Social Distancing at Chapter Events

This guidance is adapted from the "Considerations for Fraternities and Sororities" resource from Holmes Murphy, leading insurance broker for fraternal organizations, and should be used when planning for chapter events, such as recruitment, social, and service & philanthropy events, in which chapter members and/or guests will be present.

When event planning, the chapter should first check with the host institution and local guidance regarding social distancing expectations and restrictions related to in-person gatherings. Chapters are expected to fully comply with the policies and expectations of the host institution and IFC, and local, state, and the federal government.

Before

Prior to planning to host an event, the chapter should first determine if a virtual activity, or if hosting the function outside, is possible. Examples of virtual social activities can be found here, recruitment activities here, and community service and philanthropy activities here.

• Review the host institution, as well as state/local guidance, to learn specific expectations and restrictions related to gatherings.
• Review the housing corporation rules and guidelines to learn specific expectations and restrictions related to gatherings.
• For social activities: Chapters will be expected to follow the Fraternity’s Risk Reduction Policy and applicable University and IFC policies, including adherence to social distancing and/or other related restrictions imposed by the host institution and/or local community or state in which the chapter is located.
• Designate an officer to be responsible for responding to COVID-19 concerns. All members should know who this person is and how to contact them.
• Consider hosting the event outside, if feasible.
• If indoors, consider using CDC print and digital resources to promote everyday protective measures. 

During

• Encourage or require all members and guests to wear appropriate facial coverings. Consider providing facial coverings.
• Members and guests should be encouraged to maintain a minimum of 6ft distance.
• Ensure soap and hand sanitizer are readily available.
• If providing food and non-alcohol beverages, provide them in individual, pre-packaged servings.
• Maintain a guest list for all events should the need for contact tracing arise.
• Consider using a no-touch, instant-read thermometer to check members and guests prior to allowing entry into an event. Members and guests with a temperature of 100.4 or above should not be permitted to enter the event and should be encouraged to consider being tested for coronavirus, per guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Actively encourage members who have been sick with COVID-19 symptoms, tested positive for COVID-19, or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 to follow CDC guidance to self-isolate or stay home.

After

Immediately following any event, the chapter should clean and sanitize the areas that were used for the event. The chapter should keep a record of the guestlist for the event, regardless if the event did or did not involve alcohol, and should monitor members for possible exposure.