Redefining the relationship between USU and Fraternity and Sorority Life
A timeline of USU working together with Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) to restructure oversight, improve mentoring and create a stronger community. President Cockett started the initiative in 2017 in an effort to improve safety in the FSL community after several sexual assaults came to light. Student Affairs has worked to create a foundation for a more involved relationship between the university and fraternities and sororities, and has begun a pilot program.
January 2017: President Cockett begins work to redefine the relationship between fraternity/ sorority chapters and USU
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November 2017: President Cockett commits to hiring a full-time fraternity and sorority life advisor
June 2018: The Hewlett vs. Utah State University settlement was released
July 2018: The university began to conceptualize implementation of the settlement, notify fraternity and sorority national offices of the settlement, and held an initial meeting to discuss the settlement with chapter presidents and advisors
August 2018: Paige Eidenschink was hired as a full-time fraternity and sorority advisor
August 2018: A meeting was held with the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) and North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) to discuss the settlement
August 2018: A settlement working group was established to start drafting new policies and procedures. The Student Settlement Implementation Taskforce (SSIT) was created to ensure student input in the process
October 2018: The university met with chapter presidents and advisors to update them on the direction of the working group. The idea of a relationship agreement, which would contain the new policies and procedures, was introduced
December 2018: The university attended the Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors (AFA) Annual Meeting to share the first draft of the relationship agreement with stakeholders
January 2019: President Cockett met with chapter advisors to review the progress that had been made
February 2019: Phase 1 of pilot testing began with select fraternities, sororities, and other student organizations
April 2019: Settlement working group held an open forum for members of the FSL community. Progress to that point was reviewed and questions and concerns were discussed
The settlement working group continues to refine the policies and procedures. The Student Organization Status Report is created and will highlight each student organization
July 2019: The university updated the NIC on its progress
The settlement working group and SSIT continues to meet
August 2019: Phase 2 of pilot testing began with select fraternities, sororities, and other student organizations
October 2019: The university attended NASPA FSL Summit to discuss key issues and engage in problem solving with nationwide stakeholders
December 2019: The university attends AFA Annual Meeting to continue participating in crucial conversations around fraternities and sororities
December 2019: The working group finalizes the structure of the relationship agreement
January 2020: The university conducted the first round of “check-ins.”Check-ins: There will be at least two random check-ins each semester by a USU representative to ensure the organization is taking reasonable steps to ensure a safe environment.
January 2020: First Misconduct Incident Report Form (MIRF)Misconduct Incident Report Form (MIRF): This is an electronic form that organization leadership will use to report misconduct. Misconduct must be reported when law enforcement becomes involved, and any type of citation is issued. Misconduct must also be reported if during the Registered Student Organization (RSO) check-ins misconduct is observed by a university official. This report must be submitted within 24 hours of the leadership learning of the misconduct. is filed, and the misconduct process is initiated.
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March 2020: Final draft of the relationship agreement will be sent out for review
April 2020: Applications for recognition open.Annual Student Organization Recognition Application (ASORA): This is the tool used to apply to be recognized as an official student organization at Utah State University. It is also used for the annual renewal process for current recognized student organizations. The ASORA is located on the Department of Student Affairs homepage.
Full implementation