WSU

Panhellenic and IFC Post-Moratorium Community Action Plan

Introduction
This action plan utilizes both education and risk management to address sexual violence,
mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, and falls or serious incidents that occur on our
campus.
The need for this plan has come to fruition from numerous incidents of the natures listed
above over the past calendar year. It is time for the Greek Community at WSU to draw the
line and become involved in the culture changing conversation needed to prevent these
incidents on the Pullman campus. We have failed to look after our fellow Cougs. It is a
failure that we, as a community, cannot tolerate any longer.
The benefits of this plan are not limited to the members of the Greek Community. Greeks
have an opportunity to spread awareness about the issues to the entire cougar community,
as our members are integrated into every facet of campus culture and life. It is time to
remind everyone of the phrase Cougs help Cougs.
This plan was made with input from both the 2016 and 2017 Interfraternity and
Panhellenic Councils, delegates from all chapters recognized by said councils, Health
Promotion at WSU Health and Wellness, ASWSU representatives, and WSU Center for
Fraternity and Sorority life.
Addressing the Issues
The purpose of this action plan is to address four issues: sexual violence, alcohol and drug
abuse, mental health, and serious incidents. In order to address all of these issues properly,
the councils and their delegates have determined there to be two separate methods.
1. Education
2. Implementation and adaption of risk management policies
The issues above, being variant in nature yet closely related, are best addressed using a
combination of both methods. Through a combination of discussion amongst committees
and advice acquired from university professionals, the following methods have been
determined to be most effective in addressing the issues at hand.
In the case of mental health and sexual violence, education through comprehensive
programming is predicted to be most effective in preventing incidents and changing
campus culture.
Serious incidents are best prevented with risk management policies, but must be
reinforced with education on compliance of those policies.
After much discussion, the councils and committees are in agreement that alcohol and drug
abuse is linked closely to mental health. Substance abuse in our community is often a
coping mechanism for students facing depression and anxiety; the best way to combat
substance abuse is to address mental health itself.
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Based off the findings of committees, the action plan has been developed in three parts.
Part one of the action plan addresses educational practices, while part two addresses risk
management practices. Part three addresses changes needed to create bylaw congruency
between the Panhellenic and Interfraternity Councils.

Part 1- Educational Efforts

The Three Areas of Action for Educational Efforts
1. Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council
2. Individual Greek Chapters
3. WSU Health and Wellness
1. Actions to be taken by the Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils
The following measures have been developed and determined to be effective steps
necessary to improve and strengthen our community. These measures were developed by
the Moratorium Action Planning Committee, consisting of the 2017 Panhellenic and
Interfraternity Councils, as well as representatives from each chapter affiliated with said
councils.
It was determined that the Interfraternity and Panhellenic councils should have a stronger
role in the conversation about sexual violence amongst other organizations at WSU. An
opportunity to participate in these conversations is to attend and participate in meetings of
the Coordinated Community Response Team for Sexual and Gender Based Violence. This
group consists of university officials, police officers, and student organization leaders. In
order to participate in conversations to combat community wide issues it was determined
that each council must;
a. Have a representative attend the meetings of the Coordinated Committee Response
Team for Sexual and Gender Based Violence.
With a large population of Greek students, Greek organizations have a major effect on
campus culture, thus affecting many non-Greek students and their organizations. It was
determined that there is a lack of communication between Greek and Non-Greek
organizations, thus, to improve this communication, both councils will;
b. Seek out opportunities that engage members of non-Greek organizations and assess
their views on Greek life. Such organizations may include the Resident Hall
Association, Student Entertainment Board, ASWSU, etc.
One of the greatest opportunities provided by Greek life anywhere is the opportunity to
serve and take part in philanthropic endeavors. In order to spread awareness and raise
money for the issues which our community has chosen to take an important role in
preventing, both councils will lead;
c. A Greek-Led Campus Wide Philanthropy at the end of Sexual Assault Awareness
week in April;
d. A Greek-Led Campus Wide Philanthropy for mental health or suicide awareness in
the first month of the fall academic semester;

It has been pointed out that in recent cases where there are reports of sexual assault or
incidences involving loss of life in the Greek Community, there has been little or no
acknowledgement of the incidences by the Interfraternity or Panhellenic Councils. To
address these cases and demonstrate to the public their role in helping to resolve them, the
councils will
e. Create a communication and policy plan of how to respond to ongoing sexual assault
investigations against a Greek Chapter in the community, by police, the university,
or said chapters headquarters. That demonstrates the status of the investigation
within the Greek Community. This plan must be unbiased, intended to inform the
community, and be sensitive to the needs of the survivor, bystander, or any other
party involved in the investigation.
f. Develop a communication and policy plan of how to respond to incidences of loss of
life in our community. This plan is intended to demonstrate how the councils will
support the community and its affected parties in time of need, through the
dissemination of information regarding mental health resources available to
students.

In order to ensure that the measures developed throughout the moratorium are shown to
the public, the Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils will
g. Release a comprehensive response to the issues we have faced as a community,
which demonstrates the measures we are taking through our action plan to combat
these issues.
In order to determine whether the measures prescribed through the action plan are
effective or need to be changed. The Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils must
h. Provide opportunities for discussion of the effectiveness of the measures taken
through the action plan, including changes made to risk management policies and
bylaws, at monthly presidents meetings.
i. Meet monthly and discuss, the effectiveness of the measures taken through the
action plan as well as feedback from the presidents meetings.
j. Oversee the creation of a Community-Based Coalition to lead systematic and
sustained response and prevention efforts within the Greek community. The
coalition will be intended to lead the ongoing implementation of this action plan and
further develop programs within the community. The coalition will be comprised of
members of the Greek Community with Health Promotion staff providing
mentorship and support to the coalition members.
In addition, both councils will host
k. New Member Experience workshops after recruitment during the fall semester, in
which all new members, through both formal and informal, will participate in
facilitated discussions about community issues and campus culture.
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l.

These programs are intended to be organized by splitting the new members into
their Rho Chi and Rho Gamma groups from their recruitment;
m. They will take part in small group discussions that can contribute to larger group
discussions;
n. Groups of members who went through informal recruitment will be led by council
officers.
Finally, the councils must;
o. develop a realistic timeline for the occurrence of all requirements laid out in this
plan. This includes required actions of both chapters and the councils themselves.
The timeline is to be released the day before the start of the Spring 2017 academic
semester.

2. Actions to be taken by the Interfraternity and Panhellenic Chapters
To demonstrate their commitment to preventing sexual violence and improving mental
health in the community,
a. Chapters will create a statement regarding their stance on both mental health and
sexual violence and how they intend to support ending related issues;
b. Statements will be simultaneously published on the website of each chapters
respective council.
To ensure that each chapter has a voice in solving the issues identified by this plan, that
each chapter truly commits themselves to their statements required above, and that each
chapter has the opportunity to influence, change and develop the programs created
through this action plan, each chapter must
c. Have at least one representative act as a liaison to the Greek Community Based
Coalition.
To provide the undergraduate leaders of the Washington State University Greek
Community with the proper training needed to create a safe environment for all members
and guests at all fraternity and sorority sponsored events and to react effectively in
emergency situations, each chapter will
d. Require their executive board members to attend executive risk management
training to be developed by the Interfraternity and Panhellenic councils;
e. Have materials that are visible to anyone walking through all entrances of the
facility containing information on the resources available to survivors of sexual
violence as well as students struggling with mental health conditions such as
depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

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3. Actions to be taken by WSU Health and Wellness

The current programming requirements have proven to be insufficient in meeting the
needs of Greek members in the areas of sexual violence and mental health. In addition, with
mental health closely linked to drug and alcohol abuse, current programs are not proficient
in addressing substance abuse. To develop a new and effective system of programming, the
councils and their committees collaborated with WSU Student Health and Wellness
Services Health Promotion Team. The following recommendations for programming were
developed and approved by Health Promotion at WSU Student Health and Wellness
Services.
Recommendations for Programming
Change required in house programming to two specific programs which address
mental health and sexual violence, facilitated through WSU Student Health and
Wellness Services.

HWS proposes collaborating with IFC and Panhellenic to create and implement hybrid
text/web-based and in-person programming during the spring 2016 semester (and
potentially beyond). A sample outline for programming is listed below. The specifics of the
programming such as topics, timeline, and scheduling will need to be finalized in early
January.
HWS will design a text/web-based program around topics identified by the Greek
Community. Broad themes are sexual assault and mental health and wellbeing.

Members have already identified healthy masculinity, consent, depression, and

anxiety as potential topics.
Topics can be further honed by reviewing National College Health Assessment data
collected from students identified as Greek-affiliated.

Sample Timeline
January:
Chapter presidents provide a document to HWS listing names and telephone numbers (or
email addresses) for each chapter member. Everyone will be signed up to receive text
messages from HWS.

February:
1) Members will receive a text message directing them to their assignment. The
assignment will be to complete one option from a variety of options provided (i.e. a
video, an article, etc.). HWS will collaborate with Alternatives to Violence of the
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Palouse and members of the Greek community to select options that are both
educational and sensitive to the needs of the community. Once theyve completed
this task, they will be sent a text message with several prompts to answer.
2) HWS will be notified when responses are received. HWS will be able to send each
president an email listing the percentage of members who have participated, and a
list of names of those who havent.
3) HWS will work with chapter presidents to find a day and time (last two weeks of
February) to provide an in-person presentation. This presentation will cover a
summary of chapter responses. So each presentation will be tailored for each
chapter.

March:
Similar in structure to February, but with a different prompt for the assignment.
April:
Debrief between HWS, IFC, and Panhellenic, on the effectiveness and sustainability of the
program(s) to inform development of plans for the following year.

Part 2- Risk Management

WSU Interfraternity and Panhellenic Council
Universal Risk Management Plan


Mission Statement:
The purpose of this document is to create a Universal Risk Management plan for
Washington State University recognized fraternities and sororities can and will
abide by during social events. This plan will outline basic risk management
guidelines and aid in the creation of a safe environment for all Greek organization
members during social events.
Explicit Expectations:
This policy expects members to abide by all federal, state, country, and local
regulations governing the use, distribution, and consumption of alcohol. In addition
to this policy, fraternities and sororities must comply with all social policies,
procedures, and Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life registration requirements
outlined for social functions in the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic bylaws,
respectively.
This policy is independent of, but works in conjunction with each chapters
international or national policies. It shall become effective for and enforced by all
members and chapters of the Panhellenic Association and Interfraternity Council at
Washington State University as of 11/30/2016.

I. Social Event Definitions:
a. Social Event/Function:

Event/function
o Any activity that is planned, organized, funded or sponsored by a
chapter that an observer would associate with that chapter.
Sponsorship
o An organization that is hosting or providing the event location.
o An organization that is listed on the registration form.
o An organization that contributes resources and/or funds to the
event.
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o An organization the announces, promotes, or participates in the

event.
o Organizations that are on social probation are forbidden to
sponsor a social event.
Co-sponsorship
o An organization that is listed on the registration form.
o An organization that contributes resources and/or funds to the
event.
o An organization that announces, promotes, or participates in the
event.
o Organizations that are on social probation and/or unrecognized
are forbidden to co-sponsor a social event.
Guest
o A person who is not a member of the sponsoring or co-sponsoring
chapter.
o A guest must be 18 years of age.
Third-party vendor
o A licensed establishment and/or caterer that is permitted to sell
alcohol.

II. Tiered Events Criteria:
In order to create uniformity between organizations, all events will fall into a system
of tiers. Each tier requires different risk management policies and requirements
deemed necessary for the assumed risk level of each tier.
For the purpose of this section, a risk monitor or any member on the risk team is
defined as a member of the involved fraternity or sorority organization who will
remain sober during the stated hours of the event and whose purpose is to monitor
the safety of the events attendants and to prevent or respond to the best of their
ability any risk that might occur.
The tiers and their appropriate policies and requirements are listed below:
Tier 1
1. Event Definition:

Organizations Involved: 1
Expected Number of Attendees: Less than 100

2. Risk Management Requirements:
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Minimum of 1 Executive Member supervising and controlling a risk team

Minimum of 4 risk monitors
o 2 Stationed of high risk areas
i.e. Fire escapes, balconies, obscure stairwells
o 1 Stationed at door with the Executive Member
o 1 Roaming gathering areas

Tier 2
1. Event Definition:

Organizations Involved: 2
o I.e. Exchanges, Small to Mid-Size Date Dashes, Biads
Expected Number of Attendees: 101-250

2. Risk Management Requirements:

Minimum of 1 Executive member from each organization supervising and

controlling a risk team
Minimum of 6 risk monitors from each organization involved
o 2 Stationed in high risk areas
i.e. Fire escapes, balconies, obscure stairwells
o 2 Stationed at door with Executive Member.
o 2 Roaming gathering areas.
Wrist bands and differentiation between members of legal drinking age and
minors required.
Cougar card swiping or ID check required at door.
For exchanges, risk must be provided with a paper composite.

Tier 3
1. Event Definition:

Organizations Involved: more than 2

o I.e. Triads, Large Tailgates, Large Opens, Large Date Dashes
Expected Number of Attendees: 251-500+

2. Risk Management Requirements:

Minimum of 2 Executive members from each organization supervising and

controlling a team of risk monitors from their organization involved in
event.
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Minimum of 8 risk monitors from each organization involved.

o 3 Stationed of high risk areas
i.e. Fire escapes, balconies, obscure stairwells
o 3 Stationed at door with Executive Member
o 2 Roaming gathering areas
Wrist bands and differentiation between members of legal drinking age and
minors required.
Cougar card swipe or ID check required at door
Event Risk plan submitted and approved by IFC and Panhellenic Director
Policy and Procedure and VP of Standards and Accountability
Third Party Security may be required. The need for Third Party Security will
be determined by the policy and procedure officers from the Panhellenic and
Interfraternity Councils.

III. Requirements for all Social Events:

All social events must follow the social policy parameters and procedures outlined
in the IFC and Panhellenic bylaws, including
Having baseline risk management plans
A pre-event risk meeting with all attending members and guests of the event
no later than 1 hour prior to the event start time.
A pre-event team meeting between all volunteers on the risk management
team.
There must be only one entrance and exit for event
All hosting organizations must supply bottled water in relation to number of
expected attendees
All hosting organizations must provide snacks (Graham crackers, pretzels, chips,
etc.) in relation to number of expected attendees.
All risk monitors must be provided with the contacts of all chapter executive
members in hand during event.
All areas of house are properly lighted.
All rooms not pertinent to the event must be locked and unoccupied until event has
ended, excluding current tenants of rooms.

IV. Violations:

Any chapter in violation of this risk management policy will be subjected to the
Greek Standards Board, or the Office of Student Conduct.

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VI. Good Faith Clause:
It is recognized that this policy cannot address, in specific fashion, all possible social
situations that may occur. When this policy is not specific on a particular point, the
Panhellenic the Interfraternity chapters and their members are expected to conduct
their events and themselves in the spirit of social responsibility which has
accordance with their chapter values and the values of the North American
Interfraternity and National Panhellenic Conferences.


The following actions have been deemed necessary in order to ensure that the
universal risk management plan is implemented effectively.

Actions to Be Taken by Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils
1. Councils must purchase card readers and card reading software for each of their
chapters in order to ensure each chapter can follow the Universal Risk Management
Plan.
2. Councils must ensure that chapters follow the Universal Risk Management Plan and
hold those chapters who do not use the plan, accountable through the Greek
Standards Board.
3. Councils will continue to provide educational programs about alcohol, prescription
drugs and illegal drugs, their effects on the human body and how chapter members
can help to ensure the safety of their peers.
Actions to Be Taken by Interfraternity and Panhellenic Chapters
1. Chapters must follow the Universal Risk Management Plan to the best of their
ability.
2. Chapters must hold each other accountable using the Universal Risk Management
Plan.
3. Chapters must develop an emergency contact card for all Risk Monitors to have on
their person during events. Specific criteria will be developed by the Interfraternity
and Panhellenic Councils through recommendations from members of the Greek
Community. Contacts may include, but are not limited to the following:
a. Non-Emergency Pullman Police Dispatch
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b. Womens Transit
c. Executive Officer Contact Information
d. Contact Information for other organizations involved in the event
e. Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life Staff
4. Chapters will create a general floor plan for all of their event venues including the
positions of all Risk Monitors for events.

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Part 3- Bylaw Congruency

In order to improve and strengthen the interactions between the WSU Panhellenic and
Interfraternity Community, the following bylaw changes have been proposed. Many of the
changes are intended to create congruency between the two documents and enforce pieces
of this Action Plan.
Panhellenic Bylaw Changes
1. Addition of a Bylaw Review Committee and a Risk Management Plan committee to
review these documents on a semi-annual basis.
2. Amendment to the Community Service bylaws
a. New requirements for chapters who do not complete the required amount of
community service hours as prescribed by the Panhellenic Council
3. Amendment to the Greek Standards Board Constitution and Bylaws
a. Types of Sanctioning Methods already outlined in the Interfraternity Council
Bylaws.
4. Amendment to the Programming bylaws
a. Removing additional programming requirements and placing in the penalty
of Supervised Probation on Tier 2,
b. Removing Tier 4 from the programming bylaws.
5. Amendments to Social Event Policy
a. Outlines the only weeks chapters may to have weekday events:
i. Fall- Syllabus Week and Homecoming Week
ii. Spring- Syllabus Week
iii. Social events will not be permitted on Monday of Syllabus Week
b. Prohibits Greek Weddings.
c. Requires chapters to follow the Universal Risk Management Plan.
Interfraternity Council Bylaw Changes
1. Addition of a Bylaw Review Committee and a Risk Management Plan committee to
review these documents on a semi-annual basis.
2. Amendments to the Greek Standards Board Constitution and Bylaws
a. Changes minimum GPA of GSB members to a 3.00.
3. Amendments to Social Event Policy
a. Defines Date Dash Events
b. Prohibits Greek Weddings.
c. Requires chapters to follow the Universal Risk Management Plan.
d. Requires IFC chapters to register their social events with the IFC.
4. Amendments to the IFC Officer Requirements
a. Requires that IFC officers must maintain a cumulative 3.00 GPA thought his
term on IFC.
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5. Amendments to the Election Bylaws

a. Requires candidates to have a cumulative 3.00 GPA.
6. Amendments to the Senate Bylaws
a. Require that all Senate Delegates must sit on their chapters Executive Board.

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