Scholarship
- The fraternity and sorority environment shall be conducive to
study and supportive of each member's academic efforts. Programs should
be planned around the academic needs of members (e.g. study skills,
tutoring and discussion groups, writing workshops, career planning).
Formal scholarship programs and activities which go beyond mere "test
files" are strongly encouraged in order that members may learn from
each other. This is a serious concern of the College and is a necessary
ingredient of a Greek organization's total contribution.
Rules and Regulations
- It is assumed that all fraternity and sorority members are aware
of College regulations and State and local laws, and that they are
following them. Further, it is important that each chapter have clearly
stated internal rules which are responsibly enforced by the officers.
Problem areas typically are alcohol and drug abuse, noise, sexual
harassment, physical assaults and property damage. Failure to correct
such problems when they arise threatens the continued recognition
of the chapter.
Rush - The
purpose of Rush is to present the fraternity and sorority alternative
to Whitman College students, primarily freshmen, who are not affiliated
with a Greek organization. As such it should be open and honest and
introduce prospective members to all phases of a chapter's activities
and to the personal and financial responsibilities that pledgeship
entails. Therefore a Rush program that concentrates on alcohol and
parties is developing an inaccurate view of the Greek experience and
is not preparing its prospective new members for responsible membership.
New Member
Education - In order to complement such a Rush program it is mandatory
that each fraternity and sorority have a positive new member education
program. A wide variety of educational and related activities are
necessary if each new member is to become familiar with and accept
both the business and friendship aspects of his or her chapter. Examples
of such activities are learning chapter management skills, how to
Rush, and financial obligations. The amount of time a new member spends
in doing things with older members or big brothers or sisters is important
in developing attitudes of sharing and caring and brotherhood or sisterhood.
Conversely, practices which continue because of tradition and are
based on revenge or are fun at the expense of others are not constructive.
Hazing does not encourage respect for others and is not acceptable
at Whitman College. Hazing is defined as any activity of physical
or psychological abuse that is degrading or humiliating to another
person.
Finances and
Chapter Operations - Financial obligation of chapters and individuals
within their chapters are expected to be met. College regulations
require that each organization be free of debt contracted through
its current operations by the end of the fiscal year (June 30). Failure
to remove indebtedness within a year will result in withdrawal of
recognition of the organization. In addition, it is expected that
the physical premises of each fraternity or sorority will be maintained
in good repair and that all hazards to health and safety will be routinely
eliminated.
Social Activities
- Fraternities and sororities have provided a variety of social
activities which contribute to member's personal development and serve
an integrative function for the greater campus. In addition to hosting
responsible parties each chapter should endeavor to provide a variety
of activities which will expand each student's experiences and might
include interaction with faculty and administrators, citizens of Walla
Walla and other campus organizations. Promoting positive personal
relations between men and women should be important for all College
events.
Exterior Relations
- Members and chapters must be concerned with their impact on
their neighbors. Because the College is located in a residential area,
extra care should be taken not only to respect neighbors' rights to
privacy and quiet, but also to cultivate positive relationships through
visits, newsletters, meetings with Walla Walla organizations (such
as the police, fire department, etc.) and invitations to appropriate
activities. Excellent opportunities exist for Greek organizations
to make a positive impact through community and College service projects.
A critical area of concern is that of inter-Greek relations and rivalries.
Raids, theft, and property damage have no place in the ideals espoused
by the Greek organizations. Attitudes must improve and support must
be given to the IFC and Panhellenic in order to deal with infractions.
Recognizing that alumni are a source of strength for both the College
and the fraternities and sororities, it is crucial that each chapter
devotes considerable effort toward cultivating a continued involvement
with its graduates.
Programming
- Fraternities and sororities should take advantage of the combination
of College resources and their own close friendships to significantly
enhance the personal lives of their members. For example, workshop
or discussion sessions on leadership, personal finances, career planning,
male/female awareness, etc. would be beneficial to all members.
Evaluation
- Each fraternity and sorority should annually make the effort
to ask itself whether or not it is realizing its full potential by
serving its members and the College in the areas indicated in this
document. Each fall, Greek organizations must complete an "Award of
Excellence" application. In the process of making this application,
fraternities and sororities take a close look at the year's accomplishments
and the congruence between stated philosophy and actual activities.
A committee of faculty, administrators and students will scrutinize
the applications and determine the award winners.
