Tau Epsilon Phi is a proud member of the North American Inter-fraternity Conference. As such the Fraternity is in support of the NIC efforts to improve Health & Safety on college campuses.
Based upon the NIC guidelines, the Grand Council of Tau Epsilon Phi adopted the following risk management policy.
ALCOHOL AND DRUG POLICY
For the purposes of this policy, the term chapter shall also apply to all provisional chapters of Tau Epsilon Phi. In any activity or event sponsored or endorsed by a chapter of Tau Epsilon Phi,including those that occur on or off chapter premises:
- The chapter, members, and guests must comply with all federal, state, and local laws. No person under the legal drinking age may possess, consume, provide, or be provided alcoholic beverages.
- Chapters, members, and guests must follow the federal law regarding illegal drugs and controlled substances. No person may possess, use, provide, distribute, sell, and/or manufacture illegal drugs or other controlled substances while on chapter premises or at any activity or event sponsored or endorsed by the chapter.
- Alcoholic beverages must either be: (1) provided and sold on a per-drink basis by a licensed and insured third-party vendor (e.g., restaurant, bar, caterer, etc.); or (2) brought by individual members and guests through a bring your own beverage (“BYOB”) system. The presence of alcohol products above 15% alcohol by volume (“ABV”) is prohibited on any chapter premises or at any event, except when served by a licensed and insured third-party vendor.
- Common sources of alcohol, including bulk quantities, which are not being served by a licensed and insured third party vendor,are prohibited (i.e., amounts of alcohol greater than what a reasonable person should consume over the duration of an event).
- Alcoholic beverages must not be purchased with chapter funds or funds pooled by members or guests (e.g.,admission fees, cover fees, collecting funds in any manner whether direct or through digital apps, etc.).
- A chapter must not co-host or co-sponsor, or in any way participate in, an activity or event with another group or entity that purchases or provides alcohol.
- A chapter must not co-host or co-sponsor an event with a bar, event promoter,or alcohol distributor; however, a chapter may rent a bar, restaurant, or other licensed and insured third-party vendor to host a chapter event.
- Attendance by non-members at any event where alcohol is present must be by invitation only, and the chapter must utilize a guest list system. Attendance at events with alcohol is limited to a 3:1 maximum guest-to-member ratio, and must not exceed local fire or building code capacity of the chapter premises or host venue.
- Any event or activity related to the new member education process (e.g., recruitment, intake, rush, etc.) must be substance free. No alcohol or drugs may be present if the event or activity is related to new member activities, meetings, or initiation into Tau Epsilon Phi, including but not limited to “bid night,” “Big/Little” events or activities, “family” events or activities, and any ritual or ceremony.
- Chapters, members, or guests must not permit, encourage, coerce, glorify or participate in any activities involving the rapid consumption of alcohol, such as drinking games.
HAZING
Tau Epsilon Phi and its members must comply with all federal, state, provincial, and local laws regarding hazing.
The term “hazing” means any intentional, knowingly, or reckless act committed by a person, whether individually or in concert with other persons, against any individual or group of individuals, regardless of affiliation, whether or not committed on chapter property, for the purpose of recruiting, joining, pledging, initiating, admitting, affiliating, or for the purpose of retaining membership in an organization that causes an individual or group of individuals to do any of the following, regardless of a person’s willingness to participate:
- Be coerced to violate federal, state, provincial, local law, or Tau Epsilon Phi policy.
- Be coerced to consume any food, liquid, alcoholic liquid, drug, or other substance in any non-customary manner which subjects the individual or group of individuals to a substantial risk of emotional or physical harm which includes but not limited to sickness, vomiting, intoxication, or unconsciousness.
- Endure brutality of a physical nature, including but not limited to whipping, beating, paddling, branding, dangerous physical activity, or exposure to elements or endure threats of such conduct that results in mental or physical harm.
- Endure brutality of a mental nature, including but not limited to activity adversely affecting the mental health or dignity of the individual, sleep deprivation, exclusion from social contact or conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment or endure threats of such conduct that results in mental or physical harm.
- Endure any other activity which adversely affects the health and safety of an individual, including but not limited to the disruption of academic performance or class attendance, required designated driving programs, line ups, calisthenics, or personal, physical, or financial servitude.
SEXUAL CONDUCT
Tau Epsilon Phi and its members must comply with all federal, state, provincial, and local laws related to sexual misconduct. This is including, but not limited to, definitions around consent, sexual violence, sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual exploitation.
Stripping, exotic performances and similar acts shall be prohibited at all Fraternity events and activities.
ASSAULT & BATTERY
In any activity or event sponsored or endorsed by the chapter, including those that occur on or off chapter premises, no chapter, member or guest shall engage in assault and battery, as defined in the state statues in which the activity or event occurs.
FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVE OR INCENDIARY DEVICES
Tau Epsilon Phi and its members must comply with all federal, state, provincial, local laws and campus policy as it relates to firearms or explosive or incendiary devices.
Firearms or explosive or incendiary devices are prohibited from the chapter facility and at all fraternity activities or events.
RETALIATION
Tau Epsilon Phi prohibits retaliation against any individual – members and non-members – for reporting, inquiring, or cooperating with a report around a violation of our Risk Management Policy.
Retaliation is any action, statement, or behavior that is designed to punish an individual for filing a compliance report, cooperating with a compliance investigation, seeking guidance regarding a compliance concern, or to deter one from taking such action.
POLICY DISTRIBUTION
Tau Epsilon Phi shall distribute its Risk Management Policy on an annual basis. A copy of the Risk Management Policy is available on our website at www.tep.org/risk.
Download a copy of this policy here.