Inter/national fraternities/sororities interested in expansion/extension should first contact The Office of Students Activities and speak with the Fraternity & Sorority Life Coordinator before conducting any recruitment activity on campus. It should not be assumed that a fraternity/sorority can “show up” on campus and have a “green light” to start a chapter. Texas A&M University-Kingsville recognizes both the legal right of a fraternity/sorority to exist, as well as the university’s responsibility to ensure the success of the entire fraternity/sorority community.

Inter/national fraternities/sororities are expected to affiliate with their respective peer-affiliated campus governing councils. Potential fraternities and sororities affiliated with the governing councils (IFC, CPC, NPHC, MGC) must be approved for membership by their respective council. Should the affiliated council not exist on campus, membership must be approved by the governing council the fraternity/sorority would associate with respectively that is existent. Texas A&M University-Kingsville will not recognize your chapter if you are not approved by and affiliated with a governing council.

New fraternities and sororities must register as a university student organization with The Office of Student Activities. To receive all the rights and responsibilities of a student organization on campus, you must follow the appropriate registration channels and adhere to all student organization policies and Fraternity & Sorority Life guidelines.

Please Note:

• The university will not recognize local fraternities or sororities as members of the Fraternity & Sorority Life community.
• Expansion/extension for a fraternity/sorority is not automatic, “campus crashing” or forming a group of interested students without the approval of The Office of Student Activities or by the Inter/National headquarters will not be tolerated.
• Checklist referenced in the extension/expansion plan may vary based on the fraternity/sorority council affiliation and inter/national organization. Additionally, the checklist may include specifics relevant to situation, circumstances, or history.

New and former Greek letter organizations must be approved through the expansion/extension process.  The scope is as follows:

1. Indication of interest of expansion/extension
   1. The application process begins by contacting the Fraternity & Sorority Life Coordinator in Student Engagement and Campus Life. A formal application is then completed by the applying organization and submitted to the expansion/extension committee for review.
2. Create expansion/extension packet
   1. The expansion/extension packet MUST include the following information in its entirety and will be reviewed by the expansion/extension committee. Completed expansion packets may be submitted to the Fraternity & Sorority Life Coordinator via hard copy at Student Engagement and Campus Life located at the Javelina Student Engagement Center (JSEC) or electronically to jessica.montenegro@tamuk.edu.
   2. For National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) Extension, please check the requirements in the NPC Extension drop down menu.
      1. Expansion/Extension Contents for organization:
         1. Letter of intent from the inter/national headquarters or regional expansion/extension chairperson.
         2. Inter/National or Regional Headquarters Values, Policies, and Publications
            1. A description of the organizational values and founding principles
            2. Membership anti-discrimination policies
            3. A summary of the organizational structure at the chapter and inter/national or regional levels
            4. Constitution (inter/national, regional, or local)
            5. Minimal expectations of colony for chartering
            6. Risk management policies including alcohol/drug, hazing, and sexual misconduct.
            7. Scholarship policies
            8. Inter/national or regional publications
         3. Chapter Development
            1. The following information for three specific time periods:
            2. During colonization
            3. Two years after chartering
            4. Five years after chartering
               1. Membership goals
               2. Community interaction and service projects
               3. Campus involvement
               4. Programming initiatives
               5. Chapter & Alumni board finances
               6. Fundraising efforts
               7. Impact on FSL and Kingsville Community at Texas A&M-Kingsville

4. Membership Development
   1. Risk management education programs including alcohol/drugs, hazing, and sexual misconduct.
   2. Membership education policy and program (new and continuing member)
   3. Recruitment/intake program
   4. Leadership development and officer transition programs
5. Information on inter/national strength
   1. Total number of chapters inter/nationally or regionally
      1. Total number of chapters colonized in the past 5 years, including where
      2. Total number of failed expansion projects, including where
   2. Total number of initiated members inter/nationally or regionally.
   3. Total number of chapters in Texas
   4. Total number of chapters closed and/or suspended during the last 3 years, including where, when, and why.
   5. Average size of chapters on campuses similar to Texas A&M University-Kingsville in enrollment size and FSL affiliated percentage.
6. Proof of 501(a) or 501(c) status or demonstration that 501 status has begun.
   1. In order to comply with Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972, Section 6A, all single sex Texas A&M University-Kingsville fraternities and sororities must submit proof of their 501(a) tax exemption status. Organizations that are exempt under Section 501(a) include those organizations that are classified within Section 501(c). Section 501(c) applies to single-sex organizations recognized by the IRS under social or fraternal designation, including but not limited to sections 501(c)(4), 501(c)(7), 501(c)(8), and 501(c)(10).
   2. Section 1681. Sex
      1. (a) Prohibition against discrimination; exceptions. No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance, except that:
      2. (6) Social fraternities or sororities; voluntary youth service organizations (A) of a social fraternity or social sorority which is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of Title 26, the active membership of which consists primarily of students in attendance at an institution of higher education.
   3. Texas A&M University-Kingsville history and alumni information
      1. Nearest alumni group, if applicable
      2. A list of specific alumni who are interested in working with the chapter in an advisory capacity.
      3. Statement of interest and support from the inter/national headquarters and local alumni in establishing a chapter.
      4. Total number of Texas A&M University-Kingsville alumni (if applicable)
      5. If a group is returning to campus, describe the following:
         1. Reasons why the chapter became inactive on campus, and when
         2. How the issue(s) involved have been addressed
         3. What plans are put in place to secure long-term sustainability and success.

3. Campus determines readiness for Growth
   1. Once completed expansion/extension packets have been submitted, the expansion/extension committee will determine the Fraternity & Sorority Life community’s readiness for growth before making their final decision. The committee will take into consideration all information within the packet, as well as the following:
      1. Fraternity & Sorority recruitment trends for the past 5 years at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
      2. Organization’s standing and impact at nearby institutions.
      3. Current total undergraduate population.
      4. Demand for alternative organization options.
      5. Current health of the Fraternity & Sorority Life organizations currently at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
      6. Capability and resources of Texas A&M University-Kingsville to support the expansion/extension of another organization.
      7. If it is determined that the campus is ready to expand, step four will be initiated at such time. If it determined that the campus is not ready for expansion, the organization will be sent a letter of explanation.  The organization will be kept in consideration if it is deemed that the campus is ready for expansion/extension in the future and will be asked to resubmit their application at that time.

4. Present expansion/extension plan to governing council and staff
   1. Once an organization has participated in steps 1-3, the group to receive support in expansion/extension will receive an invitation to present to the appropriate Governing Council. The two social Greek Governing Councils at Texas A&M University-Kingsville are: The Interfraternity Council (IFC) and the Panhellenic Association. In the event a new council is interested in forming, the expansion/extension committee expects the new council to present a different purpose than that of a currently recognized council.
   2. The organization must present the information contained in expansion packet, as well as any other important information at an in-person meeting with the appropriate Governing Council. The presentation should focus on long term sustainability of interested organization and their added value to the current Texas A&M University-Kingsville Fraternity & Sorority Life community. Three members from each chapter represented in the 10 fraternities and sororities, as well as council executive board members should be in attendance. Based upon the presentation, the Governing Council will provide their recommendation to the Expansion/Extension Committee.
5. Obtain approval letter for expansion/extension
   1. After the completion of all steps, the Expansion/Extension Committee will make a final recommendation regarding the viability of the interested organization to the Governing Council and Fraternity & Sorority Life Coordinator. If approval for expansion/extension is granted, a letter will be generated and detail the expansion timeline. However, if expansion is not approved, the Fraternity & Sorority Life Coordinator will send the organization a letter of explanation. The organization will have a right to submit a new request for expansion/extension in the following academic year.

***Completion of the expansion packet does not mean that the expansion process can commence and does not guarantee acceptance to colonize. Colonization cannot initiate until the entire process for approval has been completed and the approval letter for expansion has been received.***

**For inquires or questions regarding the expansion and recognition process, please contact Student Engagement and Campus Life and speak with the Fraternity and Sorority Life Coordinator at (361) 593-2760.

Expansion/Extension Packet

Texas A&M University-Kingsville agrees with, and is an advocate for, open expansion/extension (when applicable). The University, Student Engagement and Campus Life, and governing councils within our Fraternity & Sorority Life community will not deter expansion/extension by withholding membership of a group from their respective councils (unless a group is woefully unprepared for successful expansion).

Open expansion/extension will follow one of three paths:

1. The inter/national organization identifies a campus it believes fits their values and growth plan. The organization will express interest to the campus. The campus will then work with the organization to determine a schedule/plan that is mutually beneficial while still allowing all interested groups a chance to succeed on the campus.
2. A campus realizes the need for new inter/national organizations and reaches out to the respective inter/national headquarters to communicate the opportunity. Those that are interested will initiate the same process as outlined in the previous scenario. This may involve an expansion/extension calendar to facilitate an organized and fair process for all of the interested organizations.
3. Student on campus come together to create an interest group that seeks recognition from an inter/national fraternity/sorority not currently represented on campus. Interest groups will be guided by the same policy as a group of students seeking to form a new organization on campus.

Student Expansion/Extension Interest Form

Expansion/Extension Packet

The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) of 26 member organizations represents over 4 million women at 650+ campuses in the United States and Canada, has a very structured extension process for new sororities. Extension is outlined in detail in the NPC Manual of Information. Texas A&M University-Kingsville Panhellenic Council follows this extension process for new sororities.

The NPC Panhellenic Extension Committee acts as the clearing house for both institutions and organizations by monitoring the extension of Panhellenic communities according to NPC Extension protocol.  This protocol is based on Unanimous Agreements followed by all 26 NPC member organizations.  It is critical to note that NPC organizations will establish a new chapter only at appropriately accredited, bachelor degree-granting colleges and universities if permission has been granted by what we term the “proper authority.”  The identity of the proper authority depends on the particular situation and is described more fully in the extension resource material provided below. The NPC Panhellenic Extension Committee serves to verify that the proper authority has granted permission and is also available to advise and assist in the various approaches of establishing chapters of NPC member organizations.

Extension College Panhellenic Steps

Sample Extension Timeline