• Membership experience programs that acclimate members to the fraternity and sorority community and communicate expectations and aspirations of fraternity and sorority membership
• Leadership programming to provide aspiring leaders with vital skills and knowledge to have a positive impact on Iowa

• Advising, support, and guidance for four governing councils, Order of Omega, and other community initiatives, as appropriate
• Advising and support for individual organization success
• Annual review of chapter recognition and achievement of standards

• Liaison and referrals to other campus offices that may assist chapters in providing programming and development opportunities for their members
• Communication regarding programming, outreach, service, and philanthropic opportunities throughout the year

• Recognition of chapters who are meeting and exceeding target areas, as well as establishing goals for areas of opportunity
• Publicizing a report each semester (February/June) highlighting the important aspects of each organization at the University of Iowa and their achievement in the Hawkeye Excellence and Goal Achievement Program
• Advertising the collective accomplishments of the community, as well as individual initiatives, as appropriate

At the end of each semester, chapter activity will be reviewed and evaluated by FSL. FSL will determine the progress and achievement of each chapter in all focus areas at the end of each spring semester, as well as the overall standing of each chapter at the end of each fall semester. Chapter leaders and advisors will receive a mid-year report in June each year and a final report in February each year. FSL coaches will meet with each chapter president to discuss the organization’s successes, areas of opportunity, and goals for the subsequent year.

All chapters are responsible for reporting the Recognition Requirements and their activities and achievement by the deadlines established in this document or communicated by FSL. 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 outlined.

For a chapter to be a recognized organization through FSL and at the university, the chapter must update and provide information to FSL each semester:

Failure to update or provide required information with FSL by the designated deadline will result in the organization being placed on a “frozen” status in Engage. Organizations that are “frozen” lose organization privileges, such as the ability to register and host events, book rooms on campus, utilize campus facilities, and participate in campus-sponsored events and programs.

Members of the fraternity and sorority community at Iowa will strive for excellence in their academic endeavors. Organizations will provide support for academic achievement of chapter members to ensure their individual and collective intellectual development and academic success. The following standards will be used to evaluate each chapter’s progress toward excellence in academic achievement:

^1,2 Sororities will be compared to the all-women’s GPA. Fraternities will be compared to the all-men’s GPA. 

Reporting

Members in the fraternity and sorority community will participate in activities that help them to build positive relationships and learn about various areas and individuals throughout the Iowa and Iowa City community. The following standards will be used to evaluate each chapter’s progress toward excellence in campus and community involvement:

³ Events requiring chapter participation to meet governing council obligations are excluded. Organization meetings or events primarily sponsored by fraternities, sororities, or governing councils also do not fulfill this standard. Iowa athletic events will not be considered. 

Reporting

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 engagement in community service, service-learning, and philanthropic activities. The following standards will be used to evaluate each chapter’s progress toward excellence in civic engagement:

^4,5 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.

⁶ Participating in or attending a philanthropy event does not qualify. Fraternities and sororities must sponsor and host an event that raises money, collects goods, or provides education for a worthwhile cause. A philanthropy event is defined as a program where the nonprofit organization is the primary focus and raises money or awareness for a philanthropy.

Reporting

Fraternities and sororities are most successful when they maintain positive and supportive relationships with chapters across all four fraternity and sorority governing councils at Iowa. The university believes that fraternities and sororities should collaborate with their inter/national organizations and actively participate in their respective governing council. The following standards will be used to evaluate each chapter’s progress toward excellence in council involvement:

⁷ Governing councils will provide documentation of chapter standing at the end of each calendar year.

⁸ Events involving alcohol or recruitment/intake are excluded.

Reporting

Fraternities and sororities at Iowa 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. The following standards will be used to evaluate each chapter’s progress toward excellence in education and learning:

⁹ Educational programs fulfilling university or inter/national organization outcomes or sanctions for misconduct or policy violations are excluded.

¹⁰ Chapters with past due completion will be placed on a “frozen” status on Engage. Organizations that are “frozen” lose organization privileges, such as the ability to register and host events, book rooms on campus, utilize campus facilities, and participate in campus-sponsored events and programs.

Reporting

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. The following standards will be used to evaluate each chapter’s progress toward excellence in financial stewardship:

¹¹ 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 FSL Chapter Coach and/or the Office of Student Accountability.

^{12, 13} Appropriate evidence includes official chapter expense reports and/or written analysis signed by the chapter advisor.

Reporting

Members of the fraternity and sorority community at Iowa 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 found responsible for misconduct or university policy violations by the Office of Student Accountability during the calendar year will automatically be issued an “Opportunity for Growth” rating for the health and safety focus area. The following standards will be used to evaluate each chapter’s progress toward excellence in chapter health and safety:

¹⁴ Chapters are not permitted to host events with alcohol until an acceptable Risk Prevention and Safety Plan is submitted and approved by FSL.

Reporting

Fraternities and sororities at Iowa will foster leadership potential within their members throughout all stages of their academic career by providing and encouraging meaningful experiences locally and nationally. These activities should promote integrity, responsible and ethical decision-making, and setting an example for others. The following standards will be used to evaluate each chapter’s progress toward excellence in leadership development:

¹⁵ 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.

¹⁶ Officer or member absences due to scheduling or academic commitments must be excused by FSL, in writing, at least 2 weeks prior to the program. Officer or member absences due to family or medical emergencies must be excused by FSL, in writing, at least 24 hours prior to the program.

¹⁷ As a reminder, many inter/national organizations offer scholarships to members interested in attending regional or national leadership programs outside of FSL.

Reporting

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 growth and development. The following standards will be used to evaluate each chapter’s progress toward excellence in membership growth and development:

¹⁸ 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 or intake activities until an acceptable Growth and Sustainability Plan is submitted and approved by FSL each semester. Chapters below 5 members must meet with their chapter coach to review and discuss.

¹⁹ 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 or intake activities until an acceptable New Member Education or Intake Plan is submitted and approved by FSL each semester.

²⁰ Activities must be “members only” to qualify. Mandatory chapter meetings or events and events involving alcohol are excluded. Semester-long events, such as intramural teams, only need to be documents once each semester. 

²¹ Appropriate evidence includes a peer accountability process outlined and/or a letter confirming approval of peer accountability process signed by the chapter advisor. 

Reporting

Fraternities and sororities are most successful when they maintain an active and positive relationship with their respective stakeholders (alumni, graduate chapter members, families). The university believes that fraternities and sororities should discover and implement opportunities for alumni and graduate chapter members to remain involved and families to get involved in and be informed about chapter activities. The following standards will be used to evaluate each chapter’s progress toward excellence in stakeholder engagement:

^22,23 Events involving alcohol are excluded.

Reporting

Improvement and accountability measures are intended to provide support and guidance for chapters that are not meeting a majority of the targets in 1 or more of the focus areas. The following table provides an overview of the action a chapter should expect:

Fraternity and Sorority Life at the University of Iowa believes that a high functioning and successful chapter is one that has a vision and path toward goal achievement, and this is a tool that will aid in that process. In this process chapters will review data from the previous calendar year and create a Goal Achievement Plan that addresses areas for growth for the upcoming calendar year. The data provided in a final report in February will serve as a yearly benchmark of successes and areas of opportunity for chapter leaders to review historical data and trends and compare their progress from year to year. The purpose of the Goal Achievement Plan is to ensure chapters remain relevant to their inter/national organization, governing council, and the University of Iowa by setting goals that address each area for growth. 

²⁴ Once the Goal Achievement Plan has been submitted, please set up a meeting with your FSL Chapter Coach to review. The Goal Achievement Plan will also be shared with chapter advisors and inter/national partners.