Collegians - Policies & Philosphies

Phi Mu Fraternity’s Harm Reduction and Prevention education promotes intentional chapter programming, social practices education that equips our members to make informed and healthy decisions. The Fraternity’s initiatives seek to instill confidence in our members to make decisions based on the values and principles of Phi Mu. The Harm Reduction and Prevention Philosophy upholds the following: 

• A creation of a sisterhood of concern and desire to be safe, balanced with individual and organization accountability. 
• The Fraternity’s dedication to the safety of our members to provide women with resources to assist them in making responsible and safe decisions. 
• An education focuses on prevention and safety, not just the ability to recite policy.
• Phi Mu Fraternity’s Harm Reduction and Prevention philosophy is centered on equipping members to make informed and healthy decisions. Our educational efforts promote safety, prevention and responsible social practices. All of our work stems from the assumption that members care for one another and utilize accountability, both individually and organizationally, as a way to build authentic sisterhood.

• For a Phi Mu chapter to host an event with alcohol, the Social Chairwoman should complete the Social Event Notification Form. This form is due at least seven (7) business days in advance of the event. 
• If the university/college policy is stricter, it is expected that the chapter follow that policy. 
• A Phi Mu chapter may not host events with organizations (e.g., fraternities, clubs, sports groups, etc.) who are suspended (e.g., prohibited from functioning as an organization or hosting events) for reasons of organizational misconduct either by the university/college, international/national organization or the governing council (e.g., Greek Council, IFC, etc.). 
• Members, including provisional members, shall not be required to attend any collegiate function where alcohol is present. 
• No overnight functions are allowed for events with alcohol. Overnight events with non-members are prohibited. A chapter may host an overnight event (e.g., sisterhood retreat) provided it is alcohol-free and only members are in attendance.
• All contracts should only be executed in the name of the undergraduate chapter (ex. “Alpha Chapter of Phi Mu Fraternity”). Chapter Presidents are the authorized representative to sign contracts for the chapter. 

In any activity or event sponsored or endorsed by the chapter, including those that occur on or off chapter premises: 

1. Chapter members, and guests, must comply with all federal, state, provincial, and local laws. No person under the legal drinking age may possess, consume, provide, sell or be provided alcoholic beverages.
2. Chapter members, and guests, must follow the federal law regarding illegal drugs and controlled substances. No person may possess, use, provide, distribute, sell, and/or manufacture illegal drugs or other controlled substances while on chapter premises or at any activity or event sponsored or endorsed by the chapter. A prescription drug that is not specifically prescribed to the individual consuming the drug is strictly prohibited.
3. Alcoholic beverages must either be: (1) provided and sold on a per-drink basis by a licensed and insured third-party vendor (e.g., restaurant, bar, caterer, etc.); or (2) brought by individual members and guests through a bring your own beverage (“BYOB”) system.
   • Third Party Vendor
     1. The third-party vendor must assume, in writing executed in the chapter name of Phi Mu Fraternity, all the responsibilities that any other purveyor of alcoholic beverages would assume in the normal course of business. 
     2. The third-party vendor must be properly licensed by the appropriate local and state authority.  This may involve both a liquor license and a temporary license to sell on the premises where the function is to be held. 
     3. The third-party vendor must be properly insured with a minimum of $1,000,000 of general liability insurance.
   • BYOB
     1. BYOB social functions are permitted if they are compatible with the campus/university social policy.
     2. The alcohol that each person may bring and consume to a BYOB event is no more than: two standard drinks below 15% alcohol by volume/ABV for each hour of the planned event for each person of legal drinking age who will be consuming alcohol at this event, not to exceed six standard drinks in total for the duration of the event. 
4. Common sources of alcohol, including bulk quantities, which are not being served by a licensed and insured third party vendor, are prohibited (i.e., amounts of alcohol greater than what a reasonable person should consume over the duration of an event).
5. Alcoholic beverages must not be purchased with chapter funds or funds pooled by members or guests (e.g., admission fees, cover fees, collecting funds through digital apps, etc.).
6. A chapter must not co-host or cosponsor, or in any way participate in, an activity or event with another group or entity that purchases or provides alcohol, illegal drugs or controlled substances.
7. A chapter must not co-host or cosponsor (e.g., accept direct sponsorship or financial benefit) an event with a bar, event promoter, or alcohol distributor; however, a chapter may rent a bar, restaurant, or other licensed and insured third-party vendor to host a chapter event.
8. Phi Mu undergraduate and alumnae chapters may host philanthropy events where alcohol is present in accordance with this policy and only at third-party vendors.
9. Attendance by non-members at any event where alcohol is present must be by invitation only, and the chapter must utilize a guest list system.
   • Attendance at events with alcohol (e.g., date parties, mixers, socials, formals, etc.) is limited to a guest-to-member ratio not to exceed 3:1 and must not exceed local fire or building code capacity.
   • For the following events, the capacity cannot exceed local fire or building code capacity of the host venue: Parents Events, Alumnae Events, Multi-Group Functions, Philanthropic Events.
10.  Any event or activity related to the new member joining process (e.g., recruitment, intake, rush, etc.) must be substance free. No alcohol or drugs may be present if the event or activity is related to new member activities, meetings, or initiation into the organization, including but not limited to “bid night,” “Big/Little” events or activities, “family” events or activities, and any ritual or ceremony.
11. The chapter, members, or guests must not permit, encourage, coerce, glorify or participate in any activities involving the rapid consumption of alcohol, such as drinking games or an activity that involves traveling to multiple drinking locations (i.e., bar/pub crawls, etc.).
12. Event monitors, including one officer, are required for all events with alcohol.
13. Alcohol or illegal drugs, including drug-related paraphernalia, will not be brought into, stored, consumed, or served in a chapter facility, lodge, room, apartment or parking lot owned/operated/leased by Phi Mu.
14. The use of self-constructed pools, bodies of water, slip-and-slides, is prohibited. However, inflatables (e.g., bouncy house, slip-and-slides) can be present if secured through a licensed and insured vendor and the event is alcohol free. 

Events Away from the College/University Area

In the event a chapter holds a social event away from the college or university area, all members and guests attending shall travel to and from the event by a licensed and insured commercial transportation (e.g., bus or large vans) within the same day or evening. If a chapter hires a vendor to transport members and guests, the vendor must meet the following requirements: 

• Commercial Auto Insurance that provides coverage for transporting people and property for a fee. 
• Commercial Auto Insurance that provides, at a minimum, primary coverage of $1,000,000 combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage. 
• A professional driver who has a current valid commercial vehicle operator’s license in the state in which the driver is located. 

When commercial transportation is used, for third-party vendor events, no alcohol is allowed in any part of the vehicle. For BYOB events, no alcohol will be transported in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Events Within the College/University Area

Events Within the College/University Area In the event a chapter holds a social event within the college or university area, transportation options include: 

• Licensed and insured commercial transportation. 
• A chapter can utilize public transportation services including but not limited to taxi, Uber, Lyft, subway, campus bus, or city bus. 
• Members and guests can choose to walk to the event. 
• A chapter can utilize a designated driver program. Designated Driver Program Designated driver programs are permitted when they are associated with Phi Mu, are voluntary and the event is held within the college or university area. Members should not participate in designated driver programs facilitated by other organizations. Drivers must have a valid driver’s license and personal insurance. Phi Mu does not provide insurance for personal vehicles used for the event.

Designated Driver Program 

Designated driver programs are permitted when they are associated with Phi Mu, are voluntary and the event is held within the college or university area. 

Members should not participate in designated driver programs facilitated by other organizations. Drivers must have a valid driver’s license and personal insurance. 

Phi Mu does not provide insurance for personal vehicles used for the event.

The chapter and members must comply with all federal, state, provincial, and local laws regarding hazing. The term “hazing” means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person, whether individually or in concert with other persons, against any individual or group of individuals, regardless of affiliation, whether or not committed on chapter property, that causes an individual or group of individuals to do any of the following, regardless of a person’s willingness to participate:

• Be coerced to violate federal, state, provincial, local law, or organizational policy.
• Be coerced to consume any food, liquid, alcoholic liquid, drug, or other substance in any non-customary manner which subjects the individual or group of individuals to a substantial risk of emotional or physical harm which includes but not limited to sickness, vomiting, intoxication, or unconsciousness. 
• Endure brutality of a physical nature, including but not limited to whipping, beating, paddling, branding, dangerous physical activity, or exposure to elements or endure threats of such conduct that results in mental or physical harm. 
• Endure brutality of a mental nature, including but not limited to activity adversely affecting the mental health or dignity of the individual, sleep deprivation, exclusion from social contact or conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment or endure threats of such conduct that results in mental or physical harm. 
• Endure any other activity which adversely affects the health and safety of an individual, including but not limited to the disruption of academic performance or class attendance, required designated driving programs, line ups, calisthenics, or personal, physical, or financial servitude.

The chapter and its members must comply with all federal, state, provincial, and local laws related to sexual misconduct. This is including, but not limited to, definitions around consent, sexual violence, sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual exploitation. 

The employment or use of strippers, exotic dancers or similar, whether professional or amateur, at any fraternity activity or event as defined in this policy is prohibited.

In any activity or event sponsored or endorsed by the chapter including those that occur on or off chapter premises, no chapter, member or guest shall engage in assault and battery, as defined in the state statutes in which the activity or event occurs.

The chapter and its members must comply with all federal, state, provincial, local laws and campus policy as it relates to firearms or explosive or incendiary devices. 

Firearms or explosive or incendiary devices are prohibited from the chapter facility and at all fraternity activities or events.

Phi Mu prohibits retaliation against any individual – members and nonmembers – for reporting, inquiring, or cooperating with a report around a violation of Risk Management Policy. 

Phi Mu prohibits any chapter retaliation (e.g., membership integrity process, punitive sanctions, negative repercussions, etc.) against a member making a private health care decision (e.g., seeking an abortion, assisting another person in obtaining an abortion, sex reassignment procedure, etc.). 

Retaliation is any action, statement, or behavior that is designed to punish an individual for reporting violations, cooperating in investigations, deterring members from reporting or seeking guidance, and chapter involvement in private health care decisions.

• Phi Mu is a women’s-only social sorority providing sisterhood and empowerment for women. 
  • Phi Mu will use gendered language that reflects our identity as a women’s-only social sorority. 
• Members of Phi Mu may not participate in any men’s fraternity recruitment events. 
  • Phi Mu Fraternity encourages College Panhellenics to adopt a policy that denounces Panhellenic women from participating in any men’s fraternity recruitment events.
• No men shall serve any Phi Mu chapter in the capacity of a “sweetheart.” Chapters shall not designate a man as a “sweetheart” or representative of the chapter.

Any woman regularly matriculated in a college or university where there is a chapter of Phi Mu Fraternity, who has high moral and social standards, and who has never been a member of any other National Panhellenic Conference organization, shall be eligible for membership in this Fraternity regardless of her race, religion or ethnic background, subject to any further criteria as established in the Bylaws which do not conflict with the Constitution.

Potential New Members do not need an alumna reference or letter of recommendation to be eligible for membership. A Phi Mu legacy (i.e. the sister, half-sister, step-sister, daughter, step-daughter, granddaughter or great-granddaughter of a Phi Mu in good standing with the Fraternity) will be extended the same courtesy as all Potential New Members. Membership in Phi Mu is open, but not guaranteed, to all eligible women.

Phi Mu Fraternity is a women’s organization that promotes diversity and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, citizenship, ethnic background, age, disability, parental or marital status or sexual orientation.

Phi Mu Fraternity is dedicated to the values of love, honor, truth. Members should emulate the highest standards of conduct at all times. Phi Mu Fraternity promotes all that is honorable and just, rejecting that which is demeaning and destructive. Phi Mu believes that behavioral standards, attitudes and environment directly influence the development and selection of lifelong values. Phi Mu is firmly committed to the formation of a positive value system and the promotion of individual self-worth.