On Fraternities and Sororities

COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
January 25, 1998
CHED Order
No. 4, 1995


PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST VIOLENCE AND SANCTIONS ON FRATERNITIES AND OTHER STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
To: CHED Regional Directors
Head of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities
Presidents of State Colleges and Universities

 

  1. The fundamental law of the land requires the state through its instrumentalities, in particular the educational agencies, to promote the physical, intellectual and social well-being of the youth, the students. They are encouraged to go to schools of all levels to utilize their God-given talents for self-development and, collectively, for nation building. They are encouraged further to join all kinds of organizations that foster camaraderie and instill brotherhood.
  2. Historically, fraternities were founded to promote camaraderie among groups of people, including students in colleges and universities. Fraternities and other student organizations must serve to forge not only brotherhood as the ultimate bonding of all men and women inside and outside the confines of universities, but must exist to preserve the value of human life. Their talents and energies must be channeled and utilized for collective development.
  3. Recent events involving fraternities tend to erode the moral values inculcated by parents and the educational institution. Students’ dedication to study, respect for authority, observance of the rules and regulations of the educational institutions are ignored. Existing laws and other administrative issuances seem not enough to deter some students to inflict physical and mental injuries on others and, in so many instances, cause the loss of life of students.
  4. In order to have an atmosphere of brotherhood among fraternitiesand other student organizations, all educational institutions of higher learning are encouraged to promote programs and projects that will produce responsible students and will instill the value of human life for a productive future. The following preventive measures are therefore suggested
    • 4.1 monthly meetings of heads of fraternities in a Council of Equals;
    • 4.2 regular gatherings of fraternity members through sports, cultural events and joint community projects where there are cross memberships;
    • 4.3 reporting a potential conflict to the head of the fraternity as a standard procedure. The head in turn will patch it up with his counterpart;
    • 4.4 internal policy by the fraternities themselves;
    • 4.5 long-term reorientation of the role of fraternity to move away from macho conflicts into a society of brotherhood that stresses studies, productivity, creativity, and sense of community and nationhood;
    • 4.6 more interaction between the School Administration and the fraternities;
    • 4.7 informing parents about the participation of their children in fraternities;
    • 4.8 use of the fraternity alumni members to counsel resident members;
    • 4.9 oblige fraternities to observe ethical code in their organizational vision and objectives which should include a commitment to solve problems in a peaceful and friendly way.
  5. In order to deter violence among fraternities the following sanctions shall be strictly carried out:
    • 5.1 automatic expulsion of any fraternity member for:
      a. starting or taking the offensive action that clearly provokes violence;
      b. carrying of knives, sticks, pipes, guns, and other deadly weapons in schools; and
      c. extortion.
    • 5.2 60 days suspension of all officers of a fraternity found guilty of action that will provoke violence; and
    • 5.3 suspension of guilty fraternity for one year for the first offense and permanent ban for the next offense.
  6. Higher Education institution must fully assume authority and responsibility in dealing with fraternities and other student aggrupations. They are enjoined to closely monitor and supervise the enumerated preventive measures and sanctions herein above stated.
  7. Immediate dissemination of this order is desired

 

 

(SGN) RICARDO T. GLORIA
Chairman