MIT has a positive and long-standing history with its fraternities, sororities, and independent living groups (FSILGs). In addition to developing life-long connections and support, involvement in a FSILG can deepen students’ educational experiences by offering members opportunities for civic engagement, service, team work and leadership. The Institute relies on the support and collaboration of our students, alumni/ae, and when applicable, the volunteers and staff members from international/national fraternities and sororities applying a shared-governance model designed to maintain and encourage a healthy and dynamic FSILG community.
Rights and Responsibilities of Recognized FSILG Organizations
While all MIT students are held accountable to similar high standards, the unique missions and positioning of the FSILGs require greater clarity related to the rights, responsibilities, and privileges of each FSIILG, as detailed below and in the FSILG Recognition Policy (see page 2).
Responsibility to Uphold and Advance the MIT Mission
Each FSILG is responsible for upholding and advancing the mission of the Institute; fostering academic excellence and promoting environments supportive of intellectual development, personal development, and academic integrity.
Right to Shared-Governance
Each FSILG has the right to exercise responsible organizational shared-governance, to participate in the appropriate FSILG governing council, and to engage other campus stakeholders as advocates and champions for the FSILG community. The shared-governance system includes the FSILG student governing councils, the Association of Independent Living Groups (AILG), House Corporation and Advisory Boards, MIT administration, inter/national organizations, and other key stakeholders.
Responsibility to Maintain an Active Relationship with the Institute
Each FSILG is responsible for maintaining an active relationship with the Institute, including but not limited to, responding to Institute communication in a timely manner and meeting with members of the FSILG Office and other relevant departments.
Right to Equitable Organizational Expectations and Just Process
Each FSILG has the right to receive equitable treatment and respect on matters that involve applicable Institute policies and procedures. In recognizing a FSILG, the Division of Student life commits itself to ensuring that the FSILG is treated equitably and fairly.
Responsibility to Act with Civility
Each FSILG is responsible for acting with civility towards all members of the MIT community, as well as to members of the Cambridge, Boston, and Brookline communities. Its members should strive through their actions and endeavors to be responsible neighbors and good citizens of their host communities.
Responsibility to Maintain Positive Social Environments and Activities
Each FSILG is responsible for advancing respectful, caring, and safe social environments that encourage diversity, build community, and promote accountability.
Right to Assistance and Advisement
Each FSILG has the right to assistance and advisement from their respective alumni/ae and alumni/ae group advisors, as well as from the FSILG Office and other members of the Division of Student Life.
Responsibility to Maintain Healthy and Safe Residential Facilities
If applicable, each FSILG is responsible for creating, promoting, and maintaining healthy and safe residential facilities that comply with the relevant standards and policies of the Institute, the AILG, the relevant governing council, and appropriate government(s).
Responsibility for Holding Members Accountable
FSILGs are expected to hold their membership accountable to the values of their respective organizations as well as MIT policies. Although MIT has procedures in place to address individual or group violations of MIT policies, as part of a shared governance system MIT also recognizes that individual FSILGs have the autonomy to determine continued membership eligibility in parallel with MIT processes. The process for internal accountability should be outlined in each FSILG’s governing documents and should be consistent with MIT policies, including MIT’s non-discrimination and non-retaliation policies.
All FSILGs are expected to have a functioning internal judicial board or an internal accountability structure whereby individual members can be held accountable for behavior not congruent with the values of the organizations and/or the Institute. The internal judicial boards should be appropriately balanced between being educational in nature and accountability focused. Members of the judicial board (or its equivalent) will receive training from the FSILG office to ensure Institute expectations are met and that processes align with the unique structure for each individual FSILG and are implemented fairly and consistently. In the event that the internal judicial board for a given FSILG determines that they do not have the capacity to manage holding an individual member (or members) accountable according to these expectations, the organization’s leadership should connect with their Institute Campus Advisor for further assistance and possible referral to the Committee on Discipline or other Institute accountability systems for resolution.
In the event an FSILG considers revocation of an individual’s membership in the organization, the organization’s leadership must notify their Institute Campus Advisor prior to undertaking the membership revocation process. So that the Institute can effectively support the organization through what can be challenging circumstances, notification should occur at least 5 institute days before any action is taken. The Campus Advisor will not be involved in the decision-making process; however, the Advisor will offer guidance and support to both the organization and the individual in question related to local/national organizational policies and processes and communications expectations.