Greek Achievement Program

Purpose

The Greek Achievement Program (GAP) is an initiative at SUNY Buffalo State University that focuses on the development of fraternity and sorority members and their respective chapters. This initiative promotes the holistic development of members. This initiative facilitates the fraternity and sorority members to engage in the larger campus community and encourages collaboration across organizations.  

Summary of Program

The program outlines five standards to be integrated into the work of each chapter. Within each standard, each chapter will have the option to highlight their commitment to this standard in an individualized way. This will involve initiatives that are both internal and external to the organization. The standards are expectations in which recognized Buffalo State fraternities and sororities should aspire to achieve.  

The organizations will receive support throughout this process from the Greek Life liaisons, the organization’s chapter adviser, and the organization’s Buffalo State faculty/ staff advisor on campus.  

Greek Achievement Program Standards

The program will consist of five standards to be integrated into the work of each chapter. Within each standard, each chapter will have the option to highlight its commitment to this standard in an individualized way.

Standard 1: Academic Excellence

  • Chapters will promote positive academic habits and make academic success a top priority for all members. Examples include hosting library hours, attending academic-related events, and utilizing tutoring services and resources.  
  • Chapters will demonstrate the importance of establishing connections with faculty and staff on campus through maintaining a relationship with their faculty/staff adviser at Buffalo State.  
  • Chapters will create and utilize an academic plan for their members to maintain academic progress and excellence.  

Standard 2: Accountability and Harm Reduction

  • Chapters will educate their members on risk management by hosting a training or workshop on risk management guidelines or equivalent chapter standards regarding risk management behaviors each semester.  
  • Chapters will demonstrate an understanding of anti-hazing policies through their intake and new member education protocols. 
  • Members will understand how to recognize and how to report hazing at Buffalo State. 
  • Members will demonstrate an understanding of consent and bystander intervention through their participation in a BSU Consent Convos workshop hosted by the Dean of Students Office at Buffalo State.  

Standard 3: Community, Civic Engagement, and Belonging

  • Chapters will demonstrate a connection to the larger Greek community through their attendance at and participation in events sponsored by the Greek President’s Council. Examples include Greek Life Development Day, Meet the Greeks, National Hazing Prevention Week, and Greek Week.
  • Chapters will immerse themselves into the larger campus community by attending events hosted by other recognized Greek Life organizations as well as organizations that are not affiliated with Greek Life.  
  • Chapters will support and understand the purpose of philanthropy and community service through fundraising and active participation in service programming. 

Standard 4: Organizational Excellence and Leadership

  • Members will demonstrate knowledge of campus policies, procedures and expectations, including Buffalo State’s annual registration and affiliation agreement.
  • Chapters will demonstrate how they promote and encourage the leadership development of their members. 
  • Chapters will maintain efficient chapter operations by having a structure in place for executive board transition. 
  • Chapters will articulate the values, ideals, and principles of their organizations and how they exemplify these constructs in their chapter operations.  

Standard 5: Social Justice and Inclusion

  • Members will learn and understand the college’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through their engagement with social justice workshops, events, and initiatives.  
  • Members will be able to demonstrate how their organization supports the unconditional human worth and dignity of all Buffalo State students.  
  • Members will articulate how their organization supports social justice initiatives on-campus and in their local communities.   
  • Chapters will support the holistic development and multiple identities of their members.  

General College Requirements for Greek Letter Organizations

Progress for General College Requirements will be tracked on Bengal Connect through the Greek Achievement Program Path.  Students will be able to submit documents and track progress. Each organization will assign a representative to track their organization’s progress. Organizations will be able to contact Student Leadership and Engagement staff for any assistance using Paths.

  • Submit a copy of insurance/description of coverage
  • Submit a signed Adviser Agreement Form
  • Keep an active Bengal Connect page with an up-to-date official roster at all times
  • Submit an official organization roster to the Greek Liaison by the end of the first week of classes (fall semester)
  • Submit an official organization roster to the Greek Liaison by the end of the first week of classes (spring semester)
  • Complete annual re-registration via Bengal Connect (April 1 – May 31)
  • New Member Educator attends Greek Life Interest Meeting (fall and spring semester)
  • Submit copy approval of New Member Education Plan/Intake Proposal by the end of the second week of classes (fall and spring semester)
  • The New Member Educator has met with the Greek Life Liaison to review the organization’s New Member Education Plan/Intake Proposal (fall and spring semester)
  • Ensure new members that join the organization are added to the official roster on Bengal Connect and visit Student Leadership and Engagement to verify their membership (fall and spring semester)
  • Ensure all new members attend the “Greek Life New Member Training” held at the end of each semester (fall and spring semester semester)
  • President and/or At-Large Member has attended all Greek President’s Council Meetings
  • Organization attended Greek Life Development Day
  • Organization attended Meet the Greeks (fall semester)
  • Organization attended Meet the Greeks (spring semester)
  • Organization attended National Hazing Prevention Week Event
  • Organization attended Greek Week