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Cornell University

Student & Campus Life

Advisory Council for Fraternities & Sororities

Fraternity and Sorority Advisory Council (FSAC) Charter 

Amended 2026 

 

Mission

Since Cornell University’s founding, Sorority and Fraternity Life (SFL) has been an important part of campus life. Fraternities and sororities value fellowship, leadership, service and philanthropy, and academic excellence; they reinforce the Cornell tradition of freedom with responsibility by practicing exemplary self-governance and holding their members to those values. 

The Fraternity Sorority Advisory Council (FSAC) serves as an advisory body reporting solely at the pleasure of the Vice President of Student and Campus Life (VPSCL). FSAC serves as a community-wide policy and planning partner for recognized sororities and fraternities at Cornell.  FSAC promotes collaboration, self-governance, model sorority and fraternity practices, and transparency that cultivate a healthy and sustainable community. 

Vision 

FSAC is an integral part of the broader Cornell community. It supports the ability of the student councils and chapters to self-govern responsibly. It enhances positive reinforcement for high performing organizations and builds bridges to campus and external partners. It encourages community leaders at all levels to establish and maintain model standards for members and chapters. FSAC seeks to ensure every student finds belonging, connection, and a place to call home in an often-challenging collegiate environment.

Objective

FSAC’s primary purpose is to serve as a proactive, action-oriented partner to the VPSCL on policy, planning, administration, and strategic initiatives relating to recognized sororities and fraternities. 

FSAC drives collaboration across alumni, undergraduate leaders, and university staff; leads Action Teams that implement measurable improvements; assists with communication among the university, chapters, alumni housing corporations, advisory boards, and the broader Ithaca community; and emphasizes radical transparency, resilience in the face of uncertainty and disruption, bridge-building across silos, and positive reinforcement of the good work happening in the sorority/fraternity community. 

Membership

The membership of the FSAC consists of 10-15 members appointed by the VPSCL.  The VPSCL may adjust the membership composition to ensure appropriate expertise, diversity of experience, and representation of community stakeholders. 

There will be representation from the following Cornell constituencies: 

Alumni Council Presidents — 3 members

  1. Alumnae Panhellenic Advisory Council (APAC)
  2. Alumni Interfraternity Council (AIFC)
  3. Alumni Multicultural Greek & Fraternal Council (AMGFC)

Undergraduate Student Council Presidents - 3 student leaders provide an important perspective and voice of undergraduate issues (attend meetings as schedules permit) 

  1. Panhellenic Council (PHC)
  2. Interfraternity Council (IFC)
  3. Multicultural Greek Fraternal Council (MGFC)

Alumni of the Cornell sorority/fraternity community — up to 12 members

Student and Campus Life (SCL) staff - 3 members 

  1. Vice President for Student and Campus Life (as needed)
  2. Assistant Vice President for Student and Campus Life (Co-Chair)
  3. Robert G. Engel Director of Sorority and Fraternity Life and additional SFL staff 

Member Expectations 

Qualifications:

  • Familiarity with Cornell operations, governance, and the sorority/fraternity community.
  • Experience in Cornell leadership roles.
  • Ability to serve as an advocate and ambassador for SFL and SCL.
  • Understanding of the strengths, challenges, and evolving needs of the Cornell sorority/fraternity community.

Responsibilities:

  • Represent FSAC in outreach to chapters and alumni.
  • Report constituent needs and concerns to FSAC and share relevant FSAC updates back.
  • Collaborate with student leaders on Committees and Action Teams; serve as positive alumni mentors.
  • Advise on strategic direction and assist with special projects or reports.
  • Support timely, measurable outcomes for Action Teams.

Expectations:

  • Attend FSAC meetings (in-person or virtual) and RSVP promptly.
  • Act as advocates and ambassadors for the Cornell sorority/fraternity community.
  • Promote cross-council collaboration and between undergraduate and alumni councils to prevent silos.
  • Engage with campus and city partners (e.g., CUPD, City of Ithaca, Cornell Wellness, Sexual Assault Prevention resources).
  • Promote resilience, transparency, and constructive dialogue.
  • Reinforce positive behaviors and celebrate chapter achievements.
  • Stay informed about chapter and alumni activities to provide relevant input.
  • Represent Cornell professionally and contribute to objective, collaborative problem-solving.

All members will maintain updated contact profiles to ensure transparency, collaboration, and communication.  The Co-Chairs have the right to remove members who are not meeting expectations or acting inconsistently with fraternal standards and values. 

Officers

There will be two (2) officers, the Co-Chairs of the FSAC, appointed by the VPSCL. The Co-Chairs will work together to establish the agendas for FSAC meetings, coordinate Committee and Action Team work, and manage communication of business and recommendations with the membership and appropriate stakeholders. The Co-Chairs will also meet with specific individuals as needed and various undergraduate and graduate organizations, students, and boards as appropriate in support of the Cornell sorority and fraternity community.

Appointment of Members and Officers

Nominations for membership may be submitted by current FSAC members and Cornell administrators to the VPSCL or their designee for consideration. Appointments of all members and officers are the sole decision of the VPSCL.

New members are invited to join the FSAC by a letter from the VPSCL. A member’s term may be terminated at any time for any reason by the VPSCL or the Co-Chairs. 

The Co-Chairs of the FSAC are appointed by the VPSCL. Nominations may be solicited by the VPSCL from the current members of the FSAC. One Co-Chair will be a staff member, and the other will be an alumni member.  The alumni Co-Chair must be an alumna/us of Cornell and have been an active member of a Cornell recognized sorority or fraternity when a student.

Terms and Term Limits

The alumni Co-Chair of the FSAC will serve one four (4) year term and may be reappointed once to serve a second consecutive four (4) year term.  The staff Co-Chair serves as long as the VPSCL determines appropriate. 

Members will be appointed for terms and term limits as follows:

  1. Alumni Council Presidents:  serve as long as the individual holds the office for their council.
  2. Undergraduate Student Council Presidents: serve as long as the individual holds the office for their council.
  3. Alumni: may serve two (2) consecutive four (4) year terms. Must take a minimum of a one (1) year hiatus before being eligible to be considered for reappointment to the FSAC.
  4. SCL administration staff: serve as long as the staff member is in the position.

Partial terms of less than one (1) year do not count toward term limits.

Committees and Action Teams

Action Teams are the primary vehicle for the council’s work. 

FSAC will maintain dynamic Action Teams focused but not limited to:

  • Risk Management and Student Conduct
  • Housing/Facilities/Financial Management
  • Expansion and Growth
  • Recognition/Community Standards and Expectation
  • Community Building Projects
  • Other topics based on community needs as determined by FSAC

Committees and Action Teams will be created as the FSAC’s business requires focused participation on a particular topic and may include student leaders, SFL staff and/or subject-matter experts as needed. Any Committee created by the FSAC shall have a clear charge and timeline of activity, including a “sunset” date unless otherwise determined by the VPSCL or key staff. The term of an Action Team will not exceed one-year unless extended by the Co-Chairs. 

All Committees and Action Teams must submit a written report or summary of recommendations to the Co-Chairs upon completion of their charge.

Distinguished Directors Emeriti

Long-serving Emeriti who are no longer active with the FSAC, and served 2 consecutive four-year terms, may be considered for the honorary title of FSAC Emerita/Emeritus. FSAC Emeriti will receive the minutes of all meetings and FSAC-sponsored communications, and may be invited to attend meetings at the discretion of the Co-Chairs. 

Meetings

The FSAC will meet at least five (5) times a year. Two (2) times each semester and once during  the summer. Two meetings, one each semester, will be hosted in person on campus. Meeting dates will be set three (3) months in advance. A quorum for conducting business is defined as at least 50% of members. Members are expected to attend at least 80% of the meetings annually unless excused by the Co-Chairs.

Members must maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive student and organizational matters discussed during meetings.  Minutes will be recorded, written, and distributed by SFL staff to all FSAC members and Emeriti members.  FSAC meeting attendance is by invitation only from the Co-Chairs.