Policies & Accountability

Fraternity and sorority members and organizations are responsible for creating safe, responsible experiences that reflect the values of their organizations and Texas Tech University.

Fraternity & Sorority Life works with student leaders, advisors, inter/national organizations and university partners to help chapters understand expectations, prevent harm and address concerns when they arise.

Policies & Expectations

Fraternities and sororities at Texas Tech operate within university policies as well as requirements established by their governing councils and inter/national organizations. Members and chapter leaders are responsible for understanding the requirements that apply to them.

Code of Student Conduct

The Code of Student Conduct establishes behavioral standards for Texas Tech students and student organizations and explains the procedures used to address alleged misconduct.

View the Code of Student Conduct

Student Handbook

The Student Handbook contains university policies and expectations for students and registered student organizations, including requirements related to organization operations.

View the Student Handbook

Chapters must also follow applicable governing council requirements and the policies of their inter/national organizations. Chapter leaders who are unsure which requirements apply should contact their FSL council advisor before moving forward.

FSL Community Policy

The purpose of this policy is to support the success, sustainability and growth of fraternal organizations and help foster a safe and successful experience for all members and guests.

Chapter Roles

Chapter President
- Will serve as the primary liaison and spokesperson between the organization and Texas Tech University.
- Will attend the semesterly FSL presidents meeting.
- Will regularly communicate with their assigned FSL point of contact.
- Will provide notice and details to the Fraternity & Sorority Life within twenty-four (24) hours of receiving notice of any investigation, sanction, probation, discipline, or misconduct-related issue involving the chapter or any of its members and the inter/national organization.
Faculty/Staff Advisors
- Each registered student organization shall have a full-time TTU faculty or staff advisor available to the officers and members for consultation regarding the affairs of the organization.
- Must oversee adherence to University standards, rules and/or policies as well as the organization’s constitution and bylaws.
- The person who serves as their Faculty/Staff Advisor may also be the Chapter/Alumni Advisor, but is not required.
- Attendance at organizational meetings and functions is encouraged to incorporate the advisor into the organization’s program planning and decision-making. The advisor is recommended to certify the organization’s expenditures by co-signing all checks or vouchers.
- New Faculty/Staff Advisors must complete New Advisor Orientation which is hosted at the beginning of each semester by Student Involvement.
Chapter Advisors and Advisory Boards
- Each chapter must have at least one lead Chapter/Alumni Advisor who is not a Texas Tech student, and is also approved by and on record with their National/International organization.
- Chapters with more than 50 members must have a second advisor on record with FSL.
- The person who serves as their Chapter Advisor may also be the Faculty/Staff Advisor, but is not required.
- The Chapter Advisor must live within a 100-mile radius of campus to remain in good standing/recognized by the University unless otherwise approved.
- Chapter Advisors must be at least 25 years of age and/or have completed their undergraduate degree at least four years prior to serving in the role unless otherwise approved.
- Chapter advisors may not serve as an advisor for more than one FSL organization unless otherwise approved.
- Chapter Advisors may not be third party paid consultants unless otherwise approved.
- New Chapter/Alumni Advisors must complete advisor onboarding with the Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life within the first two months of serving as an advisor of an FSL organization.
- Attendance at organizational meetings and functions is encouraged to incorporate the advisor into the organization’s program planning and decision-making. The advisor is recommended to certify the organization’s expenditures by co-signing all checks or vouchers.

Paperwork, Documentation & Notification

Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) requires all recognized social Fraternity/Sorority organizations and members to submit the following paperwork and forms by the designated due dates, as outlined in the FSL Semesterly Calendar:

Membership Rosters
New Member Education Plan (CPH & IFC)
Intake Plan (MGC & NPHC)
Membership Verification Form
Membership Release Form
Chapter Planning Report
Chapter Impact Report
Student Organization Re-registration

Forms and rosters must be submitted through the appropriate format as outlined in the semesterly calendar.

Required Training & Education

Require individuals from each recognized social fraternity & Sorority organizations to attend certain events, attendance to required events and their dates will be outlined in the FSL Semesterly Calendar. Chapters failing to adhere to this directive are subject to discipline guided by tier two of the Student Organization Conduct Process.

New Member Education
- IFC 101: All new members must complete prior to the last day of classes in the semester they join.
- CPH 101: All new members must complete prior to the last day of classes in the semester they join.
- MGC 101: All new members must complete prior to the beginning of intake.
- NPHC 101: All new members must complete prior to the beginning of intake.
Clay R. Warren Risk Education Training: The CRW Risk Education Training provides tools and skills for prevention, problem identification, response, self-reporting, and accountability, meeting Texas Education Code (Sec. 51.9361) requirements.
- Each organization must send the following officers:
  - President
  - Social Chair
  - Risk Management Chair
  - New Member Educator
  - Chapter Advisor
  - Faculy/Staff Advisor
  - Chapters lacking these roles or with dual-role officers must seek approval for substitutes from FSL staff.
Chapter Coaching Meetings
- Organization presidents will complete an introductory meeting with their FSL staff point of contact within the first month of the semester.
- Organizations will complete a series of coaching meetings with their FSL point of contact. The number of touchpoints will be determined at the organization introductory meeting.
Leadership Summit
- The Leadership Summit is an overnight institute (traditionally held the weekend before the Spring semester), challenging Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL) leaders to grow, inspire change, and align their values.
- Required Attendance:
  - Presidents of all recognized fraternities and sororities.
  - All Council Executive Board members.
Clay R. Warren Speaker Series
- Brings impactful speakers to engage with the Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL) community on relevant issues facing the community and its members.
- Required Attendance:
  - Attendance requirements, including chapter participation
    percentages, will be announced in the semesterly calendar.

Academic Excellence

Chapters shall adhere to Council-specific academic requirements. Variance from those policies will be addressed as part of chapter coaching.

Events

The chapter, members, and guests must comply with all federal, state, provincial, and local laws. No person under the legal drinking age may possess, consume, provide, or be provided alcoholic beverages.
Chapter members and guests must follow federal law regarding illegal drugs and controlled substances. No person may possess, use, provide, distribute, sell, and/or manufacture illegal drugs or other controlled substances while on chapter premises or at any activity or event sponsored or endorsed by the chapter.
Alcoholic beverages must either be:
- Provided and sold on a per-drink basis by a licensed and insured third-party vendor (e.g., restaurant, bar, caterer, etc.).
- Brought by individual members and guests through a bring-your-own beverage (“BYOB”) system. (Example: Each guest brings a 6 pack of beer and are labeled and only given back to that guest by a bartender).
- The presence of alcohol products above 15% alcohol by volume (“ABV”) is prohibited on any chapter premises or at any event, except when served by a licensed and insured third-party vendor.
- Common sources of alcohol, including bulk quantities (Example: Juices, Punches, Kegs) , which are not being served by licensed and insured third-party vendors are prohibited (i.e., amounts of alcohol greater than what a reasonable person should consume over the duration of an event).
Alcoholic beverages must not be purchased with chapter funds or funds pooled by members or guests (e.g., admission fees, cover fees, collecting funds through digital apps, etc.).
A chapter must not co-host or co-sponsor, or in any way participate in, an activity or event with another group or entity that purchases or provides alcohol.
A chapter must not co-host or co-sponsor an event with an event promoter, or alcohol distributor; however, a chapter may rent a bar, restaurant, or other licensed and insured third-party vendor to host a
chapter event.
Attendance by non-members at any event where alcohol is present must be by invitation only, and the chapter must utilize a guest list system. Attendance at events with alcohol is limited to a 3:1 maximum guest-to-member ratio and must not exceed the local fire or building code capacity of the chapter premises or host venue.
Any event or activity related to the new member joining process (e.g., recruitment, intake, rush, etc.) must be substance free. No alcohol or drugs may be present if the event or activity is related to new member activities, meetings, or initiation into a chapter organization, including but not limited to “Probate” “New Member Presentation” “bid night,” “big/little” events or activities, “family” events or activities, and any ritual or ceremony.
The chapter members or guests must not permit, encourage, coerce, glorify or participate in any activities involving the rapid consumption of alcohol, such as drinking games.

Membership Intake & Recruitment

Membership Intake (MGC & NPHC)

Intake Plans must be submitted in its entirety at least seven days before the start of intake activities, organizations must submit an Intake Form to the Council Advisor before intake can begin.
Presentations must take place no later than the last day of classes in the semester of initiation.
Only students currently enrolled at Texas Tech University can participate in the intake process.
To support students’ academic success, all intake meetings & activities must cease on the last day of classes each semester.
All new members must attend the respective Council 101 New Member Education Workshop hosted by FSL.
Chapters shall adhere to other council specific policies including but not limited to date restrictions.

New Member Education (CPH & IFC)

New Member Education Plans must be submitted in their entirety by designated due dates, as outlined in the FSL Semesterly Calendar
All new members must complete the NMVF upon accepting a bid.
Only students currently enrolled at Texas Tech University can participate in the new member education process.
To support students’ academic success, all bid distribution and new member meetings & activities must cease on the last day of classes each semester.
All new members must attend the respective Council 101 New Member Education Workshop hosted by FSL.
Chapters shall adhere to other council specific policies including but
not limited to date restrictions.

Growth

Any sorority or fraternity wishing to start a returning or a new chapter at Texas Tech University must do so in accordance with the following:

Growth efforts must provide opportunities for long-term benefits to the student body and the Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL) community, and organizations must demonstrate the ability to positively contribute to the TTU FSL Community.
Organizations must operate in compliance with state laws, university policies, the Student Code of Conduct, the Organization Code of Conduct and council/FSL procedures.
Organizations shall adhere to Council-specific growth requirements. See the Extension/Growth procedures for each council for more process and timeline information.

Recognition

The recognition of fraternities and sororities is, at all times, solely at the discretion of Texas Tech University. If a circumstance arises in which an organization disagrees with the recommendation of Texas Tech University concerning recognition, Texas Tech University holds sole discretion to deny campus recognition to an organization based on the assessment and findings of the organization’s operations and potential for risk. To be recognized by the university, a fraternity or sorority must meet all of the following criteria:

They must be an affiliated, registered student organization with the Student Involvement department.
They must be in good standing with the University as well as maintain membership in one of the four governing councils (College Panhellenic Council (CPH), Interfraternity Council (IFC), National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC)).
They must be chartered at The Texas Tech University and membership must be exclusive to Texas Tech University students. Citywide or metropolitan chapters will not be recognized.

If it is determined that an organization meets the criteria for recognition as a fraternity or sorority, it is at the discretion of Texas Tech University to identify appropriate council affiliation or operational fit, with the understanding that organizations must still follow a council’s extension/expansion policies and procedures.

Receiving Recognition

Should an organization meet two or more of the following criteria, they will be considered a fraternity or sorority for purposes of recognition:

They are entitled to single sex membership consistent with regulations promulgated pursuant to Title IX of the U.S. Education Act Amendments of 1972 and such other laws or regulations as may apply.
They are entitled to be subjectively selective in their membership within the limits of the University’s non-discrimination policy.
They are legal entities external to the University. In all cases, their chapter corporations, and inter/national organizations are incorporated separately from the University.
They are an inter/national organization (incorporation, national officers, etc.) that maintains affiliation with a national umbrella organization (NIC, NPC, NPHC, NALFO, NMGC, NAPA, etc.)
They require participation in a new member orientation, educational or pledge program prior to initiation.

If deemed appropriate, in consultation with Student Involvement and the Student Life, special interest fraternities and sororities not holding membership in a national umbrella organization (NIC, NPC, NPHC, NALFO, NMGC, NAPA, etc.), may also be recognized.

Maintain Recognition

Should it be determined that a chapter is not in good standing either with their inter/national organization or the university through the Student Organization Conduct Process or failure to meet minimum requirements, their recognition may be revoked for a period of time that the University designates in its sole discretion.

Loss of Recognition

A chapter’s recognition can be revoked, or the chapter can be put on probationary recognition status for various reasons including, but not limited to, the following:

Membership numbers fall below five (5) active members in “good standing” for more than two consecutive semesters.
A chapter fails to update and maintain the required documentation or promptly respond to requests for documentation requested by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, OSC, Title IX, or the Office of Student Involvement or other University official.
A chapter is found to be recruiting members from a population other than currently enrolled or admitted Texas Tech University students.
A chapter is found to be in violation of the Code of Student Conduct or any University, local, or national policies or laws related to risk management, discrimination, hazing, Title IX, sexual misconduct, drugs or alcohol.
Has been found responsible and suspended through the Student Organization Conduct Process.

Hazing Prevention

Hazing is prohibited at Texas Tech University. Fraternity and sorority members share responsibility for creating an environment where students can participate in organizations without being subjected to harmful, intimidating or degrading activities.

Students should speak up when an activity or expectation raises concerns. Participation or willingness to participate does not make hazing acceptable.

Preventing Hazing

Chapter leaders, members and advisors can help prevent hazing by:

Planning membership activities that reflect organizational values
Setting clear expectations for members and leaders
Questioning traditions or practices that may cause physical or psychological harm
Intervening when activities do not align with university or organizational expectations
Communicating concerns to advisors, FSL staff or university officials
Reporting suspected hazing rather than waiting for a situation to escalate

Texas Tech's Anti-Hazing Prevention & Response resources provide information about hazing, warning signs, prevention and reporting options.

Hazing Prevention & Response

Clay R. Warren Risk Education

The Clay R. Warren Risk Education program helps fraternity and sorority leaders better understand risk, harm reduction, prevention, response and organizational accountability.

The program honors Clay R. Warren, a Texas Tech student who died in 2002 from injuries sustained in a vehicle crash while returning to Lubbock from a fraternity-sponsored event. The driver of the vehicle he was in fell asleep at the wheel. His parents, Freada and Mark Warren, became advocates for risk management education for college students following his death.

Risk Education Summit

The Clay R. Warren Risk Education Summit is scheduled for January 12, 2027. The summit is a requirement for universities per the Texas Education Code, Section 51.9361.

The annual summit provides chapter leaders education focused on prevention, identifying concerns, responding to incidents, self-reporting and accountability. This includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

Hazing Prevention
Alcohol and Drug Use
Sexual Abuse and Harassment
Fire Safety, Firearms and Weapons Use
Travel Safety
Behavior at Parties and Events
Risk Management Policy
Persons with Disabilities

Each fraternity and sorority chapter is required to have the following officers attend:

President
Social chair
Risk management chair
New member educator

If a chapter does not have one of these positions, one student holds more than one required position or a required officer cannot attend, the chapter must work with Fraternity & Sorority Life to determine an appropriate substitution.

Substitutions

Requests for substitutions should be sent to the appropriate FSL council advisor at least two weeks before the program. The substitute should be an elected officer who is next in the organization's leadership structure or who supervises the required position.

Chapter Responsibility

Chapters are responsible for meeting attendance and training requirements communicated by Fraternity & Sorority Life. Failure to meet required risk education expectations may result in referral to the Office of Student Conduct and additional educational or organizational requirements.

Current dates, training instructions and other semester-specific information are communicated directly to chapter leaders and advisors by Fraternity & Sorority Life.

Chapter Accountability

Accountability is a shared responsibility among chapter members, student leaders, advisors, governing councils, inter/national organizations and Texas Tech University.

When concerns involving a fraternity or sorority are reported, the appropriate response depends on the circumstances and whether the concern involves individual behavior, organizational behavior or both.

Student Organization Conduct

The Code of Student Conduct applies to registered student organizations. When alleged misconduct is connected to an organization's activities or operations, the organization may be subject to the university's student conduct process.

The conduct process provides organizations an opportunity to understand reported concerns, provide information and participate in the resolution process.

Student Conduct Policies & Resources

Working With FSL

Chapter leaders are encouraged to communicate with FSL staff when concerns arise. Early communication can help organizations identify problems, involve advisors and inter/national partners and determine appropriate next steps.

Fraternity & Sorority Life may work with the Office of Student Conduct and other university offices when a concern involves potential violations of university policy.

Report a Concern

Students, families, advisors and community members are encouraged to report concerns involving student or student organization behavior. Reports help the university connect students with support, review potential misconduct and respond to safety concerns.

Submit a Raiders Report

If there is an immediate threat to someone's health or safety, call 911.

Questions & Guidance

Policies and organizational requirements can vary depending on the organization, council and situation. FSL staff can help chapter leaders, members and advisors understand university expectations and determine which resources or processes apply.

Fraternity & Sorority Life
Student Union Building, Room 024
Phone: 806.742.2403
Email: fsl@ttu.edu

Meet the FSL Team

Fraternity & Sorority Life

Address

Texas Tech University, Student Union Building 024, Lubbock, TX 79409
Phone
806.742.2403
Email
fsl@ttu.edu