Student OrgsOrder of Omega - Upsilon Omicron Chapter

ARTICLE I
Name

SECTION 1: Name
The name of this international organization shall be Order of Omega.
SECTION 2: Definition
Order of Omega is a Leadership Honor Society.
SECTION 3: Chapters
Each local unit of Order of Omega shall be called a chapter.

ARTICLE II
Purpose

SECTION 1: Purpose
The purpose of Order of Omega shall be threefold:
First, to recognize those students who have attained a high standard of leadership in
inter-Greek activities, to encourage them to continue along this line, and to inspire others
to strive for similar conspicuous attainment.
Second, to bring together the most representative fraternity and sorority members, and
to create an organization which will help to mold the sentiment of the institution on
questions of local and intercollegiate affairs.
Third, to bring together members of the faculty, alumni, and student members of the
institution’s fraternities and sororities on a basis of mutual interest, understanding, and
cooperation.

ARTICLE III
Emblem and Colors

SECTION 1: Emblem
The emblem of Order of Omega shall be the Greek letter designating Omega.

SECTION 2: Colors
The colors of Order of Omega shall be ivory and gold.

ARTICLE IV
Membership

SECTION 1: Definition
The membership of this Order shall be confined to members of Greek-letter social
organizations, except for honorary non-undergraduate members.
SECTION 2: Categories
There shall be three classes of members: first, student; second, honorary; and third,
alumni.
Student members shall be those selected to membership as undergraduate students by
a chapter and they shall be so designated during the remaining period of their
undergraduate, post baccalaureate, and/or graduate enrollment.
Honorary members shall be those selected honoris causa by a chapter of Order of
Omega. These members shall include faculty, staff, alumni and other community
members who are not undergraduate students
Alumni members shall be all former student members after their graduation or the
termination of their collegiate enrollment.

SECTION 3: Rights and Privileges
Membership in Order of Omega entitles the initiated to the rights and privileges of life
membership. Only student members may vote and hold office in a local chapter.

SECTION 4: Transfer Members
Transfer members may affiliate or be eligible for selection to membership according to the
following:
a. Initiated transfer students shall be affiliated with an Order of Omega chapter at
the campus which they transferred at the discretion of that chapter. It is
recommended that the chapter verify Order of Omega membership with the
Executive Office.
b. A student transferring from another institution shall be eligible for
selection to membership in Order of Omega. Such transfer students are subject
to the eligibility requirements as defined in Article Five.
SECTION 5: Other Transfer Eligibility
Chapters may select into membership a student who was initiated into a Greek
organization at another institution that is not represented at the campus to which he/she
has transferred. It is recommended that verification of the affiliation be confirmed with the
National Office of the fraternity or sorority. In the case of membership in a local Greek
organization, the membership should be verified with the Greek Advisor at the student’s
former institution.
SECTION 6: Loss of Fraternal Organization
Should a student’s fraternal organization close or lose official institution recognition the
student may be eligible for membership or may maintain membership in Order of Omega
as long as eligibility requirements of Article Five are met.
SECTION 7: Posthumous Membership
Requests for posthumous membership must be submitted to the Executive Office for
approval. Approval for such induction will be made by the Executive Officers.

ARTICLE V
Eligibility

SECTION 1: Qualifications
The qualifications for membership in Order of Omega shall be character, scholarship,
service and leadership.
SECTION 2: Character
Exemplary character shall be the primary consideration for membership in Order of
Omega.
SECTION 3: Requirements

To be eligible for membership in Order of Omega, a student shall meet the following
minimum requirements:
a. One full academic year of enrollment at the institution.
b. Rank academically above the all-Greek average. If the all-Greek average is less than
the minimum requirement for graduation, the chapter shall be denied initiation
privileges until such time as it has maintained this minimum academic requirement.
c. Be in good standing with the initiate’s fraternal organization.
SECTION 4: Criteria
The selection of student members shall consider the following areas of a candidate’s
collegiate record:
a. Character
b. Scholarship
c. Greek offices held
d. Greek participation
e. Service to the university
f. Service to the local community

ARTICLE VI
Membership Selection

SECTION 1: Selection
New members may be chosen either annually or semi-annually by each chapter, the
manner and frequency of selections being subject to the provisions of the chapter’s
bylaws. Honorary members may be selected as frequently as a chapter may desire.
SECTION 2: Maximum Number
The number of students initiated into membership in any one year may not exceed five
percent(5%) of the total number of enrolled full-time Greek undergraduates at the
beginning of the academic year on the main campus, or twenty (20), whichever number is
greater.
SECTION 3: Chapter Authority
The selection of student members under the provisions of this Constitution shall be left
to the discretion of the individual collegiate chapter, subject to such restrictions as may
be imposed by the Executive Office.

SECTION 4: Vote Requirement
A majority vote of initiated undergraduate members in attendance at the membership
selection meeting shall confirm a candidate for membership.

ARTICLE VII
International Organization

SECTION 1: Definitions
a. The International Organization shall consist of all active collegiate chapters of Order of
Omega, Board of Directors, Executive Director, Regional Chapter Directors, and Order of
Omega Headquarters Staff.
b. Collegiate chapters are divided into Regions, the boundaries of which shall be designated
by a vote of the Board of Directors.
c. Each chapter shall be entitled to one voting delegate in all decisions as required by the
Constitution.

SECTION 2: Board of Directors
The Board of Directors serve as an advisory, policy-making, and fiduciary body for Order of
Omega. The Board of Directors consists of Board officers, Board members and Student
Board Members. Each Board member shall be entitled to one vote.

a. Board officers shall consist of the President, Vice President, and Treasurer.
All officers shall be honorary or alumni members of Order of Omega. Other
officers may be approved by the Board of Directors. Board officers shall be
elected by majority vote of the Board members in attendance at the annual
meeting. Each term of office shall be four years and may be elected to
consecutive terms.
b. Board Directors shall be elected by majority vote of the Board members in
attendance at the annual meeting. Each term of office for the directors shall
be for three years and may be elected for consecutive terms.
c. The Student Board Member shall be a current undergraduate member of
Order of Omega. The Student Board Member shall serve a one-year term
beginning at the annual meeting and concluding at the following annual
meeting and is a voting member of the Board. Both outgoing and incoming
Student Board Members shall be voting members at the annual meeting. The
application and selection process shall be coordinated by the Executive
Director.

SECTION 3: Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall consist of the following officers: President, Vice President,
and Treasurer. The Executive Director, Assistant Executive Director, and Executive Director
Emeritus shall serve in an ex-officio capacity.
SECTION 4: Regional Chapter Directors
Regional Chapter Directors are appointed to advise chapters in their designated regions
and submit a report annually. Regional Chapter Directors are non-voting members.
SECTION 5: Vacancies
Vacancies on the Board of Directors shall be filled by nominations from the Board of
Directors and presented to the Board at the annual meeting.

SECTION 6: Removal
A member of the Board of Directors may be removed from office by a three-fourths (3⁄4)
vote of the Board members in attendance at the annual meeting.

ARTICLE VIII
Local Powers

SECTION 1: Local Powers
Each collegiate chapter shall have complete control of all matters of local concern under
such restrictions as may be imposed by this Constitution. In no case shall such local
power be exercised in a way contrary to the ideals and purposes of Order of Omega as
set forth in the Constitution, Bylaws, Position Statements and Ritual of the International
Organization. In case a chapter be charged with disregarding any of the conditions of its
charter, the International Organization Board of Directors shall have power and full
inquiry; and may, in its discretion, take those steps the Board of Directors deems
necessary.
SECTION 2: Chapter Bylaws
All chapter bylaw revisions must be submitted to the Executive Office.
SECTION 3: Chapter Governance
The officers of each collegiate chapter shall be president, vice president, secretary,
treasurer, and advisor. All officers shall be elected by the chapter in accordance with local
bylaws. An officer shall be eligible for reelection or reappointment. A collegiate chapter

may designate additional officers as deemed necessary. Chapter officers shall be installed
in accordance with Order of Omega Constitution and Bylaws.
SECTION 4: Chapter Advisor
The advisor shall be nominated from among the faculty and staff of the institution.

ARTICLE IX
Suspension and Expulsion

SECTION 1: Expulsion
Any member found responsible of conduct unbecoming of Order of Omega shall be
deprived of membership and required to surrender the pin and certificate. Written

notification shall be sent to the individual in question and the Executive Office. A three-
fourths (3/4) vote of the active members of the local chapters is required to deprive an

individual and shall be subject to review by the Board of Directors before it shall be made
finally effective.
SECTION 2: Termination
Resignation or expulsion from a fraternal organization may subject one to termination
of membership in Order of Omega. Such termination may be subject to review by the
Board of Directors before it shall be made finally effective.

ARTICLE X
Bylaws

The Board of Directors shall be empowered to pass, repeal, or modify bylaws relating to
the mode of procedure with reference to initiation, installation, extension, general
policy, and all other matters of similar character not expressly provided for in this
Constitution. These restrictions shall not be construed as limiting in any way the actions
of the Board of Directors in emergency cases.

ARTICLE XI
Amendments

Any amendment to this Constitution shall require an affirmative vote of three-fourths
(3/4) of the combined votes of the Board of Directors and of the active chapters
secured by mail vote within two months after its submission.
Revisions approved by Board of Directors on July 17, 2020.
Chapters Ratified 12/31/2020

ORDER OF OMEGA

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I
International Board Meetings

The Board of Directors shall have a joint meeting at least once a year. To constitute an
official meeting, two-thirds (2/3) of the Board of Directors must be in attendance. All of
the organization’s members are eligible to attend the meeting.
The Board of Directors may meet more often to conduct business of the organization.
The Executive Director shall provide a report of activities at the annual meeting.

ARTICLE II
Finances

SECTION 1: Initiation Fee
The one-time initiation fee and honorary member fee shall be set by the Board of Directors.
A two-thirds (2⁄3) vote is required to set the fee. The current fee amount shall be listed on
the initiation report form. The fee covers initiation, membership pin, and certificate.
SECTION 2: Local Dues
Each local chapter shall decide if it is to have local dues and how much they will be. Local
dues should be minimal and not place a financial hardship on members.

ARTICLE IV
Parliamentary Authority

The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the standard for conducting the
meeting.

ARTICLE V
Amendments

Any amendment to these Bylaws shall require an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of
the combined votes of the Board of Directors and of the active chapters secured by mail
vote within two months after its submission.

Revisions approved by the Board of Directors on October 20, 2020.