1. The decision to allow colonization of a national fraternity or sorority, which marks the transition of a local fraternity or sorority into a nationally affiliated group, rests with the College. The decision to accept new colonies (local or national) is part of the institutional evaluation process and should be a joint venture between students and administration.

2. A minimum of 25 prospective group members is required to receive recognition from Linfield College. Each new group is expected to submit a constitution and by-laws for review and approval by the College. It is expected that a new group will also select an individual chapter advisor from outside the student body.

1. Academics will be considered a priority of all Greek organizations. Each organization will be expected to have a scholarship officer. Some of the possibilities for a scholarship program which are recommended for each chapter include study groups, academic advising, learning and study skills programs, and quiet hours and adequate study facilities within the fraternity houses.

2. The Greek Advisor will monitor grades each semester. Any groups which show averages significantly below the all men's average for fraternities or all women's averages for sororities will be expected to develop an approved scholarship program. This program will be the responsibility of the chapter, but will utilize the Greek Advisor and the Office of Counseling, Career & Learning Support Services.

3. No student will be permitted to join a Greek organization while the student is on academic probation, unless the students’ academic advisor supplies a letter of permission and support. This will not affect bonafide members who are subsequently placed on academic probation. Individual groups may, if they wish, expel from membership and/or residence any student whose continued poor performance is deemed detrimental to the group.

1. All fraternities shall participate in the Interfraternity Council. All sororities shall participate in the Linfield Panhellenic Council. There will be an advisor to these governing bodies, designated by the Dean of Students, who will represent the College. These organizations, together with the advisor, will rule upon matters effecting cooperation between Greek groups as well as disciplinary matters involving the groups.

2. At the beginning of each semester and as may be required from time to time by the Greek Advisor, each Greek organization will submit a roster of members and residents. Timeliness and accuracy must be assured so that records and billings are correct. The Greek Advisor will provide forms and deadlines to group presidents.

3. In the event that the membership of an existing group falls below 20 active members, the group shall appear before the appropriate Greek council and/or the Greek Advisor for a chapter review. The purpose of the review will be to help the chapter set realistic goals for attracting new members and becoming a stronger member of the Greek community.

4. For purposes of fulfilling the residency and meal plan requirements, Greek houses will be considered "College housing" for students not meeting the exemption process. Members of Greek organizations must meet normal exemption standards in order to gain off campus status.

5. Each chapter shall use its best efforts to establish and maintain active contact with its local alumni advisors, and to encourage their involvement and cooperation with the chapter. At least annually, each Greek group will submit to the Greek Advisor's office a roster of the officers of the chapter and the corporation, as well as a list of alumni advisors, as they are constituted.

6. It shall be the responsibility of the Greek Judicial Board to hear complaints filed against Greek chapters, or individual Greek members.

1. Any Greek group with financial obligation to Linfield College will review with the College its current financial situation in order to clarify mutual expectations regarding the indebtedness.

2. Greek groups are expected to practice fiscal responsibility with regards to debts outside of Linfield College.

3. At the discretion of the organizations, the College will provide a collection for all payments of room, board, and misc. fees with 3% of the gross paid to the College for collection. The College will notify each chapter of the billing deadlines and will credit those monies collected to the appropriate accounts.

1. The IFC and LPC Councils, in conjunction with the individual Greek chapters, shall encourage the continuance of public service activities. Participation in such activities shall serve as a positive indication of Greek group achievement.

2. The IFC and LPC Councils will sponsor at least one community service project per semester. In addition, each sorority and fraternity is required to sponsor a minimum of three community service projects each academic year. The Greek Advisor must be notified of all community service events.

1. There will be periodic inspections of the premises of each Greek house or sorority chapter room by the Dean of Students or a representative of the Dean of Students' office. Representatives of the chapter and the corporation shall be advised with a minimum of ten days notice and may also participate in the inspections. After a written warning, deficiencies found in such inspections could result in elimination of the house from the College's approved living for purposes of meeting the College Housing residency requirement. Outside of these periodic inspections, however, the College reserves the right of reasonable entry to fraternities and sororities to maintain safety and health standards, and to assure compliance with this statement and other college policies.

2. Each Greek chapter shall maintain minimum standards of housekeeping, safety, sanitation, and maintenance as established from time to time by the College in consultation with the groups. These standards shall be comparable to those for residence halls. In the event said standards are not met, a written warning shall be issued to the president and alumni advisor of the group, stating a reasonable time by which repairs must be made. The group must adhere to any requests for improvement or Linfield will provide them at the group's expense.

3. Each Greek chapter shall be responsible for the general cleanliness of the lawns and other areas adjacent to its house. If, after a written warning, unkempt and unsightly conditions persist, the College may, as a last resort, provide grounds maintenance at the expense of the group.

4. Appropriate standards of fire safety will be uniformly met. Each fraternity and sorority will take part in a formal inspection of the house with the Fire Marshall's office each year and conduct a fire drill each semester.

5. Each Greek chapter shall provide evidence of liability insurance coverage in such amount as determined from time to time by the college.

6. The Physical Plant will provide service to the sorority rooms in the same manner as service to residence hall rooms, with requests for work orders given equal priority. Items owned by sororities will be maintained by the sororities.

1. COLLEGE REGULATIONS - The administrative regulations as set forth in the Linfield College Catalog and the Student Handbook, and any amendments there to, shall apply at all times to each Greek group and to all members thereof. Each Greek group will take all necessary and appropriate steps to assure compliance with the current alcohol policy (attached). The Greek councils may review and clarify the document as necessary.

2. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING - The following educational programs will be offered by the Office of Student Services and the Greek Advisor. The use of campus and community resource people is encouraged.

3. HAZING - The Oregon State Law on hazing, printed here in its entirety, will be adhered to by all Greek organizations. "No fraternity, sorority or other student organization organized or operating on a college or university campus for purposes of participating in student activities of such an organization, shall intentionally haze any member, potential member or person pledged to be a member of the organization, as a condition or precondition of attaining membership in the organization, or of attaining any office or status therein."

As used in this section, "haze" means to subject a person to bodily danger or physical harm or a likelihood of bodily danger or physical harm, or to require, encourage, authorize or permit that the person be subjected to any of the following*:

D) Wearing or carrying of any obscene or physically burdensome article by the person;

H) Confinement of the person to unreasonably small, unventilated, unsanitary or unlighted areas;

*This is not an exhaustive list, nor does it apply to curricular activities or to athletic teams of or within the college.

A fraternity, sorority or their governing bodies (IFC/LPC) that violates this section commits a violation punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 under Oregon law. A member of a fraternity, sorority or their governing bodies (IFC/LPC), who personally violates this section commits a violation punishable by a fine of not more than $250, under Oregon law.

4. INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP RESPONSIBILITY - Based on the intent of the people/persons involved, Greek chapters may be held accountable for the actions of individuals affiliated with the group.

5. DEMEANING BEHAVIOR - Greek organizations will prohibit any action, which would purposefully and needlessly degrade any individuals or groups. Such action will result in appropriate corrective measures, as determined by a Greek council or Linfield College.

6. COLLEGE PROPERTY - Greek groups found to be in possession of items taken from other areas of the college must return the items upon demand, and may be subject to charges and/or disciplinary action.

7. RUSH - Rush guidelines will be established by the Interfraternity Council and the Linfield Panhellenic Council. The judicial boards of the respective Councils will handle any rush or pledging violations.

8. PLEDGE OR NEW MEMBER EDUCATION - Following a positive rush program, it is expected that the group will implement a positive pledge or new member education program that will effectively integrate the pledges into the chapter as actively contributing members.

9. SOCIAL FUNCTIONS - Notification of Greek social functions is to be registered in the Dean of Students’ office no less than 72 hours preceding the events. If alcohol is to be present, this must be clearly indicated on the registration. This is to ensure proper communication with weekend duty and security personnel.

10. NOISE - Social events and their noise will be kept within the house. Noise created by social events is to end at a pre-arranged time, but members must adhere to any request to turn down volume of music or curtail other activities, which disturb neighbors, whether they are McMinnville residents or members of the Linfield community.

1. In the case of violations of this statement of understanding or in other matters that are unique and particular to the Greek system, those involved will have the choice of placing jurisdiction with the Greek Judicial Board, or with the Dean of Students or a designated representative. In all matters of discipline and corrective action, the final and ultimate authority rests with Linfield College.

WARNING: A written admonition will be issued by the Interfraternity Council or Panhellenic Council, and/or by the Dean of Students or Greek Advisor which establishes that a Greek group has violated the guidelines and sets forth a more stringent penalty should the violations recur. Warnings may carry sanctions.

SOCIAL PROBATION: A sanction against a Greek group for having violated the General Regulations or any other guidelines, which may be imposed by the Greek Judicial Board or with the Dean of Students or a designated representative. The terms of social probation may vary depending upon the severity of the violation. While on social probation a group may not have or sponsor social events in the house or elsewhere. Additionally, groups may not participate in Homecoming events, IM's, or social activities. In the event of violation of social probation, the group shall receive further sanctions, or may be suspended or expelled, depending upon the severity of such violation.

EXPULSION: The final and complete separation of a Greek chapter from the college, in which case the chapter's presence at the college is terminated.

APPEALS: Any group that wishes to appeal any of the above corrective actions must do so in writing to the Dean of Students within five academic days. In those cases where the Dean administers the sanction, the appeal will be made to the President of the College. The final decision will then be that of the Dean or the President.