Understanding UCF Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) Chapter Statuses
Fraternities and sororities at the University of Central Florida (UCF) operate under a framework of rules and regulations set forth by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life (OFSL) and the university itself. Understanding the various chapter statuses within this system is crucial for members, potential members, and the broader UCF community. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of these statuses, drawing from information provided by UCF and relevant news sources.
Standards and Requirements for FSL Chapters
To maintain good standing, UCF fraternities and sororities must adhere to several requirements and standards. These encompass event management, membership, and academic performance.
Event Management
Any fraternity and sorority event with alcohol must be registered and reviewed by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life (OFSL). Sober Monitors are required for all events with alcohol. Sober Monitors must complete Sober Monitor Training and your host/co-host event must have at least a 20:1 guest-to-member ratio (adding an additional monitor for every 25 attendees after 50).
SERF Forms: SERF Forms, or Social Event Registration Forms, notify OFSL and Advisors that an organization is holding an event. SERFs must be submitted no less than 15 calendar days in advance. For a SERF to be approved, it will need a virtual signature/approval from your organization’s Chapter/Alumni Advisor, President, Social Chair, and Faculty Advisor no less than 10 calendar days before the event. Failure to complete these steps by the deadlines could result in a late fee or event denial.
SAFE Forms: SAFE Forms, or Safety Action For Event, are designed to keep the university SAFE. SAFE Forms must be submitted online no less than 15 days prior to the on-campus event. There are no exceptions to this deadline. SAFE forms are approved by OSI and several other university offices, so it can take longer than 15 days to approve.
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Supplemental SERF Form: The Supplemental SERF Form is designed to build an organization’s risk management plan for events that include potential high-risk elements. Supplemental SERF Forms are required for events involving alcohol, taking place at a venue that serves alcohol, any overnight event, any event further than 40 miles from main campus, and/or has any other associated heightened risk. Supplemental SERF Forms can also be required at the discretion of OFSL for event approval.
Any organization that sponsors an unregistered event may be assessed a fine and may be placed on a “Prohibitive Standing” by FSL for an amount of time that is to be determined. Additional disciplinary actions may be taken by the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity (SCAI).
Membership
Each chapter is required to have no less than 12 active members in order to be considered a Registered Student Organization. In order for a chapter to take in new members, all new member paperwork must be complete; risk prevention programming must be complete; and the Greek Roll roster must reflect they are new members.
All chapters must fill out the Recruitment and Membership Intake Intent Form to specify whether they intend to complete a process that semester or not. This form must be returned to FSL in conjunction with the deadline for Packet 1 through the Officer Webcourse. If the chapter identifies that they are participating in the New Member Education/Membership Intake process prior to the start of the New Member Education/Membership Intake process, the “Verification of New Members/Aspirants Form ” must be submitted to FSL prior to any bids being distributed. FSL will use this form to check and verify GPA requirements. It’s important to be aware of all the requirements your inter/national organization has for you prior to beginning, as well. *Please note that if your inter/national organization has stricter rules or policies than UCF, you must follow those.
New member processes are restricted to 7 weeks unless approved by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. New membership process will be permitted to take place during the fall and spring semester only.
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The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life must be notified of the date, time, and location of the “show” no less than 15 business days prior to the date of the New Member Presentation. No excessive use of profanity or sexually suggestive language. No alcoholic beverages or drugs will be permitted. No physical abuse will be tolerated. This includes but is not limited to: slapping, kicking, spitting, punching, pushing, poking, caning, etc. Items such as canes, staffs, and sticks may be used as a part of the performance but may not be used as a weapon to harm another individual. The following items are not permitted unless approved by the office: Bats, bricks, chains, paddles. In the event of an altercation during the presentation, those fighting will be disciplined immediately. If a member of the presenting organization is involved, the presentation show will be stopped immediately. Disruptions by other attending organizations will not be tolerated. If a new member decides that they cannot, or decides not to participate in the show, a written and signed letter by the new member must be submitted to the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life no less than 72 hours before the show explaining why they cannot or have decided not to participate. The New Member Presentation MUST start within 30 minutes of scheduled time advertised. Advertised time should be reflective of the same time noted on the SAFE and SERF forms. Following the show, members of the presenting organization must vacate the area within 30 minutes (this will assist with crowd disbursement). The organization will be responsible for ensuring the site used is left in its original state after use. It is the chapter responsibility to notify visiting and alumni members of all UCF New Member Presentation rules.
Academic Performance
Chapters are expected to maintain satisfactory academic standards. UTalk is a semesterly professional development event hosted by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life where alumni return to campus and present on topics of career readiness, professional development, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Spring 2025: January 23rd from 6 pm - 8:30 pm. This Spring semester, OFSL is working with Career Services to provide the opportunity for our Juniors and Seniors to connect with potential employers in their field.
Additional Programs and Training
A.C.T. (Act Because You Care): A.C.T. “A.C.T. because you care” is based on the premise that micro-influencers who are easily recognized and relevant to the student population are able to encourage others to engage in well-being behaviors. The project strategy is based on identifying and engaging student influencers to prioritize health and well-being and act accordingly. The core foundation of this project is to build upon the natural influence that peers can have on each other. Thus, the curriculum teaches influencers well-being skills and intervention methods for emergency situations. Influencers can develop the skills to prevent harmful substance use behaviors and learn communication skills to foster supportive communities. This training will be offered throughout the Spring 2025 semester in the Fraternity and Sorority Life’s (FSL) Multi-purpose room (MPR). If your chapter did NOT meet the minimum requirements for Fall 2024, you are expected to complete the Fall 2024 requirement before any events are approved. Then, you must also complete the requirement for Spring 2025. The requirement for Fall 2024 was initiated members, where chapters under 50 members sent 2 members, and Chapters over 50 sent 4 members. In-person sessions have a maximum attendance (approx. 25 attendees) therefore, attendees must RSVP for their preferred session. This training will be offered throughout the Spring 2025 semester in the Fraternity and Sorority Life’s (FSL) Multi-purpose room (MPR). In-person sessions have a maximum attendance (approximately 25 attendees), so attendees must RSVP for their preferred session. NOTE: If you do not arrive at the office for the training at least 5 minutes before the training starts, you risk your pre-registered spot being given to a walk-in instead.
Safe Event and Sober Monitor Training: Click HERE to register for an A.C.T. Safe Event and Sober Monitor Training is facilitated multiple times a semester by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. Chapter leadership and members are both required to attend these trainings in order to host events with alcohol. Beginning Fall 2024, in order for ANY event (dry or wet) to be approved, 25% of ALL organizations must complete Safe Event and Sober Monitor Training. If you completed this training during the Spring 2024 semester, you will need to complete this training during the Spring 2025 semester. The Safe Event and Sober Monitor Trainings are facilitated over Zoom. The Zoom limit is 300 attendees per session, so we encourage your entire chapter to be SE&SM trained in hopes to reach 100% of our members.
Academic Workshops: The AW Workshops are facilitated through the Student Academic Resource Center (SARC). Zoom Links for sessions will be available upon signing up for a session.
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Standards of Excellence: Based on a new framework developed by Student Success and Wellbeing, BEAM: A Framework for Student Thriving, this program is designed to identify, incorporate, and encourage high ideals, principles, and standards that are critical to the success of each organization and its members. This year, a webcourse is dedicated to SOE submissions. Chapters may add submissions to the webcourse as they meet requirements or bonus opportunities. Standards of Excellence will be based on a point system this year. Each item completed by the chapter will earn a certain number of points. Packet 1 is to be submitted in FSL Officer Resource Webcourse under the assignments tab. This is a quiz on Webcourse to be submitted by Council/Chapter Presidents ONLY. The questions asked are to understand the basic functions of your specific organization. Greek Roll is a roster management system for Greek organizations. Packet 2 is to be submitted in FSL Officer Resource Webcourse under the assignments tab. This audit is used to download grade reports for the current term, so please do not update “New Members” to “Members” or “Members” to “Graduated” until Packet 1 of next semester. If you have already made updates, you can reassign your members’ statuses. This document is to track the impact our community has on the greater Orlando area. Upload the attached Excel document “BLANK Community Service Semester Report” into Webcourses as an .xlsx file. Once you have completed this information, take a screenshot of your submission and upload this information to the Officer Webcourse to complete this assignment.
Registration
Before planning any events, your organization needs to be a Registered Student Organization (RSO) through the Office of Student Involvement (OSI). If your organization is not registered through OSI, your organization’s president can register here. Does your event date conflict with any OFSL events?
Moratorium Periods
A moratorium is a temporary prohibition of an activity. The moratorium periods used by Fraternity and Sorority Life are implemented during time in the academic term/year when student members’ primary focus should be their academics, in between terms, throughout the summer terms, during University closures, etc. Level 2: Chapters can only host/co-host educational/academic and/or service events that do not involve alcohol during Level 2 moratorium.
Chapter Statuses Explained
The following information regarding chapter statuses is from or adapted from the UCF Golden Rule Student Handbook.
Good Standing
Chapters that meet all university requirements and OFSL standards are considered to be in good standing. These chapters enjoy all the rights and privileges afforded to recognized student organizations.
Educational Sanctions
In conjunction with any sanction listed below, a registered student organization found to have been in violation of any of the Organizational Rules of Conduct will be assigned educational sanctions that are proportional to the violation such as, but not limited to: reflective/research papers, classes/seminars, community service, restitution, interviews, etc.
Probation
A period of time during which any further violation of the Organizational Rules of Conduct puts the registered student organization’s status with the University in jeopardy. Restrictive conditions may also be imposed as part of disciplinary probation and will vary according to the severity of the offense. Restrictive conditions may include barring or limiting some or all of the organization’s activities and/or privileges (including, but not limited to: social activities; intramural competition; organizational competition; Homecoming; eligibility to receive any University award or honorary recognition; privilege to occupy a position of leadership or responsibility in any University registered student organization governing body, publication, or activity; or ability to represent the University in an official capacity or position).
Deferred Suspension
Organizational deferred suspension is used for offenses found serious enough to warrant organizational suspension, but where the specific circumstances of the case mitigate the offense or for repeated offenses of a less serious nature.
Suspension
While on organizational suspension, the registered student organization loses it University recognition and/or registration for a temporary period of time. The Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (OSRR) has received a report of an alleged violation of the UCF Rules of Conduct. OSRR is in the process of reviewing the alleged incident through the Organization Conduct Review Process.
Interim Suspension
Where deemed necessary to protect the safety and well-being of others, of the university, or of property, the Director of the OSRR or designee, upon notifying the VP of SSWB or designee, may take immediate action to resolve the situation by placing the registered student organization on interim suspension. Interim organizational suspension is not a sanction.
Removal of Recognition
The Inter/National organization has selected to remove the organization from the university. PLEASE NOTE: The organizations listed below are not currently recognized by the University. In some cases this is due to their voluntary disaffiliation from the institution and in some cases it is due to the National office revoking their recognition.
Recent Controversies and Investigations
Chapter conduct is not always exemplary, and controversies occasionally arise, leading to investigations and potential disciplinary actions.
Beta Theta Pi Incident
A recent incident involving the Beta Theta Pi fraternity highlights the complexities of chapter conduct and university response. According to reports, a student alleged he was kicked out of the fraternity for being openly gay. Documents obtained by KnightNews.com indicate that the incident was reported to UCF on Feb. 4, and a meeting was held on Feb. 13 with the fraternity president and advisor to discuss the allegations.
The fraternity president, Nat Jones, stated that the fraternity was "disappointed by the recent video statement indicating our chapter is intolerant based upon one’s sexual orientation." He further emphasized the fraternity's commitment to inclusivity, stating, "Our brothers have gay relatives and gay friends, and we have long prided ourselves on being an inclusive fraternity that values diversity in all forms - no matter the race, religion, creed, nationality, age, socio-economic background, disability or sexual orientation."
UCF spokesperson Chad Binette stated, "Regarding the status of the Just Knights Response Team efforts, the student and the fraternity have agreed to meet to discuss the student’s concerns." KnightNews.com continues to follow UCF’s investigation.
This incident underscores the importance of adhering to university policies regarding diversity and inclusion within fraternities and sororities. It also demonstrates the potential consequences of violating these policies, which can range from educational sanctions to suspension.
UCF Panhellenic Council
The UCF Panhellenic Council governs the twelve National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities at UCF. The Council comprises ten executive officers, chapter presidents, twelve chapter delegates, and twelve junior delegates. It is the responsibility of the Council to unite all chapters in the spirit of Greek unity, to enforce the NPC guidelines, and to oversee and regulate the recruitment process. Panhellenic holds its primary recruitment process every August the week before the fall semester begins.
Greek Roll
All roster changes (potential new member, eliminated member, inactive member, etc.) that occur within the chapter should be made within 48 hours on Greek Roll. Greek Roll is a roster management system for Greek organizations.
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