Rule Reviews!

VP of Standards Page

Week of March 27th

Article V: Membership
Section 3. Special Status
There are two forms of special status.

1. Special Status A
   1. Special Status A may be offered to a sister who is student teaching, taking an academic semester off, etc., but staying in the Lincoln area.
   2. Special Status A may be granted by a special standards hearing requested in the semester prior to the semester the sister would like special status for.
   3. Special Status A gives the sister access to all events, minutes, documentation, and other sorority business, but waives all attendance requirements, with the following exceptions of Philanthropy, Initiation, and Discernment.
      1. To keep up-to-date with sorority business, Special Status A members are required to read meeting minutes each week.
   4. Special Status A requires that chapter dues for required events be paid. If the sister desires to participate in other sorority functions, she can request a financial hearing to discuss a budget.
2. Special Status B
   1. Special Status B may be offered to a sister who is studying abroad, taking an academic semester off, etc., but not staying in the Lincoln area.
   2. Special Status B may be granted by a special standards hearing requested in the semester prior to the semester the sister would like special status for.
   3. Special Status B gives the sister access to all events, minutes, documentation, and other sorority business, but waives all attendance requirements.
      1. If accessible, it is required that the sister keep up-to-date with sorority business by reading the meeting minutes each week.
   4. Since a sister on Special Status B would not necessarily have the same access to all events, minutes, documentation, and other sorority business, dues would only include the Alumna Chapter Guard fund and local required fees. 

Week of February 20th

1. Section 4: Special Standards Hearing
   c. Early Alumnae Status
   
   1. An early alumnae status hearing is requested by a member who has completed less than four semesters of membership in Pi Alpha Chi but is seeking alumnae status at the end of the semester.
   2. She must request a hearing and early alumnae status before March 31st (Spring Semester) or October 31st (Fall Semester) of the semester she wishes to be granted alumnae status.
   3. The hearing shall be co-chaired by the Vice President of Standards and the Vice President of Chapter Affairs.
   4. The purposes of the hearing are for the member to share her reasons for applying for early alumnae status and for the co-chairs to present the member with all other options such as definite suspension or special status.  
   5. If the member still wishes to pursue early alumnae status, her application will be brought to a vote during Formal Chapter Meeting.
   6. Further details can be found in the Constitution Article V-Section 2-3-C.

Week of February 13th

​​ARTICLE IX. BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS
Section 1. Respect the Letters
A.   When a sister wears letters, she is representing the sorority as a whole. It is important while wearing letters to represent Pi Alpha Chi and all its values. 
B.    Underage sisters shall not consume alcohol while wearing letters. Refer to the Bylaws, Article XI, Sections 1 and 2 for further regulations concerning the consumption of alcohol. 
C.   Sisters above the legal age of alcohol consumption may not consume alcohol while wearing letters, unless they are attending an officially sponsored event hosted by UNL, the St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center, or Greek Affairs. 
D.   Sisters shall not use profanity while wearing letters.
E.    Any disrespect of the Letters will result in a Standards Hearing with the consequences to be determined by the co-chairs.
F.    Sisters must adhere to the Social dress code while wearing letters in public.
 
NOTE: Letters include stickers, tote bags, etc. In addition, because they are our letters, we want only initiated and new members, who have the education or are getting the education for the reasons and values behind the letters to represent them. This excludes family members, close friends, significant others. With that, out of respect to other houses, I would strongly advise not wearing anyone else’s letters for the same reasons. Please let me know if you have any questions about this!

Week of February 6th

In formal chapter meeting, we refer to each member as "Sister (last name)". This keeps with the formal nature of Monday Night Meeting being a ritual. Also in formal chapter meeting, a sister should say "present" when the Vice President of Records is taking roll. For informal meetings, it is appropriate to say "here" when the Vice President of Records is taking roll, and it is acceptable to use the first names of sisters.

Week of January 23rd

Financial Standards Hearing must be completed before dues are due on February 6th!
ARTICLE VIII. DRESS CODE REQUIREMENTS
Section 1. Rituals (Badge Attire) 

1. Badge
   1. Badge or new member pin must be visibly worn over the heart.

1. Head
   1. No hats are allowed during Formal Meetings or Rituals.
   2. Hair and make-up should be job interview appropriate.
2. Tops & Dresses
   1. Cleavage should not be visible.
   2. Straps must be at least one (1) inch wide or an appropriate cardigan, shawl, sweater, or jacket must be worn. 
   3. No T-shirts, visible cut-outs below the bottom of the shoulder blade, or visible midriffs are allowed.
3. Bottoms
   1. All pants should consist of dress slack material. No pants of denim or khaki material allowed.
   2. Pants should be at least mid-calf (capris) in length.
   3. No shorts.
   4. The hemline of skirts and dresses must be no higher than fingertip length, even if wearing leggings or tights.
   5. Leggings or yoga pants may be worn under appropriate garments, but not as pants.
   6. Your bottom and underwear should not be visible.
4. Shoes
   1. Appropriate shoes are:
      1. Peep toe or closed toe flats or heels.
      2. Dress sandals, only if they have a back.
      3. Dress boots.

1. Exceptions/Modifications
   1. If a member believes an outfit is modest but does not fulfill the standards as outlined above, then she can appeal to have her outfit approved by the Vice President of Standards a week before the event.

Section 3. Social, Sisterhood, Faith Enrichment, Community Service Events

1. The attire for these events should be decided by the event chair and should be communicated to all pertinent members at the time the PAX form is presented or at least 48 hours in advance.
2. If no attire is outlined, members must follow the following standards:
   1. Tops and Dresses
      1. Cleavage should not be visible.
      2. Straps must be at least one (1) inch wide or covered by a cardigan, shawl, sweater, or jacket.
      3. No visible midriffs or cutouts below the bottom of the shoulder blade are allowed.
      4. A sports bra can be visible if worn with a Pi Alpha Chi tank top.
   2. Bottoms
      • Non-athletic shorts must have at least a three (3) inch inseam.
      • Athletic shorts with an inseam of 2.5 inches or sweatpants may be worn if the event involves physical activity.
      • Skirts must be no higher than fingertip length.
      • Leggings or yoga pants may be worn under appropriate garments, but not as pants.
      • Your bottom and underwear should not be visible.
   3. Shoes
      • Any shoes are allowed unless otherwise specified.
   4. Exceptions/Modifications
      • Dress code for listed events is subject to the discretion of the Vice President of Standards should the circumstances call for a modification.

Section 4. Consequences of Dress Code Infractions 

1. The first two dress code infractions will result in written reminders from the Vice President of Standards. The third infraction will result in a Standards Hearing with the consequences to be determined by the co-chairs.

VP of Standards Page