Five Star Chapter Accreditation Program

The Five Star Chapter Accreditation Program's purpose is to provide SUNY New Paltz Fraternities and Sororities with a management tool to measure overall chapter success. This program provides the fraternities and sororities with the opportunity to monitor and improve their own activity and performance among all the chapters in the SUNY New Paltz Fraternity and Sorority community. The Office of Student Activities and Union Services has established this program with incentives tied to chapter performance and participation.

The goals of the Five Star Chapter Accreditation Program include:
• To set basic chapter operation expectations between SUNY New Paltz and its recognized fraternities and sororities.
• To aid the chapters in their efforts to improve in the areas of Scholarship, Chapter Management, Chapter Leadership and Service Involvement.
• To monitor, evaluate, provide feedback, and recognize these efforts.
• To identify chapters that may need additional support and guidance.
• To establish measurable outcomes on the progress of sororities and fraternities.

The Five Star Chapter Accreditation Program aids in the development of the individual as a student leader and as a member of an organization. The experience of a fraternity or sorority member is enhanced by participating in leadership development activities, organizational philanthropy, community service projects, and campus initiatives.

Five Star Chapter Accreditation Program Rubric

Five Star Chapter Accreditation Program Timeline - Fall 2009

Please note that all Five Star Documents (reports, forms, etc.) are located on Blackboard.

Program Management

It is the responsibility of the chapter to manage all aspects of their chapter's participation in the Five Star Program, as it relates to the submission of required documentation, event planning and conduct, reporting information, and communicating with the Office of Student Activities and Union Services. A timeline has been provided in this packet to assist chapters with these tasks.

Tracking of a chapter's progress in the Five Star Accreditation Program will be coordinated by the Assistant Director of Student Activities and the Office of Student Activities & Union Services staff. Each chapter's progress will be tracked regularly, and the Chapter president or designee will receive monthly progress updates via email. Concerns or discrepancies should be discussed with the Assistant Director.

In April/May, the Chapter president or designee will meet with the Assistant Director of Student Activities to review and discuss the chapter's achievements and subsequent accreditation rating.

The Five Star Accreditation Program structure and requirements will be reviewed and by the Office of Student Activities & Union Services annually.

Accreditation Scale

The accreditation scale used for the Five Star Program is based on a points system. By completing activities and paperwork essential to the success of a chapter at SUNY New Paltz, a chapter can earn points toward their accreditation rating throughout the academic year. The more successfully a chapter manages its business, chapter operations, member development, and service to the campus and community, the higher the accreditation.

The accreditation program begins in the Fall semester each academic year. Progress towards accreditation lasts throughout the Fall and Spring semester, with events, paperwork, and service extending throughout the academic year. Points will be awarded throughout the academic year, based on deadlines and chapter submission of materials and paperwork. In April, all points will be calculated, and a chapter will receive its accreditation rating. Each Fall semester, progress and points accumulated towards accreditation are reset to zero, and the chapter begins its process over again.

FIVE STAR CHAPTER - Chapter Earns 960-1200 Points
The Chapter has exceeded the expectations of the Office of Student Activities & Union Services with regards to the overall vision of excellence for sororities and fraternities.

FOUR STAR CHAPTER - Chapter Earns 720-959 Points
The Chapter has exceeded most of the expectations of the Office of Student Activities & Union Services with regards to the overall vision of excellence for sororities and fraternities.

THREE STAR CHAPTER - Chapter Earns 480-719 Points
The Chapter has satisfactorily met the expectations of the Office of Student Activities & Union Services with regards to the overall vision of excellence for sororities and fraternities.

TWO STAR CHAPTER - Chapter Earns 240-479 Points
The Chapter has completed the minimum expectations of the Office of Student Activities & Union Services with regards to sororities and fraternities. (Chapter leadership meets with the Assistant Director to discuss, develop, and implement an action plan that will raise the chapter's accreditation status; this could include additional training, support, development, communication and assistance from national/regional leadership, etc.)

ONE STAR CHAPTER - Chapter Earns 0-239 Points
The Chapter has failed to complete the necessary expectations of the Office of Student Activities & Union Services. (Chapter leadership meets with the Assistant Director to discuss, develop, and implement an action plan that will raise the chapter's accreditation status; this could include additional training, support, development, communication and assistance from national/regional leadership, etc. Two consecutive years at this level could result in the chapter's suspension, probation or loss of recognition.)

Program Guidelines

The Five Star Chapter Accreditation Program is a collection of standards in the following areas: Scholarship, Management & Operations, Membership Development, and Involvement & Service. Chapters must strive to achieve the highest level of achievement in each of the categories. This program provides individual chapter leadership with the ability to monitor, measure, and evaluate chapter management, programming, service, and overall chapter image.

SCHOLARSHIP (200 Total Points Available)
In an attempt to promote academic excellence among Sorority and Fraternity members and their respective organizations, points will be given according to academic performance of chapter members every semester. Organizations that make academic excellence a priority will receive points for their efforts.

• A chapter will receive accreditation points based on how their all-chapter GPA falls in a range: 50 points for 3.5-4.0; 40 points for 3.0-3.49; 30 points for 2.5-2.99. All-chapter GPAs will be checked at the beginning of each semester, so points will be awarded twice per year.
• A written academic plan describing goals for the chapter in achieving academic excellence will gain points for the chapter. This includes an active plan explaining what individuals and the organization have planned for the semester. It should be detailed and set incentives, measurable goals and rewards. This plan will be submitted to the Office of Student Activities and Union Services by a deadline each semester.
• If a chapter takes new members, points will be awarded if the New Member Class GPA improves or does not drop during the semester in which they participated in New Member Education. For the purpose of grade verification on this program's timeline, New Member Class GPAs will be compared for the Spring 2009 and Fall 2009 semesters for the 2009-2010 academic year. (This is because New Member Class GPA information will not be available in April/May when a chapter's accreditation status is determined.)

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS (300 Total Points Available)
The foundation for excellence in a chapter is effective management and operations. To support and facilitate effective management, the Office of Student Activities and Union Services requires paperwork submission each semester. Accreditation points will be allocated based on meeting the deadlines and the completion of each task.

• To verify membership and roles within the organization, each Chapter will submit a completed and accurate Chapter Roster by a scheduled deadline each semester.
• Each chapter is required to seek the support of a SUNY New Paltz faculty or staff advisor. Submission of the Advisor Agreement Form by the required deadline will also gain points for the chapter.
• To keep up to date with the organization's policies and procedures, the Chapter should submit organizational and/or chapter risk management policies, and copies of constitutions and by-laws by a scheduled deadline.
• To assist with planning and tracking progress, the Chapter President or designee should submit monthly Chapter Progress Reports to Office of Student Activities by a designated day each month. All reports for the semester must be submitted to the office to receive maximum points.
• The Chapter should maintain its webpage with periodic updates. Web space is linked off of the Student Activities and Union Services page, and should be updated regularly.
• To maintain good standing, Chapters must attend the required UGA and Sub-Governing Board Meetings. Chapters will receive points towards accreditation based on attendance and standing within each council.
• In an effort to encourage and reward our fraternity and sorority leaders who contribute to the quality of life on campus for all of our chapters, students who serve on the UGA Executive Board and/or a Sub-Governing Council Executive Board will receive points for their chapter.
• Each semester, Chapter Presidents will have a one-on-one planning meeting with the Assistant Director of Student Activities, to discuss concerns and progress specific to each chapter. Maximum points will be awarded to Chapters who schedule their meeting before a designated deadline each semester; points will be awarded to chapters who have this meeting.

MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT (320 Total Points Available)

The mark of a successful chapter is the ability to enhance each member's academic and co-curricular experience. One way to accomplish this is through effective recruitment and education of new members. Another way is through the continuing opportunity for active members to develop leadership through training and experiences. Accreditation points in this area will highlight the ability of Chapters to do these effectively.

• Chapters who have a successful semester with no judicial sanctions or action by Office of Student Activities and their National/Regional Office will receive points towards their accreditation.
• A New Member Education Workshop will be held each semester to better educate Chapter Presidents and New Member Educators of appropriate guidelines and expectations. This is a required workshop if a chapter is taking new members that semester, but it is encouraged that all chapters attend; participating Chapters will receive accreditation points.
• A Chapter will receive points for hosting a New Member Education program with at least 75% of candidates initiated.
• Chapters will participate in Hazing Prevention Week events and programs during the Fall Semester. Accreditation points will be given based on the level of participation.
• Chapters will receive accreditation points for each member who registers for and attends the New Paltz Student Leadership Conference in October.
• To better educate and train its members, the Chapter should hold or attend a Chapter leadership retreat/training program. A copy of the agenda or outline of the program should be submitted for accreditation points.
• To encourage teamwork and friendship, the chapter should coordinate one mandatory chapter development event; the event should be social or teamwork oriented, and must be dry. Submit information about the time, date and location with an attendance sheet for accreditation points.

INVOLVEMENT AND SERVICE (350 Total Points Available)
One of the highlights of the Fraternity and Sorority experience is the collective gift of service and philanthropy. Points are awarded for a chapter's involvement in Greek self governance, student-run committees, service-learning projects, and community service activities.

• Chapters will receive points toward accreditation for registering and participating in any or all of the following: First-Year Student Move-In Day, semesterly Club & Involvement Fairs, Fall Open Houses, and Spring Accepted Students Day.
• Chapters must participate in required UGA events and programs, including Greek Week, Meet the Greeks, and other projects and events as required.
• The Chapter should achieve 100% participation from active members in community service projects throughout the academic year. Each member must complete at least 10 hours of service during the year, and report it to Student Activities. Within two weeks of completion of any community service project or event, a Community Service Report must be submitted to the office of Student Activities & Union Services.
• One of these community service events should directly benefit the Ulster County Community. This includes, but is not limited to: Make a Difference Day, Taste of New Paltz, New Paltz Clean Sweep, etc.
• To give back to the campus community, the Chapter should complete one program for New Paltz students per year. The program can be social or educational, must be open to all New Paltz students, and will not be a recruitment event or general information meeting about the organization. Given the size of a program or project, it could be a collaborative effort with another chapter/organization. The event must take place on campus, and be coordinated through the Office of Student Activities and Union Services. Chapters must complete a Program Completion Report and a submit a sign-in sheet within two weeks of their event. Additional accreditation points will be given for additional programming.
• Chapters are encouraged to submit an outline or summary of achievement and/or positive public relations. This can include supporting other chapter's efforts, thank-you notes, awards, articles, and good public relations events documentation.
• To recognize outstanding efforts of the Fraternity and Sorority Community, each Chapter should complete one Fraternity & Sorority Awards Nomination Packet by the required deadline in the Spring semester. To receive accreditation points, the chapter should write nominations for at least 3 awards.
• Chapters with 50% of their members actively involved in other co-curricular experiences will be rewarded. Submit a list of members and their club, organization, or student leadership involvement will receive points.

Participation Incentives

It is a requirement that fraternities and sororities earn at least a Two Star accreditation during each academic year. Failure to do so will result in the Office of Student Activities & Union Services intervening to help improve the chapter's accreditation for the following year; failure to receive at least two stars two years in a row could result in loss of recognition.

Fraternities and Sororities who achieve a Three, Four, and Five Star accreditation will be listed accordingly on the Student Activities & Union Services website, and on subsequent office publications for the following academic year.

To recognize outstanding achievement, our Five Star Chapters will enjoy the following incentives and privileges for their hard work:

• The Chapter will be recognized with a plaque and a certificate of Chapter of Excellence at the Annual Student Leadership Awards Ceremony; Chapter leadership will take pictures of the plaque presentation with Student Affairs administrators.
• A plaque will be hung in the Office of Student Activities & Union Services listing the Five Star Chapters each academic year.
• Chapter will have access to programming grant money through the Office of Student Activities & Union Services.
• Display cases in the Student Union set aside for Five Star Chapters to have preferred access for one month during the following academic year.
• Five Star Chapters' banners will be displayed in the Student Union Addition for the following academic year, and designated as Chapters of Excellence.
• Five Star Chapters will be highlighted on the Student Activities & Union Services webpage.
• A letter of recognition will be sent from the College to the Chapter's regional/national board of directors.
• Five Star Chapters will have the option to book their Chapter meeting room in the Student Union for the Fall semester; Student Activities & Union Services coordinate this reservation before weekly meeting spaces are available to other organizations.
• An ad will be posted on the WNPC message board indicating our Five Star Chapters for the first 4 weeks of classes in the Fall and Spring semesters.
• An ad will run in The Oracle designating Five Star Chapters in September of each academic year