Evaluation Guidelines Changes
This page details the process used to review and recalibrate the Pursuit of Excellence Program's Evaluation Guidelines (updated for 2022-2023). Use the links below to navigate between sections.
Background Information
The Pursuit of Excellence Program’s Evaluation Guidelines provide an objective standard of assessment for all chapters, detailing performance benchmarks across a seven-point spectrum from Poor to Excellence in each of the program’s ten focus areas. Since the Pursuit of Excellence Program was amended by the 63rd Grand Chapter (2008), the General Fraternity has closely monitored chapter performance within the program. This includes aggregate performance of chapters’ holistic ratings via histograms to determine the overall health of collegiate chapters as well as to track the number of chapters performing at both ends of the performance spectrum. Additionally, the Fraternity monitors aggregate chapter performance within each category for measurement (e.g. Service and Philanthropy) to gauge where resources and assistance are most needed by chapters to meet and exceed the acceptable standards set out by the Grand Chapter and High Council.
2014 Review and Updates
Results of this review led to the High Council appointing a subcommittee of its collegiate and alumni membership in the 2013-2014 academic year to review the evaluation guidelines to ensure they appropriately reflected the Fraternity’s strategic plan, policies, and programs; provided clear distinctions between each performance level; and continued to promote improvement of chapter operations relative to achieving increasing levels of excellence. The High Council’s 2014 review resulted in a collective raising of the bar on what collegiate chapter performance was expected to entail at all levels from Acceptable to Excellence. Additionally, updates to the guidelines provided increased clarity to chapters and reviewers on the difference between each performance level (e.g. Good versus Very Good) through a reformatting of the guidelines to a stair-step / waterfall layout in addition to the alterations, additions, and deletions of specific criteria.
Pandemic Adjustments
This raising of the bar by the High Council in 2014 was met by the chapters with a renewed pursuit for excellence, demonstrated by continually improving holistic ratings over the course of the following five years. What was Acceptable or Excellent in 2015 had become easy or commonplace by 2019. The High Council was on pace to conduct a similar review in the lead up to the 69th Grand Chapter (originally scheduled for summer 2020) when the COVID-19 pandemic forced a pivot in the Pursuit of Excellence Program to be responsive to emerging pandemic conditions. Commonsense changes were made to the program for the 2019-2020 academic year and then followed in 2020 and 2021 with criteria updates responsive to local chapter operational modalities of virtual or in-person with social distancing limitations (matching the two primary modalities of our chapters’ host institutions). Click here for more information on evaluation guidelines changes in response to the pandemic.
2022 Review and Updates
The High Council updated the Fraternity’s strategic plan in the summer of 2021 with a new goal to, “evaluate and re-calibrate the Pursuit of Excellence Program to continually improve chapter performance across the Fraternity.” As colleges and universities have come back to normal operating conditions the High Council again reviewed the evaluation guidelines to reset expectations and raise the bar for chapter performance. Criteria from both pre-pandemic and pandemic operations have been reviewed, modified, extended to lower performance levels, or removed in light of the future the Fraternity expects chapters to help create as we emerge from the pandemic. In this way, the Pursuit of Excellence Program has taken the best, most relevant criteria from pre-pandemic, retaining criteria modified during the pandemic to continue to spur chapter innovation, and bringing in additional criteria from similar campus-based or other national fraternity programs to keep Sigma Nu chapters striving for the optimal fraternity experience. Finally, the High Council’s review was conducted to ensure the evaluation guidelines:
- Appropriately reflect the Fraternity’s strategic plan, policies, and programs.
- Provide clear distinctions between each performance level.
- Continue to promote improvement of chapter operations relative to achieving increasing levels of excellence.
Description of Changes to the Evaluation Guidelines - Effective August 2022
The High Council reviewed pre-pandemic and pandemic era criteria, as well as suggestions from General Fraternity staff to institute best practices for chapters as an expectation (i.e. Acceptable criterion) and/or at higher positive performance levels. The resulting updates to the evaluation guidelines include:
- Removing criteria that are no longer relevant due to changes in Fraternity policy, practice, and programs.
- Retaining or modifying criteria that were amended during the pandemic and have promoted innovation and improved efficiency and effectiveness in chapter operations.
- Adding new criteria to promote continuous improvement by chapters, to ensure clear distinctions between each performance level, and to institute Fraternity or fraternal community best practices.
Detailed descriptions of the changes in each of the program's three categories and ten subcategories for evaluation follow.
Values-Based Leadership
Service and Philanthropy
Modified Criteria
- Very Good criterion: Chapter volunteered to provide direct community service at least 5 or more times annually.
- Excellence – 6 or more times annually
- Very Good to Excellence criterion: Chapter has an established relationship with a local non-profit organization, engaging with the organization…
- Very Good – at least annually.
- Excellence – once or more per semester/quarter.
- This criterion was separated from the prior criterion to further describe what this relationship should look like and is more supportive of long-term placements and service learning.
- Acceptable to Excellence criterion: Chapter has incorporated education about the cause being supported into at least one fundraising event (e.g. brochures about the cause, or a speaker on the issue).
- Language cleanup to remove unnecessary and inconsistent language with the previous criterion
- Good to Very Good criterion: Chapter co-sponsors a community service or philanthropy project with another campus student organization.
- Excellence: Chapter co-sponsors two or more community service or philanthropy projects with another campus student organization.
New Criteria
- Good to Excellence criterion: Chapter participates in the 1869 Club (#% of collegiate members participate).
- Percentages at each level: Good (10%), Very Good (20%), Excellence (30%)
- Supportive of the spirit of this category and reflective of relaunched Foundation campaign with expansion to a chapter-level challenge.
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Campus Leadership
Modified Criteria
- Poor to Excellence criterion: Chapter participation in campus sponsored activities and leadership development programs, if such programs are offered.
- Scale varies at each level; change only adds the bold availability caveat.
- Good criterion: Chapter meets with the fraternity/sorority advisor at least once per semester and has developed a positive relationship with campus fraternity/sorority advisor…
- Very Good and Excellence – …and other campus administrators who serve as a resource.
- Very Good to Excellence criterion: Chapter has actively assisted members in becoming involved in other organizations or campus programs and requires members to be involved in at least one campus or community organization.
- Bold portion added. Encourages established best practice and is supportive of Chapter Strength goal, “…50% of chapters have a member in an interfraternal leadership role.”
- Good criterion: More than 5% of chapter members have leadership roles in other student organizations or campus programs.
- Creates a step up towards existing Excellence criterion (more than 10%) and is supportive of Chapter Strength goal, “…50% of chapters have a member in an interfraternal leadership role.”
- Excellence criterion: Chapter has received recognition for their involvement on campus or has received recognition through campus or interfraternal awards programs, if such recognitions/awards exist.
- Added availability caveat.
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Values Congruent Environments
Modified Criteria
- Good to Excellence criterion: Chapter sponsors conducts one session from the Risk Reduction or Personal Development module of All Chapter LEAD each semester/quarter (at least twice per year).
- Language change from sponsors to conducts and provides clarity of desired scheduling.
- Rather than requiring this be open to other organizations, focuses on the chapter holding the program for its own members. This continues a change adopted during the pandemic.
- Very Good criterion: Chapter attends one program related to wellness or diversity sponsored by another campus organization.
- Excellence: Chapter sponsors one program related to wellness or diversity with another campus organization.
- Descriptive change to clarify difference between the two performance levels (attends – go to something some other organization puts on vs. sponsors – chapter solely organizes, or has a human/financial resource investment in organizing the event).
- Very Good criterion: Chapter attends an anti-hazing, sexual assault, or drug abuse educational workshop/speaker each year.
- Excellence: Chapter sponsors an anti-hazing, sexual assault, or drug abuse educational workshop/speaker each year.
- Descriptive change to clarify difference between the two performance levels (attends – go to something some other organization puts on vs. sponsors – chapter solely organizes, or has a human/financial resource investment in organizing the event).
New Criteria
- Very Good criterion: Chapter conducts at least one mental health/wellness educational program each year.
- Excellence: Chapter conducts two or more mental health/wellness educational programs each year.
- New criterion in support of ongoing new programs and focus in educational / wellness programs provided by the Fraternity, particularly in the area of mental health (one the Fraternity was engaging in pre-pandemic but has been exacerbated as a student concern throughout the pandemic). Supportive of Education goal 3 - ...will continue to implement research-based educational strategies to address hazing prevention, alcohol misuse, and emerging health and safety issues.
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Personal Development and Membership Value
Intellectual Development
Modified Criteria
- Acceptable criterion: Chapter earned a GPA above both all-male and all-fraternity averages, or chapter GPA was above a 3.0 for the most recent fall term.
- Poor to Acceptable: amended to focus specifically on the most recent fall term to access what chapters have done in the most recently completed/reported term prior to the assessment. Higher performance levels focus on the prior two semesters.
- Good to Excellence criterion: Chapter earned a GPA above both all-male and all-fraternity averages, or chapter GPA was above a 3.0 for the previous two semesters.
- Removes 3.0 trigger and focuses on locally relevant comparisons of IFC and all-male averages.
- Very Good to Excellence criterion: Chapter sets a minimum GPA for candidates new members, initiates to remain in good standing active members, and officers as part of a written scholarship plan for its membership.
- Replaces “new” and “active member” language with candidates and initiates (preferred terminology).
- Very Good to Excellence criterion: Scholarship Committee and/or advisor provide additional support for members who are struggling academically, including an expectation that those members use campus academic resources.
- Acceptable to Good: Scholarship Committee and/or advisor provide individual support for members who are struggling academically (at minimum, those not meeting chapter minimum standards).
- Creates an expectation at Acceptable through Excellence levels that chapters implement best practice in this area (i.e. use of free assistance services) rather than relying solely on study hour and incentive programs.
- Very Good to Excellence criterion: Chapter members pursue admittance to honors programs and academic groups (such as Order of Omega, Omicron Delta Kappa and other Honoraries), if such programs exist.
- Creates availability caveat.
New Criteria
- Good to Excellence criterion: Chapter hosts a speaker each year on academic success skills (e.g. time management, note taking, navigating library resources, and study skills).
- Creates an expectation to implement best practice (i.e. study skills training) in Good to Excellence levels.
- Very Good criterion: Chapter has a faculty advisor who assists with scholarship and works with the chapter’s Scholarship Chairman.
- Extends existing Excellence criterion to Very Good levels. Broadly supportive of Reputation Goal 3 - support and empower collegiate and alumni chapters to communicate the mission and vision of the Fraternity at the local level.
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Candidate Development
Modified Criteria
- Good criterion: Chapter utilizes LEAD Phase I, using one or more with guest facilitators.
- Very Good to Excellence: Chapter utilizes LEAD Phase I, using multiple with guest facilitators.
- Indicates a more specific range of guest facilitators used.
- Fair to Acceptable criterion: Candidates complete a service project OR individually complete up to two (2) hours of service (in-person or virtual volunteerism).
- Continues option of participation in individual service projects that was created during the pandemic.
- Acceptable criterion: Chapter has clearly defined expected outcomes for their Candidate Education Program, described as part of a written candidate program.
- Good: Chapter has clearly defined expected outcomes for their Candidate Education Program, described as part of a written candidate program that also includes a schedule of activities.
- Very Good and Excellence: Chapter has clearly defined expected outcomes for their Candidate Education Program, described as part of a written candidate program that also includes a schedule of activities and overview of requirements for initiation.
- Good to Very Good criterion: Candidates attend campus-based programs for new members, if such programs exist.
- Excellence: Candidates attend all required campus-based programs sponsored for new members, if such programs exist.
- Creates availability and reasonableness caveats.
- Very Good to Excellence criterion: Chapter has clear expectations for what Candidates can expect of the chapter and initiated active members.
- Update to preferred terminology of “initiated” versus “active” members.
New Criteria
- Acceptable to Excellence criterion: Chapter has measures in place to appropriately address any member violation of the Fraternity's anti-hazing policy, including expectation of candidate reporting of mistreatment to appropriate chapter officers/advisors.
- Creates an expectation for a clear internal reporting and accountability system.
- Very Good to Excellence: Chapter participates in National Hazing Prevention Week.
- Supportive of strategic goal in Excellence through Education, “The Fraternity will continue to implement research-based educational strategies to address hazing prevention, alcohol misuse, and emerging health and safety issues.”
- Good to Very Good criterion: At least 90% of candidates complete CommunityEdu prior to initiation.
- Excellence: Candidate completion of CommunityEdu prior to initiation is a requirement for initiation (i.e. 100% of candidates complete prior to initiation).
- Supportive of strategic goal in Excellence through Education, “The Fraternity will continue to implement research-based educational strategies to address hazing prevention, alcohol misuse, and emerging health and safety issues.”
- Very Good to Excellence criterion: Chapter invites alumni to attend Candidate and Initiation Ceremonies.
- Supportive of Alumni Commitment goal, “The Fraternity will realize 20% growth in alumni commitment, as measured by the alumni commitment framework, annually.”
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Brother Development
Modified Criteria
- Fair to Excellence criterion: Chapter members attend campus or interfraternal leadership development programs (i.e. UIFI, IMPACT, LeaderShape, and officer training programs), if such programs are available.
- Creates availability caveat.
- Acceptable to Excellence criterion: Chapter attends all available regional Sigma Nu programs has multiple officers attend the Sigma Nu Institute (virtual or in-person event).
- Fair: Chapter has 1-2 attendees…
- Poor to Substandard: Chapter does not attend the Sigma Nu Institute (virtual or in-person event).
- Includes specificity around attendance and incorporates the new national virtual event - these two in combination should allow us to equitably apply this criterion as a ratings determinant (up through 2020 in a regional, in-person only format many chapters had an exemption due to location and/or scheduling).
- Good criterion: Chapter demonstrates a commitment to the LEAD Program through the establishment of a LEAD Committee that includes the Commander, LEAD Chairman, Marshal, and at least one two other brothers in the chapter.
- Very Good to Excellence: Chapter demonstrates a commitment to the LEAD Program through the establishment of a LEAD Committee that includes the Commander, LEAD Chairman, Marshal, an advisor, and at least one two other brothers in the chapter.
- Improves alignment with best practice for and removes expectation of participation by Commander. At Very Good and Excellence also promotes use of a LEAD Advisor as a member of the Alumni Advisory Board. This is further in support of the updated LEAD Program coming in 2024.
- Very Good to Excellence criterion: Chapter sponsors conducts a brotherhood retreat on an annual basis.
- Changed sponsors to conducts to clean up language and make it consistent across the guidelines (other uses of sponsors are in relation to an event arranged by the chapter that is open to other organizations).
New Criteria
- Good criterion: Chapter Alumni facilitate one (1) LEAD session or other leadership skill training workshop each year.
- Very Good: Alumni facilitate two-three (2-3) sessions
- Excellence: Alumni facilitate four (4) or more sessions
- Aligns with the Alumni Advisory Board assessment. Also supportive of Chapter Strength goal, “The Fraternity will have engaged Alumni Advisory Boards at 95% of chapters with 80% performing at a level of "good" or higher.”
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Alumni Development
Modified Criteria
- Fair criterion: Chapter has a an Alumni Advisory Board or Chapter Advisor.
- Good: Chapter has an active Alumni Advisory Board or Chapter Advisor (i.e. multiple advisors).
- Very Good to Excellence: Chapter has an Active Alumni Advisory Board or Chapter Advisor of four or more advisors.
- Change aligns with Alumni Advisory Board Assessment, matching Excellence in PEP with the Good level in the AAB assessment, supporting the strategic goal of having, “engaged Alumni Advisory Boards at 95% of chapters with 80% performing at a level of “good” or higher.”
- Acceptable to Good criterion: Chapter produces and distributes alumni newsletters at least once each academic year provides at least an annual update to alumni through either a traditional newsletter or email format.
- Very Good: Chapter produces and distributes alumni newsletters each academic year, at least three twice each academic year, in paper OR electronic formats.
- Creates a consistent scale for this criterion, with more expected at successive levels.
- Good criterion: Chapter communicates regularly with alumni through email updates advisors, and advisors attend chapter meetings at least once per academic term (quarter/semester).
- Very Good: Chapter communicates regularly with alumni through email updates advisors, and advisors attend chapter meetings and ritual ceremonies, at least once per academic term (quarter/semester).
- Excellence: Chapter communicates regularly with alumni through email updates. Chapter advisors are regularly involved in mentoring officers and assisting with chapter goal setting and planning.
- Supportive of Alumni Commitment goal, “The Fraternity will realize 20% growth in Alumni Commitment.” Also supports Reputation goal to, “support and empower collegiate and alumni chapters to communicate the mission and vision of the Fraternity at the local level.”
New Criteria
- Acceptable criterion: Chapter submits news to the General Fraternity (i.e. “Tell Us Your News”) at least once per year.
- Good: at least twice per year
- Very Good: at least three times per year
- Excellence: At least four times per year
- Supportive of Alumni Commitment goal, “The Fraternity will realize 20% growth in Alumni Commitment.” Also supports Reputation goal to, “support and empower collegiate and alumni chapters to communicate the mission and vision of the Fraternity at the local level.”
- Acceptable criterion: Chapter uses one or more virtual platforms (e.g. social media, email, website) to communicate with general alumni on the activities of the chapter.
- Scale across Good to Excellence: …two or more (Good), three or more (Very Good), four or more (Excellence).
- Supportive of Alumni Commitment goal, “The Fraternity will realize 20% growth in Alumni Commitment.” Also supports Reputation goal to, “support and empower collegiate and alumni chapters to communicate the mission and vision of the Fraternity at the local level.”
- Replaces a combination of criteria related to social networking and a chapter website; changing the focus of this criterion to the chapter’s overall strategy and multi-pronged approach to connecting virtually with general alumni.
- Very Good to Excellence criterion: Chapter conducts the Affirmation of Knighthood ceremony for graduating initiates at least once per year.
- Supportive of Alumni Commitment goal, “The Fraternity will realize 20% growth in Alumni Commitment.” Also supports Reputation goal to, “support and empower collegiate and alumni chapters to communicate the mission and vision of the Fraternity at the local level.”
- Excellence criterion: Chapter works with Alumni Advisory Board, House Corporation, and/or Alumni Chapter to create an ongoing alumni recognition program.
- Supportive of Alumni Commitment goal, “The Fraternity will realize 20% growth in Alumni Commitment.” Also supports Reputation goal to, “support and empower collegiate and alumni chapters to communicate the mission and vision of the Fraternity at the local level.”
Deleted (Removed) Criteria
- Good to Excellence criterion: Chapter utilizes alumni as guest facilitators for the LEAD Program on an annual basis.
- Moved to Brother Development.
- Good to Excellence criterion: Chapter keeps alumni updated on the chapter through a chapter website.
- Good to Excellence criterion: Chapter promotes interaction between alumni through a social networking group.
- Merged and addressed in a more holistic way to support alumni engagement through the modified criteria mentioned above (specifically newsletters, chapter news, use of virtual platforms, and alumni at chapter events).
- Fair: Chapter sponsors one alumni event each year. Events may not be of interest to alumni of all ages.
- Modified to remove this subjective qualifier during pandemic (virtual option also added at that time). Existing Acceptable criterion, “Chapter sponsors one alumni event each year,” is sufficient to indicate minimum standard.
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Operational Excellence
Recruitment and Manpower
Modified Criteria
- Acceptable criterion: Chapter can articulate what type of member they target to achieve their stated purpose as an organization.
- Extends the Good criterion to the Acceptable level to further reinforce Values-Based Recruitment philosophy and best practices. Supportive of Chapter Strength Goal, “every chapter will meet or exceed the average fraternity size on their respective campus or demonstrate 10% annual manpower growth.”
- Very Good to Excellence: Chapter can articulate what type of member they target to achieve their stated purpose as an organization and evidence use of those criteria in recruiting new members.
- Excellence criterion: Chapter established and leveraged a process for alumni referrals and/or campus and community resources (e.g. parents, high schools, honorary or values-based organizations, admissions office) which includes acknowledgement and follow-up on all referrals.
- Criterion was also extended to Very Good and Good levels.
- Supportive of Chapter Strength goal, “each chapter will meet or exceed average fraternity chapter size at its respective institution, or demonstrated 10% annual manpower growth, through implementation of a year-round, principles-based recruitment plan with stated quality standards, annually.”
- Very Good criterion: Chapter has demonstrated use of a system for identifying and recruiting legacies.
- Extends an Excellence criterion to the Very Good level.
New Criteria
- Acceptable to Excellence criterion: Chapter uses a Master Prospect List to track interest and fit to identified new member characteristics (e.g. GPA, prior leadership experience).
- Makes this an Acceptable expectation (minimum standard) to further reinforce Values-Based Recruitment philosophy and best practice. Supportive of Chapter Strength Goal, “every chapter will meet or exceed the average fraternity size on their respective campus or demonstrate 10% annual manpower growth.”
- Acceptable to Excellence criterion: Chapter financial information is advertised to potential new members during the recruitment process. This information should include the candidate and initiation fees, semester/quarter dues, and housing fees (if applicable).
- Institutes best practice in recruitment and retention as an Acceptable criterion (minimum standard). Supportive of Chapter Strength Goal, “every chapter will meet or exceed the average fraternity size on their respective campus or demonstrate 10% annual manpower growth.”
- Acceptable to Good criterion: Chapter conducts a recruitment skills workshop with all members at least annually.
- Very Good to Excellence: Chapter conducts a recruitment skills workshop with all members prior to each formal recruitment period.
- Institutes best practice in recruitment and retention as an Acceptable criterion (minimum standard). Supportive of Chapter Strength Goal, “every chapter will meet or exceed the average fraternity size on their respective campus or demonstrate 10% annual manpower growth.”
- Very Good to Excellence criterion: Alumni are invited to attend a chapter recruitment event.
- Supportive of Alumni Commitment goal, “The Fraternity will realize 20% growth in Alumni Commitment,” also of Reputation goal, “The Fraternity will support and empower collegiate and alumni chapters to communicate the mission and vision of the Fraternity at the local level.” Attendance at such events are tracked in the Alumni Commitment Framework (measurement of alumni commitment).
Deleted (Removed) Criteria
- Very Good to Excellence criterion: Chapter leveraged a recruitment best practice from the Best Practices Library.
- Criteria removed as redundant and supported throughout other criteria in this section.
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Chapter Operations
Modified Criteria
- Acceptable to Excellence criterion: Chapter operates on an annual budget that is developed by the finance committee, approved by the chapter, and includes with a 5% revenue over expense margin sufficient to cover operating expenses and collection costs.
- Further refines expectations, removes confusion by chapters in a percentage-based revenue over expense budget scenario (and why that is best practice / necessity), and institutes best practice in budget development as an Acceptable criterion (minimum standard). Supportive of internal operating standards to reduce outstanding chapter debt.
- Acceptable criterion: Chapter has no past due balance with the General Fraternity, College or University, or any other entity.
- Acceptable level focuses explicitly on chapter account with the Fraternity. Supportive of internal operating standards to reduce outstanding chapter debt.
- Acceptable criterion: Chapter has no more than 10% of accounts receivable in excess of 30 days after accounting for payment plans and initiates suspended for financial delinquency and for candidates and brothers who are in arrears, the chapter utilizes the 30/60/90 policy as per The Law of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc.
- Further explains the Acceptable expectation (a source of confusion for both chapters and reviewers).
- Acceptable to Excellence criterion: Chapter utilizes two signature checks, and the approved signatories are the Commander and Recorder.
- Institutes best practice as well as policy per The Law of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc. at the Acceptable level and beyond (specific officers noted as the signatories).
- Fair criterion: Chapter utilizes The Ritual for some chapter meetings and performs the candidate and initiation ceremony at least annually.
- Good: Chapter utilizes The Ritual for each chapter meeting as well as proper induction and initiation ceremonies, as well as holds educational sessions for new candidates and initiates on the meaning and performance of The Ritual at least annually.
- Very Good to Excellence: Chapter utilizes The Ritual for each chapter meeting as well as proper induction and initiation ceremonies, as well as holds educational sessions for new candidates and initiates on the meaning and performance of The Ritual at least once per academic term (semester/quarter).
- Places further emphasis/instruction on educational sessions for new candidates and initiates. Supportive of Excellence Through Education goal, “The Fraternity will continue to honor, preserve, and make accessible its rich history and traditions to foster member understanding and commitment.” Also supportive of Reputation goal, “The Fraternity will continue and increase programs to promote its legacy as the Legion of Honor, the only men’s fraternity founded in direct opposition to hazing and dedicated to Love, Honor, and Truth to key constituents.”
- Good criterion: Chapter members are involved in creating a chapter budget which expends financial resources in a manner which supports the mission of the Fraternity.
- Institutes best practice at the Good level (currently starts at Very Good)
- Acceptable to Good criterion: Chapter utilizes an outside financial service to collect dues AND/OR collects at least 75% of annual billings.
- Good: 80%
- Institutes best practice at the Acceptable level (minimum standards). Supportive of internal operating standards to reduce chapter outstanding debt. Also serves as a protection against fraud, embezzlement. Current criterion starts at Very Good (90%) and increases to Excellence (95%).
- Good criterion: Chapter maintains a savings account.
- Very Good: Chapter maintains a savings account to which it contributes at least annually.
- Excellence: Chapter maintains a savings account to which it contributes at least twice a year.
- Extends this expectation from Excellence down to Good - with further specificity and expectations that chapters contribute, not just maintain savings.
New Criteria
- Substandard to Excellence criterion: Chapter files the applicable Form 990 for the preceding fiscal year.
- Poor: Chapter has not filed the applicable Form 990 for the preceding fiscal year.
- Creates a requirement that chapters report on their completion of this IRS-mandated tax filing. Will allow for more proactive support by staff to keep chapters from losing tax-exempt status or regaining lapsed status.
- Excellence criterion: Chapter has a written process for reporting candidates, initiates, officers, and other updates to its Members Area roster, including ensuring alignment with the monthly General Fraternity billing statement. Additionally, the chapter has no late reporting fees or appeals within the last year.
- New criterion to institute best practice via chapter bylaws or operating policy. Supportive of internal operating standards to reduce outstanding chapter debt.
Deleted (Removed) Criteria
- Very Good criterion: Chapter has Ritual discussions after induction and initiation.
- Redundant as expectations on Ritual education were added to another criterion in this area.
- Very Good to Excellence criterion: Chapter operates under a written strategic plan with measurable goals and objectives that are reviewed annually by the chapter each academic term (semester/quarter).
- Very Good and Excellence increase the frequency of review to ensure this best practice is in place during any transition period (i.e. around elections).
- Moved to Governance & Accountability to balance the number of criteria in each subcategory.
- Acceptable criterion: Chapter operates on the committee system - with at least 25% of brothers serving on a committee - and the committees meet at least monthly to discuss business.
- Good: 50%
- Very Good: 75%
- Excellence: 90%
- Institutes best practice by making the committee system an Acceptable criterion (minimum standard) and further specifies the level at which members are involved as you move up the continuum.
- Moved to Governance & Accountability to even out the # of criteria in each subcategory.
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Governance and Accountability
Modified Criteria
- Very Good to Excellence criterion: Chapter utilizes the Trial Code Procedure of The Law of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc. when necessary to discipline chapter members, reviewing the complaint and trial process with brothers at least once a year.
- Very Good and Excellence amended to promote best practice and ensure member awareness of the process.
- Fair to Good criterion: Chapter bylaws are current reviewed by a committee and distributed to the chapter at least annually.
- Very Good to Excellence: Chapter bylaws are current reviewed by a committee and distributed to the chapter at least annually, including a meeting to review the bylaws with candidates.
- Addresses concerns about member awareness and adherence to local bylaws.
- Acceptable criterion: Chapter has a written Crisis Management plan and members are educated on the plan at least annually.
- Good: Chapter has a written Crisis Management plan and members are educated on the plan at least annually.
- Very Good to Excellence: Chapter has a written Crisis Management plan and members are educated on the plan each academic term (semester/quarter).
- Institutes best practice at the Acceptable level (minimum standards) and increases frequency of education at higher performance levels.
- Acceptable criterion: Chapter has an accountability and discipline system in its bylaws (e.g. honor/judicial board, standard punishments for misbehavior).
- Good: Chapter has a documented system of an accountability and discipline system in its bylaws (e.g. honor/judicial board, standard punishments for misbehavior) and can demonstrate use of same in the past year.
- Very Good to Excellence: Chapter has utilizes a documented system of an accountability and discipline system in its bylaws (e.g. honor/judicial board, standard punishments for misbehavior), educates members on the system, and can demonstrate use of same in the past year.
- Institutes best practice at the Acceptable level (minimum standards). Also sets an educational schedule at higher performance levels.
New Criteria
- Very Good to Excellence criterion: Chapter operates under a written strategic plan with measurable goals and objectives that are reviewed annually by the chapter each academic term (semester/quarter).
- Very Good and Excellence increase the frequency of review to ensure this best practice is in place during any transition period (i.e. around elections).
- Moved from Chapter Operations to balance the number of criteria in each subcategory.
- Acceptable criterion: Chapter operates on the committee system - with at least 25% of brothers serving on a committee - and the committees meet at least monthly to discuss business.
- Good: 50%
- Very Good: 75%
- Excellence: 90%
- Institutes best practice by making the committee system an Acceptable criterion (minimum standard) and further specifies the level at which members are involved as you move up the continuum.
- Moved from Chapter Operations to balance the number of criteria in each subcategory.
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