DePauw student organizations/groups are expected to adhere to the Code of Conduct and to other applicable policies. Failure to do so may result in University action being initiated against the group; consequently, policies, procedures and penalties set forth in this section apply to student organizations collectively as well as to individual students. Student organizations that are involved in the community standards process are restricted from holding registered events until the situation has been resolved. This restriction may be reviewed once an organization has responded to their charges through the investigation and proposal process or an intake meeting.

Officers of student organizations are responsible for assuring compliance with regulations and may be held accountable for failing to do so. They are also responsible for representation of their group when University proceedings are initiated.

Group violations of DePauw's policies and procedures may occur when any one of the following situations exist:

1. Members of the group act in concert, or the organization provides the impetus for violation of University policies and procedures.
2. A violation arises out of a group-sponsored, financed or endorsed event.
3. A group leader(s) has knowledge of the act or incident before or while it occurs and fails to take corrective action.
4. The incident occurs on the premises owned or operated by the group.
5. The incident occurs at an off-campus facility leased/rented/used by the group for an off-campus event.
6. A pattern of individual violations is found to have existed without proper or appropriate group control, remedy or sanction.

Some DePauw student organizations belong to a governing council that adopts policies and procedures applicable to its organizations and their members. For example, fraternities and sororities have organized councils such as NPHC, IFC and Panhel. DePauw expects that council policies and procedures will be followed and enforced by the student organizations and councils.

Fraternity and Sorority New Member Education: DePauw University recognizes the potential value of new member education programs in supporting students’ personal, social, academic and intellectual development. DePauw endorses the "Statement of Position on Hazing and Pre-Initiation Activities," issued by the Fraternity Executives Association, an organization of professional staff members from most major national fraternities. Copies of this statement are available online and through the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, and fraternities and sororities are expected to adopt the principles outlined in the document. In addition, DePauw supports the statements of position on new member education and pre-initiation activities developed by each individual national fraternity and sorority with chapters located on the DePauw campus.

The University expects all fraternity and sorority chapters to conduct their new member education programs in accordance with the policies of the University, the laws of the State of Indiana and the City of Greencastle, the policies of governing councils and the guidelines set forth by their individual national organizations. DePauw does not condone any activity involving physical or mental hazing, either against a pledge/new member or active member, nor any activity that requires a new member to violate a University policy, any state or local statute, or the University hazing policy. A chapter or selected representative members may be subject to University action for any chapter or pledge class-initiated activity that violates University policy.