Panhellenic Council Standing Rules

STANDING RULES OF OHIO UNIVERSITY COLLEGE PANHELLENIC COUNCIL 

 

Article I. Standing Rules Definition 

The Standing Rules of the College Panhellenic Council are additional rules that pertain to the administration of the Council. The Ohio University College Panhellenic Council reserves the right to hold chapters accountable for all established Standing Rules.  

 

Article II. Meeting Times 

Section 1. Special Meetings/Circumstances 

  1. The Executive Board and Panhellenic Council can decide to have paper meetings throughout the semester. 
  1. Meetings can be held virtually or in-person. 
  1. The Executive Board can deem urgent status to a special meeting. In this case, one member from each chapter is required to be in attendance.  

 

Article III. Dues Specific Information 

Section 1. Dues 

  1. The Ohio University Panhellenic Council membership dues shall be an assessment per member and new member. 
  1. The amount of such dues for the next academic year shall be determined by the CPC Executive Board no later than February of that year. Member sororities shall submit payment for invoices within two weeks of receiving invoices. The date may be extended by the College Panhellenic Council as needed. 
  1. The dues of the College Panhellenic Council member sorority shall be $30 per member ($18 Panhellenic Dues, $12 Greek Community Dues) per semester.  
  1. For further details about Panhellenic due allocation and spending, please reference the Panhellenic Budget. 
  1. A chapter will only be charged for a new member for one semester. Once initiated, the members will follow initiated member fees. 
  1. Failure of Payment: Any chapter failing to make full payment of membership dues to the College Panhellenic Council by the due date, unless otherwise agreed to a payment plan, will pay an additional $25 for the first day missed, with an additional $10 per day for each day missed. 

Section 2. Use of Board Funds 

  1. Board funds shall be used for the benefit of the Panhellenic community. 
  1. Board funds shall not be used to purchase alcoholic beverages. 

 

Article IV. Programming 

Section 1. Philanthropy/Community Service Events 

Each chapter is required to host or participate in philanthropic and community service efforts each semester.  

Section 2. Social Planning Form 

  1. Chapters must follow all social planning guidelines and regulations as provided by the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life.  
  1. All socials and date parties must begin no earlier than one hour after the end time of a College Panhellenic Council or Sorority and Fraternity Life Event. 

Section 3. Risk Management Programming 

The Executive Vice President in conjunction with the Vice President of Programming and/or the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life will plan one risk management event per semester. 

Section 4. General Fines 

If an event is mandatory, as stated by a Panhellenic Council Executive Board member, and a chapter does not meet the specified requirements, the chapter will be subjected to a fine of $10 per chapter member under quota for the event. These events can include but are not limited to: General Body Meetings, Sisterhood of the Traveling Dresses, Panhellenic philanthropy events, and Panhellenic community service events. Chapters will be given notice of these mandatory events at least one month in advance, and chapters will have no more than a 5% attendance requirement per mandatory event. 

Section 5. Sister Chapters 

  1. The Sister Chapter program strives to promote a culture of collaboration as opposed to competition. As an Ohio University women’s-only sorority, each chapter is expected to host a minimum of one event per semester with their pairing and to document the event via a Bobcat Connect form. 
  1. Sister chapter pairings will be announced by the CPC President or the Vice President of Programming by the beginning of the semester of pairing.  
  1. If a chapter fails to collaborate with their sister chapter, the chapters will be subject to an informal resolution meeting with the Peer Accountability Board.  

 

Article V. Social Policy 

Section 1. Sorority/Fraternity Authorization 

No sorority shall hold or attend a structured function with any organization not recognized by IFC, MGC or NPHC at Ohio University or by Ohio University. 

Section 2. Ohio University Policies 

Every social function must be held in accordance with Ohio University’s student organization policies, the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life social policies, and each Chapter's respective internal risk management policy. 

Section 3. Registered Events 

All social events need to be registered. Please refer to Article VIII. Alcohol Responsibility of the Standing Rules for more information. 

Section 4. Violation of Social Policy 

Penalties will be decided on a case-by-case basis through the Panhellenic Peer Accountability Process and/or the Office of Sorority and Fraternity life. 

 

Article VI. Social Media Policy 

Section 1. Representation 

Individual chapter members will not violate the College Panhellenic Council bylaws or standing rules through social media. The Vice President of Public Relations and the Executive Board has the right to monitor and uphold the social media requirements for chapters and their members. 

Section 2. Fostering Panhellenic Relations 

Individual chapter members are expected to be Panhellenic in spirit, including in social media. All posts must follow the guidelines as stated in the Code of Ethics. If a social media issue arises that involves more than one chapter, the Panhellenic Peer Accountability process will be used as the means for resolution. 

Section 3. Violation of Social Media Policy 

If a chapter or chapter member is found to be in violation of the social media policy, a member of the CPC Executive Board will reach out and request the post be removed immediately. If the post is not voluntarily removed within 24 hours, the chapter will receive an alleged infraction report and the member who posts the offense will be required to attend a formal or informal resolution meeting with the Peer Accountability Board.  

Section 4. Providing Content 

Chapters are expected to submit photos and advertisements for upcoming events to the Vice President of Public Relations in order to receive representation on Panhellenic social media platforms. 

 

Article VII. Joint Relations Between Governing Councils and College Panhellenic Council 

Section 1. Theft 

In order to improve cooperation between the Greek community and the college authorities, theft of any kind will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to: banners, trophies, block letters, composites, clothing, furniture, etc. The College Panhellenic Council is not responsible for the investigation or punishment when it comes to accusations of theft. Any accusations of theft must be reported to the Ohio University Police Department or Athens Police Department. 

Section 2. Homecoming and Greek Week 

  1. All chapters are expected to be in good relation with the other organization(s) they are paired with.  
  1. All teams are expected to uphold the values of the College Panhellenic Council, the Office of Sorority and Fraternity life, and their member chapter.  

 

Article VIII. Alcohol Responsibility 

Section 1. 

The College Panhellenic Council values the health and safety of each member. We have adopted the standards, expectations, and requirements of the Office of Sorority Fraternity Life. The Panhellenic Council and the Panhellenic Executive Board are the voice of the Panhellenic community. They work in partnership with the Office of Sorority Fraternity Life to revise and offer suggestions to ensure the standards and expectations are relevant and reasonable. The standards and expectations will change to align with the community’s needs.  

Section 2. New Member Events 

Panhellenic chapters are required to adhere to a substance-free period for Bid Day and Initiation. Chapters are expected to follow their inter/national headquarters' policy regarding substances for all other events, including new member events/ceremonies. The substance-free period will begin 24 hours prior to the event and concludes 24 hours after the event ends.  Any violations will result in an infraction with the Peer Accountability Board. 

 

Article IX. Administration of Membership Recruitment 

Section 1. Primary Recruitment 

The College Panhellenic Council will host Primary Recruitment in the Fall semester each academic year. Dates will be pre-determined during the spring semester of the previous academic year. 

Section 2. Statement of Automatic Reset of Total: 

  1. Total is the allowable chapter size instructed by the NPC Total Specialist and is set each semester. Total includes new and initiated members. If a chapter has met total, they are no longer eligible to invite new members to join the chapter. If a chapter is below total, they can invite new members to join the chapter. 
  1. The purpose of total is to provide opportunities to grow the Panhellenic community, seek parity among chapters and allow the maximum number of women to experience sorority membership. 

Section 3. Continuous Opening Bidding 

Continuous open bidding shall be in effect during the academic year for all eligible women students, except during the Primary Fall Recruitment period.  

Section 4. Primary Recruitment Event Locations 

All membership selection events held during the Primary Fall Recruitment period shall be held in the chapter room, house, lodge, suite or campus facilities. 

Section 5. New Member Enrollment 

  1. Every regularly enrolled new member, initiate, or affiliate of a chapter, shall be counted in the Chapter Total.  
  1. A roster of the initiated and affiliated members of all chapters must be on file with the Sorority and Fraternity Life professional staff and with the CPC Advisor.  
  1. Any deactivation, termination or other change in membership shall be updated on Bobcat Connect no later than 48 hours after it has occurred except during Recruitment, then it will be within 24 hours. Chapters must complete the Change of Status form on the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life’s Bobcat Connect Page. 
  1. All Continuous Open Bidding (COB) events must be registered with the Vice President of Recruitment and the CPC Advisor prior to hosting the event and follow the Recruitment Rules. 
  1. COB Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA) must be completed via the Bobcat Connect form on the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life's Bobcat Connect page within 24 hours of bid acceptance. 
  1. All new members will be added to rosters by the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life after primary recruitment or a COB MRABA has been received. 

Section 6. Chapter Recruitment Information 

For the purpose of the Primary Fall Recruitment period, chapters must submit materials including but not limited to: membership fees, photos, testimonials, chapter colors, founding dates, symbols, philanthropies, etc. These must be submitted to the College Panhellenic Council by the deadline determined by the end of the spring semester.  

Section 7. Recruitment Guides  

  1. Recruitment Guides and members of the College Panhellenic Council will remain associated during primary recruitment. 
  1. A member interested in being a recruitment guide must be:  
  1. An initiated, undergraduate member of a chapter.  
  1. Have participated in primary recruitment on the chapter side at least once.  
  1. In good standing (financial, conduct, and academic) with their chapter and inter/national organization.  
  1. In good standing (conduct) with Ohio University.  
  1. Have a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative GPA at the time of application and must maintain this GPA requirement throughout their term. 
  1. Enrolled full-time (at least 12 credit hours) during the fall semester.  
  1. Able to attend ALL recruitment guide training sessions, every day of recruitment, and Bid Day. 
  1. Able to be in Athens for at least one full week during Bobcat Student Orientation. 

 

Article X. New Member Process 

Section 1. Eligibility  

  1. All potential new members interested in joining an organization are required to register for recruitment, complete the PNM Grade Verification process, & LaunchPoint Training through the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life and College Panhellenic Council. Recruitment registration for primary recruitment is through CampusDirector and registration for COB is via a SharePoint Form for the purpose of grade verification. 
  1. A College Panhellenic Council member sorority may not issue an invitation of membership or formally pledge a woman during the summer semester and/or winter break. 
  1. A College Panhellenic Council member sorority may not issue an invitation of membership or formally pledge a woman that does not meet the eligibility criteria.  

 

Article XI. Special Circumstances 

Should campus operations be conducted under special circumstances, the College Panhellenic Council and its chapters will follow all University procedures. Chapter operations such as, but not limited to new member education, recruitment, and chapter meetings, will follow policies set by Ohio University. 

 

Article XII. Code of Ethics 

The College Panhellenic Council has adopted a code of ethics for the conduct of members in the Council.  

 

Article XIII. Recruitment Rules 

The College Panhellenic Council has adopted recruitment rules that have been amended by a majority vote of the College Panhellenic Council at a regular meeting of the Council or at a special meeting called for such purpose, provided at least 24 hours’ notice has been given; however, such notice may be waived, and attendance at such meeting shall constitute waiver of said notice. 

 

Revised: September 2025