Standards of Excellence

Members of the fraternity and sorority community at Penn State will strive for excellence in their academic endeavors. Organizations will provide support for the academic achievement of chapter members to ensure their individual and collective intellectual development and academic success.

Evaluation Standards

*Sororities will be compared to the all-women’s GPA. Fraternities will be compared to the all-men’s GPA. Organizations that have mixed gender membership will be compared to the all-undergraduate GPA. Organizations that have a racial or ethnic interest will be compared to the gender and race of their peer group for this assessment.  

Members in the fraternity and sorority community will participate in activities that allow them to become positively engaged in and give back to their local, state, national, and global communities. This includes involvement in community service, service-learning, and philanthropic activities.   

Evaluation Standards

*Working or attending a philanthropy event does not qualify as community service hours. Community service is active participation and hands-on interactions with organizations or individuals that benefit from your time, allowing you to make a connection between yourself, the skills you offer, and the needs of the community.

+Participating in or attending a philanthropy event does not qualify. Fraternities and sororities must sponsor and host an event that raises money for a worthwhile cause outside of THON.

Fraternities and sororities are most successful when they maintain positive and supportive relationships with chapters across all four fraternity and sorority governing councils at Penn State. The University believes that fraternities and sororities should collaborate with their inter/national organizations and actively participate in their respective governing council.

Evaluation Standards

*Governing councils will provide documentation of chapter standing at the end of each semester

+Events involving alcohol or recruitment/intake are excluded

Fraternities and sororities at Penn State will enhance their members’ individual and personal development by providing high-impact experiences and learning opportunities. These activities should promote leadership, self-awareness, teamwork, critical thinking, cultural competence, creativity, and intellectual growth.

Evaluation Standards

*Educational programs fulfilling University or inter/national organization sanctions for misconduct or policy violations are excluded

Fraternities and sororities are most successful when they employ sound financial practices that reflect stewardship and create transparency. As a result, members are able to evaluate their membership experience and return on investment.

Evaluation Standards

*Appropriate evidence includes a prepared chapter budget and/or a letter confirming approval of the prepared budget by chapter membership signed by the chapter advisor. Concerning line items may result in further conversations with your Office of Fraternity and Sorority chapter coach

+Appropriate evidence includes official chapter expense reports and/or a written analysis signed by the chapter advisor

Members of the fraternity and sorority community at Penn State shall comply with risk management policies set forth by the University and their inter/national organization. Fraternities and sororities have a responsibility to create and maintain safe, constructive, and positive spaces for their members and guests. 

• Organizations that are placed on conduct probation during the calendar year due to misconduct or policy violations will automatically be issued a ‘needs improvement’ rating for the health and safety focus area.

Evaluation Standards

*Chapters are not permitted to register or host social activities until an acceptable Risk Management and Safety Plan is submitted and approved by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.

+Officer absences due to scheduling or academic commitments must be excused by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, in writing, at least 2 weeks prior to the program. Officer absences due to family or medical emergencies must be excused by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, in writing, at least 24 hours prior to the program. Failure to achieve full participation each semester may impact the organization's status.

Fraternities and sororities at Penn State will foster leadership potential within their members throughout all stages of their academic career by providing and encouraging meaningful experiences locally and inter/nationally. These activities should promote integrity, responsible and ethical decision-making, and setting an example for others.

Evaluation Standards

*Chapter advisors, graduate chapter members, regional representatives, or inter/national representatives should be involved in officer transition activities. In addition, officers should collectively prepare goals to move the chapter towards excellence as defined by the University and their inter/national organization. 

+Officer or member absences due to scheduling or academic commitments must be excused by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, in writing, at least 2 weeks prior to the program. Officer or member absences due to family or medical emergencies must be excused by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, in writing, at least 24 hours prior to the program. As a reminder, many inter/national organizations offer scholarships to members interested in attend regional or national leadership programs outside of Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life or their respective inter/national organization. 

Members of the fraternity and sorority community will participate in activities that allow them to develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to become well-rounded and civically-engaged. Chapter leadership will work with their members to identify appropriate opportunities for growth and development.

Evaluation Standards

*Submitted plans should comply with inter/national policies and include activities and experiences that are meaningful, positive, safe, and constructive. Chapters are not permitted to conduct recruitment activities until an acceptable Recruitment Plan is submitted and approved by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life each semester. 

**Submitted plans should comply with inter/national policies and be conducive to strong academic performance of all new members. Included activities and experiences should be meaningful, positive, safe, and constructive. Chapters are not permitted to conduct new member activities until an acceptable First Semester of Membership Plan is submitted and approved by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life each semester. 

+Activities must be ‘members-only’ to qualify. Formal and informal interactions are appropriate. Mandatory chapter meetings or events and events involving alcohol are excluded. Semester-long events, such as intramural teams, only need to be documented once each semester. 

All chapters are responsible for reporting the Recognition Requirements and their activities and achievements by the deadlines established in this document or communicated by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. Chapters are encouraged to report their activities as they occur to ensure all activities are reported accurately. However, at minimum, reports must be submitted by the deadlines articulated. 

• Chapters must comply with all provisions of the Recognition Requirements articulated in this document to be considered a recognized student organization.
• Chapters that exceed all targets in any of the ten focus categories will be considered for recognition of excellence in that area. Chapters that meet standards across six or more focus areas will be recognized for Standards Achievement.
• Chapters that exceed standards across six or more focus areas will be recognized as Chapters of Excellence.
• Chapters that fail to meet the majority of focus areas will meet with staff from the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life to evaluate and enact appropriate improvement or accountability measures. 

For a chapter to be a recognized organization through the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and at the University, the chapter must update and provide information to the office each semester.

Failure to update or provide required information with the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life by the designated deadline will result in the organization being placed on a ‘frozen’ status. Organizations that are ‘frozen’ lose organization privileges, such as the ability to register or host social activities, book rooms on campus, utilize campus facilities, and participate in campus-sponsored events and programs. 

Each fraternity and sorority must submit required materials prior to the noted deadline for the submission to be considered.

Improvement and accountability measures are intended to provide support and guidance for chapters that are not meeting a majority of the targets in one or more of the focus areas. The following table provides an overview of the action a chapter should expect: 

*Fraternities and sororities that are deficient in meeting minimum standards will need to ensure that they are complying with all University and inter/national policies. In addition, they are required to conduct regular meetings with their Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life coach to reflect on their organization’s deficiencies and evaluate their progress toward meeting the expectations outlined in each focus area. Governing councils may issue additional sanctions or requirements when organizations do not successfully meet minimum standards.