Update Regarding the Accreditation Program and COVID-19

Due to University regulations and other guidelines related to COVID-19, we recognize that Chapters will not be able to fulfill many of the Chi Phi Accreditation requirements. Please refer to the criteria outlined below concerning Fall 2020 Accreditation.

The Chi Phi National Accreditation Committee wants to temporarily take the stress off of Chapter leadership by adjusting the required submission for Fall 2020. Realizing that every university has unique plans to address the needs of COVID-19, the goal for the Fall 2020 submission will be providing in-depth feedback on a couple of documents that Chapters should already have in place, with just a few additions. 

The deadline for the Fall 2020 Accreditation submission is Sunday, November 8, 2020, by 11:59 pm local time. Late submissions will be penalized.

Accreditation Support: There will be monthly video roundtables that will be provided for Accreditation Chairmen (or other Chapter representatives) to attend. These roundtables will focus on the overall Accreditation process and then will be focused on each document, so you have the best submissions possible to get feedback from the graders. Webinar links will be distributed via email; see our website for a schedule of all upcoming Officer webinars.

Fall 2020 Accreditation Requirements for Chapters

Submission Requirements

Chapters will have to provide the following documents for review:

    • Risk Management Template – Chapters must submit the completed Risk Management Policies and Procedures Template. The completed template must be provided.
    • COVID Specific Policies (if available) – Chapters will have to provide any COVID specific policies for their Chapter procedures, Rituals, New Member Education, and Chapter facilities.
    • Chapter Bylaws – Chapters will have to provide a copy of their Bylaws that will have been reviewed during the Fall Semester. To get credit for the Bylaws, you will have to submit the Bylaws documents with the review date on the first page of the document. 
    • Obligations of Membership – Chapters will have to provide their Obligations of Membership documents that they provide New Members.
    • End of Year and Mid-Year Reports – Chapters will have to submit their Midyear Report by the deadline.

Document Grading

At least two volunteer graders will review each document and provide feedback to the Chapter. If a Chapter submits all of the above documents, they will receive an “Accredited” status. If any of the documents are missing from the Fall 2020 submission, the Chapter will receive a “Not Accredited” status. The purpose of this submission is for the Chapters to gain detailed feedback from Alumni and Fraternity/University professionals.

Deadline for Fall 2020 Chapter Submissions

The deadline for the Fall 2020 Accreditation submission is Sunday, November 8, 2020, by 11:59 pm local time. Late submissions will be penalized.

Accreditation Support

There will be monthly video roundtables that will be provided for Accreditation Chairmen (or other Chapter representatives) to attend. These roundtables will focus on the overall Accreditation process and then will be focused on each document, so you have the best submissions possible to get feedback from the graders. Webinar links will be distributed via email; see our website for a schedule of all upcoming Officer webinars.

Fall 2020 Accreditation Requirements for Colonies

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic creating a challenging environment for our Chapters and Colonies, the Chi Phi National Accreditation Committee wants to temporarily take the stress off of Colony leadership by adjusting the required submission for Fall 2020. Realizing that every university has unique plans to address the needs of COVID-19, the goal for the Fall 2020 submission will be to review current Colony operations and ensure that they are in accordance with National [Colony] Operations Standards. The Fall 2020 Accreditation submission will also allow both the Colony and the National Organization to assess whether or not the Colony is on track for their Petition to Charter.

Colonies should utilize the Colony Grading Rubric for their submission.

Submission Requirements

See Colony Rubric

Colonies will have to provide the following documents for review:

    • Recruitment Program
    • Risk Management Template – Chapters must submit the completed Risk Management Policies and Procedures Template. The completed template must be provided.
    • Academic Program
    • Goals and Strategic Plan
    • Colony Roster
    • Greek Advisor Letter – See template
    • Obligations of Membership – Chapters will have to provide their Obligations of Membership documents that they provide New Members.
    • Budget
    • Colony Bylaws – Chapters will have to provide a copy of their Bylaws that will have been reviewed during the Fall Semester. To get credit for the Bylaws, you will have to submit the Bylaws documents with the review date on the first page of the document. 
    • Code of Conduct
    • Social Media
    • End of Year and Mid-Year Reports – Colonies will have to submit their Midyear Report by the deadline.

Document Grading

The Committee will use the Fall 2020 Semesterly Rubric to grade the documents individually. For Colonies to pass, they must earn at least half the total points possible on each document, and at least 70% of the documents must pass for the Colony to receive a passing grade overall.

Deadline for Fall 2020 Chapter Submissions

The deadline for the Fall 2020 Accreditation submission is Sunday, November 8, 2020, by 11:59 pm local time. Late submissions will be penalized.

Accreditation Support

There will be monthly video roundtables that will be provided for Accreditation Chairmen (or other Colony representatives) to attend. These roundtables will focus on the overall Accreditation process and then will be focused on each document, so you have the best submissions possible to get feedback from the graders. Webinar links will be distributed via email; see our website for a schedule of all upcoming Officer webinars.

The Accreditation Program

Designed specifically with the Fraternity’s primary strategic plan objectives in mind, this program examines our Chapters’ operations in ten areas using the Chi Phi Standards of Chapter Excellence as its foundation. Over the past several years the Grand Council’s Accreditation Committee has met in person and via teleconference, conferred with professionals in other organizations and officials at Emory, Bucknell, and Lehigh Universities, and piloted an Accreditation program in survey form with a sample of 43 of our active Chapters and Colonies. The Accreditation program has thus continued to grow and develop with the needs of our Chapters.

Part of this growth has been its evolution into a year-long program, as established by a Motion at the 152nd Congress. Beginning with the Fall 2017 submission, Chapters which are Accredited only need to submit their materials once per year, in the Fall. Chapters failing to meet Accreditation standards will be required to submit their materials again in the Spring. All Colonies are required to submit each semester.

Accreditation Committee Reports