Policy and Position Statements

Pi Beta Phi chapters and members must follow all federal, state/provincial, and local laws regarding the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, use, misuse or sale of drugs and alcohol. When these laws are in conflict, members must follow federal law on alcohol and drug use.

Chapter expectations:

• Follow all policies and procedures on the possession or use of alcohol detailed in Fraternity manuals and guides at Pi Beta Phi events.
• Prohibit the possession or use of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia at Pi Beta Phi events or on Pi Beta Phi property. All Pi Beta Phi chapters must prohibit marijuana at Pi Beta Phi events or on Pi Beta Phi property, including Canadian chapters where it is legal under federal and provincial law.
• Ensure members are consuming alcohol legally and responsibly at Pi Beta Phi events.
• Follow Pi Beta Phi’s event planning policies for the service of alcohol by a licensed and insured third-party bartender or in accordance with Pi Beta Phi’s BYOB policy.
• Must not purchase alcohol or drugs with chapter funds and prohibit anyone in the name of or on behalf of the chapter from coordinating the collection of any funds for the purchase of alcohol or drugs.

Member expectations:

• Must not encourage, pressure or coerce another member to use alcohol or drugs, which will be considered hazing.
• Even if under the influence of alcohol or drugs actions in conflict with Pi Beta Phi core values or irresponsible, violent or disorderly conduct will be considered inexcusable.
• Must not use or associate themselves in any media, including social media, that shows the use, promotion or possession of alcohol or drugs in any manner that is in conflict with Pi Beta Phi values and policies or brings discredit to the Fraternity.

Pi Beta Phi Fraternity does not discriminate in its operations or membership selection practices on the basis of race, religious affiliation, national origin, physical ability or sexual orientation. Nor will Pi Beta Phi tolerate such discrimination by its chapters. Federal law recognizes the right of college social fraternities to maintain single sex membership policies. Pi Beta Phi is a women’s organization for individuals who live and self-identify as women.

Hazing by any collegiate or alumna member of Pi Beta Phi is prohibited. Willingness, permission or approval by a person being hazed is not a defense. Hazing in Pi Beta Phi is defined as any conduct, action taken, or situation created, regardless of intent, directed toward any other individual where participation may be voluntary, forced or coerced that:

• Has the potential to cause or actually results in emotional, mental or physical harm.
• Involves the consumption of or opportunity to consume alcohol or drugs.
• Embarrasses, demeans or has the potential to create a superior/inferior relationship between the participants.

Each collegiate and alumna member of Pi Beta Phi must:

• Follow all applicable federal, state/provincial and local laws and institution or College Panhellenic governing council policies on hazing.
• Eliminate hazing by refusing to participate in any form of hazing and/or by intervening and reporting hazing they observe or become aware of. Any chapter or individual member whose actions or attitudes are in conflict with the Fraternity’s policy against hazing will be subject to member accountability by the chapter and/or Grand Council.

Chapters, members and non-members who may occupy or visit a Pi Beta Phi chapter facility must:

• Prohibit the use and/or possession of alcohol, marijuana, and illegal drugs in Pi Beta Phi facilities and on Pi Beta Phi property (even where legal by federal, state/provincial or local law) and prohibit smoking (including e-cigarettes) in Pi Beta Phi facilities;
• Keep facilities securely locked at all times;
• Develop facility rules which include establishing limitations on visitation privileges in private spaces and acceptable hours and rules for guests;
• Prohibit animals from chapter facilities except when a member may require a service animal or emotional support animal for a disability or medical reason requested through the Fraternity’s process;
• Prohibit the use of live flames on Pi Beta Phi property;
• Prohibit the possession, storage or use of firearms, guns, ammunition, explosives, fireworks, other weapons or dangerous chemicals of any kind on Pi Beta Phi property.

During the period of recruitment activity, there should be limited contact between collegians and alumnae. For the purposes of this policy, the period of recruitment activity concludes at the time when Potential New Members are issued an invitation to membership.

Expectations for chapters and members:

• Alumnae may not assist with nor be present for recruitment activities, including membership selection, with the exception of Alumnae Advisory Committee members, visiting Fraternity officers and staff. No information shared as part of membership selection may be provided to alumnae. 
• Alumnae members may not contact collegiate members to discuss recruitment progress or the status of a Potential New Member. This includes presenting gifts to collegiate members or chapters on behalf of any Potential New Member.
• Any Alumnae Advisory Committee member with a legacy (Potential New Member) participating in recruitment on the campus where she serves as an advisor, must excuse herself from chapter activities during the recruitment process.
• Parents/guardians of current or Potential New Members may not assist with nor be present for any recruitment activities at the chapter involved.

Pi Beta Phi does not formally recognize nor endorse Parents’ Clubs. Pi Beta Phi chapters may not have a role in the organization or operation of Parents’ Clubs or involve Parents’ Clubs in any chapter business, including membership selection or facility management.

Chapters may not co-sponsor or fund any events involving Parents’ Clubs.

A licensed and insured third-party bartender must be hired to serve alcohol with a cash bar unless the chapter has been granted the option to host BYOB events through Pi Beta Phi’s BYOB review process. Chapters must adhere to the following alcohol service policies:

1. All policies, guidelines and safety precautions detailed in the Event Planning and Management Guide must be followed before, during and after the event.
2. All vendors must be properly licensed in accordance with state/provincial and local laws and provide certificates of insurance which confirm they meet Pi Beta Phi’s minimum insurance requirements detailed in the Event Planning and Management Guide.
3. No chapter funds or money collected from members may be used to pay for alcohol directly or indirectly. Open bars or running tabs are not permitted and there may not be any agreements to meet a minimum alcohol purchase. Legal-age members may not purchase alcohol for underage members.
4. Alcohol service must end one hour prior to the end of the event.

After being granted the option to host BYOB events through the Fraternity’s review process, chapters must adhere to the following BYOB Policy:

1. All policies, guidelines and safety precautions detailed in the Event Planning and Management Guide and BYOB procedures must be followed before, during and after the event, except as modified below.
2. A third-party bartender must be hired to receive and distribute alcohol. The handling of alcohol must follow the steps detailed in Pi Beta Phi’s BYOB procedures.
3. No chapter funds or funds collected from members may be used to purchase alcohol for BYOB events.
4. Identification must be checked, and wristbands issued for members of legal drinking age by a third-party security company and designated event monitors.
5. No alcohol over 15 percent ABV, glass bottles or communal alcohol such as kegs or mixed drinks are permitted.

Chapters may host or co-host social events with or without alcohol at the following types of locations after confirmation that the venue meets all insurance and licensing requirements detailed in the Event Planning and Management Guide:

• Off-campus venues such as bars, restaurants, event spaces, private party rooms or event barns 
• Men’s Fraternity facilities when permitted by host institution and College Panhellenic governing council
• On-campus venues such as event spaces and private party rooms

Chapters must be granted advance approval in each instance by their regional Risk Management Specialist to host or co-host social events with or without alcohol at the following types of locations:

• Venues with features that are high-risk including pools/bodies of water, hayrides, bonfires, weapons and firearms, animals, trampolines, balconies, etc. A full list of high-risk events can be found through MJ Insurance at mjsorority.com.
• Locations of historical, artistic or cultural significance
• Venues located outside the local campus community

Third-party commercial transportation must be provided for all hosted and co-hosted events with or without alcohol, unless the chapter is granted the option for alternative transportation. A transportation plan, including check-in and check-out of members and guests, must be created and executed at each event.

Chapters may use the following types of third-party commercial transportation:

• Licensed and insured buses with professional driver
• Licensed and insured vans, limos or trollies with professional driver

Chapters may be granted the option to use the following alternative non-commercial transportation plans by their regional Risk Management Specialist:

• Walking plans to and from event locations within the local campus community
• Driving plans for chapter events without alcohol within 30 miles of campus
• Taxis, Ubers or Lyfts plans

Chapters may never use the following types of transportation plans:

• Party buses or other commercial transportation created and marketed for the purposes of consuming alcohol during transport
• Designated driver plans for events with alcohol