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Fraternal Relevance Accreditation

Proposals for Chapter Accreditation

Each chapter will submit an accreditation proposal annually in December to a committee of K-State stakeholders, for review by a group of relevance judges. The chapters’ purpose in submitting this proposal is to seek accreditation.  2010 Accreditation proposals must be emailed to bcutler@ksu.edu by 5:00 p.m. on December 4th, 2009. 

Process for developing proposals

The criteria for accreditation are based on fraternal relevance as well as the mission and action congruence of each organization. The accreditation committee and judges will evaluate and assess cultural influences and member outcomes rather than performance indicators.

Rather than creating a list of minimum standards, chapters will review their own (inter)national organization’s mission and try to prove that they are achieving outcomes in relation to their mission. Evaluation according to each organization’s mission will create longevity and sustainable high standards.

Chapters should consider the mission of their (inter)national organization as they relate to shared values (areas of standards) when developing and exploring achievement of outcomes.

Areas of standards

Chapters will be asked to reflect their performance in each area of standard. Chapters should list outcomes pertinent to the area of standard (as reflected in the previous year’s proposal), record action taken to achieve theoutcome, and set outcomes for the upcoming year. Standard areas include:

  • Sustainability
    Recruitment of new members and retention of membership
  • Risk management
    Reduction of risky behavior and management of inherent risk
  • Academic health
    Achievement of scholastic endeavors and programs related to achievement
  • Membership development
    Education and development of current membership and preparation for membership of new members
  • Relationships
    Cultivation of partnerships with alumni, headquarters/(inter)national organization, neighbors, and interfraternal organizations
  • Engagement
    Commitment of service, philanthropy, and campus leadership and involvement
  • Chapter development
    Management of property and chapter finances
  • Advancement
    Assurance of and loyalty to vision and overall outstanding performance

Chapters will have the option to make their fraternity experience their own as long as it supports the mission of their organization and therefore reinforces fraternal relevance.

Developing outcomes

(from materials developed by Kimberly J. Novak, Arizona State University)

Outcomes development provides direction to chapter activities and specifies how the chapter will demonstrate growth toward becoming and maintaining relevance. Outcomes describe what chapters and members are able to demonstrate in terms of knowledge, skills, and values upon completion of an experience. They serve as the foundation for evaluating the effectiveness of the student development process that is at the core of Greek life.

Outcomes help to:

  • Focus on behavior that is to be changed.
  • Serve as guidelines for growth content, instruction, and evaluation.
  • Identify specifically what should be achieved/learned.
  • Convey to members exactly what is to be accomplished.

Before chapter outcomes are written, chapter leadership should answer the following questions to help focus their planning and growth opportunities:

  • Does our chapter’s level of awareness need to be raised?
  • Do we need to understand better the context in which the problem/issue exists?
  • Are there things we need to unlearn?
  • What are the most essential things we need to know or be able to do?
  • What specific skills or strategies do we need?
  • What are the obstacles we face in implementing new initiatives?
  • What are the most important things we need to be able to do when we finish?

Characteristics of good chapter outcomes:

  • The specified action by the chapter must be observable, measurable and performed by members. Who is to perform? What action they are to take? What result must come from their action?

Focus on chapter and member behavior: Outcomes are about what members are able to demonstrate upon completion of a program or experience, not about what educators can provide during the program or experience.

Use simple, specific action verbs: “Students will be able to …action verb….”

  • Action verbs you should use: compile, create, plan, revise, analyze, design, select, utilize, apply, demonstrate, prepare, use, compute, discuss, explain, predict, assess, compare, rate, and critique.
  • Action verbs you should not use because they are unclear and open for interpretation: know, become aware of, appreciate, learn, understand, and become familiar with.

Sample outcomes:

  • Members will be able to interpret and enforce the K-State Event Responsibility Policy.
  • Chapter members will design fraternity events and activities that ensure the health and safety of members and guests.
  • Chapter leadership will design academic development programs that include alcohol-free housing, peer mentors, and mandatory quiet study hours.
  • Chapter will revise member education activities to involve all members and emphasize service learning opportunities.
  • Executive officers will create an alumni advisory group that will improve alumni involvement and fundraising efforts.