The Standards of Excellence program guides fraternities and sororities towards continual improvement. Integrating the Missouri Method, chapters actively learn and grow through hands-on experiences in Academic Achievement & Support, Membership & Organizational Development, Health, Safety & Wellness and Alumni & Graduate Chapter, Campus, Council and Community Engagement. This program recognizes achievements, provides feedback and offers opportunities for reflection and development.
The Process
Step One: Content Submission
Chapters can submit content related to the eight focus areas of the program. Submissions should include chapter programming, supporting documentation, photos or recognition and responses to questions and prompts. Submissions should be a collective effort of chapter officers and reviewed by a chapter advisor.
Format of submission is left up to the individual organization and can include national headquarter reports, etc. Submissions should be prepared outside of the submission form to ensure collaborative, effective work.
- Academic Achievement & Support: Mizzou’s fraternity and sorority community prioritizes academic excellence and provides support for members’ intellectual development and success.
- Alumni and Graduate Chapter Engagement: Fraternities and sororities at Mizzou encourage active and positive relationships with alumni and graduate chapters to foster continued involvement and support.
- Campus Engagement: Members participate in activities and high-impact practices to build relationships across campus and gain a deeper understanding of the University of Missouri community.
- Activities such as Homecoming, Greek Week, MizzouThon, RAMS, etc. may be eligible for consideration through approval from the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.
- Civic/Community Engagement: Members engage in community service, service-learning, and philanthropic efforts to contribute to local, state, regional and (inter) national communities.
- Council Engagement: Fraternities and sororities maintain positive relationships with other chapters, collaborate with their (inter)national organizations and actively participate in their respective governing councils.
- Membership Development: Fraternities and sororities provide educational experiences and opportunities for members’ personal and professional growth.
- Organizational Development: Successful organizations prioritize member development, effective leadership, strategic planning and creating healthy environments.
- Health, Safety & Wellness: Fraternities and sororities are committed to promoting the physical, mental and emotional well-being of their members and fostering a safe and supportive community.
Step Two: Recognition
Submissions will be reviewed by judges, selected by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, who will provide feedback as well as submit scores. This will be used to determine their recognition level, which will be honored at our annual awards ceremony.
- Developing: Organizations that Meet Expectations in less than four (4) Focus Areas
- Chapter of Achievement: Organizations that Meet Expectations in four (4) Focus Areas
- Chapter of Excellence: Organizations that Meet Expectations in all eight (8) Focus Areas
- Missouri Honors Chapter: Chapters that Exceed Expectations in four (4) Focus Areas and Meet Expectations in the other four (4) Focus Areas
- Council Excellence Cup: The organization who demonstrates the greatest achievement among all recognized fraternities and sororities in their respective council (awarded by the four councils)
- Fraternity/Sorority Chapter of the Year: The organizations who demonstrate the greatest achievement among all recognized fraternities and sororities. To qualify: chapters must earn at least the Chapter of Excellence recognition level, answer the final question on the submission form, and optionally submit letters of support.
- Certificate of Excellence: An organization can be distinguished in specific Focus Area categories based on high performance and achievement
Step Three: Feedback
Chapters will receive a detailed feedback report in the summer, including scores, judge comments, chapter’s attendance at the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life’s various programming and areas for growth opportunities. This report will highlight community involvement and offer strategies for enhancing chapter operations and performance.
Important Dates
Nov. 2024-Feb. 2025
Ongoing program workshops
April 10, 2025
Fraternity and Sorority Honors ceremony
No later than July 1, 2025
Standards of Excellence feedback reports distributed