gamma Phi