Accreditation Metrics
Chapters are evaluated on several metrics. Each metric area includes an overall description, followed by criteria for each of the four possible ratings (Accredited with Excellence, Accredited, Unaccredited, Unacceptable). Chapters are evaluated against the criteria outlined in the Accreditation Rubric.
Scholastic excellence is a pillar of the fraternal experience. Organizations will provide support and encouragement for academic achievement of chapter members. Chapters will encourage the individual and collective intellectual development of members through programming, support structures, and, when necessary, accountability for member expectations. The following standards will be used to evaluate each chapter's progress toward excellence in academic achievement.
Members of the Lehigh University fraternity and sorority community actively and positively contribute to the Lehigh University, Bethlehem, and global communities. The following standards will be used to evaluate each chapter's progress toward excellence in campus and community engagement.
The onboarding of new members and chapter officers is a crucial function of a healthy and sustainable organization.
Fraternity and sorority members will participate in programs that encourage them to engage positively with and give back to their local, state, national, and global communities. These programs may include community service, philanthropic activities, and/or activism programs.
A physical space allows fraternity and sorority members to gather and former deeper, more intimate bonds. Chapters are responsible for meeting all obligations and expectations set forth by the university and for using the chapter facility to promote a values-driven membership experience.
The safety of our members and guests is the first priority of our community. Chapters work proactively to design safe and welcoming events and educate members on expectations, policies, and best practices for the keeping the organizations, its members, and their guests safe.
Fraternities and sororities are committed to creating well-rounded, educated members. This includes providing members with opportunities to engage with a variety topics, including violence prevention, inclusion and belonging, professional development, and members expectations. Fraternities and sororities strive to demonstrate clear and meaningful learning by their members.
Close, intimate bonds are the foundation of the fraternal experience.
Fraternity and Sorority Life at Lehigh University believes that a successful chapter is one with a clear vision and goals for the future. Chapters are required to review past Accreditation reports and set goals for the upcoming year to foster continuous growth and improvement for the future.
Accreditation Ratings
Chapters are rated annually by an Accreditation Panel composed of faculty/staff, students, and alumni. The Accreditation Panel observes the chapter’s Accreditation Presentation and reviews their Accreditation Report. Each Accreditation Panel also has the opportunity to review any relevant, statistical documents related to the chapter (ex. Recognition compliance report, grade report, facility damage report, conduct reports, etc.). The Accreditation Panel is responsible for assigning an initial rating recommendation immediately following a chapter’s presentation. Ultimately, chapters will be assigned an overall rating that considers additional overall criteria, focused on the overall performance of the chapter throughout the year, and is not average based on the ratings received in the individual metric areas. A final rating is assigned after committee deliberations have been finalized and all statistical information regarding the chapter has been finalized at the culmination of the academic year.
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Chapter exceeds expectations set forth by Lehigh University.
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Chapter excels in multiple metrics, making valuable contributions to the Greek and Lehigh communities.
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Chapter seeks unique and creative solutions.
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Chapter not only uses widely accepted best practices and seeks assistance/recommendations from other chapters, councils and/or national organizations, but often creates new standards and shares them with other chapters.
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Chapter demonstrates significant improvement year-to-year and/or maintains a high level of performance repeatedly.
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Chapter exhibits strong adherence to values demonstrated through chapter operations, programming and individual member behavior.
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Chapter excels at integrating reflection into the member experience.
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Chapter excels in meaningfully synthesizing connections between other experiences and membership.
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The chapter meets expectations set forth by Lehigh University.
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The chapter is fully successful in all metrics and is a contributor to the Greek and Lehigh communities.
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Chapter seeks new solutions.
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Chapter uses widely accepted best practices and seeks assistance/recommendations from other chapters, councils and/or national organizations.
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Chapter demonstrates improvement year-to-year and/or maintains a consistent acceptable level of performance repeatedly.
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Chapter exhibits adherence to values demonstrated through chapter operations, programming and individual member behavior.
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Chapter integrates reflection into the member experience.
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Chapter synthesizes connections between other experiences and membership.
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Chapter does not meet, or is otherwise inconsistent in meeting, expectations set forth by Lehigh University.
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Chapter has significant difficulty succeeding on multiple metrics and does not meaningfully contribute to the Greek and Lehigh communities.
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Chapter does not address organizational issues.
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Chapter does not use accepted best practices.
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Chapter struggles with addressing issues or challenges from previous Accreditation reports.
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Chapter is complacent in seeking solutions or implementing recommendations for improvement.
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Chapter does not demonstrate improvement year-to-year.
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Chapter demonstrates behavior that is in opposition to shared community and organizational values.
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Chapter does not integrate reflection into the member experience.
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Chapter does not connect other experiences to their chapter membership.
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Chapter failed to meet minimum expectations set forth by Lehigh University
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Chapter fails in multiple metrics and is negatively impacting the Greek and Lehigh communities.
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The chapter does not meet, or is otherwise inconsistent in meeting, expectations set forth by Lehigh University.
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The chapter has significant difficulty succeeding on multiple metrics and does not meaningfully contribute to the Greek and Lehigh communities.
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Chapter does not use accepted best practices.
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Chapter has not addressed issues or challenges from previous Accreditation reports.
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Chapter does not seek solutions or implement recommendations for improvement.
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Chapter routinely demonstrates behavior that is in opposition to shared community and organizational values.
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Chapter does not integrate reflection into the member experience.
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Chapter does not connect other experiences to their chapter membership.