Membership Engagement

Academic Excellence

Fraternity and Sorority Life Grade Information

Spring 2021

Annual Reports

Accountability

Congruence Assessment Program

The Congruence (formerly “Chapter”) Assessment Program is an assessment tool that has been implemented in the fraternity and sorority community at Johns Hopkins University*. The assessment examines each organization’s involvement and performance in four areas including academics, chapter management, member development, and community involvement.

At the conclusion of every semester, each organization’s CAP portfolio is graded based on a point system. Based on total points, chapters are awarded a Gold, Silver, Bronze, or Needs Improvement status. Gold cups for top CAP scores for each semester will be given at the annual Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life Awards Ceremony for both a fraternity and a sorority. Any chapter awarded Gold status will also be eligible for the Chapter of the Year Award for the previous calendar year. The Chapter of the Year Award will be selected by a committee run by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. Chapters with open conduct sanctions with the Office of the Dean of Student Life will not be eligible for awards; however, members from those chapters may be eligible for individual awards.

*The Congruence (formerly “Chapter”) Assessment Program was originally developed at the University of Delaware and borrowed from Towson University with permission in 2015.

Leadership Development

New Member Orientation

A one-day orientation for new members of the fraternity/sorority community is held each semester. The orientation will begin to lay the foundation for expectations of membership from a community perspective. As each organization has its own expectations of its members, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life has expectations of its groups and their individual brothers and sisters. The orientation for new members will help to educate the participants on the commitment of fraternal membership.

By participating in the New Member Orientation, students will be able to:

  • Establish relationships with peers in their new member class and those of other organizations
  • Talk about the history of the fraternal movement
  • Identify the structure of fraternity and sorority life at JHU
  • Identify their personal values and relate them to the organizational values of their chapter
  • Define values congruence
  • Explain how and why they are accountable to their organizations for their actions
  • Discuss how the fraternity and sorority community adds value to the Hopkins community
  • Identify risk management issues as they relate to hazing, alcohol use, and sexual misconduct
  • Articulate the importance of bystander intervention
  • Utilize time management practices to aid them in balancing their academic responsibilities with their fraternal membership

Officer Retreat

The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life sponsors an annual overnight retreat for all chapter presidents and council executive board officers. This retreat will provide the opportunity for fraternity/sorority leaders to build relationships within and across councils, develop plans for the coming year, collaborate on community-wide events and programs, and participate in dialogues about critical issues in the fraternal movement.

Personal and Professional Growth

Pillar Series

The Pillars is a series of programs hosted by Fraternity and Sorority Life each semester. The purpose of the series is to educate the fraternity and sorority community on significant issues facing their organizations, matters important to higher education, and/or current events in Baltimore City and surrounding communities. Topics covered through the series include health and wellness, risk management, diversity and inclusion, career development, and environmental sustainability. This is not an extensive list of topics covered. Some topics may change each semester as the office continues to build partnerships across campus and in the community. Collaborating with other areas of Johns Hopkins will help the office bring relevant programs to fraternity and sorority members.

Social Responsibility

National Hazing Prevention Week

National Hazing Prevention Week takes place annually and is organized nationally by HazingPrevention.org. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life will work with the governing councils to organize programming around hazing prevention, education, and awareness. Programs will include hosting national speakers on campus to engage with students as well as co-sponsored events with other offices and student organizations focused on hazing prevention.

Training for Intervention ProcedureS

Training for Intervention ProcedureS (T.I.P.S.) is a skills-based training program that is designed to prevent intoxication, underage drinking, and drunk driving.

Training focuses on:

  • Decision-making skills that help students weigh the consequences of their actions and those of their peers
  • Moderating behavior to avoid problems with alcohol
  • Confidence to intervene to prevent alcohol-related incidents on campus such as property damage, injury, underage drinking and drunk driving
  • Interpersonal skills that increase students’ ability to intervene in difficult alcohol-related situations
  • Respect and concern for others leading to a more positive campus environment
  • Leadership qualities that help students influence their peers to avoid problem behaviors