Constitution of the Boston University InterFraternity Council

This is the Constitution of the Boston University InterFraternity Council; it shall supersede all others. This Constitution shall take full effect immediately upon approval.

Preamble

The Boston University InterFraternity Council has as its purpose the regulation and coordination of all local Member Chapters on campus as well as the promotion and improvement of the Fraternity system. InterFraternity objectives are to further the standards of brotherhood, character, and scholarship. The InterFraternity Council strives to promote good relationships among Member Fraternity Chapters and to act as the liaison between the Fraternities and the Boston University administration. All Member Chapters are bound by these common objectives and by their willingness to be governed by the laws that follow.

Article I: The InterFraternity Council General Assembly

Section One: Powers and Responsibilities

1. The InterFraternity Council (IFC) General Assembly shall be established for the cooperation, discussion, and regulation of the Member Fraternity Chapters of the IFC.
2. The IFC General Assembly shall be empowered to create committees.
3. The IFC General Assembly shall be composed of the President and a Delegate from each Member Fraternity Chapter.
4. Quorum for the IFC General Assembly shall be a majority of the Member Chapters in good standing.
5. Each Fraternity shall have one vote.
6. Each Fraternity shall be responsible for filling the Delegate position for the Chapter.
7. All Member Chapters are bound by the decisions of the IFC General Assembly.
8. The IFC General Assembly shall have the power to fund outside organizations for specified events.
9. The IFC General Assembly shall have the power to assess and allocate financial dues upon the Member Chapters.

Section Two: Voting Privileges

A. Each Member Chapter must be in good Academic, Attendance, Financial, and Judicial Standing in order to retain voting privileges in the IFC General Assembly.

1. Academic Standing defined:
   1. Any Member Chapter with a 2.7 GPI (Semester GPA) or lower shall lose their vote for the following semester.
   2. The majority of the Member Chapter must attend IFC study hours in order to regain voting privileges.
2. Attendance Standing defined:
   1. Any Member Chapter President or Executive Board Representative and/or Delegate miss three or more consecutive meetings shall lose voting privileges.
   2. Attendance of three consecutive IFC General Assembly meetings is required to reestablish good Attendance Standing.
3.  Financial Standing defined:
   1. Any Member Chapter that does not pay dues assessed by the date specified by the IFC Treasurer, shall lose voting privileges.
   2. Payment of dues and any late penalties accrued is required to re-establish good standing.
4.  Judicial Standing defined:
   1. Any Member Chapter that receives a punishment from an IFC Judicial Hearing loses voting privileges until the punishment has be completed or adopted.

Section Three: Attendance

1. Each Member Chapter must be represented at the meetings of the IFC General Assembly by the President and Delegate.
2. A President may select a member of the Member Chapter’s Executive Board to represent him at a meeting in case of emergency conflict confirmed with the IFC President.
3. Should a Member Chapter President and/or Delegate fail to attend three consecutive meetings, the IFC President, in coordination with the IFC Vice President of Judicial Affairs, is empowered to issue sanctions which may include but are in no way limited to:
   1. Monetary Fine
   2. Loss of Vote
4. Any Active Member of a Member Chapter may attend IFC General Assemblies and voice opinions, but may not partake in voting.
   

    Article II: The InterFraternity Council Executive Board

Section One: Powers and Responsibilities

1. The Executive Board shall be responsible for carrying out the business of the InterFraternity Council.
2. The Executive Board shall consist of elected officers of the Member Fraternity Chapters for a term of one year beginning on May 1st. A vacancy on the Executive Board shall be replaced by a majority vote with Presidential Confirmation.
3. All members of the Executive Board must maintain University and Chapter recognized standards of good financial, academic, and disciplinary standing during terms of office.
4. The Executive Board, upon majority approval from the IFC may create Executive Board committees.
   1. The Executive Board shall determine the purpose and nature of such committee.

Section Two: Executive Board Positions

I. President

1. The President shall serve as the Chief Executive and Operating Officer of all IFC-sanctioned events and gatherings, represent the Member Fraternity Chapters at Boston University, and be responsible for the efforts of the IFC.
2. The President shall have the power to appoint individuals and committees for the execution of specific directives with the advice and consent of the Executive Board.
3. The President shall be responsible for the enforcement of all rules, regulations, and policies of the IFC.
4. The President shall call special meetings of the IFC and Executive Board when necessary and provide for the notification of all members.
5. To be elected IFC President, the candidate must have previously held, or currently hold an Executive Board position within his own chapter, or an IFC Executive Board position outlined in this article.

II. Vice President of Programming

1. The Vice President of Programming shall temporarily assume the duties of the President in the President’s absence.
2. The Vice President of Programming shall oversee all programming activities of the IFC.
3. The Vice President of Programming shall be responsible for all tasks and duties that the President assigns.
4. To be elected IFC Vice President of Programming, the candidate must have previously held, or currently hold an Executive Board position within his own chapter, or an IFC Executive Board position outlined in this article.

III. Vice President of Judicial Affairs

1. The Interfraternity Council Vice President of Judicial Affairs shall be responsible for all Judicial Affairs on behalf of the IFC and for calling, organizing, and presiding over the IFC Judicial Board.
2. The Vice President of Judicial Affairs shall be responsible for the enforcement of Judicial Board decisions and for overseeing that all sanctions outlined by the Judicial Board are satisfied.
3. The IFC Vice President of Judicial Affairs shall contact the President of every Member Chapter and request the appointment of each Judicial Board Justice at the beginning of each semester.
4. The IFC Vice President of Judicial Affairs shall be the procedural source for The IFC Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules and shall be conversant in all of its rules, policies, and procedures.
5. The Vice President of Judicial Affairs shall be responsible for updating and maintaining the IFC Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules.
6. To be elected IFC Vice President of Judicial Affairs, the candidate must have previously held, or currently hold an Executive Board position within his own chapter, or an IFC Executive Board position outlined in this article.

IV. Vice President of Greek Development

1. The Vice President of Greek Development shall supply information from national organizations to interested groups.
2. The Vice President of Greek Development shall act as a general resource for all groups as they proceed throughout the expansion process, as well as a liaison between the group and the IFC.
3. The Vice President of Greek Development shall keep the group informed and aware of their current status, responsibilities, and general progress.
4. The Vice President of Greek Development shall keep the Interfraternity Council and the Greek Advisor aware of the group’s progress.
5. The Vice President of Greek Development shall ensure that all rules and guidelines for expansion are correctly followed as set forth in the IFC Bylaws.
6. To be elected IFC Vice President of Greek Development, the candidate must have previously held, or currently hold an Executive Board position within his own chapter, or an IFC Executive Board position outlined in this article.

V. Vice President of Campus Affairs

1. The Vice President of Campus Affairs shall be responsible for the representation of the InterFraternity Council to the Student Union.
   1. The Vice President of Campus Affairs shall be responsible for advocating on behalf of the IFC and its Member Chapters to the Student Union.
   2. The Vice President of Campus Affairs shall be empowered to cast the IFC vote at all Student Union meetings.
   3. The Vice President of Campus Affairs shall report on developments within the Student Union.
   4. The Vice President of Campus Affairs shall be knowledgeable regarding all campus, Student Union, and other miscellaneous policies that affect the presence of the IFC and its Member Chapters at Boston University.
2.  The Vice President of Campus Affairs shall serve as the liaison between the IFC and the Panhellenic Council.
   1. The Vice President of Campus Affairs shall be responsible for the maintenance of collaborative relations with the Panhellenic Council.
3. The Vice President of Campus Affairs shall serve as the liaison between the IFC and the Boston University Off-Campus Council.
   1. The Vice President of Campus Affairs shall relay information from the Off-Campus Council to Fraternity Members living off-campus, both electronically and at IFC gatherings.
4. The Vice President of Campus Affairs shall be executive director of the IFC Campus Affairs Committee.
   1. The Vice President of Campus Affairs may appoint up to two people to represent the IFC in instances of multilateral cooperation with other organizations at Boston University.
5. To be elected IFC Vice President of Campus Affairs, the candidate must have previously held, or currently hold an Executive Board position within his own chapter, or an IFC Executive Board position outlined in this article.

VI. Treasurer

1. The Treasurer shall be responsible for all financial transactions of the IFC including but not limited to:
   1. Collecting dues
   2. Funding events
   3. Imposing and collecting fines
   4. Donating fines to charity
   5. Distributing financial awards
2. The Treasurer shall maintain records separate from the records of the Student Activities Business Office.
3. The Treasurer shall announce the current working balance and each chapter’s financial status at all regularly scheduled IFC meetings.

VII. Secretary

1. The Secretary shall be responsible for recording the minutes of the IFC General Assembly.
2. The Secretary shall be responsible for all IFC correspondence and clerical duties.
3. The Secretary shall be responsible for copying and distributing all minutes of IFC General Assembly and any public documents of the IFC.
4. The Secretary shall compile and distribute an accurate and complete list of information containing the following:
   1. IFC Executive Board members
   2. Member Chapter Presidents
   3. IFC and Panhellenic Recruitment Chairs
   4. Members of the IFC Recruitment Committee
   5. Member Chapter Recruitment Chairmen
   6. Greek Advisors.
5. The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping and preserving a permanent record of all IFC activities including judicial rulings.
6. The IFC Secretary shall be in charge of updating and maintaining the Interfraternity Council Databases.
7. The IFC Secretary shall be in charge of the statistics and analysis of the IFC Databases.

VII. Scholarship Chairman

1. The Scholarship Chairman shall monitor academic success and integrity of Member Chapters.
2. The Scholarship Chairman shall work with and create individual plans for each organization to improve the Interfraternity GPA.
3. The Scholarship Chairman shall regularly receive updates and provide semester report and analysis on Member Chapter’s academic progress.
4. The Scholarship Chairman shall supervise instances of Academic Probation.
5. The Scholarship Chairman shall enforce academic probation against Member Chapters with a cumulative GPA below 2.75.

IX. Public Relations Chairman

1. The Public Relations Chairman shall be responsible for all external communication and publicity for the IFC.
2. The Public Relations Chairman shall be responsible for the overall welfare of the image of the IFC at Boston University.
3. The Public Relations Chairman shall be responsible for development and maintenance of social media campaigns and platforms.
4. The Public Relations Chairman shall be responsible for the maintenance of Boston University IFC website for Fraternity is kept up to date for all things regarding Fraternities on campus, Fraternity Recruitment, and the Interfraternity Council.
   1. The Boston University IFC website shall advertise organizational events pertaining to the IFC in philanthropic, recruitment, and informational capacities.
   2. The Boston University IFC website shall be updated bi-monthly.
5. The Public Relations Chairman shall act as a liaison between the Boston University IFC and any media outlets and publications.
6. The Public Relations Chairman shall be responsible for documenting all Fraternity and Sorority events with detailed information and photo evidence.
   1. The Public Relations Chairman shall be responsible for keeping and preserving photo evidence of Fraternity and Sorority events and gatherings.

X. Recruitment Chairman

1. The IFC Recruitment Chairman shall be responsible for planning and executing Interfraternity Council Recruitment events including:
   1. IFC Open House at the beginning of each Recruitment Period
      1. This event shall always be planned the semester before.
      2. All Fraternity Chapter Presidents and Recruitment Chairs shall be notified of the event two months prior to the start of recruitment.
   2. Fall Greek Open House in association with the Panhellenic Recruitment Chair
2. The IFC Recruitment Chairman shall be responsible for enforcing the time period of Fraternity Recruitment in Fall and Spring semesters.
   1. Fall and Spring Recruitment shall start two weeks after the beginning of classes on the Tuesday of that week.
   2. Fall and Spring Recruitment shall begin after the end of the IFC Open House the Monday before the Tuesday of Fall or Spring Recruitment.
   3. Recruitment shall last from the Tuesday two weeks after the beginning of classes till the Wednesday of the next week.
   4. If there are any school closings during Fall and Spring Recruitment, Recruitment shall be extended by one day accordingly.
   5. Recruitment shall only be extended up to one week.
   6. If any IFC event is canceled due to school closings, Recruitment shall be extended by one week.
3.  The IFC Recruitment Chairman shall be responsible for making sure Recruitment rules and events are fair and beneficial to the growth of each Member Chapter.
   1. The IFC Recruitment Chairman shall meet with the Recruitment Chairmen of all Member Chapters one week prior to the start of Recruitment.
   2. The Recruitment Chairman shall give a PowerPoint presentation detailing the process of Recruitment the Wednesday before Recruitment Period.
4. The IFC Recruitment Chairman shall be responsible for emailing all bids on Thursday after the Recruitment Period is over by following this timeline:
   1. On the Thursday when Recruitment ends at 1:00AM, the IFC Recruitment Chairman shall ensure all bids from all the Member Chapters have been received.
   2. At 4:00PM, the IFC Recruitment Chairman shall start to email all potential New Members stating a bid or bids has been extended from a Fraternity or Fraternities.
      1. No Fraternity shall be allowed to extend a bid till this time.
   3. AT 6:00PM, all Member Chapters shall be allowed to individually hand out bids to potential New Members.
   4. No potential New Member shall be allowed to accept a bid until 8:00PM.
      1. Any acceptance of a bid from 6:00PM to 8:00PM shall not be valid.
   5. All potential New Members shall have 24 hours to accept a bid.
      1. Potential New Members shall have until 8:00PM on Friday, the day after Recruitment ends, to accept a bid.
   6. The IFC Recruitment Chair shall ensure that all potential New Members are aware of the timeline stated above before bids are extended or in the email in which the bid is extended.
5. The IFC Recruitment Chair shall enforce the following rules:
   1. Dry Recruitment shall be in effect until the moment bids are accepted, not given out.
      1. Breaking dry Recruitment protocol and using alcohol to recruit potential New Members shall result in a $500 fine on top of an extra $25 fine for every New Member accepted to the Member Chapter in question.
      2. If a Member Chapter is having an event at a restaurant that serves alcohol, all brothers over 21 years of age shall refrain from purchasing alcohol for personal consumption until all the potential New Members have left the event.
   2. Breaking bid protocol shall result of a $500 fine on top of an extra $25 fine for every New Member accepted to the Member Chapter in question.
   3. In the event that a potential New Member is bullied, coerced, or pressured to accept a bid from a Member Chapter before the acceptance deadline, IFC shall fine said Member Chapter $300, along with a $25 fine for each new member they accept.
   4. Member Chapters shall refrain from asking Sorority Women to play a part in any recruitment events or bid delivery processes.

Section Three: Removal of Officers

1. Any officer of the Executive Board may be censured, impeached, or removed for the following reasons:
   1. Non-compliance or failure to meet the requirements outlined in The IFC Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules.
   2. Inappropriate conduct or behavior by an officer.
   3. Excessive absence from IFC General Assembly Meetings, IFC Executive Board Meetings, or IFC Events.
2. A motion must be made to censure, impeach, or remove an officer by a delegate from a Member Chapter in good standing or by unanimous vote of the Executive Board (minus the accused member).
3. A confidential motion may be submitted in writing to the IFC Judicial Chair or the IFC President, but it must include the name and Chapter of the individual making the motion, and requires a second from the floor of the IFC General Assembly.
4. If an IFC Executive Board position is vacated, through removal or resignation, the IFC Executive Board shall nominate someone to fulfill the position.
   1. The nomination must be confirmed by a majority vote of the IFC General Assembly.
   2. The IFC Executive Board shall take applications and interview all candidates interested in the position before making a nomination.
      

      Article III: Interfraternity Council Judicial Board

Section One: Powers and Responsibilities

A. The Duty of the Judicial Board shall be to hold hearings and render consequences for violations of this Constitution or any resolution passed by the IFC General Assembly.

Section Two: Members

1. The IFC Judicial Board shall consist of one member from each Member Chapter.
2. The President of each Member Chapter shall select the Justice from that Chapter at the beginning ofeach semester.
3. The selected Justice must meet the following requirements to be eligible for selection:
   1. The Justice must be in good standing with his Chapter.
   2. The Justice must be a current or past Executive Board member of the Member Chapter.
   3. The Justice must have been a fully initiated member for at least one year.
4. No member of the IFC Executive Board shall be eligible to sit on the Judicial Board.
5. No Chapter IFC Delegate may serve on the Judicial Board.
6. Each Justice shall have one vote.
7. Each Justice shall serve for one semester.
8. A Justice shall be immediately removed from the Judicial Board and shall be replaced if the Justice becomes in bad standing or is removed from office within the respective Member Chapter.
9. If a Member Chapter does not respond to the call for Justices by the IFC Vice-President of Judicial Affairs, a formal letter will be written to the Chapter making one last request. If there is still no response, the Member Chapter loses its judicial vote for the hearing.
10. If a Justice’s performance is unsatisfactory, the following steps may be taken to remove the Justice:
    1. Initiation of Removal
       1. Majority of the Judicial Board may petition the IFC Executive Board.
       2. Majority petition by the Executive Board itself.
       3. All Petitions must be in writing and sent to the IFC President and the IFC Vice Presidentof Judicial Affairs, and must include the specific actions of the Justice that would warrantremoval.
       4. Actions that would warrant removal include, but are not limited to the following:
          1. Having charges brought against the Justice.
          2. Non-compliance with the rules and procedures of the Judicial Board.
    2. Investigation
       1. Upon receiving the charges, it shall be the responsibility of the IFC Vice President ofJudicial Affairs to investigate the charges.
       2. The Vice President of Judicial Affairs shall present a report on the investigation withinone week of notice receipt of the complaint.
    3. Removal
       1. After the report of the IFC Vice President of Judicial Affairs is heard, with a unanimous vote of the IFC Executive Board, the Justice shall be immediately removed.
11. Upon removal, that respective Chapter shall replace that member in accordance with the procedure outlined above.

Article IV: IFC Recruitment

Section One: IFC Recruitment

1. Recognizing that a collective effort by all Member Fraternity Chapters produces better Recruitment results for all Fraternities, the IFC shall coordinate and execute all Recruitment Activities where a benefit to the IFC can be identified.
2. The IFC shall be responsible for planning any all-Fraternity Recruitment event.
3. The IFC reserves the right to dispatch Recruitment Marshals to individual Member Chapter Recruitmentevents.
4. Late bids are $10 for every new member every hour they are late.

Section Two: Post-Recruitment Obligations

1. All member organizations must complete the One Love workshop with the entirety of their pledge class by the end of the second week after bids have been released. This deadline is firm.
   1. Any member organization failing to complete the One Love workshop by the two-week deadline will face a monetary fine
      1. $100 fine will be issued if the One Love workshop is not completed three weeks from the end of recruitment
      2. An additional $200 fine will be issued if the One Love workshop is not completed four weeks after the end of recruitment
      3. Finally, an additional third $300 fine will be imposed if issued if the One Love Workshop is not completed 5 weeks after the end of recruitment.
   2. Member Organizations failing to complete the One Love workshop after 5 weeks from the end of recruitment will be suspended from the IFC pending a review of member status.

Article V: Expansion and New Member Chapters

Section One: National Organization

1. The interest group shall make a formal written request to the IFC Vice President of Greek Development and the Greek Advisor for recognition as a Provisional Member of IFC.
2. The Vice President of Greek Development at the request of the interest group or the national organization may set up National Fraternity presentations for the Expansion Committee.
3. The Expansion Committee and IFC Executive Board shall vote on respective organizations, and permitting a two-thirds approval shall determine the order of organization colonization.
4. The Coordinator of Programs for Greek Life and the Expansion Committee shall determine the specific date for when organizations may begin colonization procedures. Dates will be given after approval.
5. The IFC reserves the right to ask the prospective organization to make an additional presentation closerto the determined colonization date.

Section Two: Gaining IFC Provisional Status

1. Once the organization is approved for colonization they will automatically be given IFC Provisional Status. IFC Provisional Status is granted once the organization begins physical colonization procedures on-campus. These procedures shall be allowed pending a timeline detailed by the Vice President of Greek Development and the Coordinator of Programs for Greek Life.
2. The group shall provide at this time a formal letter of recognition from a National Fraternity to the IFC, the Vice President of Greek Development, and the Coordinator of Programs for Greek Life.
3. Provisional Status shall be outlined as the first semester an interest group works with the IFC before full recognition occurs. IFC will assist the Provisional organization with campus affairs such as booking rooms, filling out paperwork, etc.
4. Provisional Members shall pay half of standard IFC dues, taxes, and other costs that all incurred on other Member Chapters.
5. Provisional Members will not have voting rights during this period. Members of a Colony shall not hold, or be elected to, the offices of the IFC Executive Board.
6. Each organization must plan and execute at least one service project during its period under Provisional Status. This project must include the participation of all members of the organization.
7. The Colony must meet weekly with the Vice President of Greek Development at which time it will present status reports.
8. The Colony shall make announcements at the IFC General Assembly meeting when necessary.
9. At least two delegates from the Colony shall be required to attend all IFC meetings.
10. The Provisional Member shall submit any requirements that the National Organizations requires to theVice President of Greek Development so as the Vice President of Greek Development may relay any work that the Provisional Member is doing above and beyond these Expansion Guidelines.

Section Three: Gaining IFC Recognition and Rights

1. Following the minimum of one semester under Provisional Status and meeting the requirements stated in this document, the organization may apply for full recognition to the IFC.
2. The Provisional Member must meet the Academic requirements of the IFC, outlined in the IFC Constitution and mandated by the Student Activities Office, to be considered eligible for a vote of the Provisional Member to become a recognized Chapter.
3. In order to receive recognition by the IFC they must first obtain recognition by the Student Activities Office, whose requirements can be found in the Student Activities Office Programming Handbook.
4. The petition to the IFC must include a final presentation to the IFC General Assembly.
5. Once the organization has received a two-thirds approval, they are given full rights and benefits of IFCmembership.
6. Once recognized, the organization has the right to participate in IFC Recruitment.

Article VI: IFC Elections

Section One: Election Procedure for President of the IFC

1. Each candidate shall be granted 7 minutes of time to address the General Assembly.
2. Each candidate shall be questioned for up to 5 minutes by Chapter Delegates, Presidents, and/or currentmembers of the IFC Executive Board.
3. After all candidates have appeared before the body, the General Assembly is entitled to discuss for notmore than 10 minutes.
4. After 10 minutes, a vote must be held.
5. If the first vote is inconclusive, then the General Assembly reserves the right to extend discussion inincrements of 10 minutes followed immediately by a vote.
6. If the election results in a tie, then a runoff shall occur between the top two vote-getters.
7. Should the run-off result in a tie, the current President of the IFC shall cast the deciding ballot.

Section Two: Election Procedure for IFC Executive Board Offices Excluding President

1. Each candidate shall be granted 5 minutes of time to address the General Assembly.
2. Each candidate shall be questioned for up to 5 minutes by Chapter Delegates, Presidents, and/or currentmembers of the IFC Executive Board.
3. After all candidates have appeared before the body, the General Assembly is entitled to discuss for notmore than 7 minutes.
4. After 7 minutes, a vote must be held.
5. If the first vote is inconclusive, then the General Assembly reserves the right to extend discussion inincrements of 7 minutes followed immediately by a vote.
6. If the election results in a tie, then a runoff shall occur between the top two vote-getters.
7. Should the run-off result in a tie, the current President of the IFC shall cast deciding ballot.

Section Three: Nominations

1. Nominations for Executive Board shall be opened starting three weeks prior to the meeting where elections will be held.
2. Nominations may be made up to one week before elections.
3. The President of the IFC is responsible for recording and disseminating nominations.
4. If a member wishes to accept a nomination, a letter of intent must be presented to the IFC ExecutiveBoard no later than 24 hours before the election.

Section Four: New Board Member Responsibilities

1. The newly elected officers shall take office on May 1st.
2. It is the responsibility of the new Executive Board to transition effectively with the past Executive Board.

Article VII: Bylaws and Rules

Section One: Bylaws

1. The Interfraternity Council Bylaws shall be established for the purpose of documenting procedures of bodies outlined with the Constitution.
2. Bylaws that are not in conflict with this Constitution may be adopted by a 2/3 majority vote of the IFC General Assembly.

Section Two: Rules

1. The Interfraternity Council Rules shall be established for the purpose of documenting specific Rules that apply to the operation of the IFC and of its Member Chapter in respect to the IFC.
2. Rules that are not in conflict with this constitution may be adopted by a 2/3 majority vote of the IFC General Assembly.

Article VIII: Amendments

1. Any individual of a Member Chapter in good standing may propose amendments.
2. Proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to the IFC Executive Board and the GeneralAssembly.
3. Adoption of proposed Amendments shall require a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the IFC.
4. Amendments shall be discussed but not voted on until the next IFC meeting following their proposal.
5. Passed amendments shall directly overwrite a section or be directly added into this IFC Constitutionrather than placed at the end.

Bylaws of the Boston University InterFraternity Council

Article I: Procedures for the IFC Judicial Board

Section One: Complaint Procedure

A. Initiation

1. A matter may be brought to the attention of the Judicial Board by presenting a written complaintto the IFC President or IFC Vice President of Judicial Affairs. If both of the above Officers are involved in the complaint, the written notice shall be given to another IFC Executive Board Chairman who is not involved in the complaint.
2. No anonymous complaints will be considered.
3. Any complaint must be filed within two weeks of the violation.
4. Upon receiving the complaint an initial investigation shall be launched by IFC Vice President ofJudicial Affairs.
5. If it is determined that there are sufficient grounds for the complaint the complaint shall bemoved to the jurisdiction of the IFC Judicial Board, which shall convene at its earliestconvenience.

B. Jurisdiction

1. The Judicial Board has jurisdiction in cases involving members of the IFC Executive Board, a group action of a member fraternity, and any event in which the member fraternity is liable.
2. A group is hereby qualified as 5 or more members.
3. If an offense is committed by an individual, then it will be deemed a coincidental affiliation andno action will be taken by the Judicial Board.
4. Authority to hear cases involved 4 or fewer can be granted by 2/3 vote of the IFC ExecutiveBoard.

Section Two: Procedure before the Judicial Board Hearing/Trial

A. Pending the decision of the initial investigation, if it is found that there are sufficient grounds for the case, and that the Judicial Board does have jurisdiction, the following procedures shall commence immediately:

1. The IFC Vice President of Judicial Affairs shall immediately contact all members of the Judicial Board and determine a time and date for a hearing of the IFC Judicial Board.
2. The hearing shall take place within two weeks of the ending of the initial investigation unless circumstances dictate that a later date must be used.
3. Once a date for the hearing has been determined, the IFC Vice President of Judicial Affairs shall immediately inform all involved parties, as well as all IFC Executive Board members, as to the time, date, and location of the Judicial Board Hearing. The letter should contain the following information:
   1. Name of the accused Member Chapter, and the name of the Member Chapter and individual who is bringing charges against them.
   2. The nature of the offense including: (1) nature of the alleged misconduct; (2) A concise statement of the particulars of the offense including, if known the time, date, and place of the misconduct.
   3. All rights of the accused, information on Due Process, and the procedure that the hearing will follow.
   4. A copy of the Judicial Article in the IFC Constitution.

B. Rights of the Accused

1. The accused will be advised in writing by the IFC Vice President of Judicial Affairs of chargesagainst them, time and location of the hearing, and the rules in violation.
2. All of the accused are entitled to attend their Judicial Board hearing as well as be represented bytheir Chapter President and Chapter Advisor.

C. DueProcess

1. The accused have the right to defend themselves by: calling witnesses and submitting any evidence that may absolve them of guilt.
2. If the accused fail to attend the hearing, they will waive their right to defend themselves and the facts will be considered without their input.
3. The accused have the right to appeal the decision of the Judicial Board to the General Assembly.

Section Three: IFC Judicial Board Hearing Procedure

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Reading of the Charges by the IFC Vice President of Judicial Affairs
4. Plea of defendant
5. Defense statement(s)
6. The Judicial Board may ask questions whenever it is deemed necessary.
7. Hearing is adjourned while the Judicial Board makes its decision.
8. Hearing is called back into session while the decision and sanctions are read.
9. The IFC Vice President of Judicial Affairs shall see that all decisions shall be transferred towritten form and a copy sent to the defendant, complainants, Greek Advisor, all Judicial Board Justices, and IFC Executive Board.

Section Four: Appeals

1. The accused have the right to appeal Judicial Board’s decision to the IFC Executive Board. The appeal must be made in writing and conducted within 5 days of the Judicial Board’s decision. Grounds for appeal include the ONLY the following:
   1. Prejudicial error committed during the hearing whereby the aggrieved was deprived of a fair trial.
   2. The acquisition of significant new evidence, which was not available for the original trial.
   3. The evidence does not support the decision or judgment.
   4. The penalty or sanctions imposed is excessive or insufficient.
   5. The Judicial Board lacked jurisdiction to try the case and a Member Chapter Group Action.
2. A 3⁄4 majority vote of the IFC Executive Board is necessary approve an appeal. Upon approval, the IFC Executive Board will correct any action of the Judicial Board and submit a solution to the IFC for approval.

Section Five: Procedural Considerations

1. All parties involved in any case (IFC Executive Board members, IFC Vice President of Judicial Affairs, Judicial Board Justices) should be prompt in the performance of their duties
2. Board members should be considerate of each other and attentive to whoever is speaking. Board members should also be temperate, patient, and impartial.
3. Conversation between Board members and the complainants and defendants in a hearing is sometimes necessary.
4. Board members should not hear cases in which they are related to a party involved (complainant or defendant) or where a party is of such close relationship that the Board member’s judgment would be affected.
5. Board members should be independent and should not be swayed by partisan or political demands, not by considerations of personal popularity or notoriety. Nor should they be apprehensive of unjust criticism in response to a controversial decision
6. Board members may properly intervene in a hearing to promote expedition and prevent unnecessary waste of time, or to clear up some obscurity.
7. The board shall hold NO internal conversations while complainants, accused, or any other interested parties are present.

Section Six: Sanctions

1. Once a case is heard, and decision of the Judicial Board is made, the Board may opt to impose sanctions against the guilty party.
2. No sanction should be such as to damage the Chapter or to punish them in such a way that would be detrimental to their survival.
3. Sanctions are to be determined by majority vote of the IFC Judicial Board.
4. Sanctions may be appealed by the defendant Chapter.
5. Sanctions may include, but are in no way limited to the following:
   1. Loss of Recruitment Privileges
   2. Community Service
   3. Financial Penalty
   4. Probationary Status
   5. Social Probation

Section Seven: Punishments Defined

1. Loss of Recruitment Privileges
   1. Recruitment with required Interfraternity oversight for less severe infractions.
   2. Loss of Recruitment for a semester entirely for more severe infractions.
   3. Severity of infractions is determined by the Judicial Board.
2. Community Service
   1. Forms of community service must be approved by the Interfraternity Executive Council.
   2. Community Service must be completed within 90 academic year days.
3. FinancialPenalty
   1. All proceeds the Interfraternity Council receives from financial penalties resulting from aJudicial Hearing will be donated to charities on a case by case basis.
   2. Fines must be paid in full within 30 academic year days.
4. Probationary Status
   1. Probationary status is a final warning to a Member Chapter before a suspension.
   2. Ant infraction that occurs under probationary status will cause the Member Chapter to bewithdrawn from recognition by the Interfraternity Council.
   3. Probationary status must last for at least a semester.
   4. Probationary status will be in effect until the probationary requirements are completed.
   5. Probationary requirements will be decided upon by the IFC Judicial Board. Requirements may include:
      1. Mandatory levels attendance to specific events chosen by the IFC Executive Board
      2. Chapter GPA requirements determined by the Scholastics Chairman
      3. Social Probation

5. Social Probation
   1. Member Chapters are barred from programming social events throughout the probationary term.
   2. Amount of time spent under social probation will be determined by the IFC Judicial Board.
   3. Length of social probation must be at least the rest of the semester in which the infraction occurs.
   4. Breaking social probation will result in the immediate suspension of the Member Chapter fromthe Interfraternity Council.
6. The IFC Judicial Board has the rights to also impose sanctions not listed above as long as it is relevant to the infraction committed.

Article II: Standards for Fraternities

Section One: Hazing

1. Hazing is not at all tolerated by the Interfraternity Council.
2. The IFC defines hazing the same way the Commonwealth of Massachusetts does.
3. Violation of Massachusetts’s Hazing Laws will result in the suspension of the accused Fraternity fromthe IFC.
4. Hazing is defined by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is such:

Section 17. Hazing; organizing or participating; hazing defined.

• Whoever is a principal organizer or participant in the crime of hazing, as defined herein, shall bepunished by a fine of not more than three thousand dollars or by imprisonment in a house of correctionfor not more than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment.
• The term “hazing” as used in this section and in sections eighteen and nineteen, shall mean any conductor method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. Such conduct shall include whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the weather, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug, or other substance, or any other brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical health or safety of any such student or other person, or which subjects such student or other person to extreme mental stress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest or extended isolation.
• Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section to the contrary, consent shall not be available as a defense to any prosecution under this action.Section 18. Failure to report hazing.

• Whoever knows that another person is the victim of hazing as defined in section seventeen and is at the scene of such crime shall, to the extent that such person can do so without danger or peril to himself or others, report such crime to an appropriate law enforcement official as soon as reasonably practicable. Whoever fails to report such crime shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars.

Section 19. issuance to students and student groups, teams, and organizations; report.

• Each institution of secondary education and each public and private institution of postsecondaryeducation shall issue to every student group, student team, or student organization which is part of such institution or permitted by the institution to use its name or facilities or is known by the institution to exist as an unaffiliated student group, student team, or student organization, a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen; provided, however, that an institution’s compliance with this section’s requirements that an institution issue copies of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen to unaffiliated student groups, teams, or organizations shall not constitute evidence of the institution’s recognition or endorsement of said unaffiliated student groups, teams, or organizations.
• Each such group, team, organization shall distribute a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen to each of its members, plebes, pledges, or applicants for membership. It shall be the duty of each such group, team or organization, acting through its designated officer, to deliver annually to the institution, an attested acknowledgement stating that such group, team, or organization has received a copy of this section and said sections seventeen and eighteen, that each of its members, plebes, pledges, or applicants has received a copy of sections seventeen and eighteen, and that such group, team, or organization understands and agrees to comply with the provisions of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen.

• Each institution of secondary education and each public or private institution of postsecondary education shall, at least annually, before or at the start of enrollment, deliver to each person who enrolls as a full- time student in such institution a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen.
• Each institution of secondary education and each public or private institution of postsecondary education shall file, at least annually, a report with the regents of higher education and in the case of secondary institutions, the board of education, certifying that such institution has complied with its responsibility to inform student groups, teams, or organizations and to notify each full-time student enrolled by it of the provisions of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen and also certifying that said institution has adopted a disciplinary policy with regard to the organizers and participants of hazing, and that such policy has been set forth with appropriate emphasis in the student handbook or similar means of communicating the institution’s policies to its students. The board of regents and, in the case of secondary institutions, the board of education, shall promulgate regulations governing the content and frequency of such reports, and shall forthwith report to the attorney general any such institution which fails to make such report.

1. The Interfraternity Council does not tolerate any form of sexual harassment or assault.
2. Punishments will range from severe forms of probationary sanctions to suspension.
3. In cases of sexual harassment or assault, the Member Chapter must immediately cease all socialoperations, ensure the well-being of the victim, and immediately contact the Interfraternity Council President or Vice President of Judicial Affairs.
   1. Failure to adhere to this protocol will result in the automatic suspension of the Member Chapter. D. Failing to intervene in a situation that results in the sexual harassment or assault of an individual will be considered a direct violation of Article II Subsection II of the Interfraternity Council Bylaws.

Section Three: Underage Drinking and Drug Usage

1. Events that an observer would consider to be endorsed or sponsored by an IFC member organization must abide by applicable federal, state, county, city, Interfraternity Council, and the Boston University policies and laws.
2. Organization funds including collections and alumni donations may not be used to purchase alcohol under any circumstances. This includes but is not limited to the following: bar tabs, kegs, liquor, trashcan punch, cases.
3. No organization or its members shall purchase, serve, or sell alcohol to minors.
4. Events cannot be co-sponsored (receive funding or donations) with an alcohol distributor, charitableorganization, restaurant, or bar where alcohol is given away, sold, or provided to those present.
5. Organizations are prohibited from participating in events in which other organizations violate the IFCConstitution.
6. Alcohol is not to be served to minors under any circumstances, just as with any function during theacademic year.
7. The possession of illegal drugs or controlled substances on organization property or during an eventassociated with the organization is strictly prohibited.
8. Failure to follow the sanctions listed above will result in immediate judicial action by the Interfraternity Council.

Section Four: Public Opinion Policy

1. Any actions actualized in a public setting, on or off campus that are not previously stated in the bylaws of the InterFraternity Council and that may contribute to the negative stereotypes regarding Fraternity life or Fraternity and Sorority life as a whole, will result in a monetary fine and required community service.
2. Any action that provides the appearance of a rule breach in a public setting, on or off campus, will also result in the same punishment.
3. Public Opinion Violations: If the accused is found guilty of breaking the rule stated above, there will be a fine of up to $500 and up to 30 hours of community service.
4. The severity of the punishment will be determined by the Interfraternity Council’s Vice President of Judicial Affairs and the Judicial Board.