Community Standards and Assessment Program

Civic Engagement

The chapter will engage members in a process that actively addresses issues on both local and national levels. Through these activities, the chapter will instill a lifelong commitment to citizenship in its members.

Questions:

  • How does your chapter serve the Eastern Michigan University and Ypsilanti communities?
  • How does your chapter establish a positive campus and community relationship?
  • How does your chapter utilize service and philanthropy activities as a learning opportunity?
  • How does the chapter encourage members to become involved in their communities after graduation?
  • How does your chapter incorporate new members into service?
  • How do you ensure that members participate in service events?

Civic Engagement Rubric

Level 1

  • Chapter performs little to no direct service.
  • Chapter performs little to no philanthropic or advocacy events.
  • Chapter has no program in place to hold members accountable for individual service.
  • Chapter does not coordinate events with other organizations.

Level 2

  • Chapter performs direct service infrequently, approximately one event per semester.
  • Chapter encourages members to participate in individual service and informs them of local opportunities but does not have a program in place.
  • Chapter has some participation with service outside of the chapter.
  • Chapter performs some philanthropic or advocacy event. Approximately one event per year takes place.

Level 3

  • Chapter has direct monthly service.
  • Individual service requirement standards
  • Participation in service outside of chapter (i.e. IFC/CPC/NPHC/MGC)
  • Philanthropy or advocacy event at least once per semester.

Level 4

  • Chapter has some members involved in outside service on an individual basis.
  • Chapter is creating relationships with local non-profits. This can be through philanthropy or service.
  • Chapter has co-sponsored service events with other student organizations.
  • Chapter has some form of reflection following civic engagement events.
  • Continuing direct community service.
  • Chapter incorporates civic engagement into new member program in some form.
  • Chapters serves as an advocate for issues facing the community through their actions and their programming.

Level 5

  • Chapter has a majority of members that are involved in direct service on an individual basis.
  • Chapter has created a relationship with a local non-profit and maintains communication and activity with them. This can be through advocacy, philanthropy, or service.
  • Chapter has co-sponsored service events with other student organizations, particularly getting non-FSL organizations involved with their civic engagement.
  • Chapter has an organized reflection following every civic engagement event.
  • Chapter provides opportunities for members to participate in direct community service and has a program in place to hold members accountable for participation in direct community service.
  • Chapter incorporates civic engagement into new member program, particularly educating them about the organizations they are associated with and providing them an opportunity to be involved.
  • Chapter continually educates members about their relationships with philanthropic organizations and informs them of their purpose and other pertinent information.
  • Chapter serves as an advocate for issues facing the community through their actions and their programming and partners with a local non-profit.

Intellectual Development

  • The chapter will develop and maintain a scholastic program that promotes success, growth, and the importance of academics to members.
  • The chapter will also instill a commitment to life-long learning outside the classroom for its members to increase their awareness in other areas such as arts, culture, and current events.

Questions:

  • How does the chapter emphasize learning both inside and outside of the classroom?
  • What do you do if members are not meeting their academic goals?
  • How do you recognize both improvement and excellence in their academic performance?
  • How do you involve faculty in your fraternity and sorority?
  • How does your chapter educate about cultural diversity?
  • What do you do to ensure new members have academic success?
  • Intellectual Development Rubric

Level 1

  • Below EMU all men's or all women's GPA average.
  • No participation in outside educational experiences.
  • No scholarship program in place.
  • No standard or programming for new members.

Level 2

  • Equal to EMU all men's or all women's GPA average.
  • A minority of chapter members participates in outside educational experiences on an occasional basis.
  • Chapter has some scholarship program in place but it is not fully developed. This means it could be missing key points such as academic probation, GPA standards, or study hours.
  • Chapter has a standard in place for new member GPA but does not encourage participation in their scholarship program.

Level 3

  • Above EMU all women's or all men's GPA average for previous semester.
  • A majority of chapter members participate in outside educational experiences on an occasional basis.
  • Chapter has a scholarship program with academic probation policy, GPA requirements, and required study hours for all members.
  • Chapter has a goal-setting program in place to assist academic probation members with improving their grades.
  • Chapter informs members of culturally diverse events or education opportunities.
  • Chapter has a standard in place for new member GPA.

Level 4

  • Above EMU all men's or all women's GPA average for previous semester.
  • A majority of chapter member participate in outside educational experiences on a consistent basis.
  • Chapter has a scholarship program with academic probation policy, GPA requirements, and required study hours for all members with higher standards set for chapter officers.
  • Chapter has a goal-setting program in place to assist all members with improving their grades.
  • Chapter has a standard in place for new member GPA.
  • Chapter has new members participate in the chapter wide scholarship program.
  • Chapter informs members of culturally diverse events. Brings in individuals to provide education to the members of the chapters.
  • Chapter informs members of resources on campus to assist with advising, registration or financial aid.

Level 5

  • Above EMU all men's or all women's GPA average for consecutive semesters.
  • A majority of chapter members participate in outside educational experiences on a consistent basis. The chapter provides members with these opportunities through their programming.
  • Chapter has a scholarship program with academic probation policy, GPA requirements, and required study hours for all members with higher standards set for chapter officers.
  • Chapter has a goal-setting program in place to assist all members with improving their grades.
  • Chapter has a specific scholarship program in place for new members and developed to help them adjust to a college atmosphere.
  • Chapter has a standard in place for new member GPA.
  • Chapter has co-sponsored an event to promote cultural diversity and has incorporated education about this culture into the event.
  • Chapter has been educated about cultural diversity prior to the event.
  • Chapter provides resources and assists members with course registration, financial aid, or advising information.

Positive Relationships

The chapter will create a safe and healthy environment which fosters brotherhood and sisterhood within their respective chapter and promotes collaboration throughout the FSL and EMU communities. These relationships will be rooted in the purpose and values of the organization. In addition, chapter will respect the dignity of all people while embracing the free exchange of ideas and beliefs while educating and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Questions:

  • In what ways does your chapter build relationships between members with the chapter?
  • What are the ways in which your chapter participates in the FSL community?
  • Describe your chapter's involvement in its respective Council (MGC, IFC, CPC, NPHC)?
  • How does your chapter contribute to the campus' multicultural climate?
  • How do you promote life-long commitment to your fraternity/sorority?
  • How does your chapter promote a safe and healthy environment?
  • How does your chapter get alumni, staff, or faculty involved?
  • How does your chapter utilize the FASTforWARD programs?
  • Positive Relationships Rubric

Level 1

  • Chapter does not include or interact with alumni.
  • Chapter hasn't attended events hosted by other Greek chapters, but can identify events that they could attend in the future.
  • Chapter cannot discuss the role they believe they play in contributing to EMU's community, but can discuss ways in which they could in the future.
  • Chapter does not have a person responsible for brotherhood/sisterhood activities, but can discuss ways in which they feel like they have built brotherhood/sisterhood.

Level 2

  • Chapter does not often interact with alumni.
  • Chapter attends events hosted by other FSL chapters. 
  • Chapter can discuss the role they believe they play in contributing to EMU's community.
  • Chapter has a chairperson responsible for planning brotherhood/sisterhood events.
  • Chapter has a risk management program and policies.

Level 3

  • Chapter values alumni and communicates with them via newsletter or email.
  • Chapter interacts with other FSL chapters. 
  • Chapter can give at least one example of how they can contribute positively to the EMU community.
  • Chapter holds brotherhood/sisterhood events.
  • Chapter educates members on risk management policies and issues. 
  • Chapter has attended an event to promote cultural diversity.
  • Chapter hosts internal programs about health and wellness. 

Level 4

  • Chapter values alumni and actively engages them in annual chapter events.
  • Chapter promotes and encourages positive interactions amongst some FSL chapters. 
  • Chapter can give some examples of how they contribute positively to the EMU and Ypsilanti community.
  • Chapter can communicate how they define their brotherhood/sisterhood.  
  • Chapter  educates members each year on risk management and health and wellness issues.
  • Chapter participates in or attends cross cultural experiences.  
  • Chapter has hosted or attended an event to promote cultural diversity.
  • Chapter contributes to a safe and healthy social environment.
  • Chapter has utilized a FASTforWARD programs offered by the Fraternity & Sorority Life office in the last year.

Level 5

  • Chapter values alumni and actively engages them in chapter and EMU happenings. 
  • Chapter promotes and encourages positive interactions amongst all FSL chapters. 
  • Chapter can communicate how they can contribute positively to the EMU and Ypsilanti community.
  • Chapter can communicate how they develop and define their brotherhood/sisterhood.
  •  Chapter continually educates members on risk management and health and wellness issues.
  • Chapter advocates for cross cultural experiences.  
  • Chapter has co-sponsored an event to promote cultural diversity and has incorporated education about this culture into the event.
  • Chapter has been educated about cultural diversity prior to the event.
  • Chapter promotes, encourages, and contributes to a safe and healthy social environment.
  • Chapter utilizes the FASTforWARD programs offered by the Fraternity & Sorority Life office. 

Integration of Purpose

The chapter will understand the purpose and values of their organization and educate its members on how these ideals relate to their daily activities. The chapter will foster and promote environments that are consistent with their purpose. Individuals within the chapter will take ownership their organizational values and be responsible to them.

Questions:

  • What are the values of your organization?
  • How does your chapter instill these values within its membership and its daily operations?
  • What policies are in place to hold members accountable to these values?
  • What personal development programs do you offer your members to educate them on these values?
  • What policies are in policies are place to hold members accountable to these values?
  • What personal development programs do you offer your members and new members to educate them on these values?
  • Integration of Purpose Rubric

Level 1

  • Chapter has a difficult time articulating their organization's values or cannot articulate their organization's values.
  • Chapter cannot articulate activities that show the actions of the organization or individuals are congruent with the values of the organization.
  • Chapter has no education program in place for any of their members about their values.
  • Chapter has no program in place to hold members accountable for their actions.
  • Chapter has no reflection at any point during the semester.

Level 2

  • Chapter can articulate the values of their organization but cannot articulate the importance of these values to their organization.
  • Chapter can articulate some activities that show the actions of some individuals are congruent with the values of the organization and some actions of the organization that are values congruent.
  • Chapter has some sort of education about the values of the organization but no formal program in place. This applies to both members and new incoming members.
  • Chapter has no specific system in place to hold members accountable for their actions but does utilize their Judicial System.
  • Chapter has a reflection at some point in the year. This reflection focuses upon what they have done and not why they have done these actions.

Level 3

  • Chapter can articulate the values of their organization and has a proper understanding of why these are important to
    their organization.
  • Chapter can articulate activities that show the collective action of the organization and the personal action of some individuals are congruent with their organization's values.
  • Chapter has an education program in place to ensure proper education about the organization's values to their members. This focuses upon what the values are and not why they are critical to the organization and Fraternity & Sorority Life.
  • Chapter has some program for the education of values to their new members. This program only focuses upon what their values are and not the meaning behind why they are important to the organization and Fraternity & Sorority Life.
  • Chapter has a system in place to hold members accountable for their actions. This system is dependent upon reactive action and punishment rather than proactive action and education.
  • Chapter hosts a reflection at some time throughout the semester to discuss how their actions have been values congruent. This reflection does not occur consistently.

Level 4

  • Chapter can articulate the values of their organization and can articulate why these values are an important part of Fraternity & Sorority Life.
  • Chapter can articulate consistent activities that show the collective action of the organization are congruent to the values of the organization. Chapter has some examples of the personal action that is congruent with their values but it is not from a majority of their members.
  • Chapter has an education program in place to ensure that the members of their organization are informed of their values and why they are important to the organization and Fraternity & Sorority Life.
  • Chapter has an education program in place to inform their new members of the importance of their values and why they are important to the organization and Fraternity & Sorority Life.
  • Chapter has a system in place to hold members accountable for their actions. This system is largely proactive but they are still dependent upon punishment of individuals instead of education.
  • Chapter hosts an organized reflection after some of the events they are associated with. This reflection discusses how the activity was congruent with their values.

Level 5

  • Chapter has a thorough understanding of their organization's values and can properly articulate their values.
  • Chapter can express why their values are an important part of Fraternity & Sorority Life and why they are vital to their organization.
  • Chapter is able to articulate consistent activities that show the collective action of the organization and the personal actions of a large majority of individuals are congruent with their organization's values.
  • Chapter has consistent and on-going programming in place to ensure that their members are properly educated about their values and the importance of these values for the organization and why they are vital to Fraternity & Sorority Life.
  • Chapter has an on-going program in place to properly educate their new members about the organization's values and the importance of these values for the organization and for Fraternity & Sorority Life.
  • Chapter has a proactive system in place that ensures the members are holding one another accountable for their actions. This can be through education, mediation, or other systems that do not punish individuals but instead make the accountability check a positive learning process.
  • After any function that is affiliated with the chapter, a structured reflection occurs that discusses how the activity was values congruent.

Leadership Development

  • The chapter will foster an environment that encourages, supports, and promotes leadership in its members. This will include leadership experiences both inside and outside of the organization. Leadership is defined by the following basic assumptions based on the article Leadership Reconsidered: Engaging Higher Education in Social Change.
  • Leadership is concerned with fostering growth.
  • Leadership is inherently value-based.
  • Chapter provides opportunity for all people to be potential leaders.
  • Leadership is a group process.

Questions:

  • How does your chapter encourage members to take a positive leadership role within your chapter, the FSL community, the campus and the local community?
  • How does your chapter educate members in leadership development?
  • Please define your leadership development program.
  • Please define your new member development program.
  • What leadership experiences does your chapter attend?
  • How do you involve alumni, advisors, faculty or staff in leadership development?
  • What system is in place to ensure a smooth officer transition?
  • Leadership Development Rubric

Level 1

  • Chapter does not have many members involved with other organizations nor do they encourage members to get involved.
  • Chapter does not have members that take advantage of leadership opportunities in the community.
  • Chapter does not have members participating in campus or national leadership development programs.
  • Chapter has no internal program or reflection for leadership development.
  • Chapter does not have a smooth transition of elected individuals.
  • Chapter is not actively involved with campus events or programs.
  • Chapter does not utilize outside resources for leadership development.

Level 2

  • Chapter does not have many members involved with other organizations but they do encourage members to get involved with other organizations.
  • Chapter has some members that take advantage of leadership opportunities in the community.
  • Chapter has some members participating in campus leadership development programs but does not provide resources to increase attendance at these events.
  • Chapter has infrequent and unstructured reflections to assist with leadership skills and developing as leaders.
  • Chapter has a smooth transition for some elected individuals but not all.
  • Chapter has some members that are actively involved on campus but the chapter is not an advocate for this participation.
  • Chapter infrequently utilizes alumni to help provide leadership development but does not utilize other resources such as staff or faculty.

Level 3

  • Chapter encourages members being active with another organization on campus.
  • Chapter has members that take advantage of leadership opportunities in the community but does not provide support for this participation.
  • Chapter has members that participate in campus leadership development programs but not national leadership programs. Chapter provides resources for attendance at campus leadership programs.
  • Chapter has unstructured but frequent internal reflection to help foster leadership skills and developing as a leader.
  • Chapter ensures a smooth transition of elected individuals but does not have a formal program in place.
  • Chapter has some members that are actively involved with campus events and programs and they provide resources to the chapter to increase participation.
  • Chapter infrequently utilizes outside sources to help provide leadership development. These may come from alumni, staff, faculty, or other resources.

Level 4

  • Chapter encourages and supports members to take a leadership role with another organization. As a result chapter has some members serving as leaders within other organizations.
  • Chapter supports having its members participate in leadership opportunities within the community.
  • Chapter has members that participate in campus and national leadership development programs. The chapter may not provide resources such as scholarships to ensure attendance at these events.
  • Chapter has structured frequent internal reflection to help assist with leadership skills and developing the members as a leader but does not have a formally structured leadership program.
  • Chapter ensures a smooth transition of elected individuals but does not have a formal program in place.
  • Chapter also ensures a smooth transition of some chair positions.
  • Chapter has multiple members that are actively involved in campus events and programs and provide resources to ensure chapters get involved.
  • Chapter infrequently utilizes outside sources to help provide leadership development. These may come from alumni, staff, faculty, or other resources.

Level 5

  • Chapter encourages and supports members taking a leadership role with another organization. As a result chapter has multiple members serving as leaders within other organizations.
  • Chapter supports having its members participate in leadership opportunities within the community and provides resources to ensure participation in these opportunities.
  • Chapter has members that participate in campus and national leadership development programs and provides resources to make attendance at these more attainable. Chapter ensures that personal reflection occurs following the program.
  • Chapter has a consistent internal program to help assist the membership with leadership skills and developing as a leader. This program incorporates a reflection as well for the members.
  • Chapter has a formal program in place to ensure an effective transition of all elected and appointed individuals.
    Chapter has membership that is actively involved in campus events and programs and some membership that help to plan the events or programs.
  • Chapter frequently utilizes outside sources to help provide leadership development. These may come from alumni, staff, faculty, or other resources.