Accreditation

Chapter and Associate Chapter Accreditation

The Chi Phi Fraternity strives to be the model of all value-based organizations that have come after us. We expect our Chapters to be accountable to our founding principles and demonstrate mission and action congruence in all that they do. Our value as a national fraternity can only be achieved and preserved by the principles upheld by our individual Chapters and brothers. To maintain distinction, Chi Phi has long sought to develop a reliable, objective and fair method of holding ourselves accountable to the Standards of Excellence, befitting the prestige of our Order. We believe this program is that mechanism.

The Accreditation Program is a developmental assessment and awards program that acknowledges those Chapters/Associate Chapters that meet and exceed our standards. This program effectively reinforces mission and action congruence and also achieves the following objectives; provide the ability to benchmark the Fraternity’s overall performance and forecast trends, streamline our resources in assisting our Chapters/Associate Chapters and provide our groups with objective, documentable standards for achievement and recognition.

2023 Accreditation

Accreditation submissions are NOT required  from any Chapter for the Fall 2023 semester.

Accreditation Requirements

Note:  Chapters and Associate Chapters will utilize the same Accreditation Checklist.

Accreditation Checklist

The fall 2023 accreditation checklist is forthcoming.

Forms & Sample Documents

All Chapters and Associate Chapters should utilize the following forms and sample documents for your Accreditation submission. These have been provided by the Accreditation Committee and will provide you with guidance for exactly what information to provide in your submission. Ritual related items will be made accessible to Chapter Officers via email.

 

Document Grading

Chapters receive a score within each Pillar, as well as an average score. To be awarded One Star in a Pillar, the Chapter must complete ALL requirements in the One Star section for that Pillar. Chapters cannot achieve Two Star or Three Star status in a Pillar without first completing the One Star requirements. For a Chapter to be awarded Two Stars or Three Stars in a given Pillar, the Chapter must then also complete a designated number of additional “best practice” objectives. In each Pillar, there are more of these objectives than needed to attain Three Star status.

A Chapter’s cumulative score is calculated using the average number of stars earned across each of the nine Pillars and the number of Pillars in which the Chapter receives Zero Stars.

 

 

Number of Zero Star Pillars and Average of All Scores are limiting factors for each other when the calculations for Final Chapter Designation are performed.  This means that Chapters will receive the highest designation for which both corresponding achievements are met.  Take, for example, the results from hypothetical Chapters A through C below.

 

Deadline for 2023 Chapter Submissions

 

For Chapters that did not receive at least one-star in fall 2022:

The deadline for the spring 2023 Accreditation submission is May 1, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. local time. Late submissions will be penalized.

 

For Chapters that received at least one-star in fall 2022:

The deadline for the fall 2023 Accreditation submission is November 19, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. local time. Late submissions will be penalized.

Accreditation Support

 

Office hours are by appointment only. Please email Accreditation@chiphi.org to schedule a time.

Accreditation FAQ

What are the Nine Pillars?

The Nine Pillars of Chi Phi’s Accreditation Program are:

 

  1. Recruitment and Growth
  2. Financial Management
  3. New Member Education
  4. Total Membership Education
  5. Ritual
  6. Alumni Relations
  7. Chapter Operations
  8. Scholarship
  9. Community Relations

 

More information about each Pillar can be found in the Accreditation Rubric.

How will my Chapter's Accreditation materials be reviewed?

Accreditation submissions are scored by an independent panel of volunteers recruited by the Accreditation Committee, which is also comprised of volunteers. The panels includes both Chi Phi Brothers and Friends of Chi Phi. They are able to take an independent, unbiased look at sections of each Accreditation submission which aligns with their areas of interest, expertise, or profession (for examples, we may ask an accountant to review the Financial Management Pillar or one of Chi Phi’s Goliards to review materials under the Ritual Pillar).

How are Accreditation submissions scored?

Chapters receive a score within each Pillar, as well as an average score. To be awarded One Star in a Pillar, the Chapter must complete ALL requirements in the One Star section for that Pillar. Chapters cannot achieve Two Star or Three Star status in a Pillar without first completing the One Star requirements. For a Chapter to be awarded Two Stars or Three Stars in a given Pillar, the Chapter must then also complete a designated number of additional “best practice” objectives. In each Pillar, there are more of these objectives than needed to attain Three Star status.

A Chapter’s cumulative score is calculated using the average number of stars earned across each of the nine Pillars and the number of Pillars in which the Chapter receives Zero Stars.

 

 

Number of Zero Star Pillars and Average of All Scores are limiting factors for each other when the calculations for Final Chapter Designation are performed.  This means that Chapters will receive the highest designation for which both corresponding achievements are met.  Take, for example, the results from hypothetical Chapters A through C below.

 

When is the deadline for Accreditation?

 

For Chapters that did not receive at least one-star in fall 2022:

The deadline for the spring 2023 Accreditation submission is May 1, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. local time. Late submissions will be penalized.

 

For Chapters that received at least one-star in fall 2022:

The deadline for the fall 2023 Accreditation submission is November 19, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. local time. Late submissions will be penalized.

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