Psi Upsilon Risk Management Procedures
We at the Omega Chapter of Psi Upsilon believe that safety is of the utmost importance. In order to positively contribute to the social fabric of this campus, we must first do everything that we can to ensure a safe environment where all guests feel comfortable. As such, Psi Upsilon is committed to standing against and preventing sexual misconduct of any kind. To this end, we have developed a system of procedures to help ensure the safety and comfort of our friends and guests.
Title IV of the University of Chicago’s Policy on Unlawful Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct provides the following definition:
Sexual misconduct encompasses a range of conduct, from sexual assault (a criminal act that the U.S. Department of Education defines as a form of sexual harassment) to conduct such as unwanted touching or persistent unwelcome comments, e-mails, or pictures of an insulting or degrading sexual nature, which may constitute unlawful harassment, depending upon the specific circumstances and context in which the conduct occurs. For example, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or sexually-directed remarks or behavior constitute sexual harassment when (i) submission to or rejection of such conduct is made, explicitly or implicitly, a basis for an academic or employment decision, or a term or condition of either; or (ii) such conduct directed against an individual persists despite its rejection.
In our aim to promote a safe environment at our Chapter House, we have implemented the following procedures for Education & Prevention, and Response & Accountability:
Education & Prevention
We understand that the most important thing we can do to help promote a safe environment for our guests is to proactively educate our members and combat sexual misconduct in all settings. We, as a fraternity, have started annual meetings with representatives from the University of Chicago’s Resources for Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP). In addition, each new member is required to meet with RSVP, as well as complete GreekLifeEDU, a hazing, alcohol abuse and sexual assault prevention program, prior to initiation. Failure to do so will result in suspension from social events until they have either attended a similar presentation or met with RSVP to discuss sexual assault and our university’s Title IX policy. Additionally, we will work with RSVP to cohost a public seminar every year to help promote the discourse surrounding sexual violence prevention amongst the greater University of Chicago community. Furthermore, we have weekly reports in our Chapter Meetings on how we can better promote safety as an organization.
We have established numerous procedures to promote a safe environment for our guests. Prior to every social event, we make publicly available the contact information of the President and the Risk Manager(s). During all social events that are not subject to a strict guest list(open events), all four executive officers are stationed at the front door (which is the only entrance allowed to guests), two of which must remain completely sober. The executive officers are responsible for monitoring and keeping track of the number of guests that enter and exit the house. If an executive officer is not in attendance, a brother will be appointed to take their position for the duration of the event; however, there must be at least two executive officers in attendance. Two police officers are hired to assist the executive officers and ensure that guests do not bring outside substances or weapons into the event. The executive officers may bar the entry of any individual who attempts to bring outside substances into the event, or appears to be too intoxicated.
During all social events, at least an additional six identifiable sober brothers, in addition to the Sergeant at Arms, are responsible for monitoring the event and promoting safety. Failure to fulfill the duties of a sober monitor will result in a monetary fine and/or equivalent punishment, as determined by the executive officers. The sober monitors extend not only to serving as a resource to guests (in the event that they have any questions or need assistance), but also to actively working to prevent any potentially dangerous situations that might compromise guest safety and comfort. This includes, but is not limited to, patrolling each floor of the house to look out for potentially dangerous interactions and enlisting skills learned in RSVP meetings to be active bystanders. Additionally, we will have sober monitors stationed outside each of the second and third floor bathrooms to ensure the health and well-being of all guests on each floor. Sober monitors are to assist any individual that is found to be too intoxicated by locating at least one trusted friend of the individual, and helping them make plans to safely escort the individual to their place of residence or medical institution, if necessary. Prior to and following every event, the sober monitors will meet with the Sergeant at Arms to review their responsibilities and discuss any complications in the operation of the event that may result in procedural change.
At all social events that are not subject to a strict invite list, we hire an experienced professional bartender. Our bartender is to remain completely sober, and serves as an extra resource for monitoring the intoxication level of our guests and contacting the appropriate sober monitor(s) if a situation arises. At these events, we strictly serve drinks in the form of pre-packaged beer cans, which are opened by our bartender directly in front of all guests.
For invite-only events or mixers where hard alcohol is served, all bottles will be unopened and located exclusively at the bar. During these events, no one is allowed to remove bottles of hard alcohol from the bar and will be fined or punished appropriately if they attempt to do so. Additionally, at closed events and mixers, brothers will be working shifts at the bar throughout the night and will be aided by sober monitors. Any brother who becomes too intoxicated while working a bar shift will be removed immediately and fined or punished.
During all events, guests are only permitted to receive one drink at a time, and are discouraged from accepting drinks from others. All Psi Upsilon affiliates(which includes brothers as well as pledges) are to dispose of any unattended drinks and cups that are found either at the bar, or elsewhere. Along these same lines, we offer water on each floor at every social event, in a clearly labeled, sealed, and readily available container. Additionally, Psi Upsilon affiliates are stationed in shifts throughout the house to serve as further resources promoting guest safety and comfort. To enhance these efforts, we will promote and foster open communication between our officers, brothers and guests in order to constantly improve our procedures and conduct. This includes making an active effort to gain feedback after all social events, so that any concerns, experiences or ideas regarding ways we could improve can be easily shared and result in procedural changes.
Response & Accountability:
We at Psi Upsilon understand that we must always hold ourselves accountable. Brothers of our fraternity are responsible for creating a safe social environment. All brothers of Psi Upsilon have a moral duty to proactively intervene in any situation that might involve non-consensual activity as well as an obligation to report the misconduct to the President and Risk Manager(s). In addition, guests are encouraged to report any predatory or dangerous behavior to any Psi Upsilon affiliate, who is responsible for removing the accused individual from the premises and reporting the incident to the Sergeant at Arms. If a Psi Upsilon affiliate is not able to be located, guests are encouraged to contact one of the officers listed in the Safety Contacts section below. If any individual on our premises is seen participating in unsafe or non-consensual activity, they will be asked to leave immediately and if necessary, we will contact the relevant authorities.
We are also aware that if an instance of sexual misconduct or drink tampering were to occur, it is our responsibility to act swiftly and in a manner that upholds the values of our fraternity. In the case that we become aware of any form of sexual assault or drink tampering occurring at one of our events, that event will be shut down immediately, and a full internal investigation will be launched. If a Psi Upsilon affiliate is accused of non-consensual activity of any sort, he will be put on social probation indefinitely. Following this step, Psi Upsilon will launch a full internal investigation into any alleged wrongdoing, as well as contacting relevant authorities based on the wishes of the survivor. Psi Upsilon will additionally contact our national organization through an alumni representative and alert them to the allegations, as well as assisting them in their own investigation if they so wish. An investigation would be led by the members of our executive board and aim to collect as much information regarding the incident as possible in a timely manner. If a Psi Upsilon affiliate is found guilty of sexual assault or drink tampering as a result of a formal investigation by law enforcement, the University, our own internal investigation, or an investigation by nationals, he will be expelled from our fraternity. Any guest with a pending accusation or settled conviction of sexual misconduct of any sorts or drink tampering is placed onto a list of banned persons. Dependent of the wishes of the survivor(s) and the requirements of law enforcement, Psi Upsilon will take an active role in investigating any instance that occurs within our brotherhood or at our Chapter House.
If you have any comments or questions about our procedures, please do not hesitate to reach out to our officers.
Safety Contacts:
Psi Upsilon Officers:
Other Resources: