USC Fraternity & Sorority Life
Standards & Recognition
A shared framework for chapter excellence, growth, accountability, and continued recognition at USC.
Building strong organizations through intentional leadership, academic excellence, community engagement, well-being, and shared accountability.
Our Standard
A framework for chapter excellence.
The Trojan Fraternity & Sorority Standards & Accreditation process serves as USC’s annual recognition framework for recognized fraternities and sororities.
The process helps chapters document progress, identify opportunities for growth, strengthen strategic planning, and demonstrate continued alignment with university, council, and inter/national organization expectations.
Our goal is not simply to measure activity. Standards & Accreditation provides chapters with a roadmap for creating strong, sustainable organizations and meaningful membership experiences.
Our Approach
Build. Reflect. Improve.
Accreditation is more than an annual submission. It is an opportunity to evaluate the member experience, celebrate success, and identify priorities for the future.
Why It Matters
A common framework. A stronger community.
Standards & Accreditation connects chapter development, organizational accountability, and university recognition.
01
Annual Recognition
Completion of the annual process supports continued recognition and good standing with USC.
02
Continuous Improvement
Chapters assess performance, identify strengths, establish priorities, and create plans for growth.
03
Shared Accountability
The framework connects chapter practices with council, university, and inter/national expectations.
The Framework
Four Standards of Chapter Excellence
Strong chapters create environments where members learn, lead, achieve, serve, and care for one another.
Standard 01
Civic Engagement
Chapters are expected to contribute meaningfully to the communities around them through service, philanthropy, and community awareness.
- Community Awareness: Understand the impact of individual and organizational actions.
- Philanthropy: Contribute skills and resources to charitable causes.
- Service: Participate in meaningful direct-service opportunities.
- Partnership: Build relationships with community and organizational causes.
Standard 02
Leadership
Chapters should develop members who understand self-governance, ethical responsibility, and values-based leadership.
- Self-Governance: Demonstrate responsible organizational leadership.
- Ethical Responsibility: Make decisions consistent with organizational and university expectations.
- Cultural Understanding: Engage respectfully across communities and experiences.
- Leadership Development: Develop skills members can apply beyond their collegiate experience.
Standard 03
Academic Excellence
Academic achievement is central to the student experience. Chapters should create cultures that support educational success and degree completion.
- Academic Performance: Promote practices that support individual and chapter achievement.
- Faculty Partnerships: Build meaningful relationships with USC faculty.
- Academic Support: Connect members with appropriate university resources.
- Recognition: Celebrate academic achievement and scholarship.
Standard 04
Well-Being & Safety
Chapters play an important role in creating environments that promote individual well-being, collective responsibility, safety, and care for others.
- Care & Concern: Create cultures where members look after themselves and one another.
- Healthy Practices: Promote healthy and sustainable behaviors.
- Education: Participate in meaningful well-being, prevention, and safety programming.
- Campus Partnerships: Utilize relevant USC resources and subject-matter experts.
Membership is both an opportunity and a responsibility.
Recognized chapters are expected to demonstrate responsible leadership, academic achievement, organizational accountability, community engagement, and a commitment to member well-being.
Chapters should remain in good standing with USC, their governing council, and their inter/national organization while meeting applicable recognition and reporting requirements.
The Annual Process
Accreditation is a year-round commitment.
Chapters are encouraged to integrate the standards into annual planning rather than treating accreditation as a single year-end submission.
01
Plan
Review expectations, establish chapter priorities, and incorporate accreditation goals into annual planning.
02
Engage
Implement programs, partnerships, and chapter practices that demonstrate meaningful progress.
03
Document
Maintain records of participation, outcomes, partnerships, and other evidence of chapter progress.
04
Reflect
Complete the annual process, review feedback, celebrate strengths, and identify priorities for the next year.
Recognition
Maintaining Good Standing
The Standards & Accreditation process is part of USC’s annual recognition expectations for fraternities and sororities.
Chapters should work closely with their Fraternity & Sorority Life council advisor throughout the year to understand expectations, identify resources, and plan for continued success.
Good standing includes:
- University recognition
- Governing council requirements
- Inter/national organization expectations
- Annual university reporting
- Responsible organizational leadership
Build a chapter that leaves a legacy.
Use Standards & Accreditation as a roadmap to strengthen the member experience, develop leaders, support academic achievement, serve the community, and build sustainable organizations.