Panhellenic Council Bylaws

 COLLEGE PANHELLENIC COUNCIL BYLAWS

OHIO UNIVERSITY

Article I. Name

The name of this organization shall be the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council.

Article II. Object

The object of the College Panhellenic Council shall be to:

  1. Conduct the business of the College Panhellenic during the academic year.
  2. Promote the growth of individual chapters and the sorority community.
  3. Organize and sponsor a women’s-only membership recruitment program.
  4. Encourage the highest possible academic, social and moral standards.
  5. Coordinate activities, establish orderly procedures and provide programming in addition to recruitment.
  6. Adjudicate all matters related to the NPC Unanimous Agreements, College Panhellenic bylaws and/or other governing documents, College Panhellenic membership recruitment rules, College Panhellenic code of ethics and College Panhellenic standing rules.
  7. Actively support the mission of its host institution.
  8. Promote good public relations.
  9. Give service to the community and campus.
  10. Promote friendship, harmony and unity among members, chapters, faculty, administrators and campus groups.
Article III. Membership

Section 1. Membership Classes

There shall be three classes of membership: regular, provisional and associate.

  1. Regular membership. The regular membership of the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council shall be composed of all installed chapters of NPC sororities at Ohio University. Regular members of the College Panhellenic Council shall pay dues as determined by the Panhellenic Council.
  2. Provisional membership. The provisional membership of the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council shall be composed of all newly established chapters of NPC sororities at Ohio University. Provisional members shall pay no dues and shall have voice but no vote on all matters. A provisional member shall automatically become a regular member upon being installed as a chapter of an NPC sorority.
  3. Associate membership. The associate membership of the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council shall be composed of women’s-only local sororities or inter/national or regional non-NPC member organizations. The membership eligibility requirements and the process for submitting an application and approval of the application shall be determined by the Panhellenic Council. Associate members shall pay dues as determined by the Panhellenic Council. An associate member shall have voice and one vote on all matters except extension-related matters. If the associate chapter does not participate in the primary recruitment process, the associate chapter shall not have a vote on recruitment rules and the establishment or the modification of total. An associate member may be expelled for cause by a majority vote of the Panhellenic Council. An associate member shall not be entitled to vote on the question of its expulsion.
    1. If such circumstance arises, criteria for associate membership of the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council will include:
  4. The organization must be part of a Nationally recognized organization.
  5. Must have a minimum of a 2 million dollar insurance policy.
  6. Must agree to follow all federal, state, and university policies for operation.

 

Section 2. Privileges and Responsibilities of Membership

Duty of compliance. All members, without regard to membership class, shall comply with all NPC Unanimous Agreements and policies and be subject to these Ohio University College Panhellenic Council bylaws, code of ethics and any additional rules this College Panhellenic Council may adopt, unless otherwise prescribed in these bylaws. Any rules adopted by this Association in conflict with the NPC Unanimous Agreements shall be void.

Section 3. Dues

  1. NPC College Panhellenic dues shall be paid yearly as invoiced by the NPC office.
  2. College Panhellenic Council membership dues shall be an assessment per member and new member.
  3. The amount of such dues for the next academic year shall be determined by the Panhellenic Council no later than March of that year.
  4. The dues of each College Panhellenic Council member sorority shall be payable on or before March 15th (Spring Semester)/ October 15th (Fall Semester).
  5. Invoices will be sent 30 days prior to the due date. If chapters are struggling to pay, they must contact the College Panhellenic Council to set up a payment plan.
  6. A $25 late fee will be charged for the first late business day, followed by a $10 charge per day late until the payment is made.

Section 4. Fees and Assessments

The Panhellenic Council shall have the authority to determine fees and assessments as may be considered necessary.

Article IV. Officers and Duties

Section 1. Officers

The officers of the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council shall be President, Executive Vice President, Vice President of Recruitment, Vice President of Finance and Administration, Vice President of Programming, Vice President of Philanthropy and Service, Vice President of New Member Services, Vice President of Public Relations, and Vice President of Development.

Section 2. Duties of Officers

A. The President shall:

  1. Preside at all meetings of the Panhellenic Executive Board and Panhellenic Council (General Body).
  2. Serve as an ex-officio member of all College Panhellenic Council committees, except the Judicial Board.
  3. Communicate regularly with the Panhellenic advisor.
  4. Be familiar with the NPC Manual of Information and all governing documents of this Association.
  5. Ensure all NPC College Panhellenic reports are completed on time.
  6. Communicate regularly with the NPC area advisor.
  7. Maintain current copies of the following: Ohio University College Panhellenic Council bylaws and standing rules, the College Panhellenic Council budget, contracts executed on behalf of the College Panhellenic Council, correspondence and materials received from the NPC area advisor, all NPC College Panhellenic reports and other pertinent materials.
  8. Provide support to all board members.
  9. Responsible for ensuring that the College Panhellenic Council completed applications for NPC Awards and AFLV Awards.
  10. Lead the Panhellenic community at Ohio University and preside as a guide and resource for all Panhellenic Chapter Presidents.
  11. Perform all other duties as applicable to the office as prescribed by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association.

B. The Executive Vice President shall:

  1. Perform the duties of the president in the elected/appointed president’s absence.
  2. Be familiar with the NPC Manual of Information and all governing documents of this Association.
  3. Oversee a College Panhellenic Judicial Board.
  4. Be responsible for holding the Panhellenic community accountable to values and standards.
  5. Provide relevant risk management programming for the Panhellenic Community.
  6. Responsible for ensuring all College Panhellenic Council Board members are knowledgeable of current policies and procedures as outlined by NPC, the College Panhellenic Council’s governing documents, and the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life.
  7. Assist the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life office in educating the Greek community on standards and expectations that promote values-based living at Ohio University.
  8. Responsible for the maintenance of governing documents.
  9. Perform all other duties as applicable to the office as prescribed by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association.

C. The Vice President of Recruitment shall:

  1. Oversee all Ohio University College Panhellenic recruitment events and activities.
  2. Oversee the implementation of primary recruitment during the fall semester, including recruitment registration.
  3. Collaborate with recruitment chairs of member organizations to create new ways of promoting recruitment.
  4. Submit any revisions to the College Panhellenic recruitment rules to the Panhellenic Council for approval.
  5. Communicate regularly with all recruitment chairs within the Panhellenic community to serve as a resource for Panhellenic recruitment.
  6. Work with the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life to educate the Panhellenic community on values-based recruitment.
  7. Host and organize monthly recruitment meetings with all recruitment chairs and advisors.
  8. Keep complete and accurate records of College Panhellenic recruitment information.
  9. Present a full report with the assistance of the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life, including recommendations, to the Panhellenic Council based on an analysis of the recruitment statistics, recruitment style assessment and recruitment evaluations from new members, potential new members who withdrew, each member organization and chapter advisors.
  10. Communicate with chapters to ensure all new members have signed and submitted MRABA forms to the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life.
  11. Perform all other duties as applicable to the office as prescribed by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association.

D. The Vice President of Finance and Administration shall:

  1. Responsible for all administrative duties of the College Panhellenic Council’s Executive Board and Council, including updating the College Panhellenic officer roster on FS Central.
  2. Responsible for sending out meeting minute templates to PC Executive Board and Council (General Body) delegates prior to all meetings.
  3. Record minutes of all meetings of the Ohio University Panhellenic Council and the Executive Board.
  4. Distribute copies of the meeting minutes to the PC Delegates, NPC area advisor, the Sorority and Fraternity Life professional staff, the PC advisor, and the Panhellenic community through email and uploading minutes to PC’s Bobcat Connect page.
  5. Ensure all Panhellenic Council (General Body) meetings use Robert’s Rules of Order to conduct meeting business.
  6. Maintain current financial records; give a financial report at each regular meeting of the Panhellenic Council and Executive Board and an annual report at the close of her term of office.
  7. Prepare the annual budget, and after its approval by the College Panhellenic Council (General Body), provide a copy of each Ohio University College Panhellenic Council member sorority.
  8. Receive all payments due to the Council, collect all dues and give receipts.
  9. Pay promptly the annual NPC dues and all bills of the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council.
  10. Be familiar with the NPC Manual of Information and all governing documents of this Association.
  11. Perform all other duties as applicable to the office as prescribed by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association.

E. The Vice President of Programming shall:

  1. Be responsible for all programming initiatives of the College Panhellenic Council.
  2. Determine goals for providing beneficial and engaging programs for the Panhellenic community at the beginning of their term.
  3. Collaborate with all Greek councils to plan Greek Week and Homecoming activities that will foster Greek relations and promote community relations.
  4. Collaborate with the Executive Vice President to plan risk management programs.
  5. Be responsible for planning at least one health and wellness event each semester.
  6. Be familiar with the NPC Manual of Information and all governing documents of this Association.
  7. Perform all other duties as applicable to the office as prescribed by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association.

F. The Vice President of Philanthropy and Service shall:

  1. Be responsible for all philanthropic and service initiatives of the College Panhellenic Council.
  2. Be responsible for planning and organizing the annual Sisterhood of the Traveling Dresses philanthropic service event for the Athens community.
  3. Be responsible for planning one service event each semester for the Panhellenic Community.
  4. Collaborate with all Greek councils to promote community philanthropy events and service opportunities.
  5. Be familiar with the NPC Manual of Information and all governing documents of this Association.
  6. Perform all other duties as applicable to the office as prescribed by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association.

G. The Vice President of New Member Services shall:

  1. Coordinate the Recruitment Counselor application, interview, and selection process.
  2. Be responsible for the training of Recruitment Counselors during Recruitment Preparation Week.
  3. Be responsible for training the College Panhellenic Council Executive Board during Recruitment Preparation Week.
  4. Oversee and determine the activities and schedules of the Recruitment Counselors during Primary Recruitment.
  5. Collaborate with the Vice President of Recruitment of the Executive Board to organize bid distribution on Bid Day.
  6. Assist New Member Educators In adhering to new member education expectations and guidelines as outlined by the College Panhellenic Council governing documents and Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life.
  7. Preside as a guide and resource to all Panhellenic New Member Educators.
  8. Be familiar with the NPC Manual of Information and all governing documents of this Association.
  9. Perform all other duties as applicable to the office as prescribed by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association.

H. The Vice President of Public Relations shall:

  1. Be responsible for promoting all College Panhellenic Council sponsored events and programs.
  2. Collaborate with Panhellenic chapters to promote content that showcases values and standards on social media platforms.
  3. Collaborate with the Vice President of Recruitment of the Executive Board to create all recruitment promotion materials.
  4. Design the Potential New Member booklet for Primary Recruitment.
  5. Oversee all apparel designs for the College Panhellenic Council Executive Board.
  6. Be responsible for actively upholding all College Panhellenic’s social media platforms and the Panhellenic website.
  7. Distribute promotional materials to all member chapters to provide cohesive marketing materials for Panhellenic events and programs.
  8. Collect images and quotes from member chapters to share on social media platforms.
  9. Be familiar with the NPC Manual of Information and all governing documents of this Association.
  10. Perform all other duties as applicable to the office as prescribed by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association.

I. The Vice President of Development shall:

  1. Be responsible for all academic and professional development initiates of the College Panhellenic Council.
  2. Communicate regularly with chapter scholarship chairs to promote academic excellence.
  3. Responsible for overseeing all diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives of the College Panhellenic Council.
  4. Create diversity and inclusion goals for the College Panhellenic Council.
  5. Communicate regularly with chapter diversity and inclusion chairs to promote inclusion.
  6. Be familiar with the NPC Manual of Information and all governing documents of this Association.
  7. Perform all other duties as applicable to the office as prescribed by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association.

Section 3. Eligibility

Eligibility to serve as an officer shall depend on the class of membership:

  1. Regular membership. Members from women’s-only sororities holding regular membership in the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council shall be eligible to serve as any officer.
  2. Provisional membership. Members from women’s-only sororities holding provisional membership in the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council shall not be eligible to serve as an officer.
  3. Associate membership. Members from women’s-only sororities holding associate membership in the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council shall not be eligible to serve as an officer.

Section 4. Selection of Officers

  1. All officers of the College Panhellenic Council shall be chosen in a slating plan by one representative of each National Panhellenic Conference sorority chapter at Ohio University.
  2. A candidate for an officer position must be an initiated member of a chapter and is a member in good standing (financial, conduct, and academic) with Ohio University’s College Panhellenic Council and their affiliated chapter.
  3. Executive Board officers must have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA at time of application and must maintain this GPA requirement throughout their term.
  4. After candidates apply for College Panhellenic Council Executive Board officer positions, the applications will be reviewed by the Nomination Committee. If chosen for an interview, a candidate will be interviewed by the Nomination Committee.
  5. The Nomination Committee will slate individuals for the Executive Board positions after the interviews are completed.
  6. The slate will be presented by the Panhellenic Advisor or the Nominating Committee chairman to Chapter Delegates who will have two weeks to deliberate on a vote and consult her respective chapter. The Chapter Delegates will then bring a vote back to the General Body meeting to be voted upon.
  7. The slate is required to pass with a two-thirds vote.
  8. If the slate is not passed, each interviewed candidate will be considered for and nominated into a specified position. All positions will be voted on, and the candidate will need a majority vote to assume the position. If the candidate does not receive a majority vote, the position will be left vacant and filled by the newly installed Executive Board.

Section 5. Office-holding Limitations

  1. No more than two member(s) from the same women’s-only sorority shall hold office during the same term.
  2. Prior to serving, the Panhellenic President shall have a minimum of either one-year experience serving on the College Panhellenic Executive Board, as a Panhellenic Delegate or as previous Chapter President. If no candidates apply with these qualifications, experience as a former recruitment guide or chapter executive board positions will be included. The Nomination Committee has the discretion of prioritization as they see fit.
  3. Prior to serving, the Vice President of Recruitment shall either have one year experience serving as Chapter President, Panhellenic Delegate, recruitment counselor (Rho Gamma), and/or Chapter Recruitment Chair. The Vice President of Recruitment must have participated in formal recruitment on the chapter side prior to serving in this position.
  4. Prior to serving, the Vice President of New Member Services shall either have one year experience serving as Chapter President, Panhellenic Delegate, Chapter Recruitment Chair, Chapter New Member Educator, or a recruitment counselor (Rho Gamma). The Vice President of New Member Services must have participated in formal recruitment on the chapter side prior to serving in this position.
  5. If no qualified candidates apply, the Nomination Committee has the discretion of prioritization as they see fit.
  6. No other officer positions require specific qualifications.

Section 6. Nomination procedure

A Nominating Committee of 10 members, one representative from each NPC chapter on Ohio University’s campus, shall be appointed by their respective NPC chapter. The members of the Nominating Committee shall elect their own chairman. The Nominating Committee shall consider the qualifications of all candidates for elected officers and shall nominate at least one name for each elected officer position. The Panhellenic advisor shall serve as a nonvoting ex-officio member of the Nominating Committee.

Section 7. Term

The officers shall serve for a term of one year or until their successors are selected and installed. The term of office will begin at the new installation date.

Section 8. Removal

  1. Each chapter must apply their membership standards to those holding positions on the Executive Board. The Chapter President must notify the College Panhellenic Council Advisor whenever a woman on the Executive Board does not fulfill chapter membership requirements.
  2. If an Executive Board member has failed to meet her membership requirements, she will be removed without a vote from the Executive Board.
  3. Any officer may be removed for cause after an initial formal conversation is held between the Panhellenic President, Panhellenic Advisor, and the officer in question. Cause may include, but is not limited to, failing to fulfill officer duties or breaking confidentiality.
    1. During the formal conversation, the Panhellenic President, Panhellenic Advisor, and the officer in question will serve to find a solution satisfactory to the involved parties and review the duties of their Executive position.
    2. A summary of the proceedings will be recorded and the officer in question will agree to a sanction that is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely.
    3. If the officer in question is unable to complete her sanctions and responsibilities by the agreed upon date, or the discussion reveals there is a breach in confidentiality, they are subject to removal of their position on the College Panhellenic Council.
  4. Removal is determined by a vote of two-thirds of the College Panhellenic Council Executive Board.
    1. The meeting shall be called upon by the Panhellenic President, and if the President is in question, the duty shall fall to the Executive Vice President.
    2. The officer being voted on for removal, after hearing the charges against them in the Executive meeting, may appeal the decision of the Executive Board.
    3. Appeals shall be approved by the Sorority and Fraternity Life Director before being presented to the Panhellenic Council.
    4. If the appeal is approved, a two-thirds (2/3) vote from the Chapter delegates shall uphold the removal of the Officer.

Section 9. Vacancies

Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner of selection as provided in Section 4 of this article. If a vacancy arises, the Executive Board will serve as the Nominating Committee.

 

Article V. The College Panhellenic Council

Section 1. Authority

The governing body of the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council shall be the Panhellenic Council. It shall be the duty of the Panhellenic Council to conduct all business related to the overall welfare of the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council including, but not limited to: annual review of the parameters as adopted in the recruitment rules for the evaluation and/or adjustment of total every regular academic term, annual determination of dues, approval of the annual budget, consideration of extension, setting a calendar of events, determining programming and establishing recruitment rules and recruitment style. The Panhellenic Council shall also have the authority to adopt rules governing the College Panhellenic Council that do not violate the sovereignty, rights and privileges of the member sororities.

Section 2. Composition and privileges

The Ohio University Panhellenic Council shall be composed of one delegate and one alternate delegate from each regular, provisional and associate women’s-only member organization at Ohio University as identified in Article III. The delegates shall be the voting members of the Panhellenic Council except as otherwise provided in Article III of these bylaws. The alternate delegate shall act and vote in the place of the delegate when the delegate is absent. If both delegate and alternate are absent, a designated member of the specific sorority may cast the vote, provided the credentials of this individual have been previously presented to the Ohio University’s College Panhellenic Council president.

Section 3. Selection of delegates and alternates

Delegates and alternates to the Panhellenic Council shall be selected by their respective women’s-only sorority chapters to serve for a term of one year commencing at the beginning of the Spring academic term.

Section 4. Delegate vacancies

When a delegate vacancy occurs, it shall be the responsibility of the sorority affected to select a replacement within two weeks and to notify the College Panhellenic Council Vice President of Finance and Administration of the name, address, email and telephone number of the new delegate. When a meeting occurs while a vacancy exists, the alternate delegate of the affected chapter shall fulfill the duties of the delegate in all cases.

Section 5. Duties and responsibilities

Panhellenic delegate duties and responsibilities:

  1. Must attend all Panhellenic Council meetings.
  2. Must support NPC Unanimous Agreements, policies and procedures.
  3. Must understand local College Panhellenic Council policies and procedures.
  4. Should know when to consult member sorority’s chief panhellenic officer for assistance and advice regarding College Panhellenic concerns.
  5. Should be prepared and knowledgeable about College Panhellenic concerns, the views of the member organization and chapter and how to voice concerns to the Panhellenic Council.
  6. Should present regular College Panhellenic Council General Body meeting minutes at affiliated chapter meetings.
  7. The delegates are required to report to the chapters and Panhellenic officers in a timely manner regarding proceedings of weekly meetings.

Section 6. Regular meetings

Regular meetings of the Panhellenic Council shall be held at a time and place established at the beginning of each academic term.

Section 7. Annual meeting

The annual meeting of the Panhellenic Council shall be held during the month of November. The purpose of the annual meeting shall be for the election of officers and any other business that may properly come before the delegates.

Section 8. Special meetings

Special meetings of the Panhellenic Council may be called by the College Panhellenic President when necessary and shall be called upon the electronic or written request of no fewer than one-fourth of the member women’s–only sororities of the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council. Electronic or written notice of each special meeting of the Panhellenic Council shall be sent to each member of the Panhellenic Council at least 24 hours prior to convening the meeting; however, such notice may be waived, and attendance at such meeting shall constitute waiver of said notice.

Section 9. Means of Communication

The Panhellenic Council may conduct business at any meeting (regular or special) through the use of any means of communication by which all delegates participating may simultaneously hear one another and participate in the proceedings during the meeting.

Section 10. Quorum

Two-thirds of the delegates from the member sororities of the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Section 11. Vote Requirements

  1. All other votes, unless specified in these bylaws, shall require a majority vote for adoption.
  2. A two-thirds vote of the Panhellenic Council shall be required to approve a re-establishment plan and for all extension-related votes.
  3. Proposed motions on issues that impact a chapter as a whole must be announced at a previous meeting to allow opportunity for chapter input before a vote may be taken on the issue. Additions or clarifications can be presented via email if a General Body Meeting is not occurring the week that a vote must be presented.
  4. The voting members of the Panhellenic Council shall be the Chapter Delegates of each sorority holding Regular Membership. If a delegate is absent, the vote of her sorority shall be cast by an alternate delegate. If both the delegate and alternate are absent, the vote may be cast by a member of the sorority.
Article VI. The Panhellenic Executive Board

 

Section 1. Composition

The composition of the Executive Board shall be the President, Executive Vice President, Vice President of Recruitment, Vice President of Programming, Vice President of Public Relations, Vice President of Finance and Administration, Vice President of Development, Vice President of New Member Services, and Vice President of Philanthropy and Service. 

 

Section 2. Duties

The Executive Board shall administer routine business between meetings of the Panhellenic Council and such other business as has been approved for action by Panhellenic Council vote. At the next regular meeting of the Panhellenic Council through the VP of Finance and Administration, the Executive Board shall also report all action it has taken and record the action in the minutes of that meeting. Each Executive Board officer must hold regular office hours each week for at least two hours. 

 

Section 3. Regular Meetings

Regular meetings of the Executive Board shall be held at a time and place established at the beginning of each academic term.

 

Section 4. Special Meetings

Special meetings of the Executive Board may be called by the president when necessary and shall be called upon the electronic or written request of three members of the Executive Board. Electronic or written notice of each special meeting of the Executive Board shall be sent to each member of the Executive Board at least 24 hours prior to convening the meeting; however, such notice may be waived, and attendance at such meeting shall constitute waiver of said notice.

 

Section 5. Quorum

A majority of Executive Board members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

 

Article VII. The Panhellenic Advisor

Section 1. Appointment and Compensation

  1. The Panhellenic advisor of the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council shall be appointed by the Ohio University Administration (Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life).
    1. The Panhellenic Advisor will work within the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life.
    2. If the Panhellenic Advisor is a graduate student, they will be compensated each academic year for their graduate assistant stipend. The money will come from Panhellenic Association Dues. They will serve in an advisory capacity from August-May.
  2. The College Panhellenic Council Executive Board may elect one member to be present at all interviews for the position of Panhellenic Advisor if so desired. If possible, it is preferred that the President be the selected officer.
  3. The Panhellenic Advisor may also receive registration, travel and accommodation paid for by the College Panhellenic Council to attend AFLV.

Section 2. Authority

The Panhellenic advisor shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council. The Panhellenic advisor shall have voice but no vote in all meetings of the Panhellenic Council and the Executive Board. The Panhellenic Advisor will be required to be knowledgeable of Ohio University and National Panhellenic Conference purposes, policies, and procedures.

Article VIII. Committees

Section 1. Standing committees

  1. The standing committees of the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council shall be the Judicial Board and Membership Recruitment Committee.
  2. Term. The standing committees shall serve for a term of one year, which shall coincide with the term of the officers.

Section 2. Appointment of Committee Membership

The Executive Board shall appoint members and chairperson of all standing and special committees, except as provided otherwise in these bylaws, and in making these appointments, recognize fair representation from all member women’s-only sororities as much as possible. The president shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Judicial Board.

Section 3. Judicial Board

  1. In accordance with NPC Unanimous Agreement VII. College Panhellenic Council Judicial Procedure, it shall be the Judicial Board’s duty to hold a hearing to adjudicate all alleged violations of the NPC Unanimous Agreements and the bylaws, code of ethics, standing rules and membership recruitment regulations of the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council that are not settled informally or through mediation. The hearing shall be conducted by the entire Judicial Board unless the Panhellenic Council adopts rules for the hearing to be conducted by a committee of the Judicial Board. The members of the Judicial Board shall maintain confidentiality throughout and upon completion of the judicial process.
  2. The Panhellenic Executive Board appoints, through a nomination and interview process, all collegiate members to the Panhellenic Judicial Board.
    1. In this process, each Chapter President shall nominate one member to represent their chapter on the Judicial Board. The member must be in good standing regarding finances, conduct, and academics with Ohio University and their respected chapter. The member also must maintain a 3.00 cumulative GPA throughout the term of her office.
    2. Judicial Board representatives will be interviewed and selected by the Executive Vice President and approved by the Executive Board with a majority vote. Chapter Delegates will have two weeks to deliberate on the vote and consult her respective chapter. The Chapter Delegates will then bring a vote back to the General Body meeting to be voted on.
    3. The ballot shall pass with two thirds vote. Voting occurs at the beginning of the Executive Vice President’s term, or as needed.
  3. If a member breaks any eligibility requirements or is suspected of breaking confidentiality with confirmed verification, she will be removed from the board without a vote.
  4. Any vacant position will be filled by the respective chapter by nominating a new member to serve the board after being approved by the College Panhellenic Council.
  5. An officer can be approved with a two thirds vote.
  6. The Panhellenic advisor shall serve as a nonvoting, ex-officio member.

Section 4. Membership Recruitment Committee

The Membership Recruitment Committee shall consist of the Vice President of Recruitment of the College Panhellenic Council Executive Board and one representative from each regular, provisional and associate women’s only member organization (if they are participating in the primary recruitment process). The recommended representative is the chapter’s recruitment chair officer. Alumnae advisors may attend meetings of the committee. The alumnae advisors shall have voice but no vote. This committee shall review and develop membership recruitment rules and submit them for discussion and approval to the Panhellenic Council before the end of the academic term preceding the primary membership recruitment period. After each primary membership recruitment period, the Vice President of Recruitment of the CPC Executive Board shall present a full report, including recommendations, to the Panhellenic Council based on analysis of the recruitment statistics and recruitment evaluations from new members, potential new members who withdrew, each member organization and chapter advisor.

Section 5. Other Committees

Other such committees, standing or special, shall be appointed as deemed necessary by the Panhellenic Council.

Article IX. Finances

 

Section 1. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council shall be from July 1 to June 30 inclusive.

Section 2. Contracts

  1. External contracts: Any and all contracts shall follow Ohio University’s student Organization Contract Policy. No contract shall be signed without the signature of the Sorority and Fraternity Life professional staff. All contracts will be processed through the Ohio University Finance Department once approved by the aforementioned members.  
  2. Internal contracts: Dual signatures of Panhellenic President and Panhellenic Advisor shall be required to bind the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council on any contract.

Section 3. Checks

The issuance of checks will follow Ohio University’s Disbursement Form and shall follow Ohio University’s Student Organization Finances Policy. All checks and electronic payments issued on behalf of the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council shall bear dual signatures. The following shall be authorized to be one of the two required signatures: Vice President of Finance and Administration, Panhellenic Advisor OR a member of the Sorority and Fraternity Life professional staff.

Section 4. Payments

All payments due to the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council shall be received by the Vice President of Finance and Administration, who shall record them. Checks for payments shall be made payable to Ohio University.

Article X. Extension

Section 1. Extension

Extension is the process of adding an NPC women’s-only sorority. The Ohio University College Panhellenic Council shall follow all NPC Unanimous Agreements and NPC extension guidelines found on the NPC website and in the NPC Manual of Information.

Section 2. Voting rights

  1. Only regular members of the Panhellenic Council shall vote on extension matters.
  2. A two-thirds vote of the Panhellenic Council shall be required to approve a re-established plan and for all extension-related votes.
Article XI. Violation Resolution

Section 1. Violation

Chapters shall be held accountable for the conduct of their individual collegiate and alumnae members. Conduct contrary to the NPC Unanimous Agreements, these bylaws, the Panhellenic code of ethics, standing rules, and/or membership recruitment regulations of the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council shall be considered a violation.

Section 2. Informal Resolution

Members are encouraged to resolve alleged violations through informal discussion with the involved parties. For conflicts that occur during Primary Recruitment, see the College Panhellenic Council Rules of Recruitment.

Section 3. Judicial Process

The Ohio University College Panhellenic Council shall follow all NPC Unanimous Agreements and NPC guidelines for the judicial process found in the NPC Manual of Information.

Article XII. Hazing

Section 1. Zero Tolerance

Per the NPC Unanimous Agreements, NPC supports all efforts to eliminate hazing.

Section 2. Ohio University Non-Hazing Statement

  1. Hazing is a broad term that means doing any act or coercing another, including the victim, to do any act of initiation into any student or other organization that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm to any other person it encompasses any action or activity which does not contribute to the positive development of a person who inflicts or intends to cause mental or bodily harm or anxieties; or which may demean, degrade, or disgrace any person. Hazing is against the law in the State of Ohio (Ohio Revised Code, Section 2903.31).
  2. The Ohio University Student Code of Conduct defines hazing as a Code A offense as stipulated under Section 3, Mental and Bodily Harm.
  3. The Office of Sorority and Fraternity life requires all chapters to sign a Non-Hazing agreement form each semester the chapter recruits new members.

Section 3. Mental and Bodily Harm

  1. Intentionally inflicting mental or bodily harm upon any person.
  2. Taking any action for the purpose of inflicting bodily harm.
  3. Taking any reckless, but not accidental, action from which mental or bodily harm could result to any person.
  4. Causing a person to believe that the offender may cause mental or bodily harm.
  5. Hazing. Violations of Code A offenses may result in sanctions of suspension or expulsion of the individual or organization from the University.

Section 4. Hazing Prevention

Per Ohio University Guidelines (Section 23.010), the College Panhellenic Council recognizes all hazing prevention efforts and requires all student organization members to complete learning modules that educate members of the Ohio University community on what hazing is, how to recognize hazing, and how to address and prevent it. Per the guideline, all students must complete this training to participate in any student organization, and if training is not complete, the student may not partake in any activities within their respective organization and may be referred to the community standards process. Additional information on Ohio University’s hazing policies can be found at https://www.ohio.edu/policy/23-010.

Article XIII. Inclusion Statement

 

Ohio University College Panhellenic Council does not categorically deny membership to an individual, based on race, color, religion, sex*, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military or veteran status or political affiliation.

*Pursuant to 20 U.S.C. 1681(a)(6)(A), social fraternities and sororities may limit membership on the basis of sex.

Article XIV. Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council when applicable and when they are inconsistent with the NPC Unanimous Agreements, these bylaws and any special rules of order the Ohio University College Panhellenic Council may adopt.

Article XV. Amendment of Bylaws

These bylaws may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the Ohio University Panhellenic Council by a two-thirds vote, provided the proposed amendment has been announced and submitted in writing two weeks prior, allowing an opportunity for chapter input. Proper to each chapter vote, all changes in bylaws must be explained either written out separately or expressed vocally to each chapter.

 

Article XVI. Dissolution

This College Panhellenic Council shall be dissolved when only one regular member exists at Ohio University. In the event of the dissolution, none of the assets of the Association shall be distributed to any members of the Association, but after payment of all debts, its assets shall be given to NPC unless otherwise required by state law.