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Standard of Excellence

 
Standard of Excellence Submission Form
 

The Standards of Excellence (SOE) outlines the expectations for each chapter within the Fraternity & Sorority Life community at the University of South Alabama. Each chapter will be evaluated by SOE in order to meet minimum chapter expectations, strive for chapter excellence, and remain in good standing with the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life.

As an integral part of the campus community, fraternity and sorority organizations have a positive impact for members, alumni, and the local community. To ensure mutual success for the institution and the fraternity and sorority organizations, there must be trust and shared responsibility. This document outlines the commitments of the University of South Alabama, the Division of Student Affairs, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, fraternity and sorority organizations, national/international organizations, fraternity and sorority volunteers, and student members.

The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life will provide training and resources to meet the SOE requirements. Organizations not achieving minimum expectations will work with the office to create plans for improvement and future success. Fraternities and sororities recognized by the office will be required to achieve these standards. All fraternity and sorority organizations will be given ample support in order to maintain compliance with these standards. The office will coordinate check-ins to assist the organization presidents and advisors in determining their progress to becoming a chapter of excellence.

These categories will determine the chapter standings for the following year. Chapters will be evaluated based on the calendar year, which coincides with the election cycle for each council and most chapters. The office will conduct an annual review of the standards each fall term. The Standards of Excellence are subject to change as our organizations continually improve. All chapters will be made aware of any changes prior to the start of the spring semester for the following year.                                

The points given for the standards reflect a comprehensive picture of a fraternity or sorority chapter. The Fraternity and Sorority staff will utilize a predetermined points system that will be distributed to chapter presidents and advisors within the month of January.

Chapters that do not recruit/intake new members for a specific semester will abide the appropriate standards that apply to the chapter; and will have a different cumulative total of points.

Points will NOT be awarded for any standards that were met due only to requirements from a sanction (i.e., Community service hours, educational presentations, etc.).

Appropriate documentation can include chapter bylaws and constitution, flyers, publicity materials from events, social media, chapter minutes, excel spreadsheets, and other documentation as approved by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. Refer to “How to Submit” listed below for each standard.

The organization with the highest point total across the community will be awarded the Dean’s Cup for your specific council (CPC,IFC, and NPHC).

Dean’s Cup- The organization with the highest points total.

4 Star Chapter- Organizations with >100 points

3 Star Chapter- Organizations with 81-90 points

2 Star Chapter- Organizations with 71- 80 points

1 Star Chapter- Organizations with <70 points

Chapters that fall under 81 points (unsatisfactory standing) will work with the office to develop a performance improvement plan. All organizations that fall within this category will attend a meeting with the office and chapter leadership. During this meeting, representatives will discuss the previous years’ SOE performance, an improvement plan, and goals for the next year’s SOE cycle.

Education (18 points) Points Earned Points Earned Notes
Greek Buzz Attendance   6  
Attending SOLD   2  
Leadership Conference   2  
Individual Chapter Programming   2  
Hazing Compliance   6  
Academics (7 points) Points Earned Points Earned Notes
Chapter GPA   2  
New Member GPA   2  
Chapter GPA above AMA/AWA   3  
Administration (21 points) Points Earned Points Earned Notes
Roster submission   3  
New Member Education Plan   2  
Monthly President’s Meetings   8  
Greek Leaders Dinner   2  
Organization Renewal   2  
Event Form Submissions   4  
Engagement (16 points) Points Earned Points Earned Notes
Community Service Hours/Member   4  
Philanthropic Donations   4  
Council Participation   6  
Participation in Intramurals   2  
Chapter Excellence (38) Points Earned Points Earned Notes
Participation in FSL Leadership Retreat   8  
Commitment to Inclusion   4  
Award Recipients   4  
Conduct Standing   20  
Serve on State/Regional/National Board   2  
FSL Bonus Points Points Earned Points Earned Notes
WB Greek Nights   5  
MB Greek Nights   3  
Attending Both WB and MB   2  
Baseball Greek Nights   2  
Photos Submission (2 per month)   10  
Attending Jags Football Greek Night   2  
Total   100  

How to Submit

There will be six total Greek Buzz events per year. One member of your chapter must attend at least 50% of a session and sign in on the Google Form. One point will be awarded per session attended. FSL staff will award these points based on the sign-in sheet responses. 
These points will be awarded if your chapter attended a leadership conference, summit, or training coordinated by your national headquarters. Points may be claimed by submitting proof of attendance or registration using the Standard of Excellence Submission Form. 
Student Organization Leadership Day is a mandatory event that occurs in the fall semester each year. A member of your chapter must attend and register as representing your chapter to receive points. Points will be awarded based on a registration report provided by the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership. For questions on how to attend SOLD, please email activities@southalabama.edu. 
Each chapter should be providing their members with intentional educational programming. There is no limit to the topics that can be submitted for points. The most common examples of topics for chapter programming include time management, study strategies, and mental health. Chapter leadership may use the Standard of Excellence Submission Form to submit the title, topic, and date of a program in order to claim these points.
Chapters are expected to complete hazing training. The training must be completed by at least 80% of the chapter each year. FSL Staff members can provide the approved training and should be scheduled for a presentation via email. Alternatively, chapters whose national organization provides an annual hazing training may provide a list of members who have completed the training.
The average GPA of a chapter must be a 2.5 or higher to achieve these points. The average GPA of your new members must be the same. These points will be split up by semester with one point awarded in the spring semester, and one in the fall semester. This report will be obtained by FSL Staff through Banner. 
Any chapter whose chapter average GPA exceeds the all men’s or all women’s GPA for campus will automatically receive these points. 
Points will be awarded per semester to chapters who submit their rosters by the due dates, which will be announced by FSL Staff each semester. 
The content of your new member education materials is not needed. To claim these points, please send in the date of your new member ceremony, the dates of your new member meetings, and the date of your initiation for each semester in which you take a new member class. Please submit by using the Standard of Excellence Submission Form
The FSL Office will hold three president’s meetings per semester. One point will be awarded per meeting attended. Presidents should be sure to sign in for the meeting in order to obtain points.
Each RSO and Greek Letter Organization on campus must register their organization on a yearly basis. Registration is mandatory and points are awarded based on the on-time completion of this process. Please contact the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership with any questions regarding this.
A chapter’s community service report must reflect at minimum an average of five service hours per member. The community service report will be obtained by FSL Staff from the Office of Community Engagement.
Documentation of monetary contributions or material donations (e.g. canned goods, toiletries, diapers, etc.) to philanthropic organizations may be submitted using the Standard of Excellence Submission Form to obtain these points. Only one donation is needed to receive all four points. 
Points in this category may be earned by active participation of chapter members with the council, not to include members who hold an executive position on the council. Council participation may include but is not limited to assisting with events, participating in committees, and serving as a Pi Chi. Chapters should use the Standard of Excellence Submission Form to claim points.
A chapter may receive these points if at least five members of the chapter are playing on the same team for any intramural sport. Must submit photos using the Standard of Excellence Submission Form to receive points. 
Students who sign in at LAUNCH will receive points on their chapter’s behalf. The sign-in sheet for the event will be the only source used to award points.
Chapters may achieve these points by submitting photos or plans from any non-social event that they co-host with any student organization that is not part of their own council. These items of proof may be submitted using the Standard of Excellence Submission Form. 
Any chapter who receives any award from their regional/national/international organization should submit proof of the award using the Standard of Excellence Submission Form. Individual awards (e.g. President of the Year or Neophyte of the Year) will also be counted for points. Awards earned at a local level do not count in this category.

Every chapter will start with 20 points and will be deducted for conduct-related issues. If a chapter is found responsible for any university conduct-related issue(s), the chapter will not be eligible for Dean’s Cup points.

Conduct Issue Point Deduction
Hazing 20 points and ineligible for Dean’s Cup (all categories)
Social Probation 5 points (per semester)
Academic Probation 2 points (per semester)

If any member of a chapter sits on a committee or board, or holds any position above the local level, the chapter is eligible for these points. Chapters who have sent delegates to a constitutional convention to vote on national matters in the last two years may also claim these points. Please use the Standard of Excellence Submission Form to submit proof of appointment to a position or an invitation to your constitutional convention.

Bonus point opportunities may be added throughout the year at the discretion of FSL Staff. All opportunities for bonus points will be communicated to chapter presidents with ample time to make arrangements for attendance.