Mu Beta Psi National Honorary Musical Fraternity

As Ratified: 04/10/2011
Ammended: 9/4/2016

1. The name of this Chapter will be Tau Chapter of Mu Beta Psi, National Honorary Musical Fraternity.

2. These Bylaws will govern the structure of Tau Chapter of Mu Beta Psi, National Honorary Musical Fraternity at American University, in conjunction with the Mu Beta Psi Articles of Incorporation, National Constitution, National Policies, and American University Policies.

1. Qualifications

   1. Students who have completed two (2) semesters or three (3) quarters of service with distinction in some recognized musical organization of American University and achieved an academic standing of no less than sophomore level, or who have shown special interest in the musical life of American University, are eligible for Brotherhood. Semester credits for membership in two (2) or more musical organizations will be additive.
   2. Brotherhood will not be denied to anyone for reasons of race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnic background, creed, handicaps, age, and/or sex.
   3. Students who have completed eight (8) or more semesters at American University must write a letter to apply to continue as an Active Brother. Otherwise, they automatically are assigned Alumni status. This application will be reviewed by the Executive Committee.

2. Membership in this Chapter is of lifetime duration.

3. Mu Beta Psi, National Honorary Musical Fraternity has only one class of membership, that of Brotherhood; however, in order to distinguish between the activity statuses of Brothers in this Chapter, these terms are used for explanatory purposes:

   1. Active Brotherhood is defined as Brothers who:

      1. Are currently enrolled at American University.
      2. Have paid required membership fees and other financial obligations to the Fraternity.
      3. Actively serve on at least one standing or select committee(s).
      4. Have completed pledging.
      5. Are in compliance with the attendance policy.
      6. Have achieved a semester GPA of 2.8 at American University. This stipulation does not apply to Brothers in their first semester at American University.
      7. An Active Brother shall be afforded all the rights due to a Brother, which include, but are not limited to wearing Fraternity letters, attending meetings and Fraternity functions, taking Little Brothers, and voting.
      8. Special Active Brotherhood is defined as:

         1. Any Brother of Tau Chapter who is a student at American University may obtain Special Active Status at the beginning of each semester.
         2. Some cases warranting Special Active Status include, but are not limited to:

            1. Seniors whose class, work, or personal schedules are unusually busy.
            2. Underclassmen whose class, work, or personal schedules are unusually busy.
            3. Students whose major(s) require(s) a large project to be submitted at the conclusion of the semester (i.e. music majors who are required to perform a recital at the end of the semester).
            4. Brothers in financial situations such that he/she/zhe are not able to fully pay dues as an Active Brother.
            5. Any Brother who is generally seeking reduced involvement in the Fraternity for educational, health, family, monetary, personal, or other reasons.
            6. Any Brother who is considering obtaining Special Active Status must submit a Letter of Intent to the Executive Committee by the third (3rd) Chapter meeting of the semester.

               1. The Executive Committee shall review the Letter of Intent, with approval requiring a simple majority vote of the Committee, and must inform the Brother requesting Special Active Status of the Committee’s decision by the Chapter meeting after the Letter of Intent was submitted.
               2. A Letter of Intent submitted after the third (3rd) Chapter meeting may only be reviewed and approved due to extenuating circumstances deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee, but will not be reviewed once the Pledging period begins. The same guidelines for reviewing normal Letters of Intent apply in these cases.
            7. A Brother seeking to obtain Special Active Status must have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 of higher prior to submitting a Letter of Intent.
         3. Requirements

            1. Special Active Brothers are required to pay all of the National brother registration fee, and half of the Chapter’s programming fee.
            2. Cannot have more than six (6) unexcused absences from Chapter meetings in one semester.
            3. Cannot obtain Special Active Status for more than two (2) consecutive semesters.
            4. Must maintain a GPA of 2.8 throughout the semester in which Special Active Status is endowed.

               1. This GPA requirement may be exempted by the Secretary, after consulting with the Executive Committee, before the Pledging period.
            5. Service requirements for Special Active Brothers will be determined by the Service Chair.
            6. Must attend all required Chapter events as deemed necessary by the Executive Committee, including, but not limited to, brotherhood and fundraising events.
         4. Violation of Policies

            1. A violation of any of the above mentioned policies will warrant a conference with the Executive Committee, after which the brother must actively show efforts to recompense for the violation, as determined by the Committee. Further violations may incur punishments including, but not limited to: appearance before the Brother’s Court; banning from brotherhood and social events; demotion to Inactive status; or permanent dismissal from the chapter.
         5. Special Active Brothers are:

            1. Entitled to the following abilities and rights:

               1. Ability to vote on matters decided by majority or plurality, wear fraternity letters, attend meetings and other Fraternity functions, take Little brothers, and serve on any committee(s).
            2. Are not allowed to hold positions of leadership within the chapter.
            3. Shall be classified as Nationally Active.