Minimum Standards for Chapters

Being a Teke is more than joining an organization that 272,000+ other men have joined. Being a Teke stands for being a part of a brotherhood where men of character - regardless of their background - come together to help each other advance and achieve. It’s about aiding one another in our mental, moral, and social development...for life.

The North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) made a bold move and spelled out some standards as to what it means to be a fraternity man on a college campus. The NIC established a baseline where all member fraternities are expected to develop policies aimed at ensuring that our chapters and members meet certain minimum standards.

Prior to the NIC’s adoption of these new member standards, TKE had many policies in place which the NIC now requires of all fraternities. As a leader in the fraternity movement, TKE should set our minimums even higher - in essence, we should raise the bar for others to follow. It is time to show the fraternity world that TKE is not only the largest, but being a Teke is something more than the bare minimum. We stand for excellence. We expect the best.

Grand Council Approved Minimum Standards

In March 2015, the Grand Council of Tau Kappa Epsilon approved minimum standards for each chapter in Tau Kappa Epsilon. After monitoring each group’s progress and establishing procedures during the 2015-2016 fiscal year, Tau Kappa Epsilon will begin enforcing minimum standards for each chapter.

  • Every TKE Chapter must have at least 20 men, and emerging chapters should require at least 35 men to charter.
  • All chapters must be current (less than 90 days A/R) on financials to the Fraternity.
  • All chapters must achieve at least 60% of their Key Result Area goals on the TKE Chapter Module.

Beginning in the 2016-2017 fiscal year and each subsequent year that follows, chapters who fail to meet the above minimum chapter standards by May 15th may be charged with a violation of Chapter XIX, Sec. 5 of TKE’s Bylaws as outlined in The Black Book. The result of these charges will be Chapter Probation for one fiscal year in which the groups can resolve the violation(s). At the end of one fiscal year of Chapter Probation, failure to resolve the violation(s) could result in additional charges and sanctions up to and including closure of the group. The details of the charges and sanctions will be handled on a case by case basis.

During the one fiscal year Chapter Probation, any group who has failed to meet minimum standards will be placed on a list to be more closely monitored. During this time, the Professional Staff and volunteers will work with each group to help resolve any outstanding violations.

Offices of the Grand Chapter Minimum Standards

In addition, the Offices of the Grand Chapter have these additional requirements for each chapter in TKE Nation.
 

Chapter Measurement TKE Minimum Standard
Academics 2.3 GPA for incoming freshmen to join, 2.25 for those with college grades. Chapter maintains a 2.5 GPA for the active chapter.
Risk Management All Tekes are expected to comply with TKE's risk management guidelines. No chapter may have little sister programs, all must have comprehensive liability insurance, and all recruitment & new member activities must be alcohol free.
Values Communication All chapters are expected to conduct a formal ritual meeting once per month during the academic year.
Educational Programming TKE provides quality educational programming in our Province Forums, Regional Leadership Conferences, through the TKE Leadership Academy, and at Conclave. All Tekes are encouraged to participate.
Volunteer Support Every TKE chapter should have at least one Chapter Advisor and a functional Board of Advisors.
Manpower Every TKE chapter should have at least 20 active members. Emerging chapters require at least 35 members to charter.
Finances Every TKE chapter and member is expected to be current on all financial obligations to the International Fraternity.