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Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity

Standards of Excellence

Zeta Beta Tau’s Standard of Excellence (SOE) process is aimed to recognize, award and assess chapter/prospective chapter performances in the areas outlined in the Zeta Beta Tau Mission and Credo. The purpose of SOE is to give a guide to chapters to align their operations, programs and activities to develop their brothers into leaders of their community and responsible, mature members of society.

Click the image to download the full 2023 SOE Packet

There are four SOE categories, Intellectual Awareness, Social Responsibility, Integrity, and Brotherly Love. The components of each area were determined by the SOE Committee, composed of alumni and undergraduate brothers, ZBT International Headquarters staff and the Supreme Council. The components are directly related to THE JOURNEY and general chapter operations.

The SOE Accreditation process works on a calendar year cycle. All current submissions should be for calendar year 2023. The portals are are open through January 31, 2024.

If you have questions about SOE, email Craig Rowley at crowley@zbtnational.org.

What Chapters Need to Do

Please carefully read details outlined here, such as  due dates and deadlines, how to submit your SOE information and what it means to be Accredited.

LIVE TRACKER: ZBT staff keep a record of what points chapters are receiving and not receiving in a live tracker. This tracker is updated weekly through the year.

LIVE TRACKER

How to Submit

Many SOE points require the chapter to submit specific info via a direct link. Some points require separate actions outside of the SOE documentation, such as submitting new initiates through myZBT or attending ZBT programs. See the below options for submitting; the points are the same in all files, they are simply rearranged for convenience.

SOE Points

Checklist

Also available: Full packet (PDF) including policies, deadlines, points and submission links.

We encourage chapter leadership to submit points throughout the year to ensure you are staying timely with your SOE materials.

Tips for Submitting Points

  • The submission portal will tell you exactly what we are looking for the chapter to submit.
  • We highly recommend logging into myZBT and familiarizing yourself with the Resource Center as all required forms and resources are located there.
  • If you submit early, you will receive feedback from staff. This year, submit no later than December 1 to receive feedback. Submissions after December 1 will be reviewed as is.
  • SOE items that are required to be done twice a year based on your campus’ academic calendar: For semester campuses: once in the fall term and once in the spring term; For quarter campuses: once in the fall quarter and once in the winter/spring quarter, the presentations should be at least 6 weeks a part.
  • Once you receive your score card at the International Convention, you will have until September 15, 2023, to request a review to ensure no points were missed.

Timeline

  • March 1, 2023 – 2023 SOE Live Tracker starts, and portals open for submissions
  • December 1, 2023 – Submission prior to December 1, 2023, will receive feedback from ZBT staff. All submissions after December 1 will be reviewed as is.
  • February 29, 2024 – 2023 SOE portal are closed, and live tracker is taken down
  • March 1, 2024 – Awards will open
  • May 1, 2024 – Award applications close
  • July 2024 – All 2023 Awards and 2023 SOE Scorecards will be presented at the 2024 International Convention
  • After International Convention – Individual Chapters/Prospective Chapters can request a coaching session to review all 2023 accreditation points with a Fraternity staff member
  • September 15, 2024 – All 2024 accreditation meetings are finalized

Chapter Rankings

To be a representative chapter of Zeta Beta Tau, certain standards need to be achieved. Earning Accreditation is the minimum expectation.

Not Accredited

0-49% of all possible points

  • The Chapter/Prospective Chapter will be in a “not good standing” with the International Fraternity.
  • The Chapter/Prospective Chapter will work with staff to create a development plan to meet the minimum accreditation level and may need to present a “show cause” to the Supreme Council.
  • The Chapter/ Prospective Chapter may be placed on a probationary status and must meet the minimum standards for at least one year following the audit to regain good standing.
Accredited with Watch

50-59% all possible points

  • The Chapter/Prospective Chapter will be in “good standing” with the International Fraternity.
  • The Chapter will work with staff to create a development plan to meet the minimum accreditation level.
  • The Chapter/Prospective Chapter is eligible for awards at the International Convention, except Brummer Cup.
Accredited

60-69% of possible points

  • The Chapter/Prospective Chapter will be in “good standing” with the International Fraternity.
  • The Chapter/Prospective Chapter is eligible for awards at International Convention, including Brummer Cup.
1 Star Chapter

70-79% of possible points

  • The Chapter/Prospective Chapter will be in “good standing” with the International Fraternity.
  • The Chapter/Prospective Chapter is eligible for awards at International Convention, including Brummer Cup.
2 Star Chapter

80-89% all possible points

  • The Chapter/Prospective Chapter will be in “good standing” with the International Fraternity.
  • The Chapter/Prospective Chapter is eligible for awards at International Convention, including Brummer Cup.
3 Star Chapter

90-100% all possible points

  • The Chapter/Prospective Chapter will be in “good standing” with the International Fraternity.
  • The Chapter/Prospective Chapter is eligible for awards at International Convention, including Brummer Cup.

Win ZBT Awards

Chapters need to be accredited — to achieve at least 50% of the possible Standards of Excellence points — to be in consideration for awards from the Fraternity.

  • Chapter Awards, such as the Brummer Cup for Most Outstanding Chapter and the Edwin B. Meissner Award for Most Improved Chapter
  • Individual Awards, such as The Roswell “Buddy” Messing Award for Most Outstanding Individual Brother and Maine-Heffer Award for Most Outstanding Chapter President
  • Special Awards, presented at the discretion of the Supreme Council, such as Man of the Year and the Gottheil Medal

ABOUT YOUR CHAPTER’S STANDING: In order to reach any Accreditation level, the chapter/prospective chapter must be in “Good Standing” with the International Fraternity.  This means the minimum basic expectations for chapter success must be met, including but not limited to a $0 balance with ZBT, officer roster updated, full chapter roster updated, etc.

Add our Google Calendar

Major deadlines, including Standards of Excellence, programs, holidays and due dates. Click here to add to your Google Calendar or view below.