Alpha Omega Epsilon Delta Chapter

Milwaukee School of Engineering - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Risk Management Policy

Alpha Omega Epsilon Sorority International Executive Board Risk Management Policy

INTRODUCTION

The Risk Management policy of Alpha Omega Epsilon Sorority includes the following provisions and shall apply to all Sorority entities and to all levels of Sorority membership. Members are responsible for their guests’ compliance with this policy. Failure of any member to abide by this policy may be punishable by suspension or expulsion from membership, removal from any office within the Sorority, or the suspension or revocation of the chapter’s charter. Alpha Omega Epsilon is not a police state. We do not employ law enforcement agents, nor were we ever founded or chartered to do so. Alpha Omega Epsilon regards its members as subjects of the host College or University first, and members of Alpha Omega Epsilon second. Alpha Omega Epsilon does not possess the ability to enforce the laws, regulations, and policies of the state and university in which it resides. It does, however, advise and encourage its members to conform and abide by the laws in each City, County, State, Province, Tribal, Federal, Country, in which a Chapter resides, and the rules, regulations and policies of the host College or University.

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

1. THE ILLEGAL USE, POSSESSION, SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF ANY CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE ON OR OFF CAMPUS, INCLUDING ALCOHOL, AT CHAPTER FUNCTIONS, AT OR DURING ANY MEMBERSHIP EDUCATION TRADITIONS, OR FUNCTIONS THAT WOULD BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE SORORITY SHALL BE STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

2. The possession, sale, consumption or distribution of alcoholic beverages during an official Sorority event on or off campus, or in any situation sponsored or endorsed by the chapter, must be in compliance with any and all applicable laws of the country, state, county, city and educational institution.

3. No alcoholic beverages may be purchased through the Sorority or Chapter treasury. No purchase of alcoholic beverages may be undertaken or coordinated for members or guests by any member in the name of or on behalf of the Sorority or Chapter.

4. The sorority’s name shall not be associated with any event co-sponsored with an alcohol distributor, charitable organization, or bar where alcohol is given away, sold, or otherwise provided to those present. Alcohol distributors and taverns may make financial donations to a chapter’s philanthropic cause, but not directly to the chapter.

5. No alcohol is allowed at any rushing or membership education event or at any candidate or chapter meeting on or off campus.

6. Open parties, meaning those with unrestricted access to non-members of the Sorority, without specific invitation, where alcohol is present, are prohibited. Individual non-members attending a function hosted or co-hosted by a Chapter may do so by approval (written or verbal) by the Chapter. A list of individual guest(s) names must be maintained and monitored at the door or entry to the function.

7. Any function where alcoholic beverages are present must also have non-alcoholic beverages and food available. At such functions, trained individuals who will commit themselves to complete sobriety and are not under the influence of illegal or controlled substances, shall be appointed or hired to be on duty at all entrances and exits to check the sobriety of those entering and leaving the premises and to prevent uninvited or intoxicated guests from entering. No person leaving a social event will be allowed to take any alcoholic containers with him or her. All guests choosing to attend an event assume responsibility for their actions at the event.

8. Closed parties must have a guest list, with all attendees registered and age verified at the door. Closed parties must be BYOB, with alcohol and car keys checked in at the door. A safe ride home and walk home program may be provided.

9. Chapters may rent out an establishment or banquet facility for closed social events where alcohol is present provided a licensed bartender is selling all of the alcohol or managing the alcohol brought by guests.

10. If any member or guest appears to be even slightly intoxicated, at any Chapter function, the Chapter members shall escort said member or guest from the function. Said intoxicated member or guest shall be escorted home or to a safe environment through employment of programs such as a safe ride home or walk home program.

11. Where alcoholic beverages are served or consumed legally (i.e., by those of legal age) such beverages shall be served only in non-transparent containers for purposes of reducing peer pressure on those who choose not to consume said beverages or those who are not of legal age.

12. No Chapter shall permit, tolerate, encourage or participate in “drinking games” at any Chapter function.

13. Any and all alcoholic beverages are prohibited for being served to, provided for, or purchased for any candidate or initiated member at any and all aspects of membership education on or off campus.

1 of 3 Revised June 6, 2004 Alpha Omega Epsilon Sorority International Executive Board Risk Management Policy

14. Public intoxication on or off campus of any member is considered unprofessional. Habitual violators will be advised to seek counseling. In addition, the sorority shall not refer to alcohol in any way in an advertisement for a social function.

15. This policy shall be published in the membership education materials, and annually in the Sorority Newsletter. These regulations must be read aloud at the beginning of each term at the Sorority meeting. They must also be posted at the door of all parties. Each guest shall sign in when they register, indicating that they have read, understood, and agree to follow these regulations.

16. Any alleged violation shall be investigated by the International Executive Board or a representative of the International Executive Board. A violation shall be subject to disciplinary action.

HAZING

No chapter shall conduct or engage in hazing activities. Hazing activities are defined as: ‘Any action taken or situation created intentionally, whether on or off campus, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule.’ Such activities include, but are not limited to: the use of alcohol; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical or psychological shocks; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; kidnapping and blindfolding; the wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; late work sessions which interfere with scholastic activities; and any other activities which are not consistent with academic achievement, Sorority Law, ritual or policy, or the regulations and policies of the host educational institution or applicable City, County, State, Province, Tribal, Federal, Country, College or University law.

ABUSE

The Sorority will not tolerate or condone any form of abusive behavior on the part of its members, whether physical, mental, or emotional. This includes any actions that are demeaning to women or men, including but not limited to date rape, gang rape, verbal harassment, discriminatory slurs, unwelcome sexual advances or comments, harassment of any kind, or any jokes, remarks or conduct that creates a hostile environment.

WEAPONS, FIREARMS AND PERSONAL PROTECTION ITEMS

For the safety of it members and guests, no Sorority member or guest may carry a weapon or firearms of any kind while conducting Sorority business, and/or acting on behalf of, or attending any event in the name of the Sorority.

Personal protection items such as pepper spray, alarms, or whistles may be carried but may not be used on any Sorority member or guest unless that member feels their safety is threatened.

PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF THE RISK MANAGEMENT POLICY OF THE SORORITY

Any assert violation of the Risk Management Policy (RMP) must be considered a serious matter, and shall therefore be handled as expeditiously as possible. At the same time, there shall be a presumption of innocence until any charges are proven true. Ideally, all allegations should be investigated and resolved at the lowest possible level.

1. Punishment for a violation of Alpha Omega Epsilon’s rules and regulations may include, but are not limited to: probation, suspension or revocation of a Chapter charter; probation, suspension or expulsion of the individual(s) involved; removal from office of those involved; the denial of membership to candidates who allow themselves to become involved in any of the aforementioned.

2. Anyone making an oral allegation that a violation has occurred must put it in writing using the Risk Management Support Request Form. The written allegation will be forwarded immediately to the International Executive Board Secretary. The International Executive Board will contact the chapter’s Alumna Advisor for attempted resolution. The IEB will investigate the situation and notify the Alumnae Advisor and Chapter that a violation has occurred. If the Alumnae Advisor upon hearing an allegation that a violation has occurred must notify the IEB in writing (using the form) that an alleged violation has occurred.

3. The Alumna Advisor, in conjunction with the International Executive Board Interchapter Relations Officer, will attempt to resolve any violation at the chapter level first. Upon successful resolution of the violation, the International Executive Board Interchapter Relations Officer will prepare a written summary of the violation and resolution, and send copies to all parties involved as well as the Chapter, Alumna Advisor and the International Executive Board.

4. If the violationis not resolved at the Alumna Advisor/International Executive Board Interchapter Relations Officer, the International Executive Board Secretary will investigate the situation, by personal visit or phone, or may delegate such work to a member of the Risk Management Committee or International Executive Board

2 of 3 Revised June 6, 2004 Alpha Omega Epsilon Sorority International Executive Board Risk Management Policy 5. delegate, a written 6. members and potential member’s, 7. of the investigation or 8. /or Chapter Newsletters or any other 9. probation made under the above section, when the said chapter or member dopted by the International Executive Board 06-05-04 have read and understand the Risk Management Policy dated 06-05-04 and agree to comply with it in all.

Chapter 3 of 3 Revised June 6, 2004

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Last Updated: 11/19/2007