Recognition is the formal process by which Buffalo State College agrees that a social fraternity or sorority may function on campus, enroll members, and identify with the College.
Recognition by Buffalo State allows social fraternal organizations to identify affiliation with the institution. This includes the use of the college name and logo, designated services and facilities, recruitment of Buffalo State students on and off-campus, fundraising, and space reservation. In addition, all recognized Buffalo State fraternities and sororities are expected to comply with the campus Student Code of Conduct, policies and procedures, rules and regulations, as well as federal, state, and local laws. Recognition does not imply Buffalo State endorsement of the positions and views of the organization, nor does the college assume sponsorship of, or responsibility for, any of the activities of the group on and off the property of the college.
Provisional recognition provides for limited organizational activities during the fall and spring academic calendar. All applications must be submitted to the Greek Liaison in Student Leadership and Engagement.
1. A letter from a regional/national office stating the group’s goals and purposes OR a statement by the local group stating its purposes or goals. This should include a statement explaining the reason and justification for why the group is needed by students and the Buffalo State community.
2. Submit a constitution for the Fraternity or Sorority to Student Leadership and Engagement for review and approval.
3. After one semester of Provisional Recognition, the organization is to provide a list of students who expressed continued interest in joining the organization. This list should include Buffalo State ID number, local address, and telephone number. (Please see template provided by Student Leadership and Engagement). An updated copy of the list should be provided to Student Leadership and Engagement at the beginning of each semester.
4. The name of a Buffalo State full-time faculty/staff member that will serve as an adviser to the organization upon receiving full recognition. Organizations that are without a faculty/staff adviser can receive assistance through Student Leadership and Engagement.
A meeting with the Greek Liaison from Student Leadership and Engagement is required following the submission of the application for provisional recognition. The Greek Liaison may approve or deny the application. If approved, provisional recognition shall be granted on a semester-to-semester basis, and all appropriate governing bodies will be notified of the decision. If denied, a group may reapply in subsequent semesters.
At the end of the provisional recognition period each semester, an extension of provisional status OR request for full recognition will be reviewed by the Student Leadership & Engagement Office. Provisional recognition will be approved on a semester-to-semester basis, and organizations will be eligible for an extension for up to 4 academic semesters. The provisional recognition status of a Greek-lettered organization can be terminated upon review from the Student Leadership & Engagement Office.
Full recognition is granted on an annual basis. The Application for Full Recognition must be submitted to the Greek Liaison in Student Leadership and Engagement.
1. A letter from the national/regional office submitted to the Greek Liaison in Student Leadership and Engagement confirming that the organization is pursuing a Charter at Buffalo State, which will be granted if all requirements are met.
2. If nationally/regionally affiliated, a copy of the insurance policy/description of coverage.
3. Submit an outline of community service, scholarship, and social activities undertaken during the period of provisional recognition as well as plans for the future.
4. A current complete roster of at least five (5) names serving as active members within the organization. This list should include Buffalo State Student ID number, local address, telephone number. (Please see template provided by Student Leadership and Engagement).
5. A list of students who are serving as the executive board for the proposed fraternity or sorority. This includes a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary (these individuals count toward the 5-member minimum). All executive board members must be registered as full-time (12 credits), matriculated Buffalo State students.
6. Submit an update to date constitution for the proposed fraternity or sorority to Student Leadership and Engagement for review and approval.
7. Submit an anti-hazing form signed by all members of the group to Student Leadership and Engagement.
8. Have a designated Advisor who is a full-time Buffalo State faculty/staff member and supports the mission of the proposed organization. All Advisors must complete the Advisor Agreement Form prior to an organization becoming recognized.
A meeting with the Greek Liaison from Student Leadership and Engagement is required following the submission of the application. The Greek Liaison may approve or deny the application for full recognition and will notify the appropriate governing bodies of the decision.
Fraternities and sororities already recognized at Buffalo State must apply for re-recognition on an annual basis. It is the responsibility of the student organization to complete this process. Failure to comply with the re-recognition process may result in a revocation of your student organization’s recognition status or listed as inactive.
The re-recognition period each year will begin on April 1st and end two weeks into the Fall semester of each academic year.
1. Complete the re-recognition process via Bengal Connect.
2. Provide an updated active membership roster of at least five (5) Buffalo State students, including the newly elected executive board (President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary) for the upcoming academic year. All executive board members must be registered as full-time (12 credits), matriculated Buffalo State students.
3. Submit the student organization’s most recent constitution and by-laws.
4. Submit an updated Greek Advisor Agreement Form. Greek organization advisors must be full-time Buffalo State faculty/staff members.
5. If applicable, submit a letter from the national/regional office indicating the current good standing of the organization.
6. Documentation of the appropriate Greek governing bodies indicating continued compliance with their respective rules and regulations.
7. Documentation to Student Leadership and Engagement indicating completion of the annual 5 Start Program requirements.
8. A copy of the insurance policy/description of coverage.
9. Submit an Anti-Hazing Form signed by all members of the group to Student Leadership and Engagement.
All fraternities and sororities will be required to attend the mandatory annual meeting with Student Leadership and Engagement to be trained on Buffalo State policies and procedures. This meeting will occur the first few weeks of the academic year. Each student organization will be required to send at least one representative to this meeting. Failure to do so may result in the following:
Probationary recognition status entails a conditional withdrawal of certain College services or benefits and/or application of specific sanctions/requirements by the College to the chapter for a specified period of time. This status may be imposed as a result of actions taken by the Greek Liaison, campus Greek governing bodies, the College Judicial System or national/regional organizations.
Upon termination of recognition, all chapter operations must cease. All campus privileges and college permission for the chapter to function are revoked. Upon withdrawal of recognition, the chapter shall be ineligible to reapply for recognition for five (5) years unless this requirement is waived by the Vice-President for Student Affairs.
Current individual members registered at Buffalo State could face campus disciplinary action for failure to comply with termination of recognition.
Should recognition be restored after termination of recognition, the chapter will initially be granted Provisional Recognition for one year.
Any allegations regarding violation of these guidelines shall be presented to the Greek Liaison in Student Leadership and Engagement, who will request a hearing by the Inter-Greek Association (IGA) Judicial Board. The IGA Judicial Board shall designate appropriate sanctions for organizations found responsible for violating the guidelines. If a member on the IGA Judicial Board is also a member of the organization having allegations against it, that member will be replaced by a member of the IGA executive board.
Allegations of hazing will be referred to the Assistant Dean of Student Conduct and Community Standards for review under the Student Code of Conduct and to University Police for investigation off violation of New York State Laws.
Suspension is imposed for a set period of time during which all activities of the chapter are suspended and chapter privileges are revoked. This action may be taken immediately following allegations of hazing or pending investigations of incidents involving physical injury, pending an investigation.
Failure to comply with a suspension or order may result in disciplinary action against individual members who are registered students.
If recognition is restored after suspension, the chapter will be given provisional recognition for one year.
College decisions regarding probationary recognition, denial of full recognition, and suspension/termination of recognition may be appealed.
All appeals of college imposed sanctions must be in writing and received by the Dean of Students within five (5) business days of notification of probationary recognition, denial of full recognition, or suspension/termination.
Sanctions imposed as a result of action by campus Greek governing bodies, national or the College judicial system must be appealed through the sanctioning organization’s appeals process, if any.
1. Membership in organizations shall be determined locally
2. Members will be admitted in compliance with the SUNY Board of Trustees and Buffalo State’s non-discriminatory policy, although chapters may be single sex under Title IX.
3. Members must be full-time Buffalo State students.
4. Prospective members of social organizations must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and have completed at least 12 hours as a matriculated student at a college campus prior to participation in new member education activities.
5. To continue active membership, an individual must maintain a 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA.
1. Intake and new member education periods will be designated annually by the Greek Liaison in Student Leadership and Engagement. All rush and new member education activities will be completed no later than three (3) weeks prior to the first date of final examinations.
2. All prospective new members and the members of each organization responsible for intake and new members activities must attend a College-sponsored information session prior to new member education activities.
3. All intake/new member education activities must be in compliance with the New York State Anti-Hazing Law. It is the responsibility of each organization and each member to understand the law and College policy and to adopt and implement healthy and constructive new member education programs.
