1. Purpose

   1. The purpose of this policy is to assist the National Organization in making a decision determining the status of a non-functioning Chapter.
   2. Mu Beta Psi will designate non-functioning Chapters into three distinct categories:

      1. Chapters on PROBATION
      2. INACTIVE Chapters, and
      3. REVOKED Chapters

2. Probation

   1. Definitions

      1. There shall be two (2) types of probation: voluntary and involuntary.
      2. Chapters on probation shall be defined as Chapters that are not currently operating with full Chapter privileges because they have met one (1) or more of the criteria to be put on probation, and whose probationary period has not yet expired. These Chapters have either gone on probation voluntarily, or involuntarily. The National Organization or the Chapter wishes to continue the activities of the Chapter at a later time, for whatever reason, but believes a short dormancy period to be needed. Reasons could include, but are not limited to, financial hardship, lack of members, hazing violations,internal disagreements, or abandonment of the Chapter by its Brothers.
   2. Voluntary Probation

      1. Chapters may place themselves on voluntary probation by a three-quarters (¾) vote of the entire active Brotherhood of the Chapter. Said vote must be introduced at the meeting prior to the scheduled vote, under the topic of New Business. The National Vice President of Chapter Maintenance and Board of Trustees Membership Advisor must be contacted immediately after this meeting. The vote shall take place at the following meeting under the topic of Old Business.
      2. This vote may be postponed for up to thirty (30) days by the National Vice President of Chapter Maintenance, to allow time for the National Vice President of Chapter Maintenance and/or Board of Trustees Membership Advisor to travel to the Chapter.
      3. An appropriate time period for voluntary probation shall be decided on by a collaboration between the Chapter and the National Vice President of Chapter Maintenance. This time period should ideally not exceed two (2) years.
      4. If a Chapter should decide to not only place themselves on voluntary probation, but dissolve itself using the same voting procedure outlined in Section 2.2.1, the National Vice President of Chapter Maintenance shall approve or disapprove that action.

         1. If the dissolution is approved, it must also be approved by a three-fourths (¾) vote of the Legislative Council, with input from the National Committee on Chapter Maintenance.
         2. If the dissolution is approved by the Legislative Council, The Board of Trustees will vote whether or not to make the Chapter INACTIVE in accordance with Section 3.2.2 of this Policy.
         3. If the dissolution is not approved by the National Vice President of Chapter Maintenance or the Legislative Council, the Chapter shall be placed on involuntary probation, and an appropriate probationary period shall be designated by the National Committee on Chapter Maintenance.
   3. Involuntary Probation

      1. A Chapter shall be placed on involuntary probation for the following reasons:

         1. Any Chapter whose active membership falls below six (6) members.
         2. Any Chapter whose College/University puts them on probation.
         3. Any Chapter who has been “not in good standing” for longer than six (6) months.
         4. Any Chapter who allows twelve (12) months to pass from the conclusion of the last education period, without conducting a Brothers-in-training program.
      2. Any Chapter that violates the National Constitution or National Policies shall be reviewed for possible involuntary probationary action by the Board of Trustees.
      3. A Chapter shall be put on involuntary probation by a three-quarters (¾) vote of the Board of Trustees. Said Chapter shall have a voting Board of Trustees representative at the meeting.
   4. What to do while on probation

      1. Within two (2) months of being put on probation, the Chapter shall work with the National Vice President of Chapter Maintenance and Board of Trustees Membership Advisor to establish goals and strategies for being removed from probation.
      2. The Chapter shall not be allowed to vote on National business.
      3. The Chapter shall be required to send at least two (2) delegates to National Conventions.
      4. All other activities of the Chapter (including whether the Chapter can run a Member-in-Training class) shall be determined by a majority of the Board of Trustees upon the recommendations of the National Vice President of Chapter Maintenance and the Board of Trustees Membership Advisor.
      5. The Chapter shall be required to work diligently to get off probation, by following the goals and strategies set above.
   5. Period of Probation

      1. Chapters may be returned to Active status if they have initiated Brothers enrolled at the respective College/University and have fulfilled the appropriate requirement listed below.

         1. Voluntary probation: The Chapter must have a majority of its membership in favor of returning to Active status.
         2. Lack of membership involuntary probation: The Chapter is required to be on probation for two (2) years, or until the Chapter requests a Board of Trustees review.
         3. College/University involuntary probation: The Chapter is required to be on probation until the National Convention after the College/University probation expires.
         4. Violation involuntary probation: The Chapter is required to be on probation for such length of time as set by the Board of Trustees during the probation hearing.
         5. Not in good standing involuntary probation: The Chapter is required to be on probation for such length of time as set by the Board of Trustees during the probation hearing.
   6. Reinstatement of Chapters on Probation

      1. The reinstatement of Chapters on probation shall be handled primarily by the National Committee on Chapter Maintenance, with assistance from any other Committees deemed necessary by the National Vice President of Chapter Maintenance.
      2. A Chapter must have the written recommendation of the National Vice President of Chapter Maintenance and the Board of Trustees Membership Advisor to be removed from probation.
      3. The reinstatement guidelines are as follows:

         1. The Chapter must submit an application for reinstatement to the National Vice President of Chapter Maintenance.
         2. The application must be approved by the National Executive Committee.
         3. There shall be no re-chartering fee.
         4. Chapter designation and Charter shall remain unchanged.
      4. A Chapter shall be removed from probation by a three-quarters (¾) vote of the Board of Trustees, at a National Convention.
      5. The Chapter shall resume a regular education program by the remaining Brothers, under the supervision of the National Vice President of Chapter Maintenance and National Committee on Chapter Maintenance.
      6. Once removed from probation, progress by the Chapter will be monitored for six months by the National Vice President of Chapter Maintenance. Additional progress monitoring periods of six months can be assigned by the National Vice President of Chapter Maintenance as deemed necessary. If the Chapter is still not functioning at expected levels within eighteen (18) months, a review shall be conducted by the Board of Trustees.

3. Inactive and Revoked Chapters.

   1. Mu Beta Psi National Honorary Musical Fraternity holds no legal responsibility for Revoked Chapters or Inactive Chapters as designated in Sections 4.2.1.2, 4.2.1.3, or 4.2.1.4.
   2. Inactive Chapters

      1. Inactive Chapters shall be Chapters that have, for all intents and purposes, ceased to function entirely. Inactive Chapters, by definition, shall retain their Chapter designation and have not had their Charter revoked. A Chapter can be designated Inactive in several ways:

         1. The Chapter has no Brothers remaining at the respective College/University, and no activity directed towards it by the National Organization.
         2. The Chapter has allowed their probation period(s) to expire without completing all requirements set for the Chapter to return to Active status.
         3. The Chapter has had their request for dissolution approved by the National Vice President of Chapter Maintenance and a three-quarters (¾) vote of the Legislative Council.
         4. A request by the Chapter's respective school to make the Chapter inactive for any reason.
      2. If a Chapter meets any of the conditions listed above, within 60 days the Board of Trustees shall declare the Chapter to be inactive by a three-quarters (¾) vote. This vote shall take place only after recommendations by the National Vice President of Chapter Maintenance and the Board of Trustees Membership Advisor.
   3. Revoked Chapters

      1. Revoked Chapters are Chapters that have had their Charters revoked for any reason. Possible reasons for revoking a Charter are as follows:

         1. As a result of blatant violation of the National Constitution, National Policies, and/or Fraternity directives, including but not limited to, hazing, improper initiations, or financial sabotage.
         2. Obvious disregard of the National Constitution, National Policies, and/or Fraternity directives. This includes allowing a probation period to expire without making any attempt to regain active status.
         3. A final decision by the Chapter's respective College/University to permanently terminate the existence of the Chapter on its campus.
      2. Charter revocation should be entered upon with extreme caution and approved only as a last resort. Charter revocation shall require a three-quarters (¾) vote of the Legislative Council at a National Convention. Chapters which are still active when the recommendation to revoke their Charter is made shall be given the opportunity to address the National Convention before a final vote is taken. If a Chapter's Charter is revoked, the Board of Trustees shall decide on the status of the individual Brothers of that Chapter — whether to let them remain Brothers or whether to have a Brotherhood revocation hearing.
   4. Reinstatement of Inactive and Revoked Chapters

      1. The reinstatement of Inactive and Revoked Chapters shall be handled primarily by the National Committee on Expansion, with assistance from the National Committee on Chapter Maintenance, the National History and Archives Committee, and any other Committees deemed necessary by the National Vice President of Expansion
      2. The reinstatement guidelines are as follows:

         1. The Chapter must submit an application for reinstatement to the National Vice President of Expansion.

            1. This application is equivalent to a petition to colonize and must be submitted to the National Vice President of Expansion, who will then bring it to the National Executive Committee for their approval.
         2. The application must be approved by the National Executive Committee.
         3. Revoked Chapters must pay a Reinstatement fee equal to the current chartering fee.
         4. The Chapter shall be reinstated according to the Policy and guidelines of the National Committee on Expansion Policy. This includes the complete training of all petitioners, except for former Initiated Brothers who shall only be required to complete the retraining process up to, but not including the Informal Initiation. Reinstatement of the charter shall be contingent upon the approval of the Legislative Council per the requirements set by Article XI Section 2 of the National Constitution.
         5. (Applies to Revoked Chapters only) — The National Committee on Expansion shall make a recommendation to the National Executive Committee, who shall then vote, as to whether the Chapter shall receive a new Chapter designation (Greek letter name) or not. In all cases, a new Charter shall be created.
         6. The physical charter of a reinstated Chapter shall be reissued upon the successful conclusion of the reinstatement process. The charter shall include both the initial founding dates and the reinstatement date, and be signed by the National President serving at the time of reinstatement. If possible, the National President serving at the time of the initial founding should be given the opportunity to sign the charter in addition to the current National President.
      3. Once reinstated, progress by the Chapter will be monitored for six months by the National Vice President of Chapter Maintenance. Additional progress monitoring periods of six months can be assigned by the National Vice President of Chapter Maintenance as deemed necessary. If the Chapter is still not functioning at expected levels within eighteen (18) months, a review shall be conducted by the Board of Trustees.

4. Authority of the Board of Trustees

   1. This policy does not and cannot list all the scenarios possible, which could lead to probation, inactive status, or a revocation. They should be used for what they are: guidelines for instances, which may occur in the future of Mu Beta Psi. It is not the intent of this policy to restrict the options of the Fraternity, rather to provide the Fraternity with written suggestions of how to handle Chapters, which no longer are active for any reason. If it is found that this policy does not cover a particular scenario regarding possible situations with a Chapter, the Board of Trustees shall have the final authority to determine the status of a Chapter. A three-quarters (¾) vote of the Board of Trustees at a National Convention shall be required to decide the status of a Chapter.

5. Amendments

   1. This policy shall be revised as necessary by the National Executive Committee upon the recommendation of the National Committee of Chapter Maintenance or the National Committee of Expansion, and approved by a three-quarters (¾) vote of the Legislative Council.

Approved March 10, 2012
Amended March 17, 2018
Sarah Guthrie
Acting National Secretary June 4, 2016