Expansion Policy

Expansion Policy

New/Returning Fraternity and Sorority Expansion/Re-Organization/Re-Chartering/Re-Activation Policy

Preamble Mississippi State University recognizes that a strong fraternity and sorority community is a constructive element of campus life. To be considered for expansion at MSU there must be substantial evidence that the proposed organization will positively contribute to the MSU Fraternity & Sorority Life community, and to conduct itself in a manner consistent with University, Council, and Fraternity & Sorority Life policies and procedures. Please note that this document contains the basic requirements for a chapter to colonize at MSU. Each council may have specific requirements in addition to the requirements in this document. To ensure that fraternities and sororities desiring to be registered at MSU possess those qualifications deemed necessary for their success and for the continued health of the MSU fraternity and sorority community, the following standards and procedures shall apply.

Registration Criteria Fraternities/sororities wishing to become registered student organization at MSU and a member of the National Panhellenic Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Multicultural Greek Council & the Interfraternity Council, must meet the following criteria:

  • The organization must be affiliated with a parent organization that must show proof of 10 consecutive years of business operations and have undergraduate chapters (not colonies) at ten or more colleges/universities.
  • The organization must have policies that are congruent with the fraternity/sorority policies of MSU. Policy information can be found on the Fraternity & Sorority Life web page (www.greeks.msstate.edu & www.policies.msstate.edu).
  • The organization must follow all student organization policies and procedures to become a registered student organization.

Application Deadlines

  • April 1 – application deadline for organizations wishing to start in the fall semester.
  • October 1 – application deadline for organizations wishing to start in the spring semester.

Application Procedure

  • Organizations wishing to open/re-colonize/re-organize/re-charter/re-activate chapters at MSU must complete the application specifics found in this information packet.
  • Upon receipt of a registration application, the Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life, respective staff, and Council members will conduct an initial review. The organization may be asked to provide additional documentation and/or more thorough documentation to support the request for university registration.
  • Once the entire application has been reviewed, the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life will make a final determination and notify the organization of their status.
  • Official start dates will coincide with the beginning of either the fall or spring semester. • Upon acceptance, the organization will follow processes for the respective Council.

Policies

  • Fraternities and sororities registered by MSU are expected to comply with all university policies and procedures.
  • Only undergraduate students, enrolled at MSU may affiliate with the registered fraternities and sororities at MSU.
  • Newly formed fraternities and sororities must have at least six (6) full-time, active, undergraduate members to begin a registered student organization. Following the first year, all registered fraternities and sororities must have at least six (6) full-time, active, undergraduate members (initiates/new members) on the roster at all times.

Application/Qualification Specifics

Each area shall be documented within the application.

  • Declaration of Intent: Submit a written letter from the Inter/national President or Executive Director expressing a desire to form an undergraduate chapter at MSU.
  • Constitution and By-laws of the organization.
  • Organization Contact Information - Provide the following:
    • Inter/national Fraternity or Sorority mailing address
    • Headquarters phone number
    • Headquarters fax number
  • Colonization Coordinator: Provide the name, email and phone of the alumni/ae who will coordinate the colonization effort.
  • Chapter Advisor: Provide the name, email and phone of the alumni/ae who will serve as the primary chapter advisor.
  • Describe the Advisory Board set-up and expectations of the volunteer advisors (chapter meeting attendance, convention attendance, advisor training attendance, etc.)
  • Outline the requirements that must be met before the colony will be chartered.
  • Provide copies of the following organization policies, procedures and programs:
    • Academic Policy (GPA, programming and study requirements)
    • Financial Policies (Dues, New Member Fees, Initiation fees, Chapter Budget)
    • Standards/Conduct Policies and Procedures
    • Leadership Development Program
    • Membership Contract
    • New Member Education Program
    • Intake Process
    • Officer Training Program
    • Recruitment Program
    • Risk Management Policy and Procedures to include Alcohol/Illegal Drugs/Sexual Assault/Hazing
  • Provide a list of the five most recent colonization/chartering to include numbers recruited and chartering dates.
  • Interest Group Roster (if applicable). Roster should include the following information:
    • Student Name
    • MSU NetID