3.07 Fraternity and Sorority Housing
I. General Policy
A. The fraternity/sorority system at the University of Northern Iowa
is an integral part of the structure of student organizations recognized
by the UNISA Senate and the University.
B. Solvent, successful, and effective operation, of each fraternity/sorority
house will be evaluated in accordance with the standards and conditions
prescribed by a) the chapter's national office, if applicable, (b) the
office of the Vice-President for Student Services, (c) the Interfraternity
or Panhellenic Council as set forth in the national fraternity/sorority
policy statements, actions of Interfraternity/Panhellenic Council, in
official University publications (e.g., Policies and Procedures Manual,
Student Policy Handbook).
C. All formally established groups, owning or renting a fraternity/sorority
house, must be incorporated under the laws of the State of Iowa.
D. As a condition of continuing approval for Interfraternity/sorority
houses, the following documents must be recorded annually with the Interfraternity/Panhellenic
adviser.
1. Current insurance certificates for personal liability and property
coverage.
2. A written statement verifying inspection and compliance with city
health and safety ordinances along with a plan for corrective measures
if deficiencies exist.
3. A statement verifying that the housing corporation and national
have audited house operation.
E. Failure to comply with the regulations stated herein will result
in a hearing to determine corrective action. Suspension or revocation
of University recognition may result from failure to abide by these regulations.
II. House Construction or Acquisition
A. A fraternity/sorority may not rent, build, rebuild, or extensively
remodel, buy, sell, lease, sublease, or otherwise construct, acquire,
or dispose of a chapter house without securing, in advance, written approval
of all building plans and financial arrangements from the chapter's national
(if applicable), chapter adviser(s), and the respective house corporation.
These approvals will be submitted to the University staff member who serves
as Interfraternity/Panhellenic adviser and the Office of the Vice-President
for Student Services.
B. Building or leasing plans submitted by a fraternity/sorority chapter
for approval must satisfy the following requirements:
1. Standards of health and fire safety which meet the approval of
the appropriate Cedar Falls City officials.
2. Parking facilities approved by the appropriate Cedar Falls City
official(s).
3. A written statement of approval from the chapter's national office,
if applicable.
C. Financial plans submitted by a fraternity/sorority chapter for approval
must satisfy the following statements:
1. Evidence of an accumulated fund sufficient to negotiate a contract
for house ownership or rental.
2. A realistic plan for debt retirement or payments on a lease.
3. Detailed estimates of anticipated income and of operating expenses
(utilities, furnishings, insurance, repair, and maintenance, etc.) for
a 12-month period.
4. Statement of present assets pledged to housing.
5. A written statement of financial assistance from the national chapter,
if applicable.
6. A written statement of the chapter's intent to purchase adequate
property and liability insurance.
III. Financial Operation
A. The financial management of each fraternity/sorority chapter house
is the responsibility of the student membership, assisted by the local
alumni householding corporation.
B. A fraternity/sorority chapter may be requested to submit periodic
chapter reports of financial standing to the Interfraternity/Panhellenic
Council adviser.
C. The University assumes no financial responsibility for any phase
of the chapter's operation.
IV. Residence in a Fraternity/Sorority House
A. No chapter shall permit person(s) other than qualified pledges, and
members currently enrolled in the University, and the authorized housemother
or resident adviser (where applicable), to reside in the chapter house.
Any exception(s) to this policy (other than V., 2 below) must be granted
in advance and in writing by the Interfraternity/Panhellenic adviser.
B. Within the first two weeks of an academic semester or summer session,
the chapter president or his/her designated representative shall submit
a listing of all chapter house residents to the Interfraternity/Panhellenic
adviser. The list shall include the name and University status of each
resident.
V. House Operations During Vacation and Summer Periods
A. During the Summer Session, chapter houses which are open to students
will operate under the same rules which apply to chapter houses during
the Fall and Spring Semesters.
B. A chapter house which remains open during Summer Session or "break"
periods may be opened to nonmembers who are approved by the president
of the housing corporation. The chapter is responsible for providing adequate
supervision.
C. Each chapter must notify in writing the Interfraternity/Panhellenic
adviser of local person(s) responsible for the chapter house during vacation
periods in case of fire, theft, vandalism, etc.
D. Chapter houses which are not open for occupancy during the Summer
or during an extended "break" period must:
1. Be securely locked so as to make the house inaccessible. In this
event, the chapter must report the name(s) of person(s) who have a key
to the Interfraternity/Panhellenic adviser. Some local person(s) must
have a key in the event of fire, vandalism, theft, or other emergency.
It is highly recommended that the chapter inform the Cedar Falls Police
Department and the University Security Office of the period of time
the chapter house will be unused and locked, and also of the names of
persons who have keys. Entrance by any member or pledge during theclosure
period shall be upon the specific permission of the key holder who will
keep a written record of such permission, or
2. Be occupied by caretaker(s) who are responsible for the security
of the chapter house.
The names of caretaker(s) must be submitted in writing to the Interfraternity/Panhellenic
adviser at least one week in advance.
VI. Housemother
A. The University per se does not require the chapter to employ a housemother
or resident adviser as a prerequisite for chapter house approval unless
such resident supervision is required by the national headquarters.
B. Each chapter which does not have a resident adviser is urged to identify
an honorary affiliate who is willing to attend chapter functions, visit
the house periodically, and otherwise show an interest in the fraternity/sorority.
This affiliate may be a faculty member, husband or wife of a faculty member,
local alumnus/alumna, house corporation member, a local business person
or professional person, etc.
Ideally, the affiliate would feel free to visit the chapter house at
any time, would be invited to chapter functions, and would be respected
as a person worthy of giving advice.
The name(s) of any such person(s) should be reported to the Interfraternity/
Panhellenic adviser at the opening of each semester, and changes should
be reported as they occur. | 
