Parents 

What is your impression of fraternity life on today’s campus? Your expectations are likely shaped by several different things: your own educational experience, stories in the media, and pop culture portrayals of Greek organizations (“Animal House,” “Old School” and TV’s “Greek”). Despite the stereotypical Animal House image that is often portrayed, the true Phi Kappa Tau experience is centered on our collective acceptance of the values of the organization.

For the vast majority of Phi Kappa Tau members, their fraternity experience provides the home-away-from-home that most young men seek. It gives them a connection to their campuses. Their grades are often above the average on campus. Phi Kappa Tau provides meaningful friendships, outlets for campus involvement, and opportunities for leadership development. Collectively, the young men in our chapters have raised more than $300,000 for charitable organizations and amassed more than 200,000 hours of community service over the past four years.

There are also times, however, when a parent is concerned about some aspect of the Fraternity. To be sure, Phi Kappa Tau devotes many of its resources to creating awareness about issues that are prevalent on college campuses today – alcohol use, academic achievement, safety, and more. We offer many different programs, both in-person and online, that offer students and volunteers consistent and valuable information. Should you have any questions about Phi Kappa Tau, or fraternity life in general, please also feel free to contact the Phi Kappa Tau Executive Offices at ceo@phikappatau.org.

We know that it is most important for our undergraduate members to have people in their lives that continually remind them of the fraternal values of Phi Kappa Tau and encourage them to make good decisions in college and in life. We hope that you will also talk to your son about his Fraternity experience – the highs, the lows, the things that he wishes he could change, and the things that he values most of all.

Volunteer

Phi Kappa Tau values all of our volunteers, especially those who give their time without the benefits of membership. If you are interested in furthering the mission of Phi Kappa Tau as a parent, please visit the volunteer page.

Concerns

Phi Kappa Tau takes the behavior of its’ members seriously. If you have reason to believe that there is hazing occurring, or you have questions regarding activities that may not be in line with Phi Kappa Tau values, report them. In line with Phi Kappa Tau’s Privacy Policy, you have the option to remain anonymous. You can also call the Phi Kappa Tau Executive Offices at (513) 523-4193.

Chapter Information

Phi Kappa Tau is a membership development organization that is dedicated to meeting the mission of the Fraternity: To champion a lifelong commitment to brotherhood, learning, ethical leadership and exemplary character. Through attaining the mission of the Fraternity, we are called to uphold standards of conduct as outlined in the Constitution and Statutes as well as the Ritual of the Fraternity. Additionally, members are expected to abide by the policies and regulations of their college or university and to hold each other accountable to those same standards. Chapters that have been reported to have allegedly compromised the standards of conduct are immediately suspended pending an investigation (per standard Fraternity policy).

Below you will find chapter conduct reports that outline alleged chapter violations by academic year. In each of these cases, members were alleged to have failed to live by our mission and uphold our standards of conduct. If applicable, sanctions are listed from the National Fraternity, or the University.

• 5-Year Conduct Report (2021-2026)

Recruitment & Hazing

The safety of our members, guests, and volunteers is a responsibility we take seriously. Phi Kappa Tau's Health and Safety Policy reflects our commitment to a chapter environment grounded in respect, accountability, and the well-being of every person involved. It covers everything from event planning and alcohol guidelines to hazing prevention, sexual misconduct, and how incidents are reported and addressed.

Phi Kappa Tau believes in the inherent worth of all people and that dignity and respect are the inalienable rights of each individual. Therefore, there is no place for personal degradation within our membership. The founding values of Phi Kappa Tau show us that every person is important and has value to offer our community; esteem for yourself and others is necessary for healthy relationships; and harassment, hazing, or bullying is detrimental to the full development of our Brothers. Phi Kappa Tau supports the preservation of individual dignity and does not condone any activity or behavior that is inappropriate, destructive, demeaning, or abusive to any person or group.

No chapter, associate chapter, member, associate member or graduate member shall conduct nor condone hazing activities. 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, for the purpose of recruiting, joining, pledging, initiating, admitting, affiliating, or for the purpose of retaining membership in an organization that causes an individual or group of individuals to do any of the following, regardless of a person’s willingness to participate (permission or approval by the person being hazed is not a defense):

a. Be coerced to violate federal, state, provincial, local law, or organizational policy.

b. 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 risk of emotional or physical harm which includes but not limited to sickness, vomiting, intoxication, or unconsciousness.

c. 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.

d. 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 contacting others or conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment or endure threats of such conduct that results in mental or physical harm.

e. 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.

Alcohol & other drugs

Our Fraternity believes in allowing every member to realize his full potential. Therefore, we believe that every member should make responsible decisions about alcohol use and the use of prescription or otherwise legal drugs. Each individual bears the personal responsibility to know and abide by federal, state, and local laws regarding alcohol and drugs; campus policies and rules; and Phi Kappa Tau’s rules and policies. In any activity or event sponsored or endorsed by the chapter, including those that occur on or off chapter premises: developing men of character into men of distinction

1. The chapter, members and guests must comply with all federal, state, provincial and local laws. No person under the legal drinking age may possess, consume, sell, provide or be provided alcoholic beverages.

2. The chapter, members and guests must follow the federal law regarding illegal drugs (including marijuana) 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.

3. Alcoholic beverages must either be: a. Provided and sold on a per-drink basis by a licensed and insured third-party vendor (e.g., restaurant, bar, caterer, etc.); or b. Brought by individual members and guests through a bring your own beverage (“BYOB”) system. c. The presence of alcohol products above 15% alcohol by volume (“ABV”) is prohibited on any chapter premises or at any event, except when served by a licensed and insured third-party vendor.

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 greaterthan what a reasonable person should consume over the duration of an event, including but not limited to kegs, boxed wine, 30-racks, alcohol punch, etc.).

5. Alcoholic beverages must not be purchased with chapter funds or funds pooled by individual members or guests. Pooling of funds shall be described as “passing the hat” or using a digital app to collect money (like Venmo or PayPal). Collecting admission or cover fees shall be described as pooling funds.

6. A chapter must not co-host, co-sponsor, or participate in an activity or event with another group or entity that purchases or provides alcohol.

7. A chapter must not co-host or co-sponsor an event with a bar, event promoter, or alcohol distributor; however, a chapter may rent or contract with a bar, restaurant, or otherlicensed and insured thirdparty vendorto host a chapter event. developing men of character into men of distinction

8. 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 is limited to a 3:1 maximum guest-to-member ratio and must not exceed local fire or building code capacity of the chapter premises or host venue.

9. 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 associate member activities, meetings, or initiation into an organization, including but not limited to “bid night,” “big/little” events or activities, “family” events or activities, and any ritual or ceremony.

10. 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. 11. Proceeds of the sale of alcohol cannot be used for fundraising or philanthropic events.

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