Policy Statements
Pi Alpha Phi Member Code of Conduct
Realizing the need to explicitly state what is expected of members of this Fraternity, to provide a guide for self-discipline and accountability within its chapters, and to impress upon all its members the importance of high standards of conduct and personal behavior, the Membership passed the following Code of Conduct in June 2008.
As a member or future member of Pi Alpha Phi Fraternity, I agree to adhere to the following to the best of my ability in order to promote a strong brotherhood:
1. I will know and understand the ideals and values of Pi Alpha Phi. I will strive to incorporate them into my daily life.
2. I will strive for academic excellence and to exceed the all-men’s average at my campus. I will practice academic integrity.
3. Each brother in this fraternity is a unique and important component of this Brotherhood. I will respect his beliefs, dignity, and character.
4. Pi Alpha Phi is made up of leaders. As such, I will always participate in my chapter by either serving on a committee or as an officer.
5. I will attend and be on time for as many Fraternity related events as I can, be it of philanthropic, service, academic, or chapter related nature.
6. I believe in learning about the Asian American culture, heritage, and history. I will make every attempt to pass this knowledge to others.
7. I will learn and abide by the rules and regulations of Pi Alpha Phi.
8. I will meet my financial obligations in a timely manner.
9. I will not misuse nor support the misuse of alcohol or drugs. I understand that I am responsible for my actions when under the influence of any substance.
10. I understand that my personal behavior reflects upon the Fraternity. I ALWAYS represent Pi Alpha Phi, whether or not I am wearing my letters. I will conduct myself with dignity at all times.
11. I will respect my property, the fraternity’s property, and the property of others. I will not abuse nor tolerate the abuse of property.
12. I understand Pi Alpha Phi is a lifelong commitment. I will promote our Brotherhood by remaining involved with the fraternity after graduation. I will encourage other alumni to do the same.
13. I will challenge all members of my fraternity to abide by this code. I will confront those who violate them.
Pi Alpha Phi Policy on Legacy Candidates for Membership
The issue of new member candidates who are relatives of Pi Alpha Phi members, often referred to as “Legacies” has often been raised.
Pi Alpha Phi believes the chapter should not assume that a legacy prospect will accept a bid to membership solely because of his relative’s membership in the Fraternity nor should such an individual be entitled to membership on the basis of such a relationship.
The Fraternity recognizes that new member candidates most interested in membership are frequently those who are legacies or who have been recommended for membership by alumni. Although these individuals should not be granted special privileges by the chapter during the membership recruitment period, they should be accorded the same careful attention and consideration as prospective new members that all persons are given by the chapter during the membership recruitment period.
Therefore, the chapter should make every effort to meet and objectively evaluate the candidate whose name has been submitted to it for the purpose of membership.
Trademark and License Policy of Pi Alpha Phi Fraternity
Pi Alpha Phi Fraternity continues to place a priority on protecting the interests of its membership. Therefore, in order to ensure the appropriate use and marketing of the Fraternity’s insignia's and federally registered trademarks and to guarantee quality products, Pi Alpha Phi is a member of a consortium of Greek organizations (fraternities and sororities) that has entered into an agreement with Affinity Consultants. Affinity Consultants represents the Fraternity in granting licenses to manufacturers and vendors that produce, market or sell designs or products depicting the Fraternity’s insignia's and trademarks including, but not limited to, the Fraternity’s name and Greek letters, the Badge, Crest, and Flag. Pi Alpha Phi Fraternity, Inc., maintains prior approval right over any and all designs and products that depict such insignia's and trademarks.
Any manufacturer or vendor wishing to produce, market or sell any design or product depicting the Fraternity’s insignia's or trademarks, must become licensed prior to doing so. Licensed manufacturers and vendors agree to submit all designs and products for prior approval and to pay royalties as agreed. Pi Alpha Phi firmly opposes any design or product that attempts to glorify or promote alcohol or controlled/illegal substance use, hazing, sexism, racism, or any other image that conflicts with the ideals and principles of Pi Alpha Phi.
The Fraternity will only license manufacturers and vendors that are committed to upholding this philosophy and to providing quality products to Fraternity members.
Ultimately, a member of Pi Alpha Phi Fraternity earns the honor of displaying the insignia's of Pi Alpha Phi Fraternity, but does not receive ownership of those insignia's. Further, a member of Pi Alpha Phi Fraternity does not have the right to authorize the production of any design or product depicting the Fraternity’s insignia's or trademarks.
Section 1: The Fraternity’s insignias shall be protected by federal trademark registration. The Fraternity’s insignia's, including, but not limited to, the design or representation of the Badge, Crest, and Flag, the Greek letters “Pi Alpha Phi” and the words "Pi Alpha Phi," shall not be manufactured, created, used or offered by sale by any person, company or firm except as allowed for herein or as specifically authorized in writing by the National Board of Directors, which power may be delegated to the Executive Director or an appropriate committee. The Executive Director, or his designee, shall maintain a list of authorized persons, companies and firms.
Section 2: Anyone wishing to acquire merchandise bearing any insignia's of the Fraternity shall obtain those items only from manufacturers and vendors authorized and licensed to produce, market or sell official Pi Alpha Phi merchandise. Fraternity chapters may, from time to time, utilize local commercial firms for their own chapter needs so long as such merchandise is in keeping with the mission and ideals of the Fraternity, is in suitable taste and is in compliance with applicable laws and policies.
Section 3: Fraternity chapters may use the Greek letters “Pi Alpha Phi” and the words “Pi Alpha Phi” for their own chapter needs such as Greek Week activities, Greek Council activities and philanthropic and community service activities without prior approval so long as such use is in keeping with the mission and ideals of the Fraternity, is in suitable taste and is in compliance with applicable laws and policies. No chapter or member shall utilize or cause to be produced any text or design which casts the Fraternity in a negative light or is otherwise contrary to the ideals of the Fraternity. This includes, but is not limited to, any text or design that attempts to glorify or promote alcohol or controlled/illegal substance use or is considered to be sexist or demeaning of women, minorities or other person(s).
Section 4: Any use or representation of the Fraternity’s insignia's, including, but not limited to, the Badge, Crest, Flag, the Greek letters “Pi Alpha Phi” and the words "Pi Alpha Phi", or any other intellectual property of the Fraternity for use in connection with internet web sites must be in keeping with the mission and ideals of the Fraternity, in suitable taste and in compliance with applicable laws and policies. The Fraternity reserves the right to require the removal of any content, information, web page, or web site that is determined by the National Board of Directors, Executive Director, or their designee's, to cast the Fraternity in a negative light or to be contrary to the mission and ideals of the Fraternity. This includes, but is not limited to, any materials deemed to glorify or promote alcohol or controlled/illegal substance use, or any materials considered to be sexist or demeaning of women, minorities or other person(s).
Pi Alpha Phi Fraternity Anti-Discrimination Policy
Membership in each chapter and colony of Pi Alpha Phi Fraternity shall be determined by academic excellence, character, financial responsibility, leadership ability and personal development. Consideration for membership is open to men without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Pi Alpha Phi Fraternity Statement on Open Expansion and Recruitment
Pi Alpha Phi Fraternity supports the right of freedom of association and the freedom of choice. As a member of the National APIDA Panhellenic Association, we support the Association, its member fraternities and sororities and its policy to oppose restrictions or controls on expansion, recruitment, or joining any fraternity. As a member of NAPA and local Greek Councils, Pi Alpha Phi chapters and individual members will support other fraternity chapters with their pursuit of recognition on their host campus.
Pi Alpha Phi believes that the fraternity experience is inseparable with the interest and mission of the university community and strives to be officially recognized by the host institution. If circumstances would arise that the requirements of the host institution would be seen as intrusive upon the Fraternity or the actions of a chapter may be seen as counter to the mission of the host institution, Pi Alpha Phi would take responsibility to determine its existence at the respective university.
Pi Alpha Phi supports the concept of Open Recruitment, and that all men, including freshmen, are eligible to participate if the individual is in good standing with the local Greek Council and the university.
Pi Alpha Phi Fraternity Statement of Position on Little Sister Organizations
WHEREAS, Pi Alpha Phi was founded as a Men’s Collegiate Fraternity,
WHEREAS, there is a concern generated from the threat of increased liability to chapters that create little sister organizations; and,
WHEREAS, there is a concern of exposure of symbols and rituals to members of little sisters organizations; and,
WHEREAS, the possibility of women becoming members of Pi Alpha Phi; and,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the following positions are adopted and included in the National Fraternity's Statement of Position:
1. All Pi Alpha Phi Chapters will discontinue any little sister programs; and,
2. All Pi Alpha Phi chapters will cease all little sister rushing, ritual and pledging activities.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Pi Alpha Phi is solely a male organization and will operate as such and any members found in violation will be held accountable by the National Board of Directors
Pi Alpha Phi Social Media Policy
DEFINITION
For the purposes of this policy, social media includes any website or forum that allows for open communication on the Internet including, but not limited to:
Social Networking Sites (LinkedIn; Facebook);
Micro-blogging Sites (Twitter);
Blogs (including company and personal blogs);
Online Encyclopedias (Wikipedia); and
Video and photo-sharing websites (Instagram, SnapChat, YouTube)
1. THINK BEFORE POSTING
Members should think carefully before posting online, because most online social platforms are open for all to see. Before posting anything, members should remember that they are responsible for what is posted online. Carefully consider the risks and rewards with respect to each posting. Remember that any conduct, online or otherwise, that negatively or adversely impacts the Chapter or the Fraternity may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the Fraternity's Constitution and Chapter Codes and the chapter's bylaws, up to and including expulsion. If members have any doubt about what to post online, it is probably better not to post; once something goes online, it is difficult or near impossible to retract the information. Members should use their best judgment and exercise personal responsibility when posting to any social media website.
2. ACT APPROPRIATELY
Members should act appropriately when posting online. Our values and ritual expect that we conduct ourselves as gentlemen. Because online tone can be interpreted in different ways by readers, members should not engage in any online conduct that would not be acceptable in a place of employment; including derogatory, discriminating or stereotypical remarks, threats, intimidation, harassment, insults, slander, defamation or pornography. NOTE: The standards of conduct apply equally to closed or restricted access forums for members only. Closed or private forums often become public and get increased levels of scrutiny.
3. DEMONSTRATE RESPECT
When posting anything online, members should always be fair, courteous and respectful to brothers, new members, fellow students, campus officials, alumni, and other members of the general public. Members should demonstrate proper respect for the privacy of others. If a member decides to post a complaint or criticisms, the member should avoid using any statements, photographs, video or audio that may be viewed as malicious, obscene, threatening, harassing or abusive to others. Members should refrain from engaging in offensive postings that may create a hostile and abusive environment based on race, sex, religion or any other protected class.
4. BE ACCURATE AND HONEST
Members should always be accurate and honest in posting any news or information to social media and quickly correct any mistakes or errors. Members should never post any information which is known to be false about the _____ Chapter or Pi Alpha Phi Fraternity.
5. CHAPTER-RELATED SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS
All chapter-related social media accounts and related postings maintained by members for marketing, networking and/or public relations purposes remain the property of the Chapter at all times. All information including the account, the login and password should be returned to the chapter secretary at the end of the appointed social media manager's term. No member has the right to use the account after the end of the appointed term and only the Chapter (via the executive council) is permitted to change account names and settings. NOTE: The standards of conduct apply equally to closed or restricted access forums for members only. Closed or private forums often become public and get increased levels of scrutiny.
6. BE MINDFUL OF COPYRIGHT AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS
Members should be careful to comply with all copyright, trademark and intellectual property laws.
7. THE CHAPTER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MONITOR
The Chapter reserves the right to monitor member's use of any social media, and to take appropriate action with respect to inappropriate or unlawful postings.
8. REPRESENTING THE CHAPTER OR THE FRATERNITY
Members Are NOT Authorized to Speak on Behalf of the Chapter or the Fraternity, Unless Explicitly Given Permission. Members should express only personal opinions online and a member should never represent himself as a spokesperson for the Chapter unless given explicit permission or approval to do so. Members should never post anything to the Internet in the Chapter's name without prior written consent. Control of chapter social accounts should reside with the public relations chairman or other duly appointed represented by the executive council. If the Chapter is the subject of content posted online, the member should make it clear that the views posted do not represent or reflect the views of the Chapter or other members.
9. DO NOT POST CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Members should aim to protect personal information and not reveal information regarding the ritual or secrets of the Fraternity. Members should make sure that online postings do not violate confidentiality obligations and disclose the Fraternity's trade secrets, confidential or proprietary information.
10. RETALIATION PROHIBITED
The Chapter prohibits taking negative action against any member for reporting a possible violation of this social media policy or cooperating in any investigation with respect to a potential social media policy violation. Any member who retaliates against any other member for reporting a possible deviation from this policy or for cooperating in any investigation will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion.
11. LEGAL LIABILITY
Members can be legally liable for what is written or posted online. The Chapter also reserves the right to discipline members, up to and including expulsion, for any commentary, content or images that are pornographic, harassing, and libelous or for anything that creates a hostile environment based on race, sex, religion or any other protected class.