Standards Code of the Alumni Corporation of the Zeta Alpha Chapter of Theta Chi Inc.
Since our founding, Theta Chi members have worked to attain and represent the highest ideals possible in every phase of life. We strive to create an environment of fellowship and friendship, learning and sharing, and pride and achievement. Our ability as a fraternal organization to reach that goal, and in turn enrich and enhance the well-being of others, depends upon the standards and dedication of our individual members. As individual members, we are dedicated to operating with integrity, pride, and sensitivity. Theta Chi has a proud tradition of the quality of its membership. A Theta Chi tries to be a mature person, gracious and respectful of others, and of himself. He is conscious of the fact that his personal conduct, attitudes, and standards affect the welfare and reputation of Theta Chi. Each member must guard the honor and privilege of his Theta Chi membership, and each alumni chapter should develop standards programs that encourage positive development of each member.
The Alumni Corporation of the Zeta Alpha Chapter of Thea Chi Inc. holds its members accountable for the following items to be in good standing:
- Laws, Rules, and Policies. Theta Chi members will abide by all federal, state, and local laws, as well as the standing rules, policies, standards and bylaws of Theta Chi Fraternity, the local chapter and Slippery Rock University.
- Moral Conduct. Theta Chi expects a brother to have a set of personal standards, which commands self-respect. A Theta Chi member conducts himself so as to be a credit to his brothers and to his fraternity as an inducted new member, an undergraduate member, and as an alumnus member. Personal pride, integrity, honesty, and respect should govern the attitude, appearance, language, manners, and conduct of each Theta Chi member. Actions speak louder than words and the actions of a Theta Chi must always be consistent with our high ideals, principles, and values. Anything less is hypocritical and unacceptable.
- Confidentiality. Theta Chi is a secret society. Loyalty to Theta Chi, to its ideals, to its principles, and to the brothers, is expected of each member. Theta Chi ritual and fraternity business are private and belong only to members; accordingly, members will not communicate ritual or fraternity business to non-members.
- Finance. Each member shall promptly meet his financial obligations to the Alumni Corporation.
- Alcohol. The use of alcohol is a matter of personal choice for those of legal drinking age. Each member is expected to make responsible choices regarding alcohol. Misuse or abuse of alcohol reflects unfavorably on the public image of Theta Chi and the entire Greek system and has the potential for serious health risks. At all Theta Chi Alumni Corporation functions where alcohol is consumed, the following guidelines will be in effect and will be followed.
- No alcohol will be given or sold to any undergraduates at any alumni functions without verifying the age of the undergraduate to ensure there is no dispute, disagreement, implied impropriety or need to manage the distribution of alcohol to undergraduates.
- No Alumni Corporation funds will be used for the purchase of alcohol at any Alumni Corporation sponsored event.
- No member or guest who appears to be under the influence of alcohol will be permitted to operate a motor vehicle.
- Hazing. Hazing in any form is absolutely prohibited in Theta Chi. Theta Chi members will not haze. Hazing is any situation, which creates mental or physical abuse, discomfort, embarrassment, ridicule or harassment, whether on or away from fraternity property. Theta Chi Fraternity promotes fellowship and brotherhood among its members and practices positive educational programming. Hazing in no way achieves this goal. Theta Chi does not segregate pre-initiated members from initiated members without a constructive purpose in mind.
- Illegal Drugs. Theta Chi members will not use, will not have in their possession, and will not traffic in illegal drugs at any Alumni sponsored events.
- Sexual Harassment. Theta Chi men should have a position of influence in the direction and achievements of the university and their community, and activities should promote self-worth, human dignity and a positive Greek image. Theta Chi affirms that the dignity of the individual is a basic element of a civilized society which comes from a feeling of positive self-worth, that the individual self-worth is a necessary factor in establishing healthy relationships between sexes and that sexual harassment of any individual or group to any degree is deplorable. Therefore, as members of a Greek society, we reject all activities, including competitive games, which are destructive, demeaning, abusive, promote divisiveness and those that promote a negative image of the Greek community in general.
- Housing and Visitation. When Theta Chi housing is provided, it is maintained for the benefit of all members, and as the official residence of a chapter it impacts the campus image of that chapter. A positive reflection of Theta Chi standards is to be conveyed at all times. All alumni members will respect the chapter housing unit whenever it may be visited.
- Mentoring. Members should be aware they are role models for the undergraduate members, and being so, should interact with the undergraduate members in a respectful, dignified way upholding the highest standards of Theta Chi.
- Enforcement of the Standards Code Any member found to be in violation of this Standards Code is subject to disciplinary measures or membership cancellation as provided in the Constitution and Bylaws of Theta Chi Fraternity Article VI, Section 13.
Implementation of the procedures for handling infraction of the Standards Code is the responsibility Board of Directors of the Alumni Corporation of the Zeta Alpha Chapter of Theta Chi, Inc. In addition to the conduct defined in this Standards Code, any action by a member, which adversely affects Theta Chi, himself, or any other member is specifically prohibited, and the member is subject to the same procedural provisions as are those members whose conduct is specifically addressed herein.(Amended 5/3/26. Underlines are additions and strike throughs are deletions. A copy of the most recent copy of the Constitution and Bylaws of Theta Chi Fraternity can be found at Thetachi.org or on the Zeta Alpha website.)