THE
BOOK OF LAWS
SIGMA
PHI EPSILON FRATERNITY
LOUISIANA GAMMA CHAPTER
(April,
2011 Edition)
Table of Contents
Miscellaneous
Rules and Regulations
Section 1. The name of this organization is The Louisiana Gamma Chapter of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.
Section 2. It shall be affiliated with Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, a not-for-profit organization incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. As such, everything in this document shall be subject to the provisions of the Bylaws and Administrative Policies and Procedures of that organization.
Section 3. The purpose of this organization shall be to foster and promote the principles and values of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, namely virtue, diligence, and brotherly love, at Loyola University. Specifically, the organization shall seek to:
A. create and perpetuate friendship among brothers;
B. develop, strengthen, and maintain high moral character;
C. inculcate those high moral principles which are essential to the proper discharge of duties of members of society;
D. encourage among its members to work along scholastic, athletic, and social lines;
E. create and foster such sentiments and encourage the performance of such deeds as those which are conducive of peer and noble manhood, and;
F. impress among its members the true significance of a fraternal relationship.
Section 4. As an organization affiliated with Loyola University, this organization will support, in its actions and programs, the goals, purposes, and values of Loyola, as embodied by the Loyola Goals Statement and Character and Commitment Statement, and will abide by the university’s written policies and procedures.
Section 1. Membership in this organization shall be limited to men enrolled at Loyola University in New Orleans. The above restriction notwithstanding, this organization shall not exclude persons from membership solely on the basis of race, color, creed, sexual orientation, physical impairment, national or ethnic origin, or age.
Section 2. Membership in this organization shall be governed by the provisions of the current edition of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Bylaws and Administrative Policies and Procedures and all further sections shall be consistent with the same.
Section 3. Membership in this organization shall be by invitation only. To be considered for an invitation to regular membership a man must meet the following criteria:
A. He must be a man of good moral character;
B. He must not be a member of another general national college social fraternity;
C. He shall have attained a High School Grade Point Average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or he shall have attained a College Grade Point Average of 2.6 on a 4.0 scale;
D. He shall be enrolled for Six or more credit hours at Loyola University in New Orleans;
E. He shall meet all of the eligibility requirements set forth by the Loyola University Inter Fraternity Council;
F. He shall meet the eligibility requirements set forth in Sigma Phi Epsilon Ritual and Guide.
Section 4. Issuance of invitations to regular membership shall be governed by the following regulations:
A. All invitations shall be issued in accordance with the rules set forth by the Loyola University Inter Fraternity Council;
B. The issuance of an invitation to membership may be considered at any regular meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose and quorum at said meeting shall be not less than fifty percent of the current active roster;
C. It shall be the responsibility of the Vice President of Recruitment to propose men for membership and he shall chair any special meeting or portion of a regular meeting where the issuance of an invitation is to be considered;
D. Debate concerning the issuance of an invitation to any individual shall be limited to three speaking in favor of the issuance alternated with three opposed to the issuance after which a vote must be taken;
E. All votes shall be by an open show of hands unless a vote of two-thirds shall have authorized a secret ballot;
F. To issue an invitation a vote of two-thirds of those present and voting must be attained;
G. An invitation may be considered no more than three times in any meeting;
H. An invitation is considered issued upon:
i. A vote in favor of issuing the invitation during a third consideration, or
ii. At the adjournment of the meeting where the vote to issue the invitation was acted upon;
I. Once issued an invitation cannot be withdrawn but a person may be denied admission to membership using the procedure found in Article II Section 8;
J. The Vice President of Recruitment, while chairing a meeting, shall have the authority to remove any brother from that meeting for conduct unbecoming of a Sigma Phi Epsilon and a Gentleman.
Section 5. No candidate for membership shall be initiated unless he has completed the Brotherhood Development Program required by this organization and approved by Loyola University and the fraternity’s headquarters, and has met the initiation requirements enumerated in the Sigma Phi Epsilon Bylaws and Administrative Policies and Procedures including the payment of all dues and fees.
Section 6. In accordance with Article I, Section 4 of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Bylaws and Administrative Policies and Procedures all pre-initiation activities preformed by this chapter shall be of a constructive nature and all forms of hazing and those activities commonly associated with “Hell Week” are prohibited.
Section 7. No pledge of this chapter shall be allowed to use the “Coat of Arms.”
Section 8. To exclude a pledge from
initiation in Sigma Phi Epsilon, the chapter must:
A. Notify the pledge, through the chapter president, at least two (2) weeks before a vote of elimination is cast, that his membership is in question; except in an emergency, in which event a two-thirds vote of the active roster may suspend this provision;
B. Conduct a chapter vote where a quorum of two-thirds of the active roster is present and one-third of the active roster votes to eliminate the pledge;
C. In all cases, any votes on the pledge are done at a chapter meeting with only brothers present and no form of secret balloting.
Section 9. Membership in this organization with all privileges therein, shall be granted only upon payment of dues as shall be required by the Executive Board and which are payable each term on a date to be determined by the Executive Board but no later than 15 days after the start of the term.
Section 10. Once initiated, all members shall be required to pay dues as stated in Section 9 as long as they remain enrolled in six or more hours in consecutive terms of enrollment, summer terms excepted, unless or until one of the following situations apply:
A. The member is enrolled for less than six hours;
B. The member ceases to be enrolled for one or more semesters, summer terms excepted;
C. The member completes his undergraduate requirements and graduates;
D. The member is expelled or resigns;
E. The member is granted a special dispensation by the Board of Directors of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Association for Louisiana Gamma.
Section 11. Members participating in any semester abroad program recognized by Loyola University shall not be required to pay dues while participating in said program.
Section 12. Inactive membership, or any type of membership not specifically provided by the Sigma Phi Epsilon Bylaws and Administrative Policies and Procedures, shall not be permitted.
Section 13. A member whose account (room, board, parlor fees, or dues) is thirty days past due shall be suspended immediately.
Section 14. A member suspended for indebtedness shall automatically be reinstated when his indebtedness is paid in full together with an amount equal to the sum of the assessments charged to members in good standing during his suspension.
Section 15. A member whose account (room, board, parlor fees, or dues) is sixty (60) days past due shall be expelled unless a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Association for Louisiana Gamma allows an extension.
Section 16. Expulsion for indebtedness shall become effective ten days after written notice of the action has been given or mailed to the member.
Section 17. A member expelled for indebtedness may be reinstated provided his petition for reinstatement is unanimously approved by the active roster and the Board of Directors of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Association for Louisiana Gamma, and provided his petition is accompanied by a reinstatement fee of fifty dollars, payable to the National Fraternity, in addition to the amount of his indebtedness, none of which shall be refunded if the petition is denied.
Section 18. When a member is expelled or reinstated, notification in writing shall be given the national fraternity and Board of Directors of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Association for Louisiana Gamma within seven days of said action.
Section 19. This organization may offer honorary membership in the fraternity through the Renaissance of Brotherhood program. Renaissance membership may be offered to any man:
A. Who is over 25 years of age, or deceased;
B. Who has received an undergraduate degree or currently is not enrolled as an undergraduate student at a college or university;
C. Who is not a member of another national fraternity;
D. Who expresses the values and ideals consistent with the cardinal principles of Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly Love.
Section 20. All fees associated with the initiation of a Renaissance Brother shall be paid from the general fund of the chapter.
Section 21. Membership in this organization shall be subject to the continued academic success of the individual member. To this end, beginning in the fall of 2011 the chapter minimum required Grade Point Average shall be 2.7 on a 4.0 scale; beginning in the spring of 2012 the chapter minimum required Grade Point Average shall be 2.8 on a 4.0 scale; beginning in the fall of 2012 the chapter minimum required Grade Point Average shall be 2.9 on a 4.0 scale; and beginning in the spring of 2013 the chapter minimum required Grade Point Average shall be 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Any member whose Current Grade Point Average for any term shall fall below the chapter minimum shall be informed in writing by the Chapter Counselor that their membership is in danger. If a member’s G. P. A. should remain below the chapter minimum for two consecutive terms, that man shall be Socially Suspended, as defined in Article V, for the current term. A member who posts a G. P. A. below the chapter minimum for three consecutive terms shall be expelled.
Section 22. A member expelled for Academics may be reinstated after posting a G. P. A. above the chapter minimum for two consecutive terms provided his petition for reinstatement is unanimously approved by the active roster and the Board of Directors of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Association for Louisiana Gamma, and provided his petition is accompanied by a reinstatement fee of fifty dollars, payable to the National Fraternity.
Section 23. A man initiated to full membership by any other chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon shall be entitled to affiliate with this chapter provided he meets the eligibility and invitation requirements set forth in Sections three and four of this Article.
Section 24. No member of the Fraternity shall belong to any society or organization which is inconsistent with the principles and objectives of the Fraternity.
Section 1. The executive officers of this organization, in the order of succession, shall be a president, a vice president of programming, a vice president of finance, a vice president of member development, a vice president of recruitment and a vice president of communications. Additionally the chaplain shall be a member of the executive committee. Each of the officers shall have such powers and perform such duties as prescribed in the Sigma Phi Epsilon Bylaws and Administrative Policies and Procedures, or The Ritual and Guide of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, or as may be directed by the Grand Chapter.
Section 2. The duties of the executive officers shall be as follows:
A. The president shall preside at all meetings of his chapter, all extra sessions, appoint committees, decide in case of tie votes, impose all fines, fill vacancies arising from temporary absence of officers, and sign all papers requiring authentication. He shall have authority to suspend from a chapter meeting any member for conduct unworthy of a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. The president shall be chairman of a president's cabinet separate from the executive board. The secretary, press relations chairman, and IFC representative are members of this cabinet.
B. The vice president of programming shall be responsible for the chapter's functions, programs, and to keep the chapter calendar. He is chairman of the programs cabinet which may include the events chairman, the philanthropy chairman, and the intramural director. He is responsible for the minutes of the executive committee, and he shall assume all duties in the absence of or the disability of the president. He is also the ritualistic vice president.
C. The vice president of finance shall collect all dues and other charges due from the members of the undergraduate chapter and shall transmit these monies and the record thereof to the Vice President of Finance of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Association for Louisiana Gamma. The vice president of finance shall make disbursements subject to the order of the chapter president and/or approval the alumni board. The vice president of finance shall prepare, with the assistance the chapter counselor, president and other executive officers, an annual budget of the chapter that shall be submitted for approval by the Board of Directors of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Association for Louisiana Gamma and, once approved, he shall transmit a copy to the chapter, the district governor, and national fraternity. The vice president of finance shall prepare and submit the monthly financial reports required by Section E, Paragraph 20, Sigma Phi Epsilon Bylaws and Administrative Policies and Procedures. The vice president of finance shall be responsible for the prompt collection and transmittal to Headquarters of all moneys due the Fraternity pursuant to Section C of Sigma Phi Epsilon Bylaws and Administrative Policies and Procedures. Within one month after the conclusion of his term of office, the vice president of finance shall turn over for audit to a qualified person appointed by the Board of Directors of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Association for Louisiana Gamma, in accordance with Section E, Paragraph 21, of Sigma Phi Epsilon Bylaws and Administrative Policies and Procedures, all records pertaining to the financial operations of the undergraduate chapter.
D. The vice president of member development shall be chairman of the development cabinet which may include the academic chairman, chapter evaluation chairman, and speaker director. The vice president of member development is responsible to plan, schedule, and lead the pledge education program, chapter retreats and member enrichment programs. He shall act to uphold, develop, and strengthen the character of the members and to preserve the ideals and principles upon which the Fraternity was founded. He shall also serve as the Ritual Guide.
E.
The vice president of
recruitment shall be responsible for recruiting new members into the chapter as
well as alumni volunteers. He is chairman of the recruitment cabinet, which may
include the recruitment events chairman, and the Balanced Man Scholarship
chairman. They shall conduct the chapter's non-member recruitment and conduct
correspondence in regard thereto, establishing and maintaining programs to
recruit undergraduate members.
F.
The vice president of communications shall be chairman of the
communications cabinet, which may include the director of alumni operations and
relations, public relations director, historian, and technology chairman. He
shall act to strengthen relationships with alumni and communicate the positive
actions of the chapter to the campus community and Headquarters while
preserving the history of the chapter. The vice president of communications
shall maintain the membership records of the chapter in a form prescribed by
the National Board of Directors, and he shall keep record of the history of the
chapter. He shall call the roll and keep the minutes of each meeting. He shall
have charge of the seal, books, papers, and records of the chapter, except
those in the charge of other officers. He shall conduct all correspondence and
bring all legislation before the chapter.
He is also responsible for the minutes of the executive committee
meeting.
Section 3. The Ritual officers of this organization shall be the chaplain, the senior marshal, the junior marshal, and the guard.
Section 4. The Ritual officers shall perform all the duties prescribed in The Ritual and Guide of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. The other duties of the Ritual officers shall be as follows:
A. The chaplain shall be responsible to plan the proper use and practice of the Ritual. He shall chair the standards commission as described in Article V of this document and shall work to enforce Grand Chapter and local chapter bylaws and resolve brother disputes;
B. The marshals shall be responsible for inspecting the Ritual equipment, ensuring the equipment is kept in good condition. They shall set-up the equipment for Ritual meetings and see that it is appropriately stored and secured after the meeting concludes. They shall review risk management for upcoming events.
C. The guard shall ensure all ritual meetings are secure and that those not entitled to attend are not admitted.
Section 5. The primary management of the affairs of this organization shall be, and rest in, the executive board or committee. The executive board shall be composed the executive officers, the chaplain, and the chapter counselor who shall have all the privileges afforded other members of the executive board except he shall not vote.
Section 6. The executive officers and the Ritual officers shall be elected from those qualified in the following manner:
A. Two meetings prior to elections the president shall open nominations for executive officers beginning with the office of president and proceeding in the order of succession. He shall then open nominations for ritual officers beginning with the chaplain followed by the senior marshal, junior marshal, and guard. This process shall be repeated at the meeting immediately preceding the one at which elections shall take place;
B. To be nominated for any office a member’s name must be presented by no less than two members not including himself;
C. Any person nominated for any office must be present to accept the nomination;
D. A person may be elected to only one office but he may be nominated for any number of offices. Once elected, he shall be removed from the ballots for any other office for which he has been nominated;
E. On the date of elections, the vice president of communication shall prepare secret ballots for each office listing the qualified candidates;
F. Voting shall be by secret ballot which shall be counted by the vice president of communication and the Chapter Counselor;
G. For each office the person receiving the greatest number of votes shall be deemed elected to that office;
H. If there should be a tie for any office, the office shall be re-balloted with only those tied eligible for the office;
I. Each office shall be balloted separately and in the same order as nominations were taken;
J. As each new officer is elected his name shall be announced and eliminated from the ballots for succeeding offices.
Section 7. Regular elections shall take place at the third scheduled meeting following the spring ritual initiation.
Section 8. To be eligible for the office of president, a member must meet the following qualifications:
A. He must be a member in good standing of this chapter;
B. He must have been initiated at least a full semester at the time of his election;
C. He must have a higher education index of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale;
D. He must have attended at least one Grand Chapter Leadership Event;
Section 9. To be eligible for the office of vice president of programing, vice president of development, or vice president of finance, a member must meet the following qualifications:
A. He must be a member in good standing of this chapter;
B. He must have been initiated at least a full semester at the time of his election;
C. He must have a higher education index of at least 2.7 on a 4.0 scale;
D. He must have attended at least one Grand Chapter Leadership Event;
Section 10. To be eligible for the office of vice president of recruitment, or vice president of communication a member must meet the following qualifications:
A. He must be a member in good standing of this chapter;
B. He must have a higher education index of at least 2.7 on a 4.0 scale;
C. He must have attended at least one Grand Chapter Leadership Event;
Section 11. To be eligible for the office of chaplain, a member must meet the following qualifications:
A. He must be a member in good standing of this chapter;
B. He must have a higher education index of at least 2.7 on a 4.0 scale;
C. He must have attended at least one Grand Chapter Leadership Event;
Section 12. To be eligible for any other elected or appointed office, a member must meet the following qualifications:
A. He must be a member in good standing of this chapter;
B. He must have a higher education index of at least 2.6 on a 4.0 scale;
Section 13. The Chapter Counselor shall certify that each candidate has met the requirements to qualify for their respective office both prior to their election and prior to their installation.
Section 14. All officers shall assume their respective positions in the manner prescribed by The Ritual and Guide of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at the fourth meeting following elections or at the final meeting of the spring term whichever comes first.
Section 15. The chapter shall have the power, by majority vote, to declare void the election of an officer who, without satisfactory cause, fails to present himself for installation.
Section 16. The chapter shall have the power, by a vote of two-thirds of the active roster to declare vacant any office of the chapter. Further, the alumni board shall have the right to declare vacant the office of vice president of finance for non-performance of his stated duties and obligations.
Section 17. Should the president be unable or unwilling to execute the duties of his office, the vice president of programming shall assume the duties of the president and appoint his successor in accordance with Section 18. If the vice president of programming is unwilling or unable to assume the duties of president, the office shall fall to the vice president of finance, then vice president of member development, then vice president of recruitment, then the vice president of communication. If none of the vice presidents are willing or able to assume the role of the president the entire election shall be ruled void and the chapter will convene and conduct special elections for all offices under the supervision of the Chapter Counselor.
Section 18. If any officer other than the president shall become unable or unwilling to execute the duties of his office the president, with the advise and consent of the executive board, shall appoint his successor who, after being duly qualified and installed, shall serve the remainder of the term.
Section 19. At the expiration of his term of office, each officer shall deliver all chapter books, papers, moneys or other articles to his successor. Each officer shall render all information to enable his successor to assume full charge of the duties of his office.
Section 20. This organization shall hold a regular meeting each week during the regular fall or spring term excluding mid-term and final exams. Upon a two-thirds vote the chapter may omit a regular meeting, but shall not omit more than two regular meetings in succession.
Section 21. Unless otherwise required by these bylaws, a majority of the undergraduate members of this chapter shall constitute a quorum to transact all business; provided, however, that a meeting and adjournment of less than a quorum, if legally and properly held, shall be sufficient for the purpose of imposing fines on absent members.
Section 22. Regular meetings shall be conducted in the manner and form prescribed in The Ritual and Guide of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, and shall be attended only by members in good standing. Formal ritual meetings shall be held on the following occasions:
A. The first regular meeting of the each semester;
B. The first regular meeting of each month;
C. Initiations;
D. The first regular meeting following initiation;
E. The last regular meeting of each semester;
F. The installation of officers;
G. At the option of the chapter president;
H. At the request of a representative of the Grand Chapter.
Section 23. Special meetings may be called by the president or by a two-thirds vote of the chapter.
Section 24. The president shall give reasonable notice of a special meeting, stating the business to be transacted, and no other business shall be transacted at such special meeting except by a two-thirds vote.
Section 25. The president shall have the authority to remove from any meeting any member for conduct unworthy of a Sigma Phi Epsilon or unbecoming to a gentleman.
Section 26. Members shall be required to be properly attired as gentlemen at all meetings. The president shall have the authority to remove from any meeting any member whose attire he deems inappropriate to the meeting.
Section 27. All questions of procedure not specifically addressed in this document, The Ritual and Guide of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, or the Sigma Phi Epsilon Bylaws and Administrative Policies and Procedures shall be decided using the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order.
Section 28. The order of business at all regular meetings shall be as found in The Ritual and Guide of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.
Section 29. Attendance at regular meetings shall be required of all members and any member who is absent from a meeting shall present his excuse in writing via letter or email to the executive committee no later than the first meeting of said committee following the absence. Excuses shall be limited to illness, work, classes, or family disaster. Un-excused absence shall subject the offending member to disciplinary action as found in Article V of this document.
Section 1. The assets, real property, and all monies of this organization shall be controlled by The Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Association of Louisiana Gamma, a not-for-profit corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Louisiana.
Section 2. All forms of revenue and all disbursements shall be subject to the approval of the Vice President of Finance of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Association of Louisiana Gamma.
Section 3. Policies concerning the proper use and occupation of any real property and improvements thereon shall be established by the Board of Directors of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Association of Louisiana Gamma.
Section 4. Each member of this organization shall be subject to the rent, dues, and assessments that shall be adopted by the executive board with the approval of the Board of Directors of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Association of Louisiana Gamma. Payment of these rent, dues, and assessments shall be governed by Article II, Sections 9, 10, and 13 - 18.
Section 5. Each December the president shall appoint a representative to sit on the Board of Directors of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Association of Louisiana Gamma subject to the provisions of Article V Section 1 of the Bylaws of that organization.
Section 6. To be eligible to sit as the representative to the Board of Directors of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Association of Louisiana Gamma, a member must meet the following qualifications:
A. He must be a member in good standing of this chapter;
B. He must have been initiated at least a full semester at the time of his appointment;
C. He must have a higher education index of at least 2.6 on a 4.0 scale;
D. He must have attended at least one Grand Chapter Leadership Event;
E. He must be able to serve for one full calendar year (January 1 through December 31).
Section 7. If he meets the eligibility requirements in Section 6 of this article, the president may appoint himself as the representative to the Board of Directors of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Association of Louisiana Gamma.
Section 8. The vice president of finance shall prepare, with the assistance the chapter counselor, president and other executive officers, an annual budget of the chapter that shall be subject to the policies of and approval by the Board of Directors of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Association of Louisiana Gamma. The budget shall be prepared and submitted according to the time table established by the Board of Directors of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Association of Louisiana Gamma in their Manual of Policies and Procedures.
Section 1. Upon pledging this organization each member shall sign an agreement outlining his financial and other obligations to the fraternity, chapter, and Alumni Association and said member shall be bound throughout his pledge period. Upon initiation, each brother shall sign a general membership agreement that outlines his financial and other obligations to the fraternity, chapter, and Alumni Association at the beginning of each academic year. Both the pledge financial and general membership agreement shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Association of Louisiana Gamma.
Section 2. Each member of this organization is subject to the disciplinary provisions of this document. The following violations subject a member to trial and punishment:
A. Offenses against statutory law, crimes, felonies, and misdemeanors;
B. Offenses against common law not made crimes by any statute;
C. Offenses against moral law not punishable as crimes;
D. Offenses against the Charter, Bylaws or Administrative Policies and Procedures of the Fraternity;
E. Offenses against the Bylaws of this chapter;
F. Offenses involving a violation of the oath of obligation;
G. Offenses involving a violation of any of the tenets of the pledge financial agreement or the general membership agreement;
H. Misrepresentation of eligibility for initiation of himself or another member;
I. Causing to be written, printed, of revealing in any manner whatsoever, any of the secret work of the Fraternity;
J. Being knowledgeable of a member’s violation of any of the preceding and not reporting such.
Section 3. All matters of discipline shall be decided by the Standards Commission, the composition of which shall be described in Article V, Section 4 of this document or by the Chapter Counselor upon unanimous consent of the executive board and the accused.
Section 4. The Standards Commission shall be composed and its members chosen in the following manner:
A. The president shall appoint two members of each pledge class during his tenure to serve on the Standards Commission upon the initiation of that class;
B. The appointment to the Standards Commission is permanent and shall remain valid as long as the member appointed continues as a member in good standing of this organization;
C. Once appointed, no member may be removed from the Standards Commission except as follows:
i. He is elected to the office of president or chaplain;
ii. Upon conviction of a complaint properly brought before the commission.
D. Each pledge class shall be entitled to representation on the standards commission as long as a member of that pledge class remains a member in good standing of this organization except that a class shall not be represented if its only member(s) have been disqualified or removed from the Standards Commission for any of the reasons cited in Article V Section 4C;
E. If the seat of a pledge class entitled to representation should become vacant the current president shall appoint a replacement from the remaining qualified members of that class;
F. At no time shall the total membership of the Standards Commission be less than five. If the number of pledge classes entitled to representation should fall below five, the president shall have the authority to appoint any qualified member(s) to an at-large seat and that appointment shall be valid until the election and/or installation of a new president;
Section 5. The chaplain shall call and chair all meetings of the standards commission. He shall have the authority to compel testimony from any member of this organization and shall rule on the admissibility of evidence and testimony presented to the Standards Commission including testimony offered by non-members. He shall collect and have custody of all evidence presented at any hearing and shall be responsible for the preparation of any written reports required by the chapter, Alumni Association, and/or Fraternity Headquarters. He shall be present during any deliberations by the Standards Commission but shall vote only in the case of a tie.
Section 6. The president shall act as prosecutor and present all charges, evidence, and witnesses to the Standards Commission on behalf of the chapter. He shall not be present during deliberations and he shall be responsible for seeing the decisions of the Standards Commission are carried out.
Section 7. The president at his discretion may appoint a member of this organization to assist him in the execution of his duties under this Article but he shall not be permitted to be present during deliberations.
Section 8. The chaplain at his discretion may request that a fraternity alumnus be present during a trial to offer advice on procedural issues but said alumnus shall not be allowed to question witnesses nor be present during deliberations.
Section 9. Any member of this organization, accused of any offense must be proceeded against by written charges called a complaint, and all members who are so accused shall have notice thereof, and each is entitled to a speedy and impartial trial.
Section 10. A trial is defined to be a judicial examination by Standards Commission of the issues arising out of the complaint of offenses. A complainant shall be defined as the person who shall have made a complaint. A respondent shall be defined as the member or members about whom a complaint shall have been made.
Section
11. The respondent at his discretion may appoint any
Sigma Phi Epsilon to assist and advise him during any trial conducted under the
provisions of this Article but neither the respondent nor his advisor shall be
permitted to be present during deliberations.
Section 12. Any Sigma Phi Epsilon in good standing may make a complaint against any member of this organization for one or more violations listed in Section 2 of this Article. The complaint must be in writing and must be submitted to either the president or the chaplain who together will begin the disciplinary proceedings.
Section 13. Once a complaint is made, the disciplinary proceedings shall go forward as follows:
A. The chaplain shall call a meeting of the standards commission where the president shall read and explain the charges.
B. The standards commission shall debate the credibility of the charges and if found credible the disciplinary process will continue. If the charges are not found credible, the president and the chaplain shall prepare a written response for the complainant. The complaint, written response, and minutes of the standards commission meeting shall be retained as the record of the disciplinary proceeding.
C. Once the complaint has been deemed credible, the president and the chaplain shall advise the respondent in writing of the specific charges and of his rights and responsibilities under the disciplinary procedures, including the date and time of the trial before the standards commission.
D. The standards commission shall establish a time and place for the trial to commence and all parties involved shall be advised of the time and place of the meeting.
E. Only the following persons shall be allowed in the room during the trial:
i. The Chaplain and his advisor;
ii. The President and his advisor;
iii. The respondent and his advisor;
iv. The members of the Standards Commission;
v. Witnesses called by either side shall be allowed in the room only while they offer testimony.
F. Both the president and the respondent shall provide the Chaplain with a list of witnesses to be called.
G. While witnesses need not be restricted to members of this organization, only members may be compelled to testify.
H. The trial shall begin with the president presenting the charges and calling his witnesses the first of whom shall be the complainant.
I. The chaplain shall be responsible for maintaining order during the trial at all times.
J. After the President has called all of his witnesses and offered his evidence, the respondent shall have the opportunity to call witnesses and offer evidence.
K. Witnesses shall be questioned first by the person by whom they are called, then by the opposing person, then by the members of the Standards Commission, and finally by the Chaplain.
L. Once all testimony and evidence has been offered, the Standards Commission shall meet privately to determine culpability and, if found culpable, the sanction to be imposed.
M. During deliberations, only the Chaplain and the Standards Commission shall be permitted in the room.
N. Culpability and sanction shall be decided by a majority vote of the Standards Commission with the Chaplain casting the deciding vote in the event of a tie.
O. Once a decision on culpability and, if necessary, sanctions has been reached, the President and the Respondent shall be returned to the trial room where the Chaplain shall announce the decision.
P. The chaplain shall provide the respondent with a written copy of the decision, together with information on the right of appeal if necessary, within three days of the trial.
Q. The complaint, written copy of the decision, minutes of the standards commission meeting, and minutes of the trial shall be retained as the record of the disciplinary proceeding. A copy of the record shall be transmitted to the Board of Directors of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Association of Louisiana Gamma and the fraternity headquarters.
Section 14. The chaplain shall have the authority to require any member of the organization to present himself during any trial and to offer testimony. Any member who, given prior notice, does not present himself as requested shall be subject to a fine of not more than $50 at the discretion of the chaplain.
Section 15. The sanctions which may be imposed by the Standards Commission for violations of membership obligations are:
A. Reprimand or censure in open chapter meeting;
B. Imposition of a fine of no more than one hundred (100) dollars;
C. Imposition of a specific educational or philanthropic task;
D. Denial of specific privileges;
E. Social Suspension for a definite time;
F. Suspension for a definite time;
G. Expulsion from the Fraternity.
Section 16. Social Suspension is defined to be the denial, for a definite period, the privileges associated with attendance at social functions held by or for the chapter including participation in the chapter’s intra mural program.
Section 17. Suspension is defined to be the denial, for a definite period, of the privileges and benefits of membership, including wearing or displaying the Fraternity insignia, attending undergraduate chapter functions and meetings, use of chapter facilities and otherwise identifying himself as a member of the Fraternity.
Section 18. Expulsion is defined to be the permanent denial of all privileges and benefits of membership, including wearing or displaying the Fraternity insignia, attending undergraduate chapter functions and meetings, use of chapter facilities and otherwise identifying himself as a member of the Fraternity.
Section 19. Upon unanimous consent of the executive board and the respondent, the Chapter Counselor may assume unilateral jurisdiction over any complaint and may then impose any sanction he feels is warranted except that the sanction of expulsion can only be imposed by the Standards Commission.
Section 20. Any decision of the Standards Commission may be appealed first to the Board of Directors of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Association of Louisiana Gamma and then to the Board of Directors of the Grand Chapter. The only exception to this line of appeal shall be that a sanction of expulsion shall automatically be appealed before the entire membership of this organization where a two-thirds vote shall overturn that sanction. Should the sanction be overturned on appeal, the Standards Commission shall reconvene to decide upon a new, lesser sanction.
Section 21. At any meeting of the Standards Commission, a majority of its members, or five members, whichever is greater, shall constitute a quorum necessary to conduct business.
Section 22. The president or the executive board shall have the authority to unilaterally impose fines upon any member whose absence from any regular or special meeting or event is un-excused as found in Article III, Section 29 of this document. These fines shall adhere to the following schedule:
A. Absence from regular meeting $10
B. Absence from Ritual meeting $25
C. Absence from Initiation $50
D. Absence from philanthropy $25
E. Absence from Rush Event $50
Section 23. All funds raised through fines for absence from meetings shall be used to reward members with perfect attendance at all functions each semester. Rewards will be announced and distributed at the final meeting each semester.
Section 24. The House Manager shall have the authority to impose fines for infractions against the chapter house rules as authorized in Article VIII, Section 4 of the by-laws of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Association of Louisiana Gamma.
Section 25. All fines must be posted within three days of any infraction warranting a fine and must be paid in full within ten days. Fines not paid within ten days will be doubled and the member suspended until the fine is paid.
Section 26. Fines imposed upon members may be appealed only to the Board of Directors of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Association of Louisiana Gamma whose decision will be final. If upon appeal the fine is overturned, it shall be refunded in full within three days.
Section 27. Failure to pay dues for regular membership by the date established by the executive board shall subject a member to a fine of $100.
Section 28. Any member caught with or using marijuana or other drugs in the chapter house shall be immediately expelled and evicted.
Section 1. This document and any part thereof may be amended by a majority vote of the members present and voting at any regular chapter meeting, provided the said amendment shall have been read aloud at the two regular meetings immediately prior to the meeting at which a vote is taken.
Section 2. Amendments will become effective at the close of the meeting upon which they are acted upon and permanent when approved by the Board of Directors of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Association of Louisiana Gamma.
Section 3. This document and the rules and regulations contained therein shall become effective when adopted by a Three-Fourths vote of the members present at the meeting at which they are acted upon.
Section 1. The executive board shall have the authority to enact a method to insure the full occupation of the chapter house and to regulate the apportionment of space to members if necessary.
Section 2. The use of incense, other than that associated with the fraternity ritual, shall not be permitted in the chapter house.
Section 3. The official jersey of this chapter shall be of royal blue with white trim. On the front shall be the letters Σ, Φ, and Ε in red with a white outline. The member’s fraternity name shall be across the shoulders on the back in white above the member’s official number, also in white. The left sleeve shall bare, in white, the pledge class of the member. The right sleeve shall remain unadorned except as shall be provided for elsewhere in this document.
Section 4. Pledges of this chapter shall be allowed to wear a jersey of purple with red trim with the letters Σ, Φ, and Ε in red.
Section 5. The Founding members of this chapter, as listed on the official charter, shall have a “Γ” in white on the right sleeve of their official jersey.
Section 6. The members of the 1985 pledge class (initiated February, 1986) shall have the letters “C L” in black on the right sleeve of their official jersey.
Section 7. The member of each pledge class designated “Captain Six Pack” shall have the letters “ CPT 6" in white on the right sleeve.
Section 8. Those persons awarded the designation “Friend of the Heart” shall be given a jersey of crimson with “SigEp” is script of navy blue outlined in white on the front and the letters “F O T H” across the shoulders on the back in white.
Section 9. The William D. Davenport Award for Outstanding Alumnus shall be presented to a fraternity alumnus each year at the annual meeting of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Association of Louisiana Gamma. The award shall be given by a majority vote of the members present and voting at a regular meeting held at least one week before the aforesaid annual meeting.
Section 10. The Manuel R. Cunard Award for Outstanding Pledge shall be presented to a member of each pledge class following the initiation of that class. The award shall be given by a majority vote of the members present and voting at a regular or special meeting held before the aforesaid initiation.
Section 11. The Craig Lemoine Award shall be presented by each pledge class to the undergraduate brother who, in the opinion of the pledge class, best displays the cardinal principles of this organization. The award shall be given by a majority vote of the pledges present and voting at a meeting held before initiation.
Section 12. The pledge class shall present the Virtue Award to the undergraduate brother who, in the opinion of the pledge class, best displays the cardinal principle of this organization. The award shall be given by a majority vote of the pledges present and voting at a meeting held before initiation.
Section 13. The pledge class shall present the Diligence Award to the undergraduate brother who, in the opinion of the pledge class, best displays the cardinal principle of this organization. The award shall be given by a majority vote of the pledges present and voting at a meeting held before initiation.
Section 14. The pledge class shall present the Brotherly Love Award to the undergraduate brother who, in the opinion of the pledge class, best displays the cardinal principle of this organization. The award shall be given by a majority vote of the pledges present and voting at a meeting held before initiation.
Section 15. The chapter may give the Friend of the Heart Award to any person who has given of their time and talent for the betterment of this organization. The award shall be given by a majority vote of the members present and voting at any regular meeting.