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Membership

Membership
Policy

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Document Number: GREEK--104 Revision #: 2.0
Document Owner: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Date Last Updated: 01/28/2021
Primary Author: Director of Residence Life and Greek Affairs
Date Originally Created: 11/10/2011

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General Description
Description: Policy on membership in Greek organizations


Policy Provisions

Greek membership serves many purposes in that it contributes to the intellectual, social, and personal development of the student. Historically, membership in these organizations has worked to refine the whole person, both academically and socially. The purpose of recruitment efforts should be included as many students as is reasonably possible who desire Greek affiliation. Without demanding that every student who enters the recruitment process be guaranteed an invitation of membership, the University has set forth these regulations and standards. These regulations are stated in the effort that all recruitment policies and programs are inclusive rather than exclusive in attitude.

  1. Membership Information for non-NPHC (National Pan-Hellenic Council) organizations:
  1. Recruitment

    Recruitment will be held once per semester. Fall recruitment dates will be set by the Office of Greek Affairs and announced during the spring semester. Spring recruitment dates are set by individual organizations and approved through the Director prior to announcing to potential members. Other recruitment functions may be held outside of the recruitment period with the written consent of the Greek Advisor. The Director of Greek Affairs must approve all recruitment activities. All recruitment activities will follow these stipulations:

    ●No alcohol is permitted at any recruitment functions.

    ●Persons should be considered for membership without regard to race, ethnic origin/nationality, religion or sexual orientation.

    ●Each fraternity/sorority is encouraged to develop programs to enable students whose financial condition might preclude membership to receive assistance.

    ●Programs of new member education should not promote divisiveness or hostility among fraternity/sorority, but rather promote the entire Greek System and the campus community.

    ●Members of Greek organizations should, at a minimum, meet the same standards of responsible behavior and accountability in accordance with the Cumberland Creed.

    ●All recruitment regulations set forth by the Greek Council or Panhellenic Council are expected to be followed before, during, and after the formal recruitment period.

  2. Bidding

    All bids for potential new members must be submitted to the Director of Greek Affairs by the date announced for certification of eligibility. After the potential new member’s University academic status has been evaluated, approved, and signed by the Greek Advisor, the potential new member may receive the bid and be eligible for membership. Bid acceptance form should be signed immediately when a new member has accepted their membership bid and turned into the Office of Greek Affairs.

  3. Requirements for Joining an Organization

    The potential new member must be enrolled in at least twelve (12) semester hours and must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.50, college or high school graduation for first semester freshman, to be eligible for joining any fraternity or sorority; however, nothing herein prohibits the fraternity or is intended to restrict fraternities and sororities from setting a higher standard. The female organizations belong to National Panhellenic require a minimum of a 2.5 GPA for membership. First-semester transfer students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 in his/her hours accepted by the University to be eligible for membership.

     

    2. Membership Information for NPHC (National Pan-Hellenic Council) organizations:

     

  4. Recruitment

    Organizations will complete an intake process based on the need for each chapter and the approval of Alumni Chapter and District Approval. The Director of Greek Affairs must approve all intake meetings prior to information being given to potential members. All recruitment activities will follow these stipulations:

    ●Persons should be considered for membership without regard to race, ethnic origin/nationality, religion or sexual orientation.

    ●Programs of new member education should not promote divisiveness or hostility among fraternity/sorority, but rather promote the entire Greek System and the campus community.

    ●Members of Greek organizations should, at a minimum, meet the same standards of responsible behavior and accountability in accordance with the Cumberland Creed.

  5. Extending Membership

    FERPA grade release forms must be submitted to the Office of Greek Affairs after a meeting when applications have been given to potential new members. After the potential new member’s University academic status has been evaluated, approved, and signed by the Greek Advisor, the organization will be given approval to extend membership based on their organization’s requirements as they see fit. 

  6. Requirements for Joining an Organization

The potential new member must be enrolled in at least twelve (12) semester hours and must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.50 college GPA to be eligible for joining any fraternity or sorority; however, nothing herein prohibits the fraternity or is intended to restrict fraternities and sororities from setting a higher standard. First-semester transfer students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 in his/her hours accepted by the University to be eligible for membership.

3. New Member Programs

Cumberland University recognizes that each Greek organization has their own New Member/Intake education program, but the University also wishes to ensure the safety and well-being of its students; therefore the following regulations have been set forth by the University.

 

Cumberland University absolutely forbids hazing in any form. Each fraternity/sorority is expected to make its members familiar with the University Hazing policy, set forth in this Handbook, and its consequences.

 

Each fraternity/sorority shall:

●Conduct each function in accordance with all local, state and federal laws, and within the expectations of the international or national Greek organizations.

●Leadership of chapters and all new members must sign an anti-hazing agreement stating they understand our non-hazing policy and agree to follow it.

●Require that all New Members participate in educational programming on the following issues:

○Alcohol and drug use and abuse

○Hazing

○Risk management/legal liability

○Sexual assault/harassment or gender issues

●All programming can and should involve the participation of members of the faculty, staff, and administration. The Director of Greek Affairs will serve as a resource for such programming if needed.

 


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Subject Experts
The following may be consulted for additional information.
Director of Residence Life and Greek Affairs