InterfraternityCouncil

University of Northern Iowa

 

 

Bylaws

 

 

Table of Contents

Qualifications of Officers                                  02

Nominations of Candidates for Office              02

Elections, Length of Office, and Vacancies      03

Duties of the Officers                                         04

The Executive Committee                                  07

Committees                                                         08

Greek Week                                                        09

Representation                                                    09

Financial Obligations                                         10

Notification of Membership Changes               10

Standing Rush Rules                                          11

Scholarship Requirements for all Chapters       12

New Member Practices Regulations                 13

Depledging/Dissociating                                    13

Colonization                                                       13

Bylaws                                                                 14

 

 

 

 

U. of Northern Iowa Chapter

North-American

Interfraternity Conference
Official Bylaws and Precedents

of the

University of Northern Iowa Chapter

of the

North American Interfraternity Conference

 

 

 

Article I

Qualifications of Officers

 

Section 1.        Qualifications for Executive Officers.

 

Paragraph 1.   He is an initiated member of a full member fraternity.

 

Paragraph 2.   He and his fraternity are in good standing with Interfraternity Council and the University of Northern Iowa.

 

Paragraph 3.   He must be enrolled as a full-time student (12 hours) at the University of Northern Iowa during the entire period of his service as an Interfraternity Council Officer.

 

Paragraph 4.   A candidate for office shall have at least a 2.50 cumulative grade point or a 2.50 grade point for the previous semester.  These requirements must be met throughout the end of his term.

 

Paragraph 5.   A candidate may not be President of his respective fraternity in the Spring or Fall semester subsequent to his election as an Interfraternity Council Officer.

           

            Paragraph 6.   A candidate must have one year of experience in the Greek community.  This experience can be in the UNI Greek community or any other recognized IFC Greek community.

 

Article II

Nominations of Candidates for Office

 

Section 1.        Nominations

 

Paragraph 1.   One (1) member of each fraternity may be nominated for each office annually at the first regular meeting in November.  Nominations may be reopened prior to voting on Election Day.

 

Paragraph 2.   The elections shall take place during the second meeting in November.

 

 

Article III

Elections, Length of Office, and Vacancies

 

Section 1.        Elections.

 

Paragraph 1.   Annual:  The President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, Director of Programming, Risk Manager, and Director of Advancement shall be elected annually during the spring elections.

 

Paragraph 2.   Presentation format: Each candidate must present the Interfraternity Council with his ideas and goals for the office.  After his presentation, a question and answer period may follow, and discussion will fallow.

 

Section 2.        The officers shall be elected by a simple majority vote of the Interfraternity Council members present.

 

Paragraph 1.   Voting shall be done by secret ballot.  The current Interfraternity Council Officers shall not vote.  If a majority vote is not reached on the first ballot, resulting in a three-way tie, the candidate receiving the lowest number of votes will be dropped from consideration before the next ballot is taken.

 

Paragraph 2.   This procedure will be followed on all subsequent ballots until one (1) candidate receives a majority of the votes, or there is a tie cast by the Council.

 

Paragraph 3.   In the event of a two-way tie, the Interfraternity Council President casts the deciding vote.

 

Paragraph 4.   After the election of each officer, nominations may be reopened for subsequent officers.

 

Paragraph 5.   Members of the same fraternity may hold no more than one (1) office on the Interfraternity Council Executive Committee. If after the second round of nominations all executive council positions have not been nominated those positions will be open to members of the same fraternity.

 

Paragraph 6.   The order of election is President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, Director of Advancement, Risk Manager, and Director of Programming.

 

Section 3.        An officer may be re-elected, but shall not hold the same office for more than two and one half (2 ½) semesters.

 

Section 4.        Vacancies

 

Paragraph 1.   An officer may be removed from office for failure to follow and support the aims and purposes of the Interfraternity Council, or the IFC code of conduct.

 

Paragraph 2.   A ¾ vote of the total membership of the Interfraternity Council shall be necessary to remove an officer from office.

 

Paragraph 3.   An officer will automatically be removed from office for a grade deficiency.

 

Paragraph 4.   Any person becoming President of his respective fraternity while serving as and Interfraternity Council officer will forfeit his Interfraternity Council office.

 

Paragraph 5.   In the event of two (2) consecutive absences of an officer, the office will be declared vacant.  The President shall open first round nominations for this office immediately.  In the event that the President was removed, the Vice President shall perform this duty.  Elections to fill the vacant position shall be held at the meeting following first round nominations.  The newly elected officer will serve the remainder of the vacated officer’s term.

 

Section 5.        Term:  Each elected officer’s term begins at officer instillation at the last regular meeting of the fall semester.

 

 

Article IV

Duties of the Officers

 

Section 1.        President

 

Paragraph 1.   Preside over all regular and special meetings of Interfraternity Council and shall call special meetings whenever he deems it necessary by giving member fraternities 24-hour notice.

 

Paragraph 2.   Represent the Interfraternity Council on any University matters pertaining to the Interfraternity Council.

 

Paragraph 3.   Work closely with the Greek Advisor, President of Panhellenic Council, and any other faculty or administrative personnel as an official representative of the Interfraternity Council.

 

Paragraph 4.   Deliver an annual report, both written and oral, at the second to the last meeting each semester, and must submit, in writing, at the completion of his term of office, an evaluation of his term as President, to be given to his successor.

 

Paragraph 5.   Have overall responsibility for the operation of the Interfraternity Council and perform any other duties deemed necessary by the Interfraternity Council or stated in the Constitution or Bylaws.

 

Paragraph 6.   Be responsible for the planning, and preparation of a leadership conference once a year.

 

Paragraph 7.   Assist the Sec/Treas with the formulation of the budget.

 

Paragraph 8.   Prepare and present budget requests to NISG 

 

Section 2.        Vice President.

 

Paragraph 1.   Be familiar with all of the Interfraternity Council President’s policies and actions.

 

Paragraph 2.   Assume the duties of the President in the event of his absence for any reason.

 

Paragraph 3.   Enforce all policies and procedures of the Interfraternity Council and revise these as deemed necessary.

 

Paragraph 4.   Serve as an ex-offcio representative of the Interfraternity Council Judiciary Board.

 

Paragraph 5.   Coordinate, in conjunction with the Panhellenic Council Vice President, and the Scholarship Chairwoman, the Greek Awards Applications and the Spring Awards Banquet.

 

Paragraph 6.   Preside as chairman at all meetings of the Executive Committee.

 

Paragraph 7.  Advise all officers and committees.

 

Paragraph 8.  Meet with the Panhellenic Risk Manager and Greek Advisor weekly to review “social notification” forms.  Provide risk management packets for all events.

 

Section 3.        Secretary/Treasurer.

 

Paragraph 1.   Assess member Fraternities for their Interfraternity Council semesterly dues.

 

Paragraph 2.   Collect all assessments and fines of the Interfraternity Council.

 

Paragraph 3.   Pay the bills approved by the members of the Interfraternity Council in a timely fashion.

 

Paragraph 4.   Prepare a written budget of proposed expenditures for each semester prior to the second meeting of each semester.

 

Paragraph 5.   Prepare written financial statements at the end of each semester and forward them to member fraternities.

 

Paragraph 6.   Assess a fine on delinquent accounts as approved by the Interfraternity Council.

 

Paragraph 7.   Serve as the secretary at all regular and special meetings of the Interfraternity Council, as well as the Interfraternity Council Executive Committee meetings, as well as all other pertinent material, before the next regular meeting.

 

Paragraph 8.   Be responsible for the agenda and minutes of all Interfraternity Council meetings, make arrangements to distribute these minutes, as well as all other pertinent materials.

 

Line 1. Distribute a hard copy of the minutes to the Interfraternity Council Executive Committee and Greek Advisor.

 

Line 2. E-mail agenda and minutes, to the Interfraternity Council Executive Committee, Delegates, Greek Advisor, and interested Faculty, no later than 5 p.m. on the day following meeting.

 

Line 3. Distribute the Interfraternity Council minutes to the Special Collections department of the Rod Library.

 

Paragraph 9.   Maintain a complete up-to-date file that will include minutes of all Interfraternity Council meetings, officer reports, and all other pertinent materials.

 

Paragraph 10. Be responsible for all correspondence of the Interfraternity Council and the management of the Interfraternity Council office.

 

Paragraph 11. Be responsible for the distribution of any pertinent materials to the member fraternities.

 

Paragraph 12. Be responsible for the upkeep of the IFC web page.

 

Paragraph 13. Reserve office/storage space from student activities.

 

Paragraph 14. Register group each fall and spring semester with student activities.

 

Section 4.        Director of Academics & Education.

 

Section 4.        Director of Academics & Education

           

            Paragraph 1.   Attend one chapter meeting of each chapter at the beginning of each academic semester.

 

            Paragraoh 2.   Work closely with chapters on academic probation to develop a suitable scholarship program to meet IFC requirements.

 

            Paragraph 3.   Hold and facilitate monthly scholarship round tables for chapter scholarship chairs.

           

            Paragraph 4.   Alert chapters of university scholarship resources available to them

                       

                        Line 1.             Compile and file tutor information

           

                        Line 2.             Compile and file greek major list

 

Line 3.             Create and distribute academic advising contact list to all chapters.

           

            Paragraph 5.   Obtain academic preview/review statements from each chapter at the beginning and end of each semester respectively.

 

 

Section 5.        Director of Community Advancement.

 

Paragraph 1.   Design, publish, and distribute such materials (e.g. Greek Life, Northern Iowan Ads, Speak Greek) as deemed by the body of the Interfraternity Council.

 

Paragraph 2.   Set forth policies governing recruitment in a manner he deems necessary.  These rules shall be approved by the Interfraternity Council.

 

Paragraph 3.   Coordinate expansion efforts.

 

Paragraph 4.   Live in Cedar Fall for the summer of his term.

 

Paragraph 5.   Coordinate orientation and info-sessions.

 

Paragraph 6.   Revise recruitment/expansion policy as needed.

 

 

Section 6.        Director of Programming

 

Paragraph 1.   Work in conjunction with the Panhellenic Council Coordinator of Activities.

 

Paragraph 2.   Coordinate events geared toward Greek unity.

 

Paragraph 3.   Be responsible for one (1) philanthropy, and one (1) social event.

 

Paragraph 4.   Direct any fundraising that may be needed.

 

Paragraph 5.   Provide social calendars after each social roundtable.

 

Article V

The Executive Committee

 

Section 1.        The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, Director of Community Advancement, Director of Academics and Education, and Director of Programming.  The Greek Advisor shall be an ex-officio member.

 

Section 2.        The Interfraternity Council Executive Committee shall set the agenda for all Interfraternity Council meetings.

 

Section 3.        The Executive Committee shall act as an interim governing body while the Interfraternity Council is not in session.  All subsidiary councils and committees created during this time by the Interfraternity Council and the Executive Committee shall be responsible to and the responsibility of the Executive Committee.

 

Section 4.        All officers of the Interfraternity Council Executive Committee shall attend all weekly Interfraternity Council meetings, Interfraternity Council Executive Committee meetings, Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Council Joint meetings, retreats, leadership conferences, and other meetings necessary in carrying out the responsibilities of the office, or the aims and purposes of the Interfraternity Council.

 

Section 5.        All officers will hold office hours in the SOC once per week. They must prepare a semesterly report, as well as keep their notebook and files up to date.

 

Section 6.        The Executive Committee shall have the power to issue policy statements and to carry out all policies and regulations duly established by the Interfraternity Council; as well as the preparation of appropriate programs for presentation to the Interfraternity Council.

 

Section 7.        The actions of the Executive Committee shall be subject to review by the Interfraternity Council, and IJB.

 

Section 8.        Executive Committee meetings shall be chaired by the Interfraternity Council Vice President.

 

 

 

Article VI

Greek Week

 

Section 1.        Greek Week Co-Chairs:

 

Paragraph 1.   Elections:  Will follow the same rules outlined in Article III, Section 2.  First round elections will be held on the first regular meeting in October with elections occurring at the second regular meeting in October.

 

Paragraph 2.   Removal:  If a Greek Week Committee member would like to remove one (1) or both of the Co-Chairs, or Co-Chair “A” would like to remove Co-Chair “B” because they are not fulfilling their duties, they can request that the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Council Presidents and Vice-Presidents survey the situation and vote on the outcome.  Voting must be done within one (1) week of the grievance.  The Greek Advisor shall decide a tie.

 

Section 2.        Greek Week Committee

 

Paragraph 1.  Each chapter shall have two (2) representatives attend all Greek Week meetings.  The Day Leader may not serve as the chapter’s representative.

 

.  The committee shall consist of the following Day Leaders:

 

            Kick Off Day: coordinate a large-scale All-Campus function

           

            Variety Show: coordinate all aspects of registration and participation

 

Greek God/Goddess: coordinate all aspects of registration and participation

 

            Olympics: coordinate all aspects of registration and participation

 

 

Philanthropy/Community Service: coordinate a program to benefit a designated community organization.

 

Banquet: coordinate schedule, meal, awards program, script etc. in conjunction with the IFC/PHC Vice-President’s

 

                        Faculty Appreciation: organize recognition of faculty and staff

 

Week Long Activities: coordinate participation points, penny wars, Greek Spirit Awards, and Greek Graffiti

 

Chapter Relations: develop the registration packet, organize the theme and logo, design favors, and develop and implement publicity for the chapters

 

Community Relations: develop and implement a marketing plan for the campus & surrounding community 

 

                        Fundraising: secure donations and sponsorship of Greek Week activities

 

Historian:  take minutes at all Greek Week meetings, maintain up to date files for all activities, document all events

           

 

Paragraph 2.  To serve, as a Day Leader the person must meet the requirements of office stated in Article I, Section 1.

 

Paragraph 3.  General responsibilities of Day Leaders:

                        Line 1. Attend all meetings, retreats and events related to Greek Week.

 

Line 2. Submit Goal Statements and Budget requests to the Greek Week

            Co- Chairs.

 

Line 3. Keep files of all activities and records.  

 

Paragraph 4.  Selection of Day Leaders:

 

Line 1.  Applications will be available the fourth Monday of October and will be due by 5:00pm 2 weeks later.

 

Line 2.  The Greek Week Co-Chairs, under the advisement of the IFC/PHC Activities Chairs will slate applicants in the positions they are most qualified to fill and taking into consideration even representation of all chapters.

 

Line 3.  In the event that all positions are not filled or are declared vacant; the application process will be re-opened under the discretion of the Co- Chairs.

 

Paragraph 5.  A Day Leader may be removed from office via a consensus decision of the Co-Chairs and the PHC/IFC Activities Chairs.  The Greek Advisor will serve as a mediator of this process.  

 

 

 

Section 3.        The Greek Week Chairs will remain independent positions with the responsibility of setting up all Greek Week activities.

 

 

Article VII

Financial Obligations

 

Section 1.        Following the election of officers and committee heads:

 

Paragraph 1.   Those requesting money from the Interfraternity Council must submit an itemized budget proposal budget to the Interfraternity Council Secretary/Treasurer, the week prior to the submission of the written budget.

 

Paragraph 2.   Itemized proposals must consist of line items detailing what money will be used for, arriving at the total amount submitted by those requesting funds.

 

Paragraph 3.   Each budget shall be submitted the semester before it goes into effect and requires two (2) readings before it can be passed by a simple majority.

 

Paragraph 4.   The Interfraternity Council Secretary/Treasurer will then present a written budget based upon the proposal submitted by those requesting funds.

 

Paragraph 5.   The time periods represented within each budget will be:

 

Line 1. Fall Semester: 1st day of classes until the day before spring semester classes begin.

 

Line 2. Spring Semester: 1st day of classes until the day before fall semester classes begin.

 

Section 2.        Any chapter not having one (1) member present at any Interfraternity Council meeting will be fined $1 per member of chapter.

 

Section 3.        A member Chapter has two (2) weeks to pay an Interfraternity Council bill after receipt during a regular Interfraternity Council meeting.  A chapter will be placed on bad standing if the bill is not paid within two (2) weeks.

 

 

Article VIII

Notification of Membership Changes

 

Section 1.        The Greek Advisor and Student Activities Office shall be notified in writing of the following changes in membership within seven (7) days of the change:

 

Paragraph 1.   When a fraternity has a new member join.

 

Paragraph 2.   When a fraternity affiliates transfer students.

 

Paragraph 3.   When a change in officers, advisors, and/or corporation board members occurs.

 

Paragraph 4.   When a fraternity suspends a member.  A suspended member will not be allowed to represent the fraternity or the Interfraternity Council in any campus events or activities for the duration of the suspension.

 

Paragraph 5.   When a fraternity depledges/disassociates a man or he depledges/disassociates.

 

Section 2.        Each fraternity shall turn in a complete list of members and new members by the third Wednesday of classes each semester.  Any changes to this list must be made in the Student Activities Office thirty (30) days after the beginning of the semester.

 

 

Article IX

Standing Recruitment Rules

 

Section 1.        Eligibility for Rushing:

 

Paragraph 1.   A rushee must be a full-time student at the University of Northern Iowa, Hawkeye Community College, or Hamilton College.

 

Paragraph 2.   With the exception of first semester freshmen and first semester transfer students, the student must have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA.

 

Section 2.        Recruitment Procedures:

 

Paragraph 1.   A rushee can pledge a fraternity at any time during the year except during those periods designated by the Interfraternity Council as Recruitment Periods.

 

Paragraph 2.   Recruitment begins on the first day back from the winter and summer interim periods, and continues for two weeks.

 

Paragraph 3.   A rushee is considered an associate member when he has registered his commitment with the Interfraternity Council by completing and signing a pledge card available from the Student Activities Office.

 

Section 3.        Recruitment Restrictions and Violations:

 

Paragraph 1.   All recruitment events must be non-alcoholic during IFC Recruitment Periods.

 

Paragraph 2. Recruitment Schedules must be turned in by the date the IFC Community Advancement Chair deems necessary.

 

Paragraph 3.  No individual recruitment tables will be allowed at university events where an IFC table is present.

 

Paragraph 4.  No individual recruitment events will be allowed to conflict with the IFC recruitment events of the week.

 

Section 4.        Revisions of the Recruitment Rules shall require two-thirds majority (2/3) of all IFC delegates present.

 

Article X

Scholarship Requirements for all Chapters

 

Section 1.        Academic guidance is defined as a chapter falling below 2.50.

 

Section 2.        Chapters on Academic Probation will:

 

Paragraph 1.   Attend monthly meetings with the Interfraternity Council Scholarship Chairman to evaluate their program.  Chapter Presidents, Scholarship Chairman, and Social Chairman will be required to attend.

 

Paragraph 2. Be charged a fine of $1 for each member of the chapter.

 

Paragarph 3. Chapters with consecutive semesters on academic probation will not be allowed a social event with alcohol and will be fined $2 for each member of the chapter.

 

Paragraph 4. Chapters with a third consecutive semester will fall into bad standing wth IFC and their nationals will be informed.

 

 

 

Article XI

New Member Practices Regulations

 

Section 1.        The following new member practices are not acceptable:

 

Paragraph 1.   Any action or situation created, intentionally or unintentionally, whether on or off fraternity premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule. Such activities may include, but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol; paddling in any form; creation of fatigue; physical or psychological shocks; quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips, or other activities carried on outside or inside the confines of the chapter house; wearing of apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts or buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; exclusion from social contact; forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance which are not consistent with fraternal law, ritual or policy or the regulations and policies of the institution. Any activity upon which admission or initiation into or affiliation with or continued membership in an organization is directly or indirectly conditioned shall be presumed to be forced activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such activity notwithstanding.

 

Section 2.        Any violations of this article will be taken to the Greek Advisor and the Interfraternity Judicial Board Chief Prosecutor.

 

 

Article XII

Depledging/Dissociating

 

Section 1.        When a man is depledged/dissociated or he depledges/dissociates from his chapter, he shall not be eligible to join any fraternity again that academic semester.

 

 

Article XIII

Colonization

 

Section 1.        Recognition as a Colony:

 

Paragraph 1.   Must be a National Fraternity.

 

Paragraph 2.   Must send a letter of interest to the Interfraternity Council, Northern Iowa Student Government, Greek Advisor, Office of Student Activities, and the Vice President of Student Services.

 

Paragraph 3.   At the request of the Interfraternity Council, provide information and/or give a presentation to the Interfraternity Council.

 

Section 2.        Guidelines for Colonies:

 

Paragraph 1.   The colony must maintain a 2.25 GPA.

 

Paragraph 2.   The Interfraternity Council dues will be ½ of those levied on recognized chapters.

 

Paragraph 3.   The colony must have one (1) primary representative present at each Interfraternity Council meeting, but are not entitled to vote.

 

Paragraph 4.   The colony is bound to abide by the policies and procedures of the Interfraternity Council.

 

Paragraph 5.   Violations of the terms of colonization or unsatisfactory progress towards chartering of the chapter can result in expulsion as outlined in the Constitution.

 

Section 3.        Full Recognition:

 

Paragraph 1.   After a National Charter has been received, the colony will receive full membership.

 

 

Article XIV

Bylaws

 

Section 1.        A proposed change in or addition to the Bylaws shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Committee prior to the next meeting of the Interfraternity Council.

 

Section 2.        Bylaws may be adopted, changed, or added to by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of all members of the Interfraternity Council.

 

Section 3.        All Bylaws, unless having gone through revision, shall remain as adopted for each successive term.

 

Section 4.        The President shall appoint a committee to update the Bylaws at the second meeting of the fall semester in which the Bylaws are to be updated.

 

 

 

Updated October 30, 2000, by Brian Pederson - IFC President

Updated January 27, 2003, by John Good - IFC President

Updated March 7, 2005 by Chase Cheviron - IFC President