Student Handbook
Greek Life
Section 1:
The purpose of the Judicial Process is to insure and foster the concept of self-discipline within the Greek community.
Section 2:
The Judicial Process is established to hear any/all violations that occur within the Greek System at York College. This may involve the College Student Code of Conduct, established policies of Greek Association, new member policies, and hazing laws.
Subsection 1: Any member of the general College community may file charges or complaints. Members of the general College community shall include individual students, Greek organizations, a York area community resident, a faculty member, a staff member, an administrator, or the Dean of Student Affairs.
Subsection 2: All charges or complaints shall be filed immediately with the Greek Council Advisor(s) or the Office of Student Affairs.
Section 3:
Membership of the Greek Judicial Board shall be: (Membership of the Board selected and approved by Greek Council)
- 5 Greek members from different fraternities and sororities.
- 1 faculty member and 1 Greek organization advisor
- Designated Student Affairs Administrator. Subsection 1: The members of the Greek Judicial Board shall serve for a term of one year. Faculty/Administration membership can be renewed with approval from Greek and Student Affairs Office.
Section 4:
The Chairperson of the Board and Advisor shall be non-voting members; however, the Chairperson of the Board may vote to make or break a tie.
Section 5:
The following procedure will constitute the Greek Judicial Process:
- Violation of a rule, policy, or regulation.
- Judicial Board representative meets in consultation with the Dean of Student Affairs, determines how the case should be heard; by Greek Association, by the Greek Judicial Board, or by the Dean of Student Affairs Board. Consideration shall be given to the nature and severity of the case.
- The case shall be heard within seven days of the reported violation, or unless otherwise stipulated by the Dean of Student Affairs/Greek Judicial Board.
- All outcomes of the Judicial Process are recommendations to the Dean of Student Affairs, who shall retain the right to uphold or over turn any decision.
Section 6:
Disciplinary sanctions shall be, not necessarily in this order, but in order of severity: an official warning, an official warning with a fine/restitution (specified by a policy or by the Dean of Student Affairs), community or campus service, suspension of Greek rights (such as new member privileges, rush privileges, advertising privileges, etc.), social probation, or revocation of a charter. None, any, or any combination may be exercised at any time. Individual disciplinary sanctions for the College's code of conduct apply to the student(s) as appropriate for conduct violations(s).
Section 7:
In cases of violations deemed dangerous/serious by the Dean of Student Affairs and staff, the Dean shall retain the right to suspend any member organization, activity, or individual for an interim period. An appropriate Judicial Board hearing shall take place within 10 days of the Interim Suspension. The Student Affairs office will schedule such hearings so that these cases can be properly reviewed and attention given to the judicial procedures necessary. If, in the judgment of the Judicial Board, the student/organization is found not guilty, then any missed academic work or activity resulting from the Interim Suspension may be made up.
Section 8:
The new member process may be interrupted immediately upon a substantiated report of a new member violation, and/or terminated as a result of a new member violation and judicial sanction.
Section 9:
A student or organization has the right to appeal a disciplinary decision to the Dean of Student Affairs/Administrative Judicial Board (or to the President if the Dean has been involved in the hearing proceedings). Such an appeal must be made in writing and must be submitted within 48 hours of the time the sanction was issued. Any appeal must be based on one or more of the following grounds (the justification for which must be clearly outlined in the letter of appeal).
- Prejudicial departure from the procedures outlined.
- Substantial new evidence or testimony not heard.
- The sanction deviates from the guidelines provided and is unduly harsh or inappropriate.
THE LEADERSHIP
The Greek Council is a very important body for Greek members. This is the forum to bring up concerns, questions, new ideas, and even complaints. It is important that your Greek Council representative is well informed and enthusiastic about serving his/her position. Only through a positive, organized, and open setting can your goals be achieved.
Although the Student Senate is above the Greek Council in the technical hierarchy, the Greek Council remains the sole voice for Greeks only. The Senate believes in giving new groups a chance to form. The Greek Council helps decide whether or not they should be permanently Greek.
Know your Greek Council representative, Greek Council/Greek Advisor(s), Student Senators and each organization's constitution respectively.
There are two representative organizations for the fraternities and sororities that work directly with the Greek Council. These governing bodies are Inter Fraternal Council (fraternities) and Panhellenic Council (sororities). Both IFC and Panhel establish the rush dates each semester, promote Greek unity within all organizations and strive, along with the Greek Council, to strengthen and enhance the Greek System for all.
HAZING
Hazing is prohibited and will result in administrative disciplinary action. Hazing is defined as any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which requires, encourages, or permits violation of any federal, state, or local statute or College policy, for the purpose of initiation or membership into, or affiliation with, or membership in any organizations recognized by, or affiliated with, York College of Pennsylvania. For specific information, consult with the offices of Student Activities and Orientation and Student Affairs. Each organization is responsible for informing members (new members, associate members, affiliates or guests) of the hazing policy. Violations of the hazing policy at York College will result in disciplinary action and/or legal action. Student(s) and/or organizations will be held responsible for group activity in the event this policy is violated. Violators can be given sanctions of probation up to and including suspension from the College.
Guidelines for Defining Hazing
The following list of questions may be used as a guide to evaluate and help rid Greek chapters of hazing in any form. It is suggested that each program or action taken during the Greek new member education program should be tested by asking at least these questions. Each chapter should apply the list and determine if others should be added.
- Does this activity help achieve the overall goal that Greeks strive to achieve - developing a better person for our society?
- Is the activity based on the principle of HONOR?
- Is the activity of a human nature?
- Does the activity or program meet not only the letter of the Law against hazing, but also the spirit in which it was intended by Greek founders?
- Does the attitude of the brothers/sisters conducting this activity reflect the principle of HONOR?
- Is the activity an extension of Brotherhood/Sisterhood which teaches the individual to become an integral part of the Brotherhood/Sisterhood?
- Is the activity strictly an educational experience?
- Does the activity challenge the individual to excellence, inspiring him/her to do better than he has done in the past?
- Will this activity increase the love and respect the individual feels for each brother and/or sister as a whole?
- Would the chapter conduct this activity if any of the following individuals were present? Your parents, your university Dean or President, your Greek Advisor, your National Headquarters' staff, your boyfriend/girlfriend?
- If the answer to any question is negative, the chapter should immediately discontinue the activity and search for a viable alternative, based on the principle of HONOR.
If the answer to any question is negative, the chapter should immediately discontinue the activity and search for a viable alternative, based on the principle of HONOR.
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NON-HAZING POLICY (SAMPLE) PLEASE COMPLETE IN INK AND RETURN THE FIRST AND SECOND COPY TO THE CAMPUS PROGRAMMING CENTER; KEEP THE THIRD COPY FOR YOUR RECORDS. CERTIFICATION Name ______________________________________________________ Greek Organization ___________________________________________ By signing this form, I have certified that I have carefully read the Non-Hazing Policy of York College of Pennsylvania. I understand its implications and my rights under this policy. I freely sign this certification and in doing so acknowledge that I will abide by this policy. Signature __________________________Date _____________________ THE POLICY DEFINITION ENFORCEMENT The Greek Judicial board and the Student Affairs Office shall then proceed in hearing such cases and establish appropriate sanctions for any guilty party. Persons found guilty of hazing include those who implement or initiate the hazing, those in charge of the chapter, and/or victims agreeing to the hazing. ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY |
Advisors
All organizations need advisors. Greeks at YCP are fairly lucky. Advisors are coaches, teachers of Leadership Classes, executive secretaries, consultants, adult sponsors. Not only does each group have a faculty advisor, but an alumni advisor as well. It is in the best interest of every organization, especially Greeks, to utilize their advisor as much as possible. You may be asking how to have a good relationship with your advisor. First, read the list of what is expected from an advisor. Then follow the Do's and Don'ts.
- Be aware of the purpose and activities of the organization through attendance at organization meetings or through frequent consultation with leaders.
- Act as a source of general info regarding university policies and procedures.
- Encourage organization members to assume responsibility for their actions and for the effectiveness of their programs.
- Guide, while at the same time, allow freedom for members to plan and coordinate their own activities and programs.
- Provide special technical knowledge or info relevant to the organization's need.
- Oversee financial transactions of the organization.
- Be familiar with the organization's history.
- Provide continuity.
- Assist with new officer orientation.
- Assist in determining realistic goals.
- Evaluate toward goals.
AWARDS
Listed below are the awards that Greek organizations or Greek individuals are selected to win. Not every award is for Greeks only, but Greek organizations or individuals have been active in competing for these honors.
- The Jody Appell Community Service Award
Given to the organization with the most meaningful campus and community service. (Spring Semester)
- Greek Scholastic Award
Given to the organization with the highest overall G.P.A. (Spring Semester)
- Who's Who
Given to a percentage of active students who maintain a 2.5 or above, who are nominated and selected for their student life involvement and activities. (Fall Semester)
- Student Senate Scholarship
A monetary award given by the Student Senate to active students who contribute to campus life. (Spring Semester)
- Student Senate Service Award
Honor given by the Student Senate to active students.
- The William Kain Good Citizenship Award
Awarded to the junior male who contributes the most to the community and campus. (Spring Semester)
- The Emily Kain Golden Rule Award
Awarded to the junior female who contributes the most to community and campus. (Spring Semester)
- Alcohol/Drug Related Resources
- Rachael Hovis, Ext. 1468
Lower Level, Student Union
- Greek Advisor
- Chris Mason, Ext. 1380
Main Level, Student Union
- Greek Council
- President, TBD
- Interfraternal Council
- President, Sean Rutter
- Panhellenic Council
- President, Tara Castagna
- Judicial Affairs
- Robert Bacon, Ext. 1222
Lower Level, Student Union- David Kaplan, Ext. 1455
1st Floor, Campbell Hall- Dean Joseph Merkle, Ext. 1460
2nd Floor, Admin. Bldg. - David Kaplan, Ext. 1455
- Student Senate
- President, Frank Terranova
- Parliamentarian, J.J. Cameron
- Community Service and Volunteer Network
- Chris Mason, Ext. 1380
Main Level, Student Union
- Greek Calendar and Fundraising
- Chris Mason, Ext. 1380
Main Level, Student Union
- Meeting Room Reservations
- Student Activities and Orientation Administrative Assistant, Ext. 1239
Main Level, Student Union
- Facilities Reservations
- Judy Gazzana, Ext. 1257
2nd Floor, Admin. Bldg.
- National Fraternity and Sorority Information
- Chris Mason, Ext. 1380
Main Level, Student Union