Greek Community Standards

Fraternities and sororities at Saint Louis University are values-based organizations. Therefore, members are held to a high level of accountability and ethical responsibility. Fraternity and sorority members are expected to act as responsible members of the SLU and St. Louis communities, both on and off campus.

Expectations of SLU’s fraternities and sororities are outlined in the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council constitutions and bylaws, and the University's Student Handbook. Chapters may be held accountable for any actions committed by members, as these actions may reflect on the chapter as a whole and also may reflect on the SLU community.

Chapter Conduct Status

Saint Louis University keeps a record of the chapters that have been placed on a formal disciplinary status as a result of violating University rules and regulations or accepting responsibility for organizational misconduct. Chapters that are on probation, suspension and/or substance restriction status are outlined below.

For the purposes of a holistic and educational approach to disciplinary sanctioning, the University may combine any and all of the following disciplinary statuses (aside from termination), as well as change them at any time.

Substance Restriction Status

Substance restriction allows a chapter to have only alcohol-free events (including service, philanthropy, siblinghood, member education, social, etc.) through the date specified. All events must be approved through the Student Involvement Center no later than two weeks prior to the date of the event. Any events in which alcohol is not necessarily provided, but may be present, are also prohibited.

The Student Involvement Center reserves the right to deny any event that in some way may not be in accordance with substance restriction status. The chapter is encouraged to have as many alcohol-free events as it would like; this is in no way meant to limit social experience.

Probation Status

Disciplinary probation is a serious restriction on a fraternity or sorority's good standing with the University. Disciplinary probation can last anywhere from one semester to two years. Any subsequent violations during the probationary period will be viewed as both a violation of University regulations and a violation of the probation, and may result in additional and more severe sanctions. An organization on disciplinary probation will be required to fulfill specific conditions and/or refrain from certain actions or activities. At the end of the disciplinary probation period, should the chapter satisfy all requirements, lost privileges will be restored.

While on disciplinary probation, the chapter forfeits its right to vote in its respective governing council on any business but is still expected to attend. Further, any member of the chapter will be unable to hold any leadership role/position within the FSL community, whether elected or appointed, including, but not limited to, the Interfraternity Council, the Panhellenic Council, Order of Omega, and FSL Unity Week. No more than three disciplinary probation sanctions may be imposed on a fraternity or sorority within a five-year period.

A fourth violation during this five-year period will automatically result in either a suspension or termination, though the fraternity or sorority may be suspended or terminated prior to this condition. The University may impose other stipulations on the fraternity or sorority during the disciplinary probation period.

Suspension Status

After the suspension period has concluded, the chapter may be placed on a form of probation, substance restriction, or both. Further, once the chapter is no longer suspended, it may be required to complete other various educational, disciplinary, or restorative actions. Suspension is defined as a separation from the University for a specified period of not less than one calendar year. Depending on the violation, it may be recommended that the organization be removed for one college generation (four years) to allow all current members to graduate prior to the organization returning to campus.

During a suspension, the organization may not participate in any University-related activities, including, but not limited to: chapter meetings, recruitment, new member education, initiation, social functions, and service and philanthropic activities. At the end of the suspension period, the organization may be recognized again only upon the recommendation of the Student Involvement Center. At the time the chapter is placed on suspension, members of the organization may not reside in De Mattias Hall, and the chapter may not use or reserve a chapter room there.

Additionally, any room reservations on campus scheduled by the organization will be canceled, and the organization will be restricted from functioning as a fraternity or sorority under the present name without the authorization of the Student Involvement Center.

Unrecognized Organizations

These organizations cannot recurit or initiate new members. In addition, these organizations have lost all fraternity and sorority life privileges including, but not limited to, participation in any governing council and use of University facilities, including housing privileges in De Mattias Hall and the chapter room.

We discourage students from joining a fraternity or sorority that the University does not recognize. Unrecognized fraternities do not fall under University policies, student organization policies or Fraternity and Sorority Life policies, and are not held to University or council standards to govern their behavior. They operate without the oversight, training and education provided by staff. For your own well-being, we discourage you from attending their events and from affiliating with these organizations.