STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS & CLUBS

Student organizations at Coe College must be recognized by the Student Affairs Committee. Recognition of a student organization requires that (1) a constitution and by-laws be accepted by the Committee, (2) a faculty or staff advisor be assigned, and (3) that the organization conduct an annual review of its activities to ensure that they are in compliance with its stated purposes. Recognition is reaffirmed annually by the Student Affairs Committee based on submission of an annual review by the organization.

Recognized organizations may apply to Student Senate for funds to conduct programs that benefit the student body. Organizations funded by Student Senate are required to follow college administrative procedures which include: (1) submit justified budget requests to the Senate treasurer in the semester prior to when funding is needed, (2) submit financial records to the Business Office for periodic review, and (3) the president and treasurer must attend two student organization workshops. Student organizations may not carry forward college budget allocations from one fiscal year to the next.

A list of officers and advisors must be submitted to the Dean of Campus Life at the beginning of each academic term, and should be updated whenever they change. Organizations will be deemed inactive and subject to loss of recognition if a current list is not on record.

Student organizations may not use the Coe College logo or name unless the college has given written permission or is co-sponsoring an event with the student organization.

ACADEMIC CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS

Accounting Club - The local affiliate of the Institute of Management Accountants. On campus the group is designed to promote education about the Association among accounting students at Coe.

Chemistry Club - Student affiliate of the American Chemical Society, the Coe Chapter familiarizes students with the chemical industry and discusses individual research problems.

Coe Student Education Association (CSEA) - An affiliate of the Iowa Student Education Association. Its purpose is to foster development of Coe students for future roles as educators.

English Club - A group of students who share an interest in fine literature, films, poetry and writing. Annual events and projects include the celebration of William Shakespeare's birthday and production of The Pearl.

French Club - The purpose of this club is to pursue knowledge of and stimulate interest in the French language and culture of francophone countries.

German Club - This club brings together members of the Coe community interested in German language and the culture of German-speaking countries through a variety of activities and programs.

Math Club – Affiliated with the Mathematics Department, the math club provides majors and non-majors opportunities to explore the exciting world of mathematics.

Physics Club - Open to all students and faculty with an interest in the physical sciences. The club sponsors guest speakers, demonstrations, films and social events, all in an attempt to inform the Coe community about physics.

Political Science Club - This club provides a chance for students and faculty to discuss political issues and interact in debates on various topics.

Pre-Med Club - The purpose of this organization is to expose all potential medical and/or health students to many opportunities and difficulties related to the medical field.

Psychology Club – This club is open to all students, faculty, and staff interested in the scientific study of psychology and its application. Through social and academic interactions, opportunities are provided to learn about current research, preparation for advanced study, and careers in psychology.

Religion Club - Provides an opportunity for students of all faiths to share experiences and explore their spirituality.

Student Nurses Association - The local chapter of the National Student Nurses Association that contributes to nursing education, provides programs of professional interest, and conducts health education and screening.

HONORARY ORGANIZATIONS

Alpha Lambda Delta - A national society that honors academic excellence during a student's first year in college. Freshmen who have at least a 3.5 GPA during the fall semester will be invited to join the following spring.

Alpha Sigma Lambda - This honorary society recognizes the special achievements of highly motivated students in continuing higher education whom accomplish academic excellence while facing competing interests of home and work.

Mortar Board - An honorary society for college seniors. Candidates are selected for membership in the Coe College Crescent Chapter during their junior year based on outstanding leadership, scholarship and service.

Mu Phi Epsilon - A professional co-ed music honorary fraternity which recognizes and promotes scholarship and musicianship. It provides services to the college such as stage manager of Daehler-Kitchin Auditorium and by assisting with receptions for recitals.

Omicron Delta Epsilon - An international economics honor society.

Order of Omega - The purpose of this organization is to recognize those fraternity men and women who have attained a high standard of leadership in Interfraternity activities, to encourage them to continue along this line, and to inspire others to strive for similar conspicuous attainment.

Phi Beta Kappa - The first society to have a Greek letter name, this organization has been a recognition of intellectual capacities for senior students across the country for over 200 years. Coe is one of only four colleges in Iowa with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter.

Phi Kappa Phi - Recognizes and encourages superior scholarship in all academic disciplines.

Pi Kappa Lambda - Senior music honor society that encourages the highest level of musical achievement and academic scholarship.

Sachem - A senior men's honorary society whose members are in the top ten percent of their class and are involved in a variety of campus activities.

Sigma Beta Delta - This honorary society recognizes scholarship and accomplishment of students majoring in business, management and administration. Its purpose is to encourage and promote aspirations toward personal and professional improvement.

Sigma Theta Tau - The international honor society of nursing. The purpose is to recognize superior achievement and the development of leadership qualities, among other things.

Strata - A senior women's honorary society whose members are selected for distinguished ability and achievement in scholarship, leadership and service.

SOCIAL FRATERNITIES

There are eight nationally affiliated fraternities active at Coe College. For women they are Alpha Omicron Pi, Delta Delta Delta, and Alpha Sigma Alpha. For men they are Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Kappa Tau, Phi Mu Alpha, Sigma Nu, and Tau Kappa Epsilon. Membership in one of these organizations provides opportunities for sisterhood and brotherhood, leadership development, service to campus and community, academic excellence and social activities.

The Panhellenic Council and Interfraternity Council are the governing bodies for these groups. Each group coordinates activities for the member chapters, including Rush. They work together to promote Greek life on campus and to govern themselves through policy development and the Greek Judicial Board.

Standard for Greek Organizations - Exemplary Greek life at Coe College is defined by standards that describe the distinctive qualities of fraternal relationships among members and justify the college's recognition of their organizations. These standards establish criteria by which Greek-affiliated students can measure their contributions to their own organizations and to the college. Through regular reviews of their activities, organizations can affirm their accomplishments and pursue areas of needed improvement. Such reviews permit the campus community to appreciate how Greek organizations are a positive, responsible, and contributing force within the student body.

Greek life permits participating students an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of a fraternal relationship in a way that maximizes the educational experience. Thus, Greek affiliates have the support of brothers or sisters to reach their academic potential, mature socially, gain leadership skills, and appreciate the importance of contributing to one's community. The following criteria define exemplary Greek life at Coe College.

Scholarship - Members, individually and collectively, strive to achieve their fullest potential in the classroom, recognizing that is the primary reason for attending Coe. It is assumed that fellowship promotes a high value for academic achievement and that the group actively supports the efforts of individual members to improve their academic status. Activities to support academic achievement are reflected through tutoring, study halls, and similar programs for pledges and actives not performing near their potential.

Citizenship - Members, individually and collectively, strive to represent themselves and the college in a manner that reflects self-respect and pride in Coe.

Misconduct by individuals that grows out of the activities of the organization is, in part, the responsibility of the organization. Every organization has the duty to take all reasonable steps necessary to prevent infractions of college rules and public laws related to the activities of the organization. Additionally, each organization engages in forms of volunteerism and service to the community on a regular basis.

Faculty and Alumni Relations - Communication with members of the Coe community is an essential part of Greek life. It is the duty of every member to help faculty and staff to appreciate the positive qualities of fraternal relationships. To this end, each organization maintains an active relationship with the faculty advisor(s) and alumni advisor(s). Each organization will regularly schedule appropriate activities to involve the faculty and administration in the life of the organization.

Social Development - Each organization strives to develop a diverse, healthy, and balanced social program that meets the needs of its members and those of the student body. To that end, each organization is expected to collaborate with other campus organizations in offering quality extracurricular programs that will benefit the student body. Each organization is expected to coordinate its social calendar during the academic year to reduce the adverse effects on other organizations.

Facilities Management - Members, individually and collectively, strive to maintain their blocked housing area in an attractive appearance that is a compliment to the organization and the college. Damages to the facilities within the blocked housing area are the collective responsibility of the members. Members are expected to assist and collaborate with college staff in undertaking improvements to the facilities within the blocked housing area.

Implementation of the Standards - Following chapter elections and after new officers assume their responsibilities, each organization will prepare a set of chapter goals and specific implementation strategies to reach those goals. Annual goals will be set in each standard to help the organization grow in a balanced way. Such goals will be presented to the members, faculty advisor and alumni advisor(s) for their respective review. Typed copies of the final goals and strategies are to be submitted to the Greek Affairs Coordinator no later than the end of the third week after the new officers are installed. The Greek Affairs Coordinator will prepare a summary of each organization's goals and present it to the Student Affairs Committee within two weeks after they are received.

Organizations will conduct an internal review of their progress toward achieving their respective goals midway through the officers' term. The results will be communicated to the faculty/alumni advisors and the Greek Affairs Coordinator. It is assumed that some readjustment in goals and/or strategies may be needed for the remainder of the term of office.

A formal evaluation of each organization's accomplishments will be conducted three weeks prior to the end of the officer's term. A report will be prepared by the chapter that reviews the progress made across the five standards and submitted to the Greek Affairs Coordinator. A committee consisting of two officers of the organization, one member of the Student Affairs Committee, the faculty or alumni advisor, and the Greek Affairs Coordinator will review the findings regarding the group's accomplishments. A typed review of the committee's findings commending the group for positive gains and making recommendations for improvements is to be submitted to the Student Affairs Committee for its consideration in renewing recognition by the college for the next academic year.

By the end of the third week of classes during the fall term, each chapter must submit a calendar to the Greek Affairs Coordinator concerning the approximate date of officer elections; when the new officers actually take office; when goals and strategies will be submitted at the beginning of the new officers’ term; when the internal midyear review of progress will occur; and when formal evaluations will be conducted at the end of the officers’ term. This information will be submitted to the Student Affairs Committee so they can develop a comprehensive schedule of all organizations for the year.