CONSTITUTION
OF
NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY
GREEK COUNCIL
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Northwestern State University Greek Council.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSEThe purpose of the Northwestern State University Greek Council shall be to serve in an advisory capacity to the Assistant Director of Student Activities & Organizations and the administration of Northwestern State University in matters affecting Greek social organizations and their relationships with the university; to serve as a medium for the exchange of information and experience for the improvement of the social Greek system and Greek life at Northwestern State University; and for any purposes to the end of the mutual benefit of Northwestern State University and the social Greek organizations existing at Northwestern State University.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP Membership in the council is mandatory for the National Order of Omega, all Greek organizations, and all Greek governing bodies whose undergraduate chapters are recognized by the University. Each social Greek organization shall be represented on the Greek Council by the chapter president. In the absence of the president, the vice-president, secretary, or treasurer may attend. An alternate may be appointed from a member group in the event their chapter president is unable to attend. An advisor of each group may also attend and participate in council deliberations. A member group in good standing with Northwestern State University and the group00 governing organization will have one vote. Matters of regular business shall be decided by a majority of duly gathered quorum. A quorum shall consist of fifty percent plus one of the members in current good standing with Northwestern State University and the group00 governing organization. There shall be a $3 assessment in the Fall Semester for each member listed on the roster of each Greek organization. This assessment will go to support the following programs coordinated by the Northwestern State University National Order of Omega: Halloween Carnival, Greek Week, Greek Awards, Greek 1010, and Pep Rallies. In addition, two (2) bags of individually wrapped candy per member must be donated for the Halloween Carnival. The Greek Council dues will be due 30 days after the first day of classes. Failure to meet the due date will result in the organization not being recognized as a student organization until dues are paid in full. ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS The officer00 of the Greek Council shall be the President, Vice President, and Executive Secretary. The President shall preside at all meetings of the council, act as chairperson of the executive committee, and appoint committees as required with the approval of the council. The Vice President, in the absence of the President, shall assume all powers and duties of the President and serve as the advisor to all committee chairs except the Executive Committee. The Executive Secretary shall take true and complete minutes of all meetings and provide copies thereof to all members. The Executive Secretary shall be responsible for all correspondence, notices of meetings, and oversight of finances. The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice President, and Executive Secretary. The President, Vice-President, and Executive Secretary will be equally represented among the governing bodies of Northwestern State University, which include IFC, NPC, and NPHC. This committee shall carry out the business of the Greek Council between meetings. This committee shall prepare subject matter for Greek Council meetings and shall originate subjects in accordance with the purpose of the Greek Council. Election and Tenure: The officers of the Executive Committee shall be selected at the November meeting for a term of one year. No Greek Council president shall serve more than one term. ARTICLE V: MEETINGS Meetings of the Greek Council shall be held monthly during the academic year. Specific time and place of each meeting will be determined and announced by the President. Special meetings shall be called by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee upon written request to the Executive Secretary by three (3) member groups. Attendance at meetings is mandatory. Failure to attend a meeting by a members group will subject the group to sanctions by Northwestern State University and will subject the group00 standing with the university. Robert00 Rules of Order Newly Revised shall apply at all meetings. ARTICLE VI: GUIDELINES & POLICIES Social Function Guidelines.Definitions:
Social Function is defined as any gathering/event sponsored by a fraternity where the following criteria are met: Individuals who are not members of the Greek organization are invited/allowed to attend. Alcohol is served, provided, or brought by members and guests. Regardless of the location of the gathering/event, it is determined to be a social function if it meets the definitions listed above. Having a social function and calling it another type of event does not negate any of the social function regulations.Invitations:
Open Parties constitute a threat to the fraternity system by creating community complaints about noise, litter, and crowd control; and by frequently causing physical damage to fraternity facilities and the surrounding areas; and by frequently resulting in an offense criminal in nature against the community; therefore the practice of hosting Open Parties is prohibited. Open Parties are defined as those social functions with unrestricted access by nonmembers of the Greek organization, without specific invitation. Guidelines for invitations: Invitations should be printed documents. An invitation is valid for only one person. Invitations cannot advertise alcohol. Invitations will be required for all nonmembers attending the social function. A guest registry will be required. Flyers/leaflets cannot advertise alcohol. Flyers/leaflets may advertise fraternity parties held off campus with provisions being made for obtaining an invitation for the event. Alcohol/Drug Policy. The possession, use, and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages while on chapter premises, during an official fraternity event, or in any situation sponsored or endorsed by the chapter must be in compliance with all applicable laws of the state, parish, and university. No alcoholic beverage may be purchased through the chapter treasury nor may the purchase of same for members or guests be undertaken or coordinated by any member in the name of or on behalf of the chapter. The unrestricted use of a bulk quantity of such alcoholic beverage is prohibited. No chapter members, collectively or individually, shall purchase for, serve to, or sell alcoholic beverages to any minor (those under the legal 00rinking age00. Greek organizations will develop and use an effective system to identify guests and members who are of legal 00rinking age00 Non-alcoholic beverages and food are snacks in ample quantities must be served throughout the duration of sponsored or co-sponsored social function at which alcohol is served/sold. The sale of alcoholic beverages by any chapter is strictly forbidden. No chapter shall participate in any activity or action, which creates the impression that the chapter is selling alcohol. Examples include selling empty cups, having vending machines, which dispense alcoholic beverages, or selling tickets or invitations to social functions where alcohol is present. The possession, sale, and/or use of any illegal drugs or controlled substances at any chapter house, sponsored event, or at any event that an observer would associate with the fraternity is strictly prohibited. No chapter may co-sponsor an event with a distributor of alcohol, charitable organization, or tavern (tavern being defined as an establishment generating more than half of annual gross sales from alcohol) where alcohol is given away, sold, or otherwise provided to those present. No chapter may co-sponsor or co-finance a function where alcohol is purchased by any of the host chapters, groups, or organizations. No member shall permit, tolerate, encourage, or participate in 00rinking games00 Examples include, but are not limited to quarters, funneling, etc. Alcoholic beverages must be sold and/or served on campus by those persons properly licensed according to Louisiana statutes and/or approved to do so by the Director of Student Activities & Organizations. This person(s) is to serve all beverages. Do not allow anyone to have free access to alcohol, i.e., to serve themselves. Adequate professional security must be provided at the chapter00 expense to deal with uninvited guests and monitor any other potential problems. Do not serve persons who seem to be intoxicated, regardless of age. Alcohol is prohibited in membership recruitment activities, which is defined as an activity in which, besides those members and female guests, only potential prospective members are invited, and in which the purpose of the function is to attract potential members to future membership in the organization. Each chapter must present at least one educational program each semester during the academic year for both members and new members (pledges, associates, candidates, etc.) concerning the use and effects of alcohol, the chapter00 policy concerning its use, all local laws and ordinances pertinent to alcohol, and liquor host liability. All educational programs on alcohol must be registered and approved through the Assistant Director of Student Activities & Organizations. No alcohol shall be present at any new member (pledges, associates, candidates, etc.) program or activity of the chapter. ARTICLE VII: RESOLUTION ON HUMAN DECENCYWHEREAS, colleges, universities and educational associations have expressed increasing concern for inappropriate, insensitive, and sometimes violent behavior in human interaction, and
WHEREAS, such behavior is reportedly practiced by some collegians, including undergraduate members of fraternal organizations, and
WHEREAS, social codes and mores are in a period of transition and redefinition, causing confusion and inappropriate responses for the best interest of the fraternal community, and
WHEREAS, education of current social mores has traditionally been part of the fraternal education within the ideals of the fraternities and is expected to result in change for the better as undergraduate men and women are taught the standards of refined conduct through the fraternal ideals, and
WHEREAS, derogatory remarks, implications, and symbolisms toward fraternal organizations does not promote mutual respect, trust, support, and interdependence throughout the fraternal community, and
WHEREAS, publications, paraphernalia, and activities should not degrade, defame, or disgrace another fraternal organization, its ideals, or its principles;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this body urges each member fraternity to intensify its efforts to educate its members in fraternal principles and ideals regarding positive human interaction, to accept their share of interfraternity responsibilities, and to encourage and build healthy competition, pride of organization, larger loyalties, and maturity of judgement.
THERFORE, ALSO BE IT RESOLVED that fraternal organizations found guilty of violating these principles and ideals shall be subject to appropriate sanctions from the Greek Council.
Recognizing that the strength of each member fraternal organization is directly related to the strength of the Northwestern State University Greek Community as a whole, we the members of the Greek Council subscribe to these statements of human decency conducive to the principles of harmony and to the general welfare of all.
ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENTSProposed amendments to this constitution shall be announced in writing and circulated with mailed announcements of the time and place of the meeting at which they shall be considered. To be adopted, not less than two-thirds of the member groups shall be present and voting. To be adopted, not less than two-thirds of the member groups shall vote in favor thereof.
