Dean of the College Lee Pelton has approved a new set of programming standards for the Coed Fraternity Sorority system.
The new standards, which were adopted by the CFS system this term, are more detailed and more demanding than former programming standards, according to Assistant Dean of Residential Life Deb Reinders.
Under the new standards, houses must hold programming events in each of three areas: membership development, Dartmouth community involvement and community service/philanthropy.
Each house must hold four membership development events, designed to benefit the individual members of its house, with a total attendance of at least 65 percent.
A minimum of three Dartmouth Community Involvement events must be organized, including one initiated by the house, one co-sponsored with another CFS organization, one sponsored with a College organization or a residence hall, as well as two open events.
Finally, each house must hold two community service projects per term. For at least one of the two, house members must play an integral role in the project's implementation.
Each section of the requirements must address a certain number of areas of the "Wellness Wheel:" cultural, emotional/spiritual, intellectual, physical, social and vocational.
Currently, programming standards are part of Minimum standards, the requirements placed on all Greek houses which set goals for them to reach if they wish to retain College recognition.
Minimum standards include leadership, membership, budget, behavior, physical plant and program development.
The program development standard, commonly called programming, requires houses to sponsor events each term to "reflect a mixture of cultural, educational and community service programs," according to the Coed Fraternity and Sorority Constitution and Minimum Standards booklet.
Reinders said the new standards were developed by a committee comprised of house presidents and programming chairs, formed last spring. The last time the standards were fully reviewed was in 1991, she said.
Pelton said it was evident a lot of work had been put into the revised standards.
"What's important is that the changes, as I understood it, grew out of student interest and a design to better their image as far as programming," Pelton said.
Summer CFSC programming chair Stephanie Moser '97 said there has been little confusion about the new standards.
"It expects a lot more from the programming chairs and delineates more what needs to get done," Moser said. "I think they can be done and if they are done they will better the houses."
Any house that does not comply with the new standards will face a fine of $10 per active member with a minimum fine of $200 and a maximum fine of $400.
Twenty-five percent of this fine will be allocated towards collaborative programming events sponsored by at least five Greek houses. The rest shall be monitored by the CFSC programming chair and can be applied for by the house in following terms.
To help houses comply with the standards, each house must submit a plan of how they will fulfill the minimum standards requirements to the Office of Residential Life. Each house will also undergo a midterm evaluation to ensure they are on track for meeting the programming standards.
