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Health and Safety: POLICY​

Outline​

  1. Alcohol and Other Drugs​

  2. Hazing​

  3. Sexual Misconduct​

  4. Assault or Battery​

  5. Firearms, Explosive, Incendiary Devices​

  6. Retaliation​

  7. Phi Kappa Tau’s Good Samaritan Policy ​

  8. How to Report ​

  9. What to Do in the Event of a Crisis​

  10. State and Local Law

Alcohol & Drugs​

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

  • The chapter/organization, 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.​

  • The chapter/organization, 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/organizational premises or at any activity or event sponsored or endorsed by the chapter/organization.​

Alcoholic beverages must either be:​

  • Provided and sold on a per-drink basis by a licensed and insured third-party vendor (e.g., restaurant, bar, caterer, etc.); or​

  • Brought by individual members and guests through a bring your own beverage (“BYOB”) system. ​

Note that:

  • The presence of alcohol products above 15% alcohol by volume (“ABV”) is prohibited on any chapter/organization premises or at any event, except when served by a licensed and insured third-party vendor.​

  • Common sources of alcohol, including bulk quantities, which are not being served by a licensed and insured third party vendor, are prohibited amounts of alcohol greater than 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.​

  • Alcoholic beverages must not be purchased with chapter/organizational funds or funds pooled (i.e. passing the hat or using digital apps, i.e. Venmo) by members or guests (e.g., admission fees, cover fees, collecting funds through digital apps, etc.).​

  • A chapter/organization must not co-host or co-sponsor, or in any way participate in, an activity or event with another group or entity that purchases or provides alcohol.​

  • A chapter/organization must not co-host or co-sponsor an event with a bar, event promoter, or alcohol distributor; however, a chapter/organization may rent or contract with a bar, restaurant, or other licensed and insured third-party vendor to host a chapter/organization event.​

    • No alcohol or drugs may be present if the event or activity is related to new member activities​

  • Attendance by non-members at any event where alcohol is present must be by invitation only, and the chapter/organization 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/organizational premises or host venue.​

  • 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 an organization, including but not limited to “bid night,” “big/little” events or activities, “family” events or activities, and any ritual or ceremony.​

  • The chapter/organization, members or guests must not permit, encourage, coerce, glorify or participate in any activities involving the rapid consumption of alcohol, such as drinking games.​

Hazing

Hazing has no place in this fraternity and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

  • 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/organization 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):​

    • 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 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 contacting others 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.

Sexual Misconduct

  • The organization 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.

Assault or Battery

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

Firearms, Explosives, Etc.

  • The organization 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. ​

  • A chapter events or activities involving firearms must take place at a licensed and insured 3rd party venue. (e.g., skeet shooting, traps, target practice, etc.)​

Retaliation

  • The organization prohibits retaliation against any individual – members and non-members – for reporting, inquiring, or cooperating with a report around a violation of Phi Kappa Tau’s Health and Safety Policy. ​

  • Retaliation is any action, statement, or behavior that is designed to punish an individual for filing a compliance report, cooperating with a compliance investigation, seeking guidance regarding a compliance concern, or to deter one from taking such action.

Phi Tau's Good Samaritan Policy

  • To encourage members and chapters to take action without fear of disciplinary action the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity has two Good Samaritan policies, one for individual members and guests and another for the chapter itself.

  • Individual: If a member assists another person, or himself, in obtaining immediate and appropriate medical care related to the use or consumption of alcohol, other drugs, or to another medical emergency, then that member, as well as those who are assisted, will not be subject to individual disciplinary action with respect to the incident. This is the case even if the member who is assisting was a contributing factor to that emergency. An individual may benefit from this policy more than once, though repeated use of the policy may receive stricter scrutiny.​

  • Chapter: A chapter that seeks immediate and appropriate medical assistance for a person in need related to the use or consumption of alcohol, other drugs, or to another medical emergency, may be eligible for mitigation of charges related to violations of organizational policies. To be eligible for this potential mitigation, the chapter will be required to meet in person or by phone with a national staff member or an alumni volunteer designated by the fraternity. A chapter may benefit from this policy more than once, though repeated use of the policy may receive stricter scrutiny.

How To Report An Incident

Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity has a Risk Management Health and Safety Policy which is enforced by the Fraternity’s outlines its Disciplinary Policy and procedures. Members should call 911 if they observe someone injured or in distress, or if they suspect a fire or other dangerous situation. ​

To report a violation of the Risk Management Health and Safety Policy, please utilize one (or more) of the options below:​

  • In case of an emergency, call 911.​

  • Contact your chapter services consultant to report. ​

  • Report Online at: https://www.phikappatau.org/concern​

  • Call the Phi Kappa Tau Executive Offices at 513-523-4193 to report.​

  • Text 1-513-540-1906 via Real Response ​

  • Call the Phi Kappa Tau Crisis line at 513-523-4193 ext. 500​

  • Notify your Board of Governors and/or Chapter Advisor to report.​

  • Contact university/college resources (campus police, Greek Life Office, Dean of Students, etc.)

What To Do In The Event Of A Crisis

General Procedure​

  • Remain Calm​

  • The president oversees any emergency, and he should consult other members who may possess more expertise or insight when making decisions. ​

  • If the president is absent, the next ranking officer assumes control​

  • Dial 911. In nearly all cases the president should briefly and calmly explain the situation ​

  • Notify the chapter advisor and Board of Governors Chairman. The BOG chairman or advisor must contact the executive offices using 1-800-PKT-1906 Ext: 600 ​

  • Close the chapter house at once. Permit only members, alumni and appropriate officials to enter. Assign a few responsible members to calmly control access to the chapter house.​

  • Assemble the membership for a chapter meeting. Explain that there is an emergency, and the house is closed.​

  • Do not discuss details; speculate on events or otherwise project consequences until the police, your advisor or school officials have arrived. Members are not to speak with anyone outside of the chapter​

  • The president is the official spokesperson for the chapter. If the news media should contact the chapter, only the president or the advisor should speak for the chapter. NO STATEMENT OR COMMENT SHOULD BE GIVEN. Release no names until an investigation is completed.

State and Local Law

Check Local and State Law codes related to the following six topics. Every state may have a slightly different law for each topic, so it is important to know the rules and subsequent liability when operating. ​

  • Underage Drinking ​

  • Intoxication​

  • Open Container​

  • Host Liquor liability​

  • Hazing​

  • Sexual Assault and Misconduct

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