PREAMBLE
We, the men of Kansas Epsilon
Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon, in order to promote virtue, diligence, and
brotherly love among our members, to encourage and develop leadership, to
further the high ideals and aspirations of the Fraternity and Emporia State
University, to foster a desire for the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge, and to
further the education and opportunities of the individual, do ordain and
establish this constitution.
The Grand Chapter Constitution, By-Laws and Administrative
Procedures, and the By-Laws of which shall be made in pursuance thereof, shall
be the supreme law of the Fraternity; and the constituents of this Chapter
shall be bound by anything contained therein.
ARTICLE I – Name of the Organization and its
Definitions
Section 1. This organization shall be known
as the Kansas Epsilon Chapter of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.
Section 2. The word Fraternity shall
refer to the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. The word Chapter shall refer
to the Kansas Epsilon Chapter of this Fraternity.
Section
3. The
secret work of the Fraternity shall refer to any information bestowed upon its
members during Ritual, or regarding its Ritualistic practices.
Section
4. Common
Law shall refer to basic “wrongs” or wrongful acts against a person, people, or
institution.
Section
5. Moral
Law shall refer to an ordinance of reason to serve the common good that shall
be subject to interpretation by the Standards Board.
Section
6. New
member shall refer to all brothers recently affiliated with the Chapter, and
those brothers not having participated in the Sigma Rite of Passage.
Section
7. Sigma
brothers are those who have participated in the Sigma Rite of Passage, and who
are currently working to complete the Sigma Challenge.
Section
8. Phi
brothers are those who have participated in the Phi Rite of Passage, and who
are currently working to complete the Phi Challenge.
Section
9. Epsilon
brothers are those who have participated in the Epsilon Rite of Passage, and
who are currently working to complete the Epsilon Challenge.
Section
10. Brother Mentor
brothers are those who have participated in the Brother Mentor Rite of Passage,
and who are currently working to complete the Brother Mentor Challenge.
Section 11. Undergraduate brothers are those who have been officially
affiliated with an undergraduate chapter while they are students at
Section
12. Alumni brothers
are those who cease to be student members at Emporia State University through
(1) graduation via a bachelor degree, (2) or permission to obtain alumni status
through application to the national Fraternity, via a formal application
submitted to the local undergraduate chapter, certification of same application
of the corresponding alumni board overseeing the undergraduate chapter, and
final approval by the National Board of Directors. Standards are
concurrent to those set by the Grand Chapter By-Laws.
Section
13. Honorary brothers
are persons of any age who are held in high esteem by the Chapter, who express
values and ideals consistent with the cardinal principles of Virtue, Diligence,
and Brotherly Love, and who are recognized with such title by a two-thirds
Chapter vote.
Section
14. Renaissance
brothers are those who are over 25 years of age, or deceased; who have received
an undergraduate degree or currently are not enrolled undergraduate students at
a college or University’ who are not a member of another national Fraternity;
and who express values and ideals consistent with the cardinal principles of
Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly Love.
Section
15. Brothers-at-Large
are those who, at the time of their affiliation are attending a college or
University where no undergraduate chapter of the Fraternity is
established. Brother-at-large are affiliated in anticipation of
establishing an undergraduate chapter at such college or University and
authorization for such initiation by a chapter may be given only by the
unanimous approval of the National Board of Directors.
ARTICLE II – Purpose
and Objectives
Section 1. The objectives of the Fraternity are:
a. To build, develop, and strengthen the character of its members, to preserve
the ideals and Christian principles upon which the Fraternity was founded.
b. To install those principles which are essential, in performing the duties
that naturally develop upon an individual as a member of society.
c. To impress upon its members the true significance of fraternal
relationships.
d. To aid and support the government and discipline of
e. To promote scholarship.
Section 2. The purposes of the Chapter are:
a. To
fulfill the obligations of Article II, Section 1.
b. To
fulfill the obligations of the Preamble
Section 3. The Chapter shall be subject to the provisions
of the Constitution and By-Laws and Administrative Policies and Procedures of
the Grand Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.
ARTICLE III – Membership
Section 1. Membership in this Chapter shall
be subject to the provisions of the Grand Chapter Constitution and By-Laws and
Administrative Policies and Procedures, Article I, Sections 1a to 1e
inclusive.
Section
2. Any
male undergraduate of Emporia State University who is not a member of any other
national Greek-letter social fraternity, maintains the enrollment requirements
set forth by Emporia State University, is devoid of felony charges, and has at
least a 2.5 grade point average is eligible for membership.
Section
3. A
member of any other Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon attending this university
shall be permitted to affiliate with this Chapter by 80% approval by the active
Chapter.
Section
4. There
shall be four classes of members:
a. Undergraduate
b. Alumni
c. Honorary
d. Renaissance
e. Brother-at-Large
Section 5.
A member in good standing is defined as: one who is not financially
indebted to the Chapter by a sum of $290.00 or less for in-house dues, $90.00
or less for out of house dues, $220.00 or less for new members. Also, one
who is a member of at least one other campus organization other than Sigma Phi
Epsilon. Also, one who has met the scholastic obligations of at least a 2.5
grade point average as set forth in the By-Laws and Constitution of the Grand
Chapter.
Section
6.
Inactive membership, or any type of membership not specifically provided herein
shall not be permitted.
Section
7. No
member shall belong to any society or organization whose principles and
objectives are inconsistent with those of the Fraternity.
Section
8. This
Chapter shall have the authority to initiate a candidate for honorary
membership in accordance with the Grand Chapter Constitution and Administrative
Policies and Procedures. For each individual initiated as an honorary
brother of any Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon, the Chapter shall pay to the
Fraternity an initiation fee of ten dollars. Each candidate shall pay a
$35 initiation fee.
Section
9. Any
member who receives a degree at
Section
10. No candidate shall
be affiliated with this Chapter without being elected to membership. No
man shall be elected to membership who has obtained a high school or college
grade point average less than 2.5 out of a 4.0 scale. Further, provided
that no candidate shall be elected to membership who is a member of another
general college social fraternity.
Section
11. No person shall be
affiliated to this Chapter without receiving an invitation to do so. This
invitation shall be extended by two-thirds of those present at Chapter meeting,
providing that they are eligible to vote in the Chapter. The active
Chapter, may, by a two-thirds vote, invest the authority in a member or group
of members to extend this invitation.
Section 12.
Any New Member or Sigma training
activity shall be of a constructive nature in accordance with the purposes and
objectives of the Fraternity, and all forms of hazing and those activities
commonly associated with “Hell Week” are prohibited.
Section 13.
No New Member or Sigma brother of
this Chapter shall be allowed to wear the Coat of Arms, or Founder’s
Badge. The display of the Founder’s Badge shall be reserved to those
brothers participating in the Epsilon Stage or any Stage thereafter. The
only exception is when the New Members or Sigma brothers wear the crested
blazer for composite pictures.
Section
14. A member who is
not suspended or liable for any reason, and has met the scholarship requirement
of the Chapter, shall be specifically considered an active member in good
standing.
Section
15. The Kansas Epsilon
Chapter shall be composed of the entire undergraduate membership in good
standing.
ARTICLE IV – Alumni Board
Section 1. The Alumni in the area of an
undergraduate Chapter shall form a corporation for the purpose of assisting the
undergraduate Chapter in matters of finance, Chapter house construction,
maintenance, and operation. The Board of directors of the Alumni Corporation
shall be referred to as the Alumni Board of the undergraduate Chapter.
Section
2. Legal
title to the lands and building acquired and/or occupied by the undergraduate
Chapter, and to the furnishings therein, shall be in the Alumni corporation, and
such property shall be held of the benefit of the undergraduate Chapter.
Section
3. The
Alumni Board shall have the power to budget and control the receipts and
disbursements of the undergraduate Chapter and to install proper systems of
financing and accounting.
Section
4. The
Alumni Board shall have the power to appoint the Vice President of Finance of
the undergraduate Chapter and to define his duties and compensations.
Section
5. The
Alumni Board shall submit an annual financial statement of the corporation to
the undergraduate Chapter and to the National Board of Directors, and shall
explain said statement upon request.
ARTICLE V – Executive Board
Section 1. The governing body of this
Chapter shall be the Executive Committee.
Section
2. The
membership of the Executive Committee shall be composed of the President, Vice
President of Programming, Vice President of Finance, Vice President of Member
Development, Vice President of Communications, and Vice President of
Recruitment.
Section
3. The
officers of an undergraduate Chapter shall be elected annually by secret ballot
not later than the last regular meeting in December; provided, however, they
may be elected semi-annually if two-thirds of the undergraduate brother of the
Chapter vote in its favor, and the process is approved by the district governor
and supervised by the Chapter counselor.
Section
4. In the
event the elective officers fail to return to college, the undergraduate
members may assemble and effect a temporary organization and proceed to elect
officers who will serve until the next annual election.
Section
5. Only a
member in good standing shall be eligible to hold an office or position of
trust in any undergraduate Chapter.
Section
6. All
Executive Officers must live in the Chapter house for the duration of their
term, with the exception of the Vice President of Recruitment, unless a
two-thirds vote is achieved by the Chapter.
Section
7. The
officers of an undergraduate Chapter shall be installed no sooner that the next
regular meeting and not later than the fourth regular meeting after their
election, according to the manner prescribed in the Ritual.
Section
8. A
Chapter shall have the power, by majority vote, to declare void the election of
an officer who, without satisfactory cause, fails to present himself for
installation.
Section
9. An
undergraduate chapter shall have the power, by a vote of two-thirds of all its
undergraduate members in good standing to declare vacant any office of the
Chapter. Further, the Alumni Board shall have the right to declare vacant
the office of Vice President of Finance for non-performance of his stated
duties and obligations.
Section
10. No member with a
cumulative grade point average less than a 2.75 shall petition, or be nominated
for an Executive office.
Section
11. The Alumni Board
shall appoint, to the Vice President of Finance, his assignments and regulate
his duties and functions with approval of the Chapter.
Section
12. The ranking order
of the officers is as follows: President, Vice President of Programming,
Vice President of Finance, Vice President of Member Development, Vice President
of Communications, and Vice President of Recruitment.
Section
13. Executive
Officers: Powers and Duties
a. Each of the officers of an undergraduate Chapter shall have such powers and
perform such duties as prescribed in the By-Laws and Administrative Policies
and Procedures, or the Ritual of the Fraternity, in the By-Laws of the
undergraduate Chapter, or as may be directed by the Grand Chapter.
b.To be
eligible to hold and elected position in Sigma Phi Epsilon, a member must be in
good standing and must maintain a cumulative grade point average which exceeds
that Chapter’s minimum grade point average for membership by no less that .25
on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent).
c. The
Executive Officers of an undergraduate Chapter in the order of succession, and
their duties, shall be as follows:
i. The President shall preside over all meetings of the Chapter, call extra
sessions, appoint committees, decide in case of tie votes, and sign all papers
requiring authentication. He shall have authority to suspend from a
Chapter meeting any member for conduct unbecoming of a member of Sigma Phi
Epsilon. The President shall be chairman of a President’s cabinet
separate from the Executive Committee.
ii. The Vice President of Programming shall be responsible for the Chapter’s
functions, programs, and to keep the Chapter calendar. He is chairman of
the programs cabinet, which includes the Social Chair, the Community Service
Chair, the Intramural Sports Chair, IFC Sports Chair, and Historian. He
is also the ritualistic Vice President.
iii. The Vice President of Finance shall be chairman of the finance cabinet
which includes the Budget Chair, Kitchen Manager, Fundraising Chair, and House
Manager. The finance cabinet shall collect all dues and other charges due
from the undergraduate members to the Chapter, and the Vice President of
Finance shall make disbursements subject to the order of the Chapter President
or the Alumni Board. The Finance cabinet shall prepare, with the
assistance of the Alumni Board and the Chapter President, an annual budget of
the undergraduate Chapter, and after the Alumni Board approves it, he shall
transmit a copy to the undergraduate Chapter, the District Governor, and
Headquarters. The Finance cabinet shall prepare and submit the monthly
financial reports required by Section E, Paragraph 20 of the Administrative
Policies and Procedures. The Vice President of Finance shall be
responsible for the prompt collection and transmittal to Headquarters of all
moneys due the Fraternity pursuant to Section C of the Administrative Policies
and Procedures. Within one month after the conclusion of their terms of
office, the Vice President of Finance and cabinet shall turn over for audit to
a qualified person appointed by the Alumni Board, in accordance with Section E,
Paragraph 21, of the Administrative Policies and Procedures, all records
pertaining to the financial operations of the undergraduate Chapter.
iv. The Vice President of Member Development shall be chairman of the
development cabinet which includes the Scholarship Chair, Risk Management
Chair, Parents Club Chair, G.A.M.M.A. Representatives, Sigma Coordinator, Phi
Coordinator, Epsilon Coordinator, and Brother Mentor Coordinator, and Speaker
Chair. The Vice President of Member Development is responsible to schedule
and lead Chapter retreats and enrichment programs. He shall act to
uphold, develop, and strengthen the character of the members and to preserve
the ideals and principles upon which the Fraternity was founded.
v. The Vice President of Communications shall be chairman of the
communications cabinet, which includes the Public Relations Chair, Secretary,
Alumni Relations Chair, and Webmaster. He shall act to maintain and
strengthen the Fraternity’s relationship and stature to the public, as well as develop
the Chapter’s relationship with its alumni.
vi. The Vice President of Recruitment shall be responsible for
recruiting new members, bother undergraduate and alumni, into the
Chapter. He is chairman of the recruitment cabinet, which includes the
Balanced Man Scholarship Chair, and the Assistant Recruitment Chair. They shall
conduct the Chapter’s non-member recruitment, establishing and maintaining
programs, maximizing the Chapter’s resources to recruit undergraduate members.
Section
14. The Executive
Committee shall meet the night before each Chapter meeting or when called by
the President or a Vice President and any such meeting shall be open to all
members.
Section
15. Any revisions or
amendments to the Chapter By-Laws shall be presented in proper form at Chapter
meeting, and shall be implemented only after the Chapter achieves a two-thirds
vote.
Section
16. The President
shall serve as the Chairman of the Executive Committee and shall report to this
Chapter any action recommended or taken by said committee at each Chapter
meeting. It shall be the duty of this committee to plan the years
activities and establish the general overall policies which are consistent with
the Grand Chapter Constitution and By-Laws and Administrative Policies and
Procedures and local Chapter By-Laws.
ARTICLE VI – Cabinets
Section 1. Cabinet meetings must be held each week
for which a meeting is scheduled, prior to said meeting. Each cabinet is
responsible for preparing reports concerning the duties of its cabinet
members. Any member of any cabinet who does not perform his duties as he
should may be removed by the President with the consent of the Vice President
of said member’s cabinet.
Section
2. The
President’s cabinet shall consist of the IFC Representatives.
a. The IFC Representatives shall attend all IFC meetings and serve as a
delegate and voting representative, abiding by the undergraduate Chapter’s
will. He shall report all transacted business and important dates and
events of the most recent IFC meeting to the active Chapter during regular
meetings.
Section
3. The
Vice President of Programming’s cabinet shall consist of the Social Chair,
Intramural Sports Chair, IFC Sports Chair, Scrapbook Chair, and Community
Service Chair.
a. The
Social Chair shall schedule all annual social events no later that the second
regular meeting of each semester and revise the calendar when necessary.
He shall organize all events, including location, transportation, and
entertainment, and notify the necessary officers of any special needs for said
events.
b. The
Intramural Sports Chair shall notify the Chapter of all game dates and times
for intramural sports events and organize practices.
c. The
IFC Sports Chair shall notify the Chapter of all game dates and times for IFC
sports events and organize practices. He shall attend and represent the
Chapter’s wishes at all meetings regarding IFC sports.
d. The
Scrapbook Chair shall take photographs of all Chapter events and combine these
pictures with publications to create a Kansas Epsilon scrapbook.
e. The
Community Service Chair shall schedule and organize all community service
events to promote service and good will in the community and oversee
documentation of attendance by members.
Section
4. The
Vice President of Finance’s cabinet shall consist of the Fundraising Chair,
House Manager, Kitchen Manager, and Budget Chair.
a. The
Fundraising Chair shall work to find projects which will be profitable for the
Chapter and contribute to its financial stability. He will organize and
administrate fundraisers and supervise member participation in the
fundraisers.
b . The
House Manager shall post house duties each week, fix broken items, and order
materials as they are needed for the house. He shall be responsible for
setting fines for brothers who fail to complete their assigned house
duties.
c . The
Kitchen Manager shall make all food purchases for the Chapter. He shall
keep the kitchen stocked for lunches and work directly with the cooks. He
will monitor the cooks to make sure he or she prepares the correct amount of
food for dinners and special events.
d . The
Budget Chair shall work closely under the Vice President of Finance of the
Chapter. He shall perform all duties of the Vice President of Finance in
his absence.
Section
5. The
Vice President of Member Development’s cabinet shall consist of the Scholarship
Chair, Speaker Chair, Risk Management Chair, G.A.M.M.A. Representatives,
Parent’s Club Chair, and Challenge Coordinators.
a. The
Scholarship Chair shall see that study hours are enforced at all times, set
fines for members who do not meet study hour requirements, keep individual and
house GPA’s, work closely with Stage Coordinators and Fraternity Fathers to
encourage new member scholarship, and to determine the members eligibility for
the Clifford B. Scott Memorial Key and the Ulysses Grant Dubach Award, sending
this information, properly authenticated, to the National Headquarters in the
fall of each year.
b. The
Speaker Chair shall schedule speakers to talk during regular meetings.
The speakers’ topics should be of an educational nature and address the
personal development of all individuals of the Chapter.
c. The Risk
Management Chair shall schedule, supervise, and enforce the designated driver
(Duck) program. He shall oversee, or make arrangements for other members
to oversee, all parties and social functions, enforcing the management of all
personal in attendance in accordance with the policies set forth by the
Executive Committee.
d. The
G.A.M.M.A. Representative shall attend all G.A.M.M.A. meetings and represent
the Chapters views and policies on proper alcohol management.
e. The
Parent’s Club Chair shall be responsible for scheduling, organizing, and
supervising all Chapter events involving parents of members such as Parent’s
Day, Mom’s Day, and Dad’s Day. He shall provide notice to the parents of
these events, and, at least once a semester, prepare a newsletter to be sent to
the parents.
f. The Sigma
Coordinator shall be responsible for scheduling, organizing, and presenting
relevant material for those brothers currently participating in the Sigma stage
of development in accordance with The Quest. He is responsible for ensuring
each member’s successful completion of the Sigma stage.
g. The Phi
Coordinator shall be responsible for scheduling, organizing, and presenting
relevant material for those brothers currently participating in the Phi stage
of development in accordance with The Quest. He is responsible for ensuring
each member’s successful completion of the Phi stage.
h. The
Epsilon Coordinator shall be responsible for scheduling, organizing, and
presenting relevant material for those brothers currently participating in the
Epsilon stage of development in accordance with The Quest. He is responsible
for ensuring each member’s successful completion of the Epsilon stage.
i. The
Brother Mentor Coordinator shall be responsible for scheduling, organizing, and
presenting relevant material for those brothers currently participating in the
Brother Mentor stage of development in accordance with The Quest.
Section
6. The
Vice President of Communication’s cabinet shall consist of the Public Relations
Chair, Secretary, Alumni Relations Chair, and Webmaster.
a. The Secretary shall maintain the membership records of the Chapter in a form
prescribed by the National Board of Directors, and he shall keep record of the
history of the Chapter. He shall call the roll, keep record of
attendance, and keep the minutes of each meeting. He shall have charge of
the seal, books, papers, and records of the Chapter, except those in the charge
of other officers. He shall conduct all correspondence and bring all
legislation before the Chapter.
b. The Public Relations Chair shall supervise, advise, and encourage members to
participate in campus activities and organizations. He shall supervise
the political activities of the Chapter and its members and work to create a
positive image of the Chapter toward campus and the community.
c. The Alumni Relations Chair shall work closely with the Alumni Board, helping
with correspondence and communication with Alumni and helping prepare the
Alumni newsletter to be released each semester.
d. The Technology Chair shall construct, maintain, and regularly update the
Chapter’s website, ensuring its quality. He shall ensure that this
website and all of its material is in accordance with local and national
standards.
Section
7. The
Vice President of Recruitment’s cabinet shall consist of the Balanced Man
Scholarship Chair, Assistant Recruitment Chair, and Alumni Relations
Chair.
a. The Balanced Man Scholarship Chair shall be the administrator of sending,
receiving, and processing applications for the scholarship. He shall
review the applications along with the Executive Committee and chose the
finalists. He must organize home interviews for finalists and, with the
Executive Committee, decide who the recipients will be.
b. The Assistant Recruitment Chair shall work closely with the Vice President
of Recruitment, helping him with his duties and assuming his responsibilities
in his absence.
ARTICLE
VII – Participation
in Intramurals
Section
1. Only
those members in good standing and alumni shall be allowed to participate in
school intramurals. IFC regulation will dictate participation in IFC
tournaments.
ARTICLE VIII – New Membership
Section
1. The course
of education for the Balanced Man stages will be decided upon by the stage
coordinators and the Vice President of Development.
Section
2. No form
of hazing is allowed.
Section 3. Any Development Stage activity shall be of a constructive nature
in accordance with the purposes and objectives of the Fraternity, and all forms
of hazing and those activities commonly associated with “Hell Week” are
prohibited.
Section
4. New Members
will be allowed to attend regular Chapter meetings, with the exception of the
Ritual exceeding their stage, and will receive recognition from the
Chapter.
Section
5. All
members shall be subject to any and all Grand Chapter By-Laws and
Administrative Policies and Procedures and local Chapter By-Laws and
Constitutional Provisions.
ARTICLE IX – Violations
of Membership Obligation
Section
1. A
member is subject to trial and punishment for the following violations, defined
as conduct unbecoming of a brother:
a. Offenses against statutory law, crimes, felonies, and misdemeanors.
b. Offenses against common law, not made crimes by any statute.
c. Offenses against moral law, not punishable as crimes.
d. Offenses against the Grand Chapter Constitution and By-Laws and
Administrative Policies and Procedures.
e. Offenses against local Chapter By-Laws.
f. Offenses which involve any violation of the Oath of Obligation.
g. Misrepresentation of eligibility for membership of himself or another
member.
h. Causing to be written or printed, or revealing in any manner whatsoever, any
of the secret work of the Fraternity.
Section 2.
Trials of member will be conducted in the manner of Sigma Phi Epsilon Trial
Procedures listed in the 2002 Officer’s Guide.
Section
3. The
penalties which the undergraduate Chapter may inflict for conduct unbecoming
shall be the following:
a. Reprimand or censure in open Chapter meeting.
b. Imposition and fine of no more than $100.00.
c. Denial of specific privileges.
d. Suspension for a definite time.
e. Expulsion from the Fraternity.
Section
4. The
following fines for violations shall be permanent and consistent and shall be
imposed by Standards Board upon reviewing cases:
a. A member shall be fined $25.00 if going out socially on the night before an
IFC sporting event or major Community Service event designated by the Vice
President of Programming.
b. A member shall be fined $25.00 for striking another member or alumni.
ARTICLE X – Amendments
Section 1. Any amendments to this
Constitution shall be proposed in writing in a regular meeting or special
meeting by a member in good standing and shall be tabled for one week.
Section
2. The
tabled amendment shall be adopted upon a two-thirds vote of the undergraduate
Chapter.
ARTICLE XI – Introduction of Bills and Resolutions
Section
1. Bills
must be posted 24 house in advance of Executive Committee meetings. All
bills will be filtered through the Executive Committee, who will decide which
bills will be voted on during New Business of the next regular meeting. A
bill shall pass if it receives a majority vote of the voting members in
attendance. A voting member is defined as a member in good standing.
ARTICLE XII – Legality
Section
1. This
Constitution supersedes and replaces any previous Constitution upon
ratification by the Chapter.
Section
2.
Ratification shall be by a two-thirds vote of the Chapter.