CSUB FRATERNITY & SORORITY LIFE
A. Academic Achievement
California State University, Bakersfield provides a range of academic programs and the opportunity for all students to prepare themselves to assume roles in society. The academic progress of all chapter members considered collectively indicates the relative strength and vitality of the chapter itself. Above average collective academic performance insures a chapter's relevance to the mission of California State University, Bakersfield. The standards outlined below have been shown to be standard practices that help fraternity and sorority chapters perform well academically.
Submit an academic success/chapter scholarship program for initiated and new members and demonstrate how the plan is being implemented. Establish and enforce minimum individual expectations for academic performance (at least the all-women's/men's average is recommended) and make use of constructive activities to identify and help those members who are on academic probation. Members who fall below the chapter’s standard should show documentation of progress report evaluations from their instructors. The chapter should have a program (e.g. tutoring, study hours, etc.) to assist members having academic difficulty.
Points will be awarded for academic related presentations hosted with at least 50% attendance of the entire chapter, up to a maximum of 60 points per year. Presentations may include the following topics: study abroad, study skills, time management, graduate school presentations, alumni mentor program, career development, etc. Presentations may be the result of collaborative efforts. Programs conducted as part of a judicial sanction are excluded.
Use of recognition activities to identify and honor those members who have excelled academically. Examples of recognition activities include, but are not limited to, recognition dinners or ceremonies, certificates or awards, advertisements in The Runner, and rewards. The programs should be presided over by an advisor. Programs may be a result of collaborative efforts.
B. Membership Recruitment & Education
The strength of any Greek-letter organization is its membership. Maintenance of the basic principles of Greek-letter organizations is influenced by the ability of the Greek community as a whole, and each of its member chapters in particular, to anticipate and address relevant issues. The standards of this section provide focus for a chapter’s processes for inducting new members into the organization, and its programs for developing the full potential for each member.
Chapters are required to develop a recruitment plan that outlines recruitment goals and action plans for each term in which they wish to recruit. The recruitment plan will indicate recruitment activities and events with the aim of attracting new members.
A written education program for new member education. The written program must include the dates of each activity from bid day/date of invitation distribution and a detailed description of the activity, including requirements/expectations of new members. Chapters failing to adhere to their approved education programs will be sanctioned. Penalties will be levied at the discretion of the Office of Student Involvement and may include, but not limited to: Chapter Excellence point deductions, required supervision or cessation of all new member activities, prohibition of future recruitment efforts, or loss of university recognition.
Host, sponsor, or attend personal development educational programs with attendance by a minimum of 50% of the chapter membership at each program. Acceptable programs include but are not limited to: social responsibility, leadership development, health issues, career development, campus involvement, values and ethics, gender issues, and sexual responsibility. Programs may be the result of collaborative efforts. Programs conducted as part of a judicial sanction are excluded.
C. Leadership Development
Membership in Greek organizations offers students many opportunities to develop their leadership potential. Greek organizations not only provide training in the principles of leadership, they are laboratories in which these principles can be practiced and tested. Each member is actively involved in decision-making processes, teaching and encouraging students to utilize their leadership talents within their chapters and on the California State University, Bakersfield campus.
One point per member who participates in an external (off-campus) leadership program, career related internship, or research assistant position each semester.
One point per member who holds a volunteer executive office in a campus or community organization (excluding Greek-related organizations) each semester
One point per member who holds a volunteer executive office in a Greek-related organization (other than their own chapter) each semester
D. Ritual & Values
Chapter performs a ritual ceremony at least once per term.
Alumni participate in at least one ritual ceremony/program per year.
Chapter conducts a program that reinforces/discusses the chapter’s Ritual and values that is attended by at least 50% of the membership at least once per term. Programs conducted as part of a judicial sanction are excluded.