Since Fall 2024, all organization accountability flows through the Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices. However, the FSL Office has joint jurisdiction surrounding some topics, specifically surrounding social event policy, procedures, and administration.

While it is not an "always" answer, a common way JMU has moved organizational accountability cases is that hazing; alcohol violations of JMU policy, local, state, or federal law; non-compliance; or anything that violates the Student Handbook would be adjudicated by OSARP. Whereas all social event policy violations will be adjudicated by the FSL Office. However, both OSARP and FSL operate on a case-by-case basis and exceptions are always made.

The FSL Office has created the following categories of event or administrative policies to help streamline Social Event Accountability for all FSL Organizations. For any one of the three different categories, the first step will be to meet with the Associate Director of Student Life for Fraternity and Sorority Life. The three types are:

• Social Event Violations (Policy Violations that do not rise to the level of OSARP)
  • Go through the FSL Accountability Process.
    
    • This process is structured as a tier system. The more an organization breaks policy, the more severe the educational and punitive outcomes become.
• Social Event Administration Violations (Event Registration or Blackout Date Violations)
  • While these do not blantly break FSL Social Event Policies, they do break administrative policies that the FSL office has put in place to make sure events are safe and well-run. 
  • In order for an event to be properly registered, it must be submitted to the BeInvolved form which can be found on the "Form" page in the section above. Additionally, the event, if necessary, must follow all Harrisonburg City Ordinances and processes for a Mass Gathering Event and complete the city permit. 
• Noise Violations
  • Per Harrisonburg City Ordinaces, Mass Gatherings may have over 100 people (as long as it doesn't break structural Fire Codes) and use noise amplifying equipment BEFORE 10PM every night of the week.
  • If the event is properly registered, the organization MAY receive one warning from either JMU Police Department or Harrisonburg Police Department. That is a courtousy, not a guarantee.
  • If after the first warning, or the noise is egregious enough, the event will be attended to by police officers and be asked to disperse. 
• All organizations will be contacted after any event with alcohol for education and coaching. The FSL Office will operate on a case-by-case basis and look at every incident on it's own merits to decide if any punitive or educational outcomes are required.

If you believe an organization has broken any of the above policies, we encourage you to fill out the Social Event Reporting Form which can be found on the "Forms" page above.