Greek Life

Fraternities and sororities at York College are an integral part of the institution’s liberal arts mission. Membership in York College of Pennsylvania Greek Life provides a meaningful and holistic co-curricular experience through active participation within the campus and local community. Greek Life organizations are partners with the College in a mutually-supportive educational endeavor.

Greek Life Philosophy and Policies

The following sections state the College’s philosophy on Greek organizations as well as the policies that apply. All of the policies were established to make our system stronger and well respected. If the policies are violated, the Judicial Process then becomes implemented.

Greek Life Philosophy and Relationship to YCP

Greek Life organizations at York College of Pennsylvania are an integral part of the institution’s holistic educational program. As such, they are partners with the College in a mutually supportive educational endeavor. Greek organizations and York College sustain their relationship with a mutual agreement to promote the following goals: 1) fellowship, 2) academic achievement, 3) fiscal viability of the chapter, 4) leadership development, 5) group responsibility, 6) commitment to and participation in campus government, 7) service to campus and community, and 8) mature group conduct. Each fraternity and sorority will receive the support of the Student Senate, and College Administration provided that it continues to fulfill these responsibilities.

Greek Life Mission

YCP Greek Life community will promote and achieve academic excellence, commit to meaningful service and engagement with others, support leadership development and career preparation opportunities, and foster lifelong friendships between members and organizations.

Greek Life Vision

The York College of Pennsylvania Greek Life community will foster an inclusive community, develop lifelong leaders with the abilities to advocate for justice, and produce well-rounded citizens that contribute to positive change within a global society.

Rights and Responsibilities of Greek Organizations

Among their rights are:

1. Choosing their members
2. Participating as a unit in campus group activities
3. Receiving reasonable assistance from the College in communicating with their alumni
4. Having an adviser who will assist them in resolving operational matters and who will act as a liaison between them and other segments of the College
5. Providing the opportunity for participation in enriching and educational experiences
6. Being periodically evaluated by the College Administration
7. The availability of comprehensive and just judicial procedures

Among their responsibilities are:

1. Conducting all of their activities in accordance with the regulations and policies of the College, their national offices and their governing bodies (North-American Interfraternity Conference and National Panhellenic Conference)
2. Complying with their charter and bylaws
3. Operating their chapter affairs in a business-like manner consistent with their constitution and Student Senate, and College policies
4. Maintaining an atmosphere within their chapter and its activities supportive of academic endeavors
5. Reviewing and establishing chapter and system-wide goals and philosophies
6. Progressing toward achievement of these stated goals and objectives in consultation with alumni, College and general fraternity and sorority advisers
7. Conducting all social gatherings in accordance with state law, College policy and their national regulations, being responsible for proper risk management and the welfare of guests

Each Greek letter organization will receive the support of the Student Senate, and Administration of York College; be assisted in remaining on campus; and enjoy the privileges of a recognized organization as long as it strives to carry out its responsibilities and to abide by the tenets described in this statement.

Greek Expectations and Standards

Chapter Expectations

1. All chapters and members will abide by their national governing principles, all YCP policies, and all local, state, and federal laws. 
2. Each organization must be represented at every Interfraternity or Panhellenic Council meeting respectively. 
3. All chapters must maintain a group cumulative G.P.A. of a 2.5 or higher. Chapters that don’t maintain the minimum G.P.A will be placed on inactive status the following semester. 
4. A minimum of four full-time students/active members will constitute a recognized chapter.
5. All recruitment and Greek Week apparel should be in good taste and approved by the Greek Life Adviser. 
6. Chapters and members should only wear letters of official groups recognized by the College and Student Senate. Using letters representing old local chapters that are no longer recognized is prohibited.
7. All chapters must have an on campus faculty adviser.
8. All chapters must turn in appropriately completed forms as required by the Greek Life Adviser and Office of Student Activities and Orientation. 

Chapter Standards

1. Scholarship
   • Maintain a chapter cumulative G.P.A of 2.5 or higher.
   • Host or attend one academic program per year.
2. Service and Philanthropy
   • Complete a minimum of one community service/volunteer project as a chapter per semester.
   • Complete a minimum of five community service/volunteer hours per member per semester. 
   • Complete a minimum of one philanthropy project as a chapter per semester.
   • Raise a minimum of $5 per member for a philanthropy per semester. 
3.  Leadership
   • Meet with YCP faculty adviser once a month.
   • Chapter presidents meet with Greek Life Adviser once a month. 
   • Attendance at Student Senate required meetings and programs each semester. 
4. Social Excellence
   • Host at least one alumni event per year. 
5. Operations
   • Complete and submit accurate chapter rosters throughout the semester as requested by the Greek Life Adviser and Office of Student Activities and Orientation. 
   • Complete all end of semester forms. 
   • Complete and submit all recruitment, intake, and new member education forms for approval.
   • Complete and submit initiation confirmation forms within seven days of initiation.
   • Update and maintain chapter events on the Greek Life calendar.
   • Submit current copies of chapter operational documents to the Greek Life Adviser. These include chapter bylaws, risk management policies, and insurance information.
6. Risk Management
   • Host or attend one hazing prevention program per semester, with a minimum of 75% of the chapter in attendance. 
   • Host or attend one alcohol/substance abuse awareness program per semester, with a minimum of 75% of the chapter in attendance. 
   • Have no chapter conduct violations. 

Chapter Review

All expectations will be reviewed at the end of every semester. Failure to meet chapter expectations and standards will result in sanctions determined by the administration.

Failure to meet chapter expectations and standards for multiple semesters within two years will result in formal meeting with campus administrators. A chapter will be required to make a formal presentation to administrators regarding the plans moving forward to comply with chapter standards and expectations. The administrations will make recommendations to the Dean of Student regarding the future of the chapter.

Greek Life Leadership

The Panhellenic and Interfraternity Councils are the governing bodies for all fraternities and sororities. It is important that chapter Council representatives are well-informed and committed to relaying information between individual organization meetings and Greek Council meetings.

Both the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council (in conjunction with the Greek Life Adviser) establish the recruitment and intake dates each semester for their constituency, promote Greek unity within all organizations and strive to strengthen and enhance the Greek System for all.

Greek Life Eligibility

All members must be full-time and have paid the Student Activity Fee during the College’s billing period(s). In addition, all members must maintain a 2.5 cumulative G.P.A. to hold active membership and remain in the organization. Those members who fall below this standard will be suspended from the organization. Once the suspended student reaches the acceptable G.P.A., they may be reinstated. A suspended member: 1) cannot pay organizational dues and 2) cannot participate in any of the organizations’ activities or events.

York College operates on a “one semester deferred” recruitment and intake practice. This means that students may be eligible to join an organization after completing 12 credits and 1 semester of full-time student status as well as achieving a 2.5 GPA. Transfer students may be eligible for participation in Greek Life upon enrollment provided they were previously enrolled at another institution full-time for at least one semester.

Greek New Member Activities and Policies

The following policy has been developed to benefit the entire Greek community at York College, as well as all other areas of student life, including personal development and academic achievement. Through a working partnership, the College Administration and the Greek community can, with these guidelines, insure that the Greek system is strong, responsible and vital years past our own current involvement.

Although each sorority and fraternity has developed its own unique program of new membership and intake, these programs must meet the standards established by York College and as further described by Pennsylvania law. This policy serves to officially complement the statement on hazing which appears in the York College Student Handbook. As a current or intended member of a Greek organization, you should be aware of this policy and its legal, ethical and contractual implications. Further, you should be prepared to challenge and question any activity in which you are asked to participate which could threaten your health and safety, result in mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule, or jeopardize academic success. These activities are a violation of the hazing policy as well as good judgment.

New Member Programs

1. Each organization conducting new member and intake activities must complete and submit the appropriate forms to the Greek Life Adviser. Under no circumstances should a new member be asked to participate in activities not appearing in the forms. 
2. Each organization is required to have the president and/or new member educator attend the new member education training hosted by the Dean of Students and/or Greek Life Adviser prior to the start of the new member and intake program.
3. The length of any new member and intake program is limited to a maximum of five weeks with the possibility of a sixth week extension and must end with initiation on or before the date approved by the Greek Adviser. This date must be known to and confirmed by the National Office.
4. All new member and intake activities must be terminated by 12:00 am Sunday through Thursday and by 1:00 am Friday and Saturday. New member activities cannot begin before 7:00 am each day. This includes all activities–supervised, unsupervised, formal or informal, whether occurring on or off campus.
5. 50% of new member and intake activities must take place at an on campus facility.
6. New member and intake programs cannot include more than three events per week. 
7. Use of College facilities must be officially reserved and approved by the appropriate facility director. New member and intake activities are prohibited from the library. Disruptive or unusually loud behavior is prohibited from all campus facilities. 
8. Bid Night activities must comply with College policy, and are to be alcohol/substance free events. 
9. All organization recruitment, new member, and intake activities will be conducted in the absence of alcohol whether in public establishment or private residences and may not be conducted in establishments which serve alcohol. 

New Members

1. All new members are required to attend New Member 101 prior to the beginning of their new member program. 
2. New members must have a cumulative 2.5 G.P.A in order to become and/or continue being an active member. 
3. The College does NOT require standardized study hours for new member. Chapters are prohibited from requiring new members to complete study hours. 
4. New members, as well as other members of the College community, should report questionable activities or explicit violations of the new member and intake policy to campus administration. Failure to report violations could result in the loss of new member eligibility and other sanctions. 
5. New members are forbidden to carry or wear any items except for standard new member or intake education book and a jewelry-like pin. Pins may be NO larger than 2 1/2 inches by 1 inch. Notebooks may be of a standard size only (no larger than 12 inches by 12 inches). New members may not be forced to carry notebooks or wear pins as part of their program; however, an educational purpose has been recognized in these items and the Greek Life Office will not prohibit these items unless evidence of hazing (forced carrying or wearing of said item) is discovered. New members forced to wear or carry anything other than the aforementioned items will be brought to the Vice President of Student Affairs/Adviser(s) for hazing as well as members, officers, and new member educators of the Greek organization responsible for this new member or intake program. Some items that have been worn or carried by new members in the past that are now prohibited are: stuffed animals, Hell Week t-shirts, plastic pumpkins, flowers, baskets, paddles, bricks, tote bags, hats, hair ribbons/unusual hairstyles, jewelry, large nametags, costumes, sticks, signature t-shirts, derogatory names on pins, and any other items beyond a pin and a notebook.
6. Hell Week is prohibited. Any evidence of Hell Week will be referred to campus administration. This includes evidence of sleep deprivation, physical activities, poor hygiene, and forbidding new members to practice normal daily routines.

Violations

1. Hazing, as defined in the York College Student Handbook and by the State of Pennsylvania, as well as further descriptions as stated in this policy, is strictly prohibited. All Greek Life members are required to sign an Anti-Hazing Contract.
2. Violations of this policy may result in one or more of the following: suspension of new member or intake privileges for individuals and/or organizations, social probation or expulsion, removal from College housing, suspension of privileges regarding campus publications and use of campus facilities, withholding of academic materials, suspension of organization’s permission to operate on campus property, and revocation of organization charter or other institutional sanction or recognition. Students and organizations who have violated regulations of the College may also find themselves subject to prosecution by state or local authorities if, in fact, State laws have also been violated. Students are not immune to the actions of civil authorities simply because they have been subjected to institutional discipline. Additionally, situations judged to be in violation of the code of general conduct of the College and common decency may be subject to disciplinary action even though the infraction is not specifically stated in this or any other published College policies and regulations.

Greek Judicial Matters

Whereas there are incidents that involve violation(s) of York College Student Conduct policies, local, state, or federal laws, cases will be reviewed and adjudicated at the discretion of the Offices of Student Conduct and Student Affairs and assigned to the appropriate disciplinary hearing board, administrative office, or Governing Council for resolution. If deemed appropriate, cases may be turned over to the established Council Judicial System.

Hazing

Hazing is prohibited and will result in administrative disciplinary action. Hazing is defined as any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which requires, encourages, or permits violation of any federal, state, or local statute or College policy, for the purpose of initiation or membership into, or affiliation with, or membership in any organizations recognized by, or affiliated with, York College of Pennsylvania. This applies regardless of the individual’s willingness to participate. For specific information, consult with the offices of Student Activities and Orientation and Student Affairs. Each organization is responsible for informing members (new members, associate members, affiliates or guests) of the hazing policy. Violations of the hazing policy at York College of Pennsylvania will result in disciplinary action and/or legal action. Student(s) and/or organizations will be held responsible for group activity in the event this policy is violated. Violators can be given sanctions of probation up to and including suspension from the College.

Statement on Unrecognized Organizations

Some organizations that were once recognized fraternities or sororities on campus continue to operate underground despite having lost recognition from the College. These organizations have had their recognition revoked by the institution for various reasons, including things as hazing, alcohol and drug abuse, risk management violations, and failure to comply with the College policies and expectations. These organizations have in almost all cases also had their charter suspended by their international organization because they were not upholding fraternal values and were engaging in risky behaviors that endangered the members and other students.

The following groups have lost recognition in the past five years:

• Alpha Delta Gamma (suspended indefinitely; charter removed by National Headquarters)
• Theta Phi Alpha, previously recognized as Omega Chi (suspended through spring 2019; charter suspended by National Headquarters)
• Alpha Chi Rho, previously recognized as Kappa Sigma Rho (suspended indefinitely; charter removed by National Headquarters)
• Alpha Sigma Tau (charter dissolved by National Headquarters through spring 2022)
• Kappa Delta Phi (suspended until December 31, 2022)

Students are prohibited from affiliating with any organization or group that has had its College recognition withdrawn. By affiliation is meant joining, rushing, pledging, accepting an offer of membership; residing in facilities that are owned, rented, or controlled by the group; or being involved in activity that would normally be associated with being a member of the group.

Advisers

All organizations are required to have an on campus faculty adviser, listed on file with the Office of Student Activities and Orientation. Chapters are required to meet with their faculty adviser monthly. It is in the best interest of every organization to utilize their adviser as much as possible. Greek chapters are also encouraged to have at a minimum one alumni/chapter adviser. In addition to chapter advisers, all Greek Life organizations will have the YCP Greek Life Adviser staffed by the Office of Student Activities and Orientation.