Pillars Of Excellence

The Greek Pillars of Excellence Program (GPEP) at Austin Peay State University is a chapter development and accountability process that supports the long-term success of the fraternity and sorority community. All chapters are required to participate. The program ensures that each organization remains relevant to its inter/national mission, governing council, and the APSU campus community.

How the Program Works

Each year, chapters set S.M.A.R.T. goals with their Fraternity & Sorority Affairs (FSA) liaison for the upcoming calendar year. Chapters review their inter/national organization's mission and demonstrate that their outcomes align with it — goals should reflect the directives of the inter/national organization as they relate to each of the six pillars.

Chapters submit and present their annual Pillars of Excellence plan to the GPEP Committee. To earn credit for a pillar, a chapter must complete at least 75% of its goals under that pillar and submit sufficient documentation proving completion.

Download the Sample Rubric/Report

Program Timeline

January/February: Chapters formulate and review their plan with advisors and past leadership, then begin implementing it.
January–December: Chapters meet regularly with their FSA Chapter Liaison, continue working toward their outlined outcomes, and submit documentation for goal completion throughout the year.
Following January: Chapters prepare and present their Greek Pillars of Excellence plans to the GPEP Committee.

Foundational Expectations

All chapters must meet the following baseline standards. Chapters that do not fulfill the Foundations — or that fail to participate by not submitting their Pillar Plan or goal documentation on time — will be adjudicated accordingly, which may result in disciplinary action including probation, suspension, or loss of recognition.

Chapters must remain in compliance with all university policies, guidelines, state laws, governing council requirements, and inter/national organization expectations at all times.
Chapters will complete all administrative tasks on time (e.g., submit rosters, pay council dues, pay rent if applicable).
75% of membership must attend the All-Greek Meetings.
Chapter presidents must meet with their FSA Liaison in person at least once per month and communicate with them at least biweekly.
Chapters will meet attendance requirements for any required event set by Fraternity and Sorority Affairs.
Presidents attend all Chapter Presidents Meetings.
Chapters complete all RSO requirements, including trainings and re-registrations, before the deadline set by SOC.
Chapters must have a listed and confirmed Faculty/Staff advisor.
Chapters should not have any major judicial violations.
A minimum of 2 members, preferably officers, attend FLEX (Greek track) & Ziegler Leadership Conference.
Chapters must participate in the Greek Leadership Summit based on the requirements set by Fraternity and Sorority Affairs.
Chapters maintain a minimum chapter GPA of 2.5.
Chapters must attend council meetings and events deemed "mandatory" by the respective governing council and announced at least two weeks in advance.
Chapters will participate in a minimum of 75% of orientation events and preview days.
Each chapter must set and communicate with members the chapter's required minimum expectations for community service and philanthropy.

The Six Pillars of Excellence

There are 6 Pillars under the Pillars of Excellence program. Each chapter will establish a goal for each pillar. These goals will be chapter-specific and should use the S.M.A.R.T. goals method. A chapter achieves a pillar by completing at least 75% of the goals it sets within that pillar.

Pillar 1: Chapter Management

Goal topics:

Chapter finances
Chapter policies and procedures
Chapter communication plan and efforts
Chapter event management

Sample Plan:

Chapter will have 100% of members current for dues or on a dedicated payment plan each semester.
Chapter will review and vote on bylaws at the beginning of each semester.
Chapter president will send biweekly emails with updates to all members.
Chapter will track attendance at all open events using PeayMobile.

Pillar 2: Member & Chapter Development

Goal topics:

Leadership development
New member development
Career development
Skills development

Sample Plan:

Chapter will have an SLE staff member conduct a chapter specific leadership workshop in Fall semester.
Incorporate the history of the Chapter in new member education through an interactive trivia game.
Chapter will host 1 event with career services on networking in Spring semester.
Chapter will host a tax prep workshop for members.

Pillar 3: Academic Excellence

Goal topics:

Academic programming (hosting or attending programs around academic success)
Academic support (providing resources for underperforming members, such as individualized scholarship plans)
Academic achievement recognition (acknowledging member achievements, such as hosting a scholarship dinner)
Chapter academic goals (e.g., minimum chapter or new member GPA targets)

Sample Plan:

Chapter will host one program around academic success in the academic year.
Chapter members below a 3.2 will have individualized academic plans each semester.
Chapter will host a scholarship dinner for members that achieved a 3.5 or above each semester.
Chapter will have a minimum new member GPA of 3.2 and a chapter GPA of 3.0

Pillar 4: Campus & Greek Relations

Goal topics:

APSU pride (e.g., sporting event attendance, campus involvement beyond individual members)
Inter-Greek relations
Alumni relations
Campus department and organization relations

Sample Plan:

50% of chapter will attend at least one APSU football, basketball, baseball, and soccer games.
Chapter will develop and implement a mutual relationship building plan with one organization from each council.
Chapter will host at least one alumni networking event a semester outside of Homecoming.
Chapter will host an event with at least 2 non-Greek organizations a semester.

Pillar 5: Recruitment & Retention

Goal topics:

Recruitment
Retention of new members
Retention of current members
Trainings surrounding recruitment and retention

Sample Plan:

Chapter will recruit a minimum of 15 members in the academic year.
Chapter will retain 85% of new members.
Chapter will conduct a survey to ensure current members are satisfied with their experience each semester.
Chapter will host a recruitment workshop with 80% of members attending each semester.

Pillar 6: Community & Philanthropic Endeavors

Goal topics:

Community service
Philanthropy

Sample Plan:

Chapter will communicate two community service opportunities with members each month.
Chapter will raise $2500 for our local philanthropy in the academic year.

Continuous Improvement & Accountability

Chapters that fall short in one or more pillars will work with the Assistant Director of Student Life & Engagement to develop improvement strategies. Improvement is defined as using the previous year's plan to demonstrate measurable progress in the current review cycle.

Chapters that show no signs of progress over multiple years will be subject to further review and adjudication, which may result in revocation of chapter recognition.