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Constitution of the University of Pennsylvania Panhellenic Association

Mission Statement for the Panhellenic Association

The mission of the University of Pennsylvania Panhellenic Association is to provide an organization through which the member sororities work collaboratively in the effort to unite and promote the entire fraternal community, to contribute positively to campus life, and to effect change constructively within the community.  To achieve such aims, the Panhellenic Council strives to implement programs that will cultivate exceptional qualities of leadership, promote high standards of moral integrity and scholarship, encourage the appreciation of pluralistic society, and explore issues that affect women so that the membership can achieve strength through growth and enable them to meet the challenges of the future.

Article I. Name

The name of this organization shall be the University of Pennsylvania Panhellenic Association.  The administrative body of the University of Pennsylvania Panhellenic Association shall be named the University of Pennsylvania Panhellenic Council as described in Article VI.

Article II. Object

The object of the Panhellenic Association shall be to develop and maintain fraternity life and intrafraternity relations at a high level of accomplishment and in so doing to:

  1. Consider the goals and ideals of member groups as continually applicable to campus and personal life.
  2. Promote superior scholarship as basic to intellectual achievement.
  3. Cooperate with the member fraternities and the University of Pennsylvania Administration in concern for and maintenance of high social and moral standards.
  4. Act in accordance with the National Panhellenic Conference UNANIMOUS AGREEMENTS and policies.
  5. Act in accordance with such rules established by the Panhellenic Council as do not violate the sovereignty, rights and privileges of member fraternities.

Article III. Membership

There shall be two classes of membership: Regular and Associate.

  1. The REGULAR membership of the University of Pennsylvania Panhellenic Association shall be composed of all chapters in good standing of the National Panhellenic Conference fraternities at the University of Pennsylvania.
  2. The ASSOCIATE membership of the University of Pennsylvania Panhellenic Association shall be composed of all members in good standing of the National Panhellenic Conference colonies or pledge chapters.

Article IV. The Panhellenic Council

The administrative body of the University of Pennsylvania Panhellenic Association shall be The Panhellenic Council.

It shall be the duty of the Panhellenic Council to administer all business related to the overall welfare of the University of Pennsylvania Panhellenic Association and to compile rules governing the Panhellenic Association, including recruitment and new member education, which do not violate the sovereignty, rights, and privileges of member fraternities.

  1. OFFICERS: The officers of the Panhellenic Council shall be President, Executive Vice President, Vice President for Recruitment and Extension, Assistant Vice President for Recruitment and Extension, Vice President for Risk Management, Vice President for Public Relations, Vice President for Programming, Vice President for Service and Philanthropy, and Vice President for Finance and Correspondence.  These officers shall serve as the Executive Board of the Panhellenic Council and shall have such powers and duties as prescribed in the Bylaws of the University of Pennsylvania Panhellenic Council.  The officers shall be a member of a fraternity holding regular membership in the University of Pennsylvania Panhellenic Association.  Members from fraternities holding associate membership shall not be eligible to hold office on the Council.  The officers shall serve for a term of one year, commencing at Circle of Sisters.  Any officer failing to perform her duties as outlined shall resign and a successor be designated by election or appointment by the President.
  2. MEMBERSHIP: The University of Pennsylvania Panhellenic Council shall be comprised of:
    1. one DELEGATE of both regular and associate member of the Panhellenic Association
    2. each PRESIDENT of both regular and associate member of the Panhellenic Association
    3. the EXECUTIVE BOARD of the Panhellenic Council
    4. the COMMITTEE CHAIRS
  3. MEETINGS: Regular meetings of the Panhellenic Council, with the membership as outlined in Article IV Section B in attendance, shall be held at a time and place established at the beginning of each semester.
    1. Traditionally, regular meetings of the Panhellenic Council occur bi-monthly.  Special meetings of the Panhellenic Council may be called by the President when necessary and shall be called by her upon the written request of any member delegate of the Panhellenic Council.
    2. There shall be a regular Roundtable meeting consisting of the President of each respective membership fraternity led by the Panhellenic President.
    3. Social Roundtable meetings, led by the Vice President for Risk Management, and attended by Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, shall be attended by one member of each membership fraternity.
    4. Quorum of member fraternities shall be present or accounted for before the transaction of business may occur in each of these meetings.
  4. VOTING
    1. The voting members of the Panhellenic Council shall be the delegates of each fraternity holding regular membership.  A delegate will only vote as a representative of her fraternity.  If a delegate is absent, its alternate or its President shall cast the vote of her fraternity.  If delegate, alternate, and President are absent, the vote may be cast by a member of the fraternity, providing her credentials have been present in writing to the Council President prior to the meeting.
    2. Two-thirds of the delegates, which constitute the voting members of the Panhellenic Council, shall be required to establish recruitment rules, and to establish total Chapter size, and to add a chapter.  A majority vote shall be required to carry all other question.
    3. The Alumnae advisors and Associate Panhellenic members shall have voice but no vote.

Article V. Standing and Auxiliary Inter-Greek Committees

  1. Such standing committees and special officers as may be necessary to carry out the work of the University of Pennsylvania Panhellenic Council shall be appointed by its Executive Board to serve during the tenure in office of the Board which appoints them.
  2. Auxiliary Inter-Greek Committees will include, but not exclusive to:
    1. The Fraternity and Sorority Advisory Board (FSAB) A University-wide judicial board which has exclusive original jurisdiction in all cases arising under the policy entitled Recognition and Governance of the Undergraduate Social Fraternities and Sororities.
  3. Additional Inter-Greek Auxiliary Committees shall be appointed and supported by the Panhellenic Association as deemed necessary.

Article VI. Greek Advisors

  1. The Greek Advisors shall be hired by the University of Pennsylvania Administration with consultation by the Panhellenic Council and the Greek Alumni/Advisor Council (GAC)
  2. The Greek Advisors shall serve in advisory capacity to the University of Pennsylvania's Association and its Council.

Article VII. Unanimous Agreements and Policies

  1. All members of the University of Pennsylvania Panhellenic Association shall act in accordance with fundamental Panhellenic policies established by the National Panhellenic Conference in The Panhellenic Compact, Standards of Ethical Conduct, College Panhellenic Agreements, Agreement on Questionnaires and Constitutions and The Jurisdiction of College Panhellenic Council here after all refer to as the UNANIMOUS AGREEMENTS.
  2. All University of Pennsylvania Panhellenic Association rules and policies shall be in harmony with those currently established by the National Panhellenic Conference.

Article VIII. Violations

Violations of any regulations of this Constitution or its related Bylaws and policies, of recruitment rules, or rules concerning matters other than recruitment, or of the UNANIMOUS AGREEMENTS shall be occasion for penalties established by the University of Pennsylvania Panhellenic Council in conformity with those recommended by the National Panhellenic Conference.

Article IX. Amendments

This Constitution shall be reviewed each year. The Constitution may be amended by two-thirds vote of the voting members of the Panhellenic Council, provided notice of the proposed amendment has been given in writing with appropriate time for review.

Article X. Hazing

  1. All forms of hazing, new member education day, and/or pre-initiation activities that are defined as hazing shall be prohibited.
  2. Definition: Hazing is defined as any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off fraternity premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule. Such activities and situations include creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; wearing, publicly, apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts or jokes; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; forced consumption of any food or drink including alcohol or illegal substances; late night sessions which interfere with scholastic activities; and any other activities which are not consistent with the regulations and policies of the University of Pennsylvania.
  3. All chapters are subject to University sanctions for violations of the University of Pennsylvania Anti-hazing policy.  This University policy can be found in the Policies and Procedure Manual.

Article XI. Expansion of System

  1. When all NPC chapters at the University of Pennsylvania are close to or over total, the Panhellenic Council shall consider raising total or adding another chapter.
  2. The Panhellenic Council shall honor a two-year moratorium after the colonization of an NPC fraternity but may vote to colonize before the two-year period with a two-thirds vote of the Panhellenic.
  3. An Extension Committee shall be established when the need to expand exists.
  4. Consideration should be given to NPC Fraternities that have previously had chapters on the campus and to those NPC Fraternities that have filed letters expressing an interest in the campus.

Article XII. New Member Education and Initiation

  1. A woman must be a regularly matriculated student in order to be eligible for recruitment and new member education.
  2. A Panhellenic Association member fraternity may not issue an invitation for membership or formally conduct new member events during any school recess.
  3. A new member may be initiated whenever she has met the requirements of the fraternity to which she is a new member.

Article XIII. The Panhellenic Strategic Development Initiative

The Panhellenic Strategic Development Initiative shall be reviewed by the Presidents and the Executive Board each spring.

Article XIV. Non-Discrimination Statement

The University of Pennsylvania Panhellenic Association does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or creed.