Scholarship is a cornerstone of Samford University as well as the fraternity and sorority community. At Samford, you are a student before you are Greek. Being a successful scholar is the most important aspect of college life. Fraternities and sororities provide supportive environments to enhance a student’s ability to succeed in the classroom.

Advisors are an extremely important asset to a chapter’s success. Advisors provide guidance and support to the chapter and chapter officers in several areas of operation. It is important that advisors foster the development of the chapter as a whole as well as individual officers and members. The advisor provides continuity to the organization as the membership and officers change. An advisor should be familiar with the policies and regulations of the chapter, inter/national organization, Samford University, and relevant state and federal laws.

Types of Advisors

• Faculty/Staff Advisor: The advisor serves as the liaison between Samford University and organization. This person does not have to be a member of a Greek organization to serve in this role.
• Chapter/Alumni/Graduate Advisor: This advisor is usually selected by the chapter or inter/national organization, and is typically affiliated with the Greek organization.

Responsibilities of a Faculty/Staff Advisor

• Provide guidance and advice to the chapter.
• Meet with the chapter president at least once a semester to discuss important chapter information.
• Be knowledgeable about University policies and procedures such as The Student Handbook and the University Recognized Student Organization Manual.
• Sign all documents that require an advisor signature for the institution.
• Read and understand the Samford Greek Standards of Excellence to support the chapter’s adherence to chapter expectations and requirements and their ultimate accreditation status.
• Serve as an on-campus connector to relevant resources and services.

Responsibilities of a Chapter/Alumni/Graduate Advisor

• Provide guidance and advice to the chapter.
• Attend chapter/executive meetings when needed or as expected.
• Advise chapter officers.
• Meet regularly with the chapter president and other officers to discuss important chapter issues.
• Actively communicate with chapter members, Office of Greek Life staff, regional/province offices, and inter/national headquarters as required.
• Be knowledgeable about University policies and procedures such as The Student Handbook and the University Recognized Student Organization Manual.
• Read and understand the Samford Greek Standards of Excellence to support the chapter’s adherence to chapter expectations and requirements and their ultimate accreditation status.
• Role may be defined by inter/national organization and may require more than the responsibilities listed above.

Tips for Faculty/Staff Advisors

• Consider joining and becoming involved in the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA).
• Use the Office of Greek Life as a resource.
• Access University resources and connect chapter members to these resources.
• Determine which mode of communication works best when interacting with chapter members (email, phone calls, in-person meetings, etc.).
• Create a trusting relationship with chapter officers by building rapport.
• Serve as a positive role model to chapter members.
• Let the group know you are there to help and assess their needs.
• Respond to all questions and request for help in a timely manner.
• Assist the chapter in developing an academic support program that helps encourage individual and collective success.
• Review the chapter’s Greek Award submissions and Standards of Excellence progress to support their efforts toward accreditation and improvement.
• Initiate communication with the chapter/alumni/graduate advisor, regional/province officer and/or inter/national headquarters to provide your contact and background information and solicit accurate names for local and regional contacts.
• Connect with the Office of Student Leadership & Involvement staff for additional advisor resources and support.

Tips for Chapter/Alumni/Graduate Chapter Advisors

• Consider joining and becoming involved in the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA).
• Obtain a copy of the chapter and inter/national organization’s Risk Management and Anti-Hazing Policies.
• Determine which mode of communication works best when interacting with chapter members (email, phone calls, in-person meetings, etc.).
• Use the Office of Greek Life as a resource.
• Review the chapter’s Greek Award submissions and Standards of Excellence progress to support their efforts toward accreditation and improvement.
• Assist the chapter in regularly setting realistic goals and reviewing progress.
• Respond to all questions and request for help in a timely manner.
• Create a trusting relationship with chapter officers by building rapport.
• Challenge the chapter to grow and develop and then support them in their endeavors.
• Know what the chapter expects from you as an advisor and make clear what you expect from them as chapter members.
• Ask to receive all meeting agendas and minutes.
• Encourage chapter members to participate in leadership development opportunities provided by the inter/national organization.
• Provide chapters with support when it comes to recruitment/intake.
• Ask questions to determine the culture of the campus and Greek community.

Striving to uphold values of Christian faith, the Samford Greek community is concerned with overall student safety and wellness. The shared information of chapter statuses is to provide honesty for the stakeholders of the recognized fraternities and sororities of Samford University.  A healthy Greek community has a strong culture of support, connection, accountability, grace, and friendship.

The steadfast values of our Greek community shape character and decision making. Samford Greek Life believes in individual responsibility and chapter accountability to measure true growth.

Chapter Status

In an effort to uphold the mission of the Office of Greek Life, each fraternity and sorority is expected to uphold campus and Greek policies in order to operate efficiently and to contribute positively to its members and the overall Samford Greek community.

• Anti-Hazing Policy
• Campus Recognition
• Continuous Open Bidding Acceptance Binding Agreement - College Panhellenic
• Continuous Open Bidding Acceptance Binding Agreement - Interfraternity Council
• Definition of Fraternal Organizational Activity
• Extension and Expansion Policy
• Event Policy
• Formal Recruitment Bidding Acceptance Binding Agreement - Interfraternity Council
• Grade Release Authorization Form
• Marketing Policy
• NPHC Grade Verification Form
• NPHC Intake Policy
• Standards of Excellence