Governance/Accountability Recommendations - 10/18/09

“Very little in the realm of leadership is more important than the trust that accountability generates… The smallest success or failure of accountability can create a ripple effect that goes far beyond the current issue or event… When everybody on your team knows that accountability matters no matter who the person, or what his or her position, you’ll have gone a long way in truly building accountability into your organization’s culture.”

--- Sheila Murray Bethel, “A New Breed of Leader”

· Create a representative group to annually refine and strengthen the basic eligibility criteria for recognition of Berkeley fraternities and sororities with the goal of having successful, nationally award winning chapters (i.e. engaged chapter advisors who reside within 30 miles of campus, attends chapter meetings at least monthly, and attends the regular Greek Volunteer training/support meetings; explores the timing of recruitment; determines the ideal chapter size; ensures member involvement in other students organizations; provides for live-in house directors; has engaged Housing Corporations that maintain high-quality, safe houses and are members of the Greek Homeowners Association, etc.). Furthermore, this agreement should make clear the responsibilities of fraternity and sorority chapters with observable/measurable/enforceable outcomes, as well as outline the benefits fraternities and sororities receive in turn from UC Berkeley (i.e. access to high quality professional advisory staff; leadership programs for all members; support and training opportunities for volunteer advisors; space for social opportunities; awards and recognition for achieving excellence; basic data sharing such as grade reports and rosters; etc.).

· Provide a comprehensive assessment program for the Fraternity and Sorority Community that provides timely, quality information to the leadership on how to best improve their chapters including annual 3^rd party observers and timelines and fines for non-compliance issues, provided in a cost effective manner.

· Provide for an accountability system that stakeholders (i.e. undergraduates, advisors and headquarters) understand, that is transparent to the community, and that provides consistent sanctions of chapter violations. Such a system needs to be supported by all stakeholders, including the University, by providing resources that will bring this about (the current system does not meet this criteria and needs to be remedied if this goal is to be achieved). Provisions should be made for more immediate responses to situations that need more immediate responses including suspensions.

· Provide for an annual student retreat of all chapter presidents and council officers that will provide student leaders with the tools needed to become awards winning chapters and councils.

· Housing corporations to create policies and programs that address issues such as fire safety, behavioral deposits for members, summer boarders, emergency preparedness, etc., with the help of UC Berkeley.

· Create and develop one All Greek Conduct Board that would be comprised of the Judicial Chair from each governing council and three members (from the pool of seven) from the governing council of the chapter alleged of the violation, with the Judicial Chair and the Judicial Officers serving a minimum of a one year term and comprised of one Judicial Chair from each governing council (1 IFC, 1 Panhellenic, 1 NPHC, and 1 MCGC member) and seven members (Judicial Officers) from the chapters that make up a governing council (7 members from IFC chapters – with each member from a different chapter, 7 members from Panhellenic – with no more than two members from the same chapter, 7 members from NPHC – with no more than three members from the same chapter, and 7 members from MCGC – with no more than two members from the same chapter)., that would hear alleged violations of the Code of Student Conduct, the All Greek Social Code, and the Recognition Agreements by fraternities and sororities.

· Develop a comprehensive rewards program that recognizes chapters, individuals and advisors for achieving excellence. This awards program would utilize data submitted by the chapters for the recognition process in lieu of requesting chapters to submit additional documentation and would be consistent with information needed to win national awards. Rewards would be tangible and of the caliber that would warrant chapters spending time on (i.e. money card, monetary match for their successful philanthropy, etc.). The results of the rewards would be posted on the Greek web site.