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In order to fulfill its solemn obligation to help its members reach the highest standards of educational attainment, moral values, and social responsibility, Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity has adopted the following Code of Conduct for the daily lives of each of our members.

3. I will respect the dignity of all persons and therefore I will not physically, psychologically, or sexually haze or abuse any person.

4. I will respect the property rights of others. Therefore I will neither abuse nor tolerate the abuse of private, chapter, or public property.

5. I acknowledge that a safe, clean, and attractive environment is essential to both physical and mental health. Therefore I will work with other members to properly maintain the chapter property.

6. I will pay my Fraternity bills and other financial obligations when due and recognize the need for all other members to do the same.

7. I will recommend for membership only those men of outstanding personal character, who join me in seeking to achieve excellence in all we do.

Delta Sigma Phi Policy on Responsibility & Accountability

Substance Abuse

No alcoholic beverage may be purchased through the undergraduate chapter treasury or through any means that can be construed as a chapter activity, such as "passing the hat."

Dispensing systems for alcoholic beverages shall not be permanently installed or maintained on property owned, rented, or otherwise used as chapter or colony facilities.

The possession, sale and/or use of any illegal drugs or controlled substances by any member or pledge of the Fraternity will not be condoned.

No undergraduate chapter or colony may sponsor or co-sponsor an event where alcohol is given away, sold or otherwise provided to those present unless the event fully adheres to the Guidelines for Use of Third Party Caterers (Alcohol).

All recruitment activities associated with any undergraduate chapter or colony will be dry functions, that is no alcohol can be served or consumed

Open parties, meaning those with unrestricted access by non-members of the chapter or colony without specific invitations, shall be prohibited. Each guest must receive an invitation in advance. Mass mailing, flyers, tickets sold at the door, etc. are not considered invitations. Furthermore, no alcoholic beverages may be served during open houses. No undergraduate chapter or colony shall advertise the presence of alcohol in connection with any event sponsored by or for any undergraduate chapter or colony.

A reasonable number of attendees for any chapter event is two guests to each member/pledge. Please review the Guidelines for Special Events if the planned activity will exceed the 2:1 ratio.

The presence of keg beer at any Fraternity event will not be condoned.

Consumption of alcohol by those members under the legal drinking age will not be condoned.

Alcohol misuse, including, but not limited to excessive alcohol consumption, binge drinking, driving under the influence of alcohol, public intoxication, or drinking games, will not be condoned.

Alcohol may not be present at any time on any property owned, rented, or otherwise used as chapter or colony facilities.

A chapter may apply for a waiver from this requirement using the following process:

1. Applications are due on or before September 1st and February 1st and will use academic information from the previous major academic term(s).

2. Waivers expire on the next waiver due date.

3. A chapter must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Academic

For the 2001-2002 academic year, the chapter has met or exceeded the all men's grade point average of the previous academic term(s). In those cases where the host institution does not calculate an all men's grade point average, the standard shall be 2.8.

 For the 2002-2003 academic year, the chapter has met or exceeded the all men's grade point average plus 0.1 of the previous academic term(s). In those cases where the host institution does not calculate an all men's grade point average, the standard shall be 2.9.

 Effective for the 2003-2004 academic year and beyond, the standard for waiver eligibility will be the all campus grade point average. In those cases where the host institution does not calculate an all campus grade point average, the standard shall be 3.0.

Conduct

Chapter has no IFC (or equivalent), university or Fraternity risk management violations for the previous 12 months.

Finance

Chapter has a zero balance due to Headquarters at the time of application

If the Executive Director concludes that any risk management violation has occurred during the waiver period, the waiver will be revoked and the chapter will be ineligible to receive a waiver for 365 days from the date of revocation.

Vendor Relations

Before conducting business with any vendor or contractor, the chapter must adhere to the Guidelines for Vendor Relations.

Hazing

No chapter shall conduct hazing activities. Hazing activities are defined as any act or attempt to embarrass, humiliate, intimidate, ridicule, shame or endanger physically or mentally any person, or to compel physical activity or do physical or emotional harm to any person, or to require consumption or ingestion of liquids, food, or other materials.

Fire, Health and Safety

All property owned, rented, or otherwise used as chapter or colony facilities shall meet all local fire and health codes and standards. The executive director of the Fraternity shall recommend to each undergraduate chapter or colony annually the advisability of posting beside common phones emergency numbers for fire, police and ambulance services. In addition, he shall advise that evacuation routes from all property owned, rented, or otherwise used as chapter or colony facilities be posted in common areas as well as on the back door of each sleeping room.

All chapters or colonies shall comply with reasonable recommendations of the insurance company.

Special Events

Special events for charities or just for fun may require extraordinary planning and preparation. Special events are classified as activities that are not normally conducted in the regular course of operating a fraternity chapter. They can include, but are not limited to, go-cart races, hayrides, dance contests, athletic competitions, road races, and beach weekends. When planning a special event, the chapter must adhere to the Guidelines for Special Events.

Education

Undergraduate chapters and colonies of the Fraternity shall be instructed regularly on the Risk Management Policy of Delta Sigma Phi

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Policy on AIDS and HIV

AIDS is a community problem. It is a catastrophic illness that impacts the entire global community - fraternities and sororities as well. Responsible community members must respond to the AIDS crisis with compassion as well as by taking appropriate educational, preventive and medical measures.

Human Dignity

People (including members of the Greek community) with AIDS or HIV infection are entitled to the same rights and opportunities as people with other serious life-threatening illnesses. The extraordinary level of support among the Delta Sigma Phi Brotherhood becomes doubly important to those individuals facing this life-threatening illness.

The same high standards for admission to Delta Sigma Phi and for participation in the Fraternity's activities should remain intact. No modifications or discriminatory policies should be adopted related to the HIV medical crisis. Neither HIV screening nor related questioning are part of rush programs or membership policies in general. Members with AIDS or any other life-threatening illness can continue to participate in the Fraternity as long as they are physically able.

Fraternity policies are based on the scientific and epidemiological evidence that people with HIV infection do not pose a risk of transmission of the virus to their Brothers or other individuals through ordinary contact in the fraternity setting or campus environment.POLICY IMPLEMENTATION

Non Discrimination

The highest levels of Fraternity leadership unequivocally endorse nondiscriminatory policies and educational programs about AIDS. Brothers with AIDS or HIV infection will be accorded the same rights and opportunities as people with other life-threatening and/or catastrophic illnesses. In such situations, the principles of Delta Sigma Phi take on even greater meaning. Discrimination in any form does not belong in the Fraternity.

Support for these policies should be communicated to Brothers, including alumni, in simple, clear, unambiguous terms.

Confidentiality/Support

The confidentiality of all Brothers' medical information should be respected by other Brothers. At the same time, those HIV positive Brothers who choose to share this information should be able to do so without fear of recrimination or ostracism. The appropriate response to this tragic news is compassion, support and acceptance.

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Standards of Human Dignity

The Fraternity will not tolerate or condone any form of sexually abusive behavior on the part of its members. The Fraternity will encourage its members to formulate and honor high standards of social conduct which recognize the human dignity of every individual.

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Policy on Chapter Pets

No chapter of Delta Sigma Phi shall own a pet of any kind at any time. Furthermore, Alumni Corporation Boards are strongly encouraged to prohibit any and all pets at any time at Fraternity facilities.

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Policy on "Little Sisters"

1985 Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity Convention Resolution

Delta Sigma Phi recognizes that there is need for a method by which we can recognize women for their past dedication and devotion to our Fraternity. Several recent court decisions have ordered several previous all-male organizations to involuntarily accept females as full-fledged members with all rights and privileges.

Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity recognizes that a symmetrical culture, a Fraternal communion among the colleges of this country, and a Brotherhood of Men, whose ideals and beliefs are those of modern civilization, are essential to the welfare of our college men. It is a cardinal virtue of our Brotherhood that Delta Sigma Phi is and shall remain a Brotherhood of Men.

In furtherance of this commitment, the following policies are hereby established and ordained with regard to recognition of certain women for their past and continued devotion to our beloved Fraternity:

1. A chapter may choose to recognize any certain women for their past deeds-in-service to the Fraternity. Women recognized in this manner may not be referred to with any family title or with any words symbolizing or representing Delta Sigma Phi such as ³Little Sisters² or ³Daughters of the Nile.²

2. Under no circumstances will a rush be held to recruit new individuals to be honored this way. Likewise, because these individuals are not members of an organization, there is no ³trial² or ³pledge² period. These individuals are recognized for past devotion and involvement.

3. Women honored in this way shall not be considered as an auxiliary group and must never be recognized as an official campus organization. They will not be permitted to hold regularly scheduled obligatory meetings, to establish or maintain separate account for the administration of funds and will have neither elected nor appointed officers. The (Delta Sigma Phi chapter) president may appoint a brother to oversee any activities involving these women.

4. There is no initiation ceremony; however, these women should be publicly honored for what they have accomplished. Any social function may suffice, and some chapters have found that it works well to provide this recognition at the annual spring formal.

5. In order to assure the honorary nature of this recognition, it is suggested that this honor be bestowed with discretion. The total number of women recognized by a chapter shall be determined by individual chapters.

6. As these women are in no way considered members of our Fraternity, they will not be permitted to display or make any other use or our copyrighted crest or be photographically present on the chapter composite.

Adopted by the 1985 Convention, Indianapolis, Indiana

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Policy on Adult Entertainment

No strippers or exotic entertainers of any nature shall appear in any chapter house or at Fraternity functions of any sort. Further, no chapter or alumni funds shall be used to pay for such entertainment under any circumstances.

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Prohibition of swimming pools on chapter property

"No chapter or colony of Delta Sigma Phi shall build, rent or otherwise have a swimming pool of any type at any time on chapter owned or rented property."

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Sample Chapter Bylaws

The following is an example of chapter bylaws. All changes, additions, or deletions to these bylaws must be submitted to the executive director for approval.

Purpose

The purpose of _____________________(chapter name) shall be to challenge each man to a greater good. All chapter activities and operations shall support member's pursuit of this purpose.

ARTICLE I

Academics

Sec. 1 Every member and every new member shall maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average (GPA) each term in order to remain in good standing with the chapter.

Sec. 2 No member may be elected or appointed to any executive position or committee chairmanship in the chapter if his cumulative grade point average or average for the previous term's work is below a 2.5, nor shall he have the privilege of a vote in chapter meetings.

Sec. 3 All new members and members whose GPA falls below a 2.5 cumulatively or for the previous semester shall be required to meet with the Scholarship Chairman to discuss academic improvement methods.

Sec. 4 The chapter president shall appoint an Academic Chairman.

ARTICLE II

Membership

Sec. 1 The chapter shall recruit and orient new members continuously throughout the year, whenever legitimate. The chapter shall follow a program of building and maintaining the largest and best general Fraternity membership at (name of your school).

Sec. 2 No man shall be asked to join in conflict with school, interfraternity, or National Fraternity regulations.

Sec. 3 It shall be the responsibility of the chapter members to meet all prospective members whenever they are brought in contact with the chapter.

Sec. 4 Authority to ask prospective members to join shall be delegated to the Recruitment Chairman by a majority vote of the members present and voting. If a member reports his disapproval of a prospective member to the Recruitment Chairman, the chairman must request a vote at the next regular chapter meeting or, if necessary, at a special meeting.

Sec. 5 At any time that a new member is voted upon for disciplinary or other reasons, a twenty-five percent (25%) vote of the chapter is required to release the man.

Sec. 6 New member status shall be automatically terminated if a new member fails to meet the minimum academic requirements for initiation after two semesters (or quarters) of orientation.

Sec. 7 Any man released for scholastic reasons may rejoin after one full semester (or quarter) of satisfactory academic achievement, if the chapter wishes.

Sec. 8 Two weeks before the date set for initiation, new members shall be voted upon for initiation. To be eligible, the new member must have met the academic requirements of the Interfraternity Council and/or the university, the requirements of the chapter, and must be in good financial standing.

Sec. 9 Financially delinquent new members shall be automatically released. No man may be initiated unless his accounts with the Fraternity are satisfied.

Sec. 10 Once initiated, a member shall be active until he leaves school, is graduated, or is suspended or expelled from the Fraternity. There is no inactive or senior status.

Sec. 11 Members may be suspended or expelled for violating the Constitution or regulations of the Fraternity, or for conduct unbecoming a gentleman and a member of this Fraternity. Procedure prescribed in the Fraternity Manual shall be followed in such cases.

Sec. 12 Members in good standing are those who meet the academic standards set in Article I, Sec. 1, are not financially delinquent and are not under any type of disciplinary sanctions by the executive board. Member not in good standing may not hold elected or appointed office, may not vote at chapter meetings, and may not attend social functions.

ARTICLE III

Meetings

Sec. 1 Meetings shall be held every ________________ evening of the school year. Exceptions for good cause may be made by the president, who may change the meeting time of individual meetings by giving notice on the preceding Sunday or before.

Sec. 2 Special meetings may be called by the president, chapter advisor, ACB president, or any national officer on two days notice.

Sec. 3 Only undergraduate members in good standing shall have the privilege of a vote at chapter meetings.

Sec. 4 Alumni of the Fraternity shall have the privilege of attending meetings, and the president may recognize them from the floor for discussion. Privileges of addressing the chapter shall never be denied the chapter advisor, ACB president or any national officer.

Sec. 5 The quorum required for the transaction of business shall be a majority of all undergraduate members in good standing.

Sec. 6 Aside from the above bylaws, Robert's Rules of Order shall determine parliamentary procedure in chapter meetings.

Sec. 7 Chapter bylaws shall be covered at the beginning of each semester in a chapter meeting and shall be a part of the chapter's new member orientation program.

Sec. 8 All reports shall be written or typed and submitted to the appropriate officer. Failure to submit reports shall be subject to executive board review.

Sec. 9 Use of alcohol or tobacco is not permitted during chapter meetings.

ARTICLE IV

Officers

Sec. 1 Elected officers of the chapter shall be as follows: president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and sergeant-at-arms. Appointed officers shall be: academic chair, new member educator, community service chair, philanthropy chair, social chair, volunteer relations chair, recruitment chairman, athletic chair, public relations chair, brotherhood/activities chair, historian, editor, Interfraternity Council representative, house manager, steward, in addition to those officers which the president may, from time to time, appoint.

Sec. 2 Appointed officers shall be appointed by the incoming president, subject to approval by the chapter.

Sec. 3 Duties and responsibilities of officers shall be those defined in the Fraternity Manual. All officers, whether elected or appointed, shall be required by the president to read and familiarize themselves with their respective duties and functions.

ARTICLE V

Elections

Sec. 1 Elections shall be conducted once each year, not later than the second regular meeting in ___________________. Notice of elections shall be given by the president two meetings before the election.

Sec. 2 A slate of nominations shall be made by a nominations committee appointed by the President. Nominations shall be made one week prior to the elections. Additional nominations may be made from the floor at that time.

Sec. 3 Voting shall be by secret ballot and in the same order as the officers are named in Article IV, Sec. 1. Before each office is voted upon, additional nominations may be made from those candidates defeated for office previously voted upon.

Sec. 4 If no candidate obtains a majority in the first balloting, a run-off election shall be conducted between the two candidates receiving the most votes.

Sec. 5 Incoming officers shall be installed and take office at the chapter meeting two weeks following the election of officers using the prescribed ritual.

Sec. 6 A vacancy in any elected office shall be filled by a special election within two weeks after the vacancy occurs.

ARTICLE VI

Recal

Sec. 1 Any officer, whether elected or appointed, who proves negligent or ineffective in office may be recalled by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those voting in a regular chapter meeting.

Sec. 2 As prescribed in the regulations of the National Fraternity, the Alumni Corporation Board (ACB) shall also have the power to obtain the resignation of any chapter officer it deems negligent of ineffective.

ARTICLE VII

Committees

Sec. 1 Committee chairmen shall make recommendations to the president for members of their respective committees. Members of each of the committees shall be appointed by the president, who shall give consideration to the recommendations of the chairmen.

Sec. 2 Committees shall meet weekly at the time specified by the chairmen, unless excused from doing so by the president. Each chairman shall submit a weekly written report and give a verbal report at chapter meetings.

Sec. 3 Committee functions shall be those provided in the Fraternity Manual.

ARTICLE VIII

Executive Board

Sec. 1 Members of the executive board shall be as follows: President, Vice President (who shall be the presiding officer), Treasurer, Secretary, Sergeant-at-Arms, Scholarship Chairman, Volunteer Relations Chairman, Community Service Chairman, Recruitment Chairman, Social Director, New Member Educator. The chapter advisor shall serve as an ex-officio, but non-voting member of the board.

Sec. 2 The executive board shall meet weekly before chapter meetings. It shall consider any matter involving the good of the chapter and shall make its recommendations to the chapter for consideration.

Sec. 3 The executive board shall act as a disciplinary body, investigating infractions of chapter rules, house rules (if applicable) and other chapter or National Fraternity provisions. It may assess penalties less than suspension or expulsion; cases which are deemed to require suspension or expulsion shall be recommended to the chapter for action.

ARTICLE IX

Finances

Sec. 1 Each year before the beginning of fall and spring semesters, the treasurer shall prepare a budget with the assistance of the ACB. A copy is to be presented to and approved by the chapter.

Sec. 2 Dues and other fees of the Fraternity shall be charged to new members and members on the same basis.

Sec. 3 The new member fee of the chapter shall be $61. The initiation fee shall be $175.

Sec. 4 Building fund payments shall be forty dollars as an element of semesterly dues and shall be made from the time of pledging to graduation or leaving school. These fees are collected and paid to the alumni corporation board at the beginning of every semester.

Sec. 5 New members whose memberships are severed by the chapter shall be refunded the amount they have paid toward initiation. New members who sever their own membership or fail to qualify because of scholastic deficiencies shall not be refunded any amount they have paid. (see Fraternity Manual)

Sec. 6 The treasurer shall bill members and pledges at the first day of each month. Bills will be due by the tenth of the month billed. A five percent per week late penalty will be added to any bills not paid by the tenth of the month.

Sec. 7 The treasurer shall recommend to the Alumni Corporation Board that any delinquent member not in good standing by the twenty-fifth day of the month be placed on suspension and restricted from all chapter activity.

Sec. 8 Dues and building fund payments are held assessable to the delinquent member while on suspension.

Sec. 9 The treasurer shall recommend to the Alumni Corporation Board that any member not reinstated by the tenth day of the following month be expelled from the Fraternity.

Sec. 10 Any new member who is delinquent in his financial obligations without making proper arrangements with the treasurer shall be automatically charged with expulsion.

Sec. 11 Donations, contributions, gifts and other non-recurring appropriations shall not be made from the chapter treasury without the express approval of the chapter president, treasurer and chapter advisor.

Sec. 12 The signatures of both the chapter president and chapter treasurer shall together be required on every check written on chapter bank accounts.

ARTICLE X

Fines

Sec. 1 Any member failing to attend the Informal Initiation Ceremony and unexcused by the executive board shall be fined _____ dollars.

Sec. 2 Any member failing to attend the Formal Initiation Ceremony and unexcused by the executive board shall be fined _____ dollars.

Sec. 3 Absence from any chapter meeting shall incur a fine of _____ dollars, unless the absentee is excused for good cause by the president. The secretary shall submit a list of the absentees each week to the treasurer for the compilations of fines. Members leaving chapter meetings without permission of the president shall be considered absent and subject to the fine.

Sec. 4 Cost for repair or replacement of furnishings, fixtures and other chapter properties shall be assessed to the member or new member responsible in addition to a ______ dollar penalty.

Sec. 5 Members or new members absent during recruitment activities and unexcused by the president and recruitment director shall be subject to executive board review, fines and/or disciplinary action.

Sec. 6 Members or new members directly responsible for fines levied against the chapter shall be held payable for such fines.

Sec. 7 All members and new members shall participate in all chapter "house cleanings" or projects, unless excused individually by the appropriate officer in charge. Infractions shall be fined _____ dollars for each hour absent during the scheduled activity.

ARTICLE XI

Amendments

Sec. 1 These bylaws may be amended or added to at any regular (not special) chapter meeting by a two-thirds vote of those present, provided that this total favorable number shall not be less than half the number of the entire chapter. Such amendments/additions shall then be submitted to the Alumni Corporation Board, together with the reason for the amendment/addition and their recommendation. The Alumni Corporation Board must submit in writing approval or disapproval of any amendment or addition.

Sec. 2 These bylaws shall be subject to the examination from time to time of a representative of the National Fraternity. Should they be in conflict with any provision of the Constitution, Bylaws or Fraternity Manual, the chapter shall be directed to make amendment or repeal accordingly.

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Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity Statement on Open Expansion and Recruitment

The Policy of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity is to support the right of freedom of association and the freedom of choice. As a member of the North American Interfraternity Conference we support the conference, its member fraternities and its policy to oppose restrictions or controls on expansion, recruitment, or joining any fraternity. As a member of the North American Interfraternity Conference and local Interfraternity or Greek Councils, Delta Sigma Phi chapters and individual members will support other fraternity chapters with their pursuit of recognition on their host campus.

Delta Sigma Phi believes that the fraternity experience is inseparable with the interest and mission of the university community and strives to be officially recognized by the host institution. If circumstances would arise that the requirements of the host institution would be seen as intrusive upon the Fraternity or the actions of a chapter may be seen as counter to the mission of the host institution, Delta Sigma Phi would take responsibility to determine its existence at the respective university.

Delta Sigma Phi supports the concept of Open Recruitment, and that all men, including freshmen, are eligible to participate if the individual is in good standing with the local Interfraternity Council and/or the university.

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Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity Statement on Membership

Membership in each chapter and colony of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity shall be determined by educational achievement, character, financial responsibility, leadership ability and personal development. Consideration for membership is open to men without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status or any other classification protected by law or ordinance.

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Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity Trademark Policy

Official versions of the Fraternity insignia shall be protected by trademark registration. The design or representation of the Badge, Coats of Arms, Seal, Pledge Button, Flag, Greek and/or Roman letters Delta Sigma Phi, and the words “Delta Sigma Phi” shall not be manufactured, created, used or offered by sale by any person, company or firm except as specifically authorized in writing by the Executive Director.

Only the Executive Director may authorize commercial reproduction of the Fraternity’s insignia, including the words “Delta Sigma Phi”, any design or representation of the Badge, Coat of Arms, Seal, Pledge Button, Flag, and the Greek and/or Roman letters of Delta Sigma Phi. Anyone wishing to acquire merchandise bearing any insignia of the Fraternity shall obtain those items only from vendors which are currently authorized to produce or market official Delta Sigma Phi merchandise. Active chapters may utilize local commercial firms to produce material for their own chapter needs from time to time so long as such material is pre-approved. Prior to ordering such material, the chapter shall obtain approval from the Executive Director or designee. The Executive Director or designee shall not approve any text or design which casts the Fraternity in a negative light or is otherwise contrary to the ideals of the Fraternity, specifically including but not limited to any materials deemed to glorify alcohol or illegal substance use, or any materials considered to be sexist or demeaning to women, minorities or other person(s).